Denver Mountain Parks
Formally established in August 1913, the city's Mountain Parks system immediately began acquiring land in the mountains near Denver to be set aside for recreational use. Today it includes more than 14,000 acres, with 31 developed mountain parks and 16 unnamed wilderness areas that are wonderful places for hiking, picnicking, bird-watching, golfing, or lazing in the grass and sun.The first and largest, Genesee Park, is 20 miles west of Denver off I-70 exit 254; its 2,341 acres contain the Chief Hosa Lodge and Campground (the only overnight camping available in the system), picnic areas with fireplaces, a softball field, a scenic overlook, and an elk-and-buffalo enclosure.Among the system's other parks is Echo Lake, about 45 minutes from downtown Denver on Colo. 103. At 10,600 feet elevation on Mount Evans, the park has good fishing, hiking, and picnicking, plus a restaurant and curio shop. (Note: A fee program is being tested here; the charge is $10 per carload.) Other parks include 1,000-acre Daniels Park (23 miles south of Denver; take I-25 to Castle Pines Parkway, then go west to the park), which offers picnic areas, a bison enclosure, and a scenic overlook; and Dedisse Park (2 miles west of Evergreen on Colo. 74), which provides picnic facilities, a golf course, restaurant, clubhouse, and opportunities for ice-skating, fishing, and volleyball.

Vance Kirkland Museum
This relatively new museum covers Colorado's most illustrious artist, Vance Kirkland (1904-81), in grand fashion, while also presenting a world-class collection of decorative arts. Kirkland was a watercolor painter focused on Western landscapes when he started experimenting and combined oils and watercolors on one canvas. The traditional arts establishment dropped his modern ideas like a bad habit, but he later won accolades for creating his own artistic universe in his stunning paintings, about 60 of which are on display here. His preserved brick studio (first built in 1911) has an unusual harness he used for painting on flat canvases face down (dating from his "dot" period). The decorative arts collection includes about 3,000 pieces ranging from teacups to armchairs, and there are also over 600 works by notable Colorado artists other than Kirkland.

City Park
Denver's largest urban park covers 330 acres (96 sq. blocks) on the east side of uptown. Established in 1881, it retains Victorian touches. The park encompasses two lakes (with boat rentals and fishing), athletic fields, jogging and walking trails, a free children's water feature, playgrounds, tennis courts, picnic areas, and an 18-hole municipal golf course. In summer, there are concerts. The park is also the site of the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (including its IMAX Theater), discussed elsewhere in this chapter.

Red Lion Denver Central
The Red Lion Denver Central, offering complimentary shuttles to DIA, is a first-class hotel located near the Denver International Airport. Guests will appreciate all that this attractive hotel has to offer, from the moment they check in until the moment they leave. A good location, nice amenities and service that is unparalleled makes this property the ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers. Adding to the comfort and convenience is the fact that the hotel provides easy access to ...

Four Points by Sheraton Denver Southeast
Nearby Airport: * Denver International Airport - 26 Miles Nearby Cities: * Englewood - 4 Miles * Southglen - 7 Miles * Littleton - 8 Miles * Aurora - 11 Miles * Lakewood - 13 Miles * Wheat Ridge - 15 Miles * Arvada - 19 Miles * Westminster - 19 Miles * Castle Rock - 21 Miles * Golden - 21 Miles * Broomfield - 26 Miles * Denver - 26 Miles * Brighton - 30 Miles * Boulder - 37 ...

Wyndham Denver Tech Center Hotel
Perfectly situated in the prestigious Denver Tech Center, the Wyndham Denver Tech Center hotel is within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, entertainment and Tech Center parks. The location is convenient to golf, tennis, Park Meadows Shopping Center and the Cherry Creek Reservoir. Coors Field, Mile-High Stadium, The Pepsi Center and the Red Rocks Outdoor Amphitheater are a short drive away. Colorado Springs and skiing at Pikes Peak are one hour away. The hotel is located just 10 ...