Inspired by Rocky Mountain vistas surrounding Denver, artists, architects, and other creatives have transformed Colorado’s Mile High City into a world-class cultural destination.
ONE HOT ARTS SCENE
Hailed by insiders as America’s best new museum stop, the Denver Art Museum’s light-filled seven-story silhouette dazzles in its mega makeover. A short walk from the Golden Triangle Creative District, this acclaimed arts venue houses a rare collection of Indigenous art. See life-sized papier mâché figures by Leonardo Linares, a renowned master of the Mexican “cartonería” tradition. Switch gears and tour another mile, this one in eclectic LoDo (Lower Downtown). Explore galleries, restaurants and shops on the 16th Street Free MallRide, a free shuttle available daily.
DIG THE ART HOTELS
The glass pinnacles of the acclaimed ART Hotel Denver zigzag the sky against a Rockies backdrop. It’s here where you can go on a self-guided arts-fuelled hotel tour for a trippy experience that reveals original art on every level. View Leo Villareal’s eye-popping 22,000-LED light installation, and Joel Otterson’s trash-to-treasure chandelier installation of fused vintage crystal goblets, called Bottoms Up. In the evening with stars ablazing, head to this top-rated hotel’s FIRE Terrace by the swirling firepit for even more jaw-dropping panoramic views.
Anchoring the revitalized LoDo neighbourhood and Union Station, Kimpton Hotel Born has mass appeal. The mountain chic decor, windowed-walls of the cityscape, plus 700 original artworks by Denver artists curated by the Museum of Contemporary Art make this a favourite crash pad for hipsters. Guests enjoy loaner bicycles, and it’s pet-friendly!
FREE OUTDOOR ART 24/7
Denver has become a global graffiti powerhouse. In RiNo (River North Art District), explore blocks of visionary artisanal street art. Look for Larimer Boy/Girl by local artist Jeremy Burns. He painted this optical illusion mural as a three-dimensional canvas on a block-long building.
PICTURE-PERFECT FOOD + DRINKS
Sample edible art at Linger, a rooftop hideaway tucked inside a former mortuary in the Lower Highland (LoHi) neighbourhood. Pair healthy, global street food with sensual mocktails like the Turmeric Mule. Declared as “Denver’s backyard daydream,” the outdoor rooftop bar lounge at the Red Barber exudes a moody ambience in the RiNo Art District. Mingle with the locals and order light bites, and curated cocktails with more 360-degree panoramas. For a quintessential Denver experience, there’s a new spa that has captured the local craft beer scene in a unique way. At the Beer Spa soak in a private beer-spiked hot tub, and afterward, detox at the infrared sauna or sip local craft beer and cider at the taproom.
Why Go Now?
Now that the ultra-revamp of the Denver Art Museum’s Martin Building has elevated Denver’s art scene to peak level, it’s time to indulge in this alpine cultural wonderland.
Travel Planner
For more information on Denver’s art scene, see denver.org
