Metro Attractions

The Denver metro area encompasses six counties covering 4,500 square miles and includes more than 40 separate communities. It varies from the eastern plains to the western foothills-which contain many scenic Denver mountain parks-and offers a wide range of things to do and see.

Some Suggested Attractions

City Park

Denver's largest park is home to the Denver Zoo, City Park Golf Course, and the Denver Museum of Natural History. Tropical Discovery, which recreates a two-acre rain forest ecosystem, opened at the Zoo in November. A visit to Tropical Discovery reveals wonders ranging from the clouded leopard to colorful tropical fish, and hundreds of species of reptiles and plants native to the warm, wet environment.

Museum of Natural History

Denver Botanic Gardens

The most tranquil spot in the city. Stroll the water gardens, Japanese Garden (where over 300 tons of stone have been artfully arranged), the Rock Alpine Garden, and the award-winning Conservatory with its collection of orchids and bromeliads.

Denver Botanical Gardens

Coors Brewing Company

Colorado brews more beer than any other state, and Coors offers free tours of the world's largest single brewing facility. See the copper kettles that each brew 13,640 gallons of beer, then sample a brew or two at the hospitality suite.

Children's Museum

This unique participatory museum offers dozens of "hands-on" activities for children and adults, including a mini-TV studio. There's a special area for toddlers, a great gift shop and on selected Friday nights, free entertainment for the whole family.

KidSlope at the Children's Museum

Mile High Greyhound Park

Go, dog, go! Live greyhound racing comes to the metro area from June through February; satellite wagering from other Colorado tracks offered year-round. Satellite wagering on horse races is available from October through April at Arapahoe Park, where the ponies run May through September.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge

This former weapons production plant is now home to deer, coyotes, prairie dogs, hawks, owls and magnificent bald eagles. Free tours offered year- round; in December, Eagle Watch, the Arsenal's observation blind provides closed circuit glimpses of the great birds in their natural settings.

Black American West Museum

African-Americans made up nearly a third of all the cowboys in the Wild West, and this unique museum tells their story. Housed in the former home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first African-American physician in Denver, the museum's exhibits and historical materials also detail what life was like for black settlers on the American frontier.

Black American West Museum

Buffalo Bill's Memorial Museum and Grave

Celebrate the exploits of the Old West's most famous character, Buffalo Bill Cody. The museum contains guns, costumes, posters and memorabilia from the Wild West show, and the gravesite offers sweeping views of Denver and the plains beyond. And remember Bill on his birthday, February 26.

Al Huffman as Buffalo Bill Cody

Heritage Square

Year-round family fun in a Victorian- style shopping and entertainment center, with amusement rides and specialty shops. The Music Hall serves up music and melodrama with dinner; the Lazy H Chuckwagon dinner comes complete with a Western show.

Victorian building at Heritage Square

Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

This multidisciplinary arts center offers dance, drama, music and visual art exhibits, by both local artists and nationally known performers. Special emphasis is placed on quality productions for young people as well as art education.

Keith Instone // instone@acm.org // 94-12-30