Five Attractions In The Great Outdoors In And Around Denver

There are a number of great destinations to live in the American West, but one of the best and most popular places to is the city of Denver.  When it comes to things to do for travelers and locals alike, the menu offered by Denver is hard to beat.  Although the city is home to many fine restaurants, shopping opportunities, museums, and performance venues, one of the biggest benefits to coming to the Denver area is getting outdoors.  There are a number of attractions both in and around the city though that cater to those seeking an experience in the great outdoors, here is a look at five of them that should satisfy and entertain almost any traveler visiting Denver.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre
One of the most spectacular sights to see in the area surrounding the city of Denver is the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  The area is like nothing else with a great many large rocks sticking up out of the mountainside, many hundreds of feet tall, each one offering itself as a natural formation to be photographed and appreciated.  The Red Rocks area is gorgeous beyond belief and particularly appealing to those interested in the more rugged beauty found in the Rocky Mountain region.  That is just the beginning of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre though as this natural area has been slightly altered by man and now has a seating capacity of nearly 10,000 people who can venture there on a regular basis to view any number of concerts and performances that are held there throughout the year.  Enjoying a high quality performance in such an awe inspiring natural setting is an experience that cannot be duplicated elsewhere.

Coors Field
On a hot summer day in beautiful Denver, Colorado, there are few more rewarding experiences than sitting outside and enjoying a wonderful view of the city while watching a Major League Baseball game at Coors Field.  There are some great food options in the facility and not a bad seat in the house.  This is a popular stop for both baseball fans and non-fans alike and a Colorado Rockies game is one of the more fun activities viewable in the Mile High City.

Denver Zoo
One of the best equipped zoos in the American West is the Denver Zoo which has more than 4,000 animals on display and is laid out in a very unique setting meant to replicate the natural habitat of the many animals housed there.  Visitors to the zoo find it not only a wonderful place to see and learn about the animal kingdom, but also a great place for a picnic or meal outside.  The zoo has a unique setting with much of the city visible from different spots within the facility.  Walking the pathways leading through the many hands-on exhibits is a great way to have a much better than average zoo experience and also enjoy the fresh outdoor air that helps make Denver what it is today.

Mount Evans Scenic Byway
Over the course of just twenty-eight miles, visitors driving on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway will clime more than 7,000 feet in altitude.  Though it may be warm outside when they leave the city, it is a good idea for any visitor to the area making the trek up the scenic byway to bring along a coat as the temperatures at that altitude can begin to get somewhat cold.  The scenery visible from the drive and the many viewpoints and scenic turnouts along the way is truly something special and a great place to get photographs.  The trip to the top from the downtown area of Denver takes about an hour to complete, longer if the traveler makes a number of stops along the way, and based on scenic beauty along should be billed more openly as one of the best attractions in the Denver area.  This is easily one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors in the region.

Platte River Greenway
One of the best resources that many of the locals take advantage of on a regular basis in Denver is the Platte River Greenway.  This urban greenway lines the famous Platte River that the city was originally founded upon and provides tourists and locals alike a great option for traveling through some of the areas of the city of Denver.  Visitors to the greenway can walk, jog, run, inline skate, and bike the paths found there that lead through the heart of the city and out into and towards many neighborhoods.  The Platte River Greenway is more than just an alternate mode of transportation, it also is the site of many educational entertainment events too.  The Platte River Greenway is a treasure that the city of Denver should be justifiably proud of.

Visiting Denver is a great choice for almost any traveler who makes the decision to go there.  The cit has everything from fine dining and shopping opportunities to professional sporting events and tourist attractions.  One of the best things that Denver has to offer though is the great outdoors that the area has used to attract visitors for well over one hundred years.  The city is well aware of the benefits and attractions that its outdoor spaces have and have attempted to make it easier for locals and travelers alike to utilize and experience these areas as much as possible.  Denver is home to a wide variety of things to do and places to go, but it is the outdoor attractions in the city of Denver that routinely attract the most attention and praise.