The fact that Denver has the 10th-largest downtown in the country belies the city’s quaint historic charms but also highlights its world-class modern cultural offerings and abundant urban green spaces.

The city boasts over 800 miles of off-street biking, hiking, and jogging trails, which link the vibrant downtown to charming old neighborhoods buzzing with new energy. One of Denver’s 200 parks, City Park, has stunning views of the city’s skyline and the Rocky Mountains, and is the home of the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Denver’s location 5,280 feet above sea level has become an attraction in itself, with many spots throughout the city physically marking a mile-high spot. Whether you’re ambling through the Denver Botanic Gardens or just walking up and over the Millennium Bridge, it’s a good idea to drink more water to lessen the effects of altitude sickness. Being one mile closer to the sun—especially in a city that gets over 300 days of sunshine annually—also means you should slather on the sunscreen before going out to see the sights.

Touring the sights in Denver might mean riding a bicycle past the whitewater rapids on the South Platte River in Confluence Park or meandering past the bronzed statues of Civic Center Park on the way to the Denver Art Museum’s striking new addition. As wonderful as it is to sightsee in the fresh air, the city’s downtown also offers a new light rail train that quickly takes visitors from one sight to another, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art|Denver or the Black American West Museum.

No matter how you get from Point A to Point B, it’s always an adventure to explore Denver, learning about the city’s rich past or discovering its latest additions.

Denver’s Best Sights

• Best Public Art: Big Blue Bear
• Best History Lesson: Black American West Museum
• Best Time Spent with Money: United States Mint at Denver
• Best Museum: Denver Art Museum
• Best Park: Commons Park
• Best Rooftop: Museum of Contemporary Art|Denver
• Best Use of Local Resources: Colorado State Capitol Building
• Best City Escape: Denver Botanic Gardens
• Best City Vista: Denver Museum of Nature and Science
• Best Wildlife Viewing: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge