Situated between the Great Plains and the American West, Denver attracts thousands of tourists each year with its glistening skyscrapers and proximity to the Rocky Mountains. As the ideal base from which to explore the great outdoors of this region, the city offers a relaxing and friendly atmosphere, with plenty going on year-round.

While few people come to Denver just for the city alone, those on their way into the mountains will find the city a convenient and enjoyable stop off. Downtown Denver is where most of the action is at, with much of the architecture you see here having been built from the mineral wealth that the city prospered from in its early days.

Museums, a performing arts scene, the State Capitol and the Colorado Convention Center are good territories for visitor exploration, with the entire city being compact enough to be covered on foot by energetic sightseers. The shopping and restaurant scene here will make a welcome break for those who have just returned from outdoor adventures, while the city’s cultural establishments such as the Black American West Museum and the Denver Art Museum are also well worth a visit.

When the sun goes down, visitors to Denver can get a taste of the Colorado nightlife with a visit to one of the downtown brewpubs, LoDo district sports bars or catch some live music entertainment. Alternatives include watching a performance at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre or at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, while Symphony Hall offers great acoustics.

The accommodations here are generally small welcoming hotels with a friendly and courteous atmosphere. With big hotel chain establishments, visitors to the city can expect a more intimate stay in unpretentious quarters, with simple rooms and standard facilities being the norm here.

If you are looking for a more luxurious stay however, the Adam’s Mark Hotel is the city’s largest hotel with a great location next to the 16^th Street mall. Most of the city’s accommodation options can be found in downtown, although Lo-Do, the heart of the action at night, also has some options.

A city built on mineral wealth, Denver has maintained its economy and status by ensuring its transport link, making it the central commercial and transport hub of Colorado State.

The origins of the city date back to 1858, when gold was first discovered in the region. This gold attracted fortune-seekers from far and wide. Prior to this influx, the land was occupied by the Arapahoe, but they overrun by the gold-hunters who had little regard for their land ownership claims.

The reality of the little gold that was actually here soon began to dawn on the irritated new arrivals and most fled when word of the gold strike at Central City reached the town. This temporary slump in Denver’s development was short-lived, with a renewed influx of fortune-seekers upon the discovery of silver in the mountains.

At the time of the first gold and silver discoveries, Denver was devoid of any real transport links with the rest of the country. The city was without a river, paved road or rail line. This all changed when the state’s first railroads were constructed, bypassing the town. Residents were forced to take matters into their own hands and built their own connecting spur in order to preserve the community’s livelihood, which without a rail link would have meant certain death.

With the modern city’s mineral resources all but exhausted, today’s Denver still relies on its transport links for its commercial success, while tourism from visitors on their way to the Rocky Mountains has also been profitable for the city.

Although it is possible to visit Denver year-round, those who want to brave the winter months should come well-prepared; although temperatures are brisk in the winter, visitors will be rewarded with plentiful activities and an excellent base from which to check out some of the best skiing areas in Colorado.

The seasons here are distinct, largely due to the westerly winds that sweep in from the Pacific. At the edge of the Great Plains and the start of the Rockies, Denver experiences icy Arctic winds in the cold months that blow in from Canada, while summer temperatures are favourably warmed with airflow from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Spring and autumn are mild and make ideal times to visit while also offering the advantage of fewer crowds and low-season discounts. Thunderstorms can strike at any time of the year in Denver, with the most common times being during summer and spring, while a low level of rainfall is also spread throughout the year.

With Denver’s close proximity to the mountains, visitors who arrive here with the intention of exploring the peaks will need to pack some warm clothes, as the temperatures drop significantly in correspondence to the altitude.