Denver, the capital of Colorado, is rich in history related to government, the Wild West, gold mining, and more. Here are 13 must see sites to visit in the metro area.
Denver Union Train Station
1. Cheesman Park. Portions of Cheesman Park have been open to the public since 1898. Located in the heart of Denver, Cheesman Park is an urban green space filled with shaded trails, benches, and more. The park was once a Prospect Hill Cemetery and later Denver City Cemetery from 1859 until 1890.
2. Buckhorn Exchange. Established in 1893, the Buckhorn Exchange claims to be the oldest, still operated restaurant in Denver. Along with a menu filled with wild game like bison and elk, an impressive taxidermy collection shows the hunting history of Colorado.
3. Molly Brown House Museum. Margaret Brown, also known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” was an American philanthropist of the later 19th and early 20th centuries. She survived the devastating sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and called Colorado home by 1886. She and her husband, James John, bought the Victorian mansion for $30,000. Today, the home represents the activism, philanthropy, and passion of Molly through educational programs and exhibits.
4. Denver Firefighters Museum. The original home to Engine Co. No. 1, today features dozens of artifacts, documents, and photographs that showcase the history of firefighting by the Denver Fire Dept. The original Station One was dedicated January 2, 1882 and opened as a museum May 27, 1980.
5. Larimer Square. Denver’s oldest and most historic block lined with restaurants, shops, and more, found among historical buildings such as the Miller Building. It once housed the legendary Gahan’s Saloon and today is Ted’s Montana Grill. The street gets its name from General Larimer, who founded Denver City on November 22, 1858, and in 1971, the block was designated as Denver’s first historic district.
6. Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. William F. Cody’s experience as a buffalo hunter rewarded him the nickname “Buffalo Bill.” The Museum showcases the life and legends of William Cody, along with exhibits showing Native American artifacts, firearms, Wild West legends, and more. Buffalo Bill’s grave rests on Lookout Mountain.
7. Colorado State Capitol. The Colorado State Capitol opened in November 1894. The building is constructed of white granite and topped with a distinctive dome, covered in copper panels gilded with gold leaf from a Colorado mine.
8. Union Station. The pioneer spirit rings true in Denver’s Union Station. First opened in 1881 as Denver Union Depot, travelers arrived by train. In 1914, the newly built station opened with a new Renaissance Revival style made of carved granite and terracotta. Today, Union Station is a cultural hub featuring dining, shopping, and the Crawford Hotel.
9. Confluence Park. An urban park where the Cherry Creek and South Platte River meet. This is also where William Greeneberry Russell’s party began its search for gold in May, 1858. This discovery sparked the Colorado Gold Rush and the encampment would later become Denver. Today, visitors can enjoy park benches, river overlooks, grassy areas, and paved trails.
10. Denver Trolley. Denver’s historic electric rail transit system extended more than 250 miles of city tracks and 40 miles of inter-urban areas connecting Denver, Boulder, and Golden. Before it was decommissioned in 1950 with the growing accessibility to automobiles, the Denver Trolley took riders to local venues, shops, offices, schools, and more. Ride the historic trolley today and visit other attractions.
11. Denver Mint. Arguably the “richest” form of history in Colorado can be found at the Denver Mint. It produces billions of coins each year for the United States. Visitors can see the process along a free tour.
12. Four Mile Historic Park. Discover Denver’s western heritage at Four Mile Historic Park. See a working farm with horses, goats, chickens, and pigs, along with replicas of historical figures and structures. Denver’s oldest standing structure is the Four Mile House Museum.
13. Forney Museum of Transportation. If you like to see the history of our transportation system in Colorado, then this museum is a must see for transportation fans. From the earliest cars and trucks, tractors, steam locomotives, and cable cars to today’s vehicles. There are over 600 artifacts related to transportation.
Compliments of Leslie James, OutThere Colorado, at www.outthere colorado.
com/.