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During your Denver vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Denver Zoo
More than 750 species of animals (more than 4,000 individuals) live in this spacious zoological park, home to the rare deer-like okapi as well as endangered cheetahs, Komodo dragons, and western lowland gorillas. The newest (and most ambitious) habitat here is Predator Ridge, a re-created African savannah with lions, hyenas, and other African predators, opening along with a new entrance and parking facility in 2004. The exhibit is modeled after a Kenyan preserve, complete with artificial termite mounds that disperse insects for the banded mongoose that live here. The zoo has long been an innovator in re-creating realistic habitats: Bear Mountain, built in 1918, was the first animal exhibit in the United States constructed of simulated concrete rockwork.The zoo is home to the nation's first natural gas-powered train ($1). The electric Safari Shuttle ($2.50 adults, $1.50 children) tours all zoo paths from spring through fall. An especially kid-friendly attraction is the Conversation Carousel ($1), featuring wood-carved renditions of such endangered species as okapi, polar bears, Komodo dragons, and hippos. The Hungry Elephant, a cafeteria with an outdoor eating area, serves full meals, and picnicking is popular, too. Feeding times are posted near the zoo entrance so you can time your visit to see the animals at their most active. Allow from 2 hours to a whole day.
Denver Art Museum
Founded in 1893, this seven-story museum is wrapped by a thin 28-sided wall faced with one million sparkling tiles. Construction on a jagged, avant-garde addition, designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, began in 2003. When finished in fall 2006, the unique structure will double the size of the museum and give Denver its most distinctive building by a long shot.The museum's collection of Western and regional works is its cornerstone. Included are Frederic Remington's bronze The Cheyenne, Charles Russell's painting In the Enemy's Country, plus 19th-century photography, historical pieces, and works by Georgia O'Keeffe. In 2001, Dorothy and William Harmsen, longtime Colorado residents and founders of the Jolly Rancher Candy Company, donated their prestigious Western art collection to the museum. Assembled over 40 years, the collection immediately made the museum's inventory of Western art one of the most impressive in the nation.The American Indian collection is also excellent, consisting of more than 17,000 pieces from 150 tribes of North America, spanning nearly 2,000 years. The collection is growing through the acquisition of historic pieces as well as the commissioning of works by contemporary artists. Other collections include architecture and design; graphics; and Asian, African, Oceanic, modern and contemporary, pre-Columbian, and Spanish Colonial art.Overview tours are available Tuesday through Sunday at 1:30pm, plus 11am on Saturday; an in-depth tour of a different area of the museum is offered each Wednesday and Friday at noon and 1pm; and a variety of child-oriented and family programs are scheduled regularly. There is also a gift shop. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Once a site where the U.S. Army manufactured chemical weapons such as mustard gas and GB nerve agent, and later leased to a private enterprise to produce pesticides, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal has become an environmental success story. The 27-square-mile Superfund cleanup site, an area of open grasslands and wetlands just west of Denver International Airport, is home to more than 330 species, including deer, coyotes, prairie dogs, and birds of prey. An estimated 100 bald eagles make this one of the country's largest eagle-roosting locales during the winter.The Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Society Bookstore is at the visitor center, and there are 10 miles of hiking trails and catch-and-release fishing. For a guided tour, it's best to call a day or two in advance. Allow at least an hour.
Ramada Limited & Suites Denver International Airport
The Ramada Limited & Suites Denver International Airport is the closest hotel to the airport located just 7 miles from the terminal. Our Ramada is on Tower Road just a half mile from Pena Blvd. Ramada is 25 minutes from Downtown Denver and all there is to do including dining, nightlife, entertainment, and shopping in our Historic LoDo District, 16th Street Mall and the Pavillions. Enjoy Denvers many exciting activity venues held at Invesco Field at Mile High, Coors Field, The Pepsi Center, ...
Courtyard by Marriott Denver Stapleton
Please note the swimming pool and whirlpool are closed for renovation through April 26th 2007. * The hotel designed by business travelers, Courtyard by Marriott surrounds you with all the comforts that make business and pleasure travel easy. Get ready for the day ahead in one of our guest rooms featuring cable television with free HBO premium channel, comfortable sitting area, free wired high speed Internet access, hairdryer, in-room coffee and tea service, iron and board, spacious ...
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