Enjoy outdoor life in the Mile High City

The great outdoors meets the big city in Denver, Colorado. With 90 golf courses, the USA’s largest city park system, 300 days of sunshine a year, a vibrant downtown and a thriving art and cultural scene, it’s popular with travellers. Located in the Rocky Mountains, exactly one mile above sea-level Denver is known as the Mile High City. Its various neighbourhoods offer the visitor plenty to do and see including the Riverfront area with its Elitch Gardens Amusement Park and Aquarium. Visit the trendy LoDo neighbourhood with hip restaurants and clubs and Larimer Square with upmarket boutiques and eateries. Stroll through the River North Art District (RiNo) where the creative folk hang out in the art galleries and cafes. Add to this the stunning scenery surrounding the Mile High City and you’ve got yourself a tempting destination.

Why Go?
There is a huge amount to do and see in Denver and perfect for anyone who loves the buzz of a city but wants to spend time outdoors. It’s also a good place with which to combine a skiing trip in the winter months or golf at any time of year.

When to Go?
Denver enjoys a great climate with city officials claiming it has more sunshine than San Diego and Miami Beach. Summers are hot with sunny days and comfortably cool evenings. Spring is warm and occasionally wet, and autumn is warm and usually dry. Winters are mild, and golf courses and outdoor cafes stay open all year round.

How to get there
There are direct flights to Denver International Airport (DEN) from London Heathrow, while a number of other airports offer indirect flights with onward connections in the US. The flight time is around 10 hours from London. The skiing season is from mid-November to mid-April, making late spring and early autumn the cheapest times for flights.

Must See
Walk around the LoDo and RiNo areas to get a feel for Denver life. Visit the 23-acre Denver Botanic Gardens and check out the 40-foot tall sculpture of a blue bear that peers into the convention centre. Book tickets to see the city’s American Football team the Denver Broncos. Walk up the west side stairs to the Colorado State Capitol, you’ll be exactly one mile above sea level on the 13th step. Budding paleontologists should head 15 miles out of town to Red Rocks Park to see fossil remains from the Jurassic period.