Black American West Museum & Heritage Center
Nearly one-third of the cowboys in the Old West were black, and this museum chronicles their little-known history, along with that of black doctors, teachers, miners, farmers, newspaper reporters, and state legislators. The extensive collection occupies the Victorian home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first black woman licensed to practice medicine in Denver. Known locally as the "Lady Doctor," Ford (1871-1951) delivered more than 7,000 babies -- most of them at home because she was denied hospital privileges -- and consistently served the disadvantaged and underprivileged of Denver.The museum's founder and curator emeritus, Paul Stewart, loved to play cowboys and Indians as a boy, but his playmates always chose him to be an Indian because "There was no such thing as a black cowboy." He began researching the history of blacks in the West after meeting a black cowboy who had led cattle drives in the early 20th century. Stewart explored almost every corner of the American West, gathering artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, oral histories -- anything to document the existence of black cowboys -- and his collection served as the nucleus for this museum when it opened in 1971. Allow 1 hour.

Denver Botanic Gardens
Twenty-three acres of outstanding outdoor and indoor gardens display plants native to the desert, plains, mountain foothills, and alpine zones. There's also a traditional Japanese garden, herb garden, water garden, fragrance garden, and a garden inspired by the art of Monet. "Romantic Gardens" feature a waterway, and the "Gardens of the World" hold plants from Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the tropics.Even in the cold of winter, the dome-shaped, concrete-and-Plexiglas Tropical Conservatory houses thousands of species of tropical and subtropical plants. Huge, colorful orchids and bromeliads share space with a collection of plants used for food, fibers, dyes, building materials, and medicines. The Botanic Gardens also have a gift shop, library, and auditorium. Special events are scheduled throughout the year; offerings range from garden concerts in summer to a spring book-and-plant sale to a cornfield maze southwest of Denver in the fall. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center
A walk through the butterfly conservatory introduces the visitor to a world of grace and beauty. The constant mist creates a hazy habitat to support the lush green plants that are both food and home to the inhabitants. If you stand still for a few minutes, a butterfly might land on you, but don't try to pick them up -- the oils on your hands contaminate their senses, interfering with their ability to find food. One display describes the differences among butterflies, moths, and skippers, and color charts help with identification. (A butterfly guide is available for a nominal fee.)In the insect room you'll discover that honeybees beat their wings some 200 times per second, and beetles comprise one-fifth of all living things on earth. Meet arthropods (the scientific name for insects) that are native to Colorado, and see exotic species from around the world. A fascinating "touch cart" allows you to get up close to a cockroach or tarantula, assuming that you really want to.A 31,000-square-foot expansion was completed in 2004, housing "Shrunk!" -- giant robotic insects (it can be scary for little ones) and nifty interactive exhibits about the biomechanics of bugs. Also on the premises are a large gift shop and snack bar. Outside, a 1/2-mile nature trail meanders amidst cacti and other desert-friendly plants. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Holiday Inn DENVER-CITY CENTER
Take a video tour of this hotel!The Holiday Inn Denver City Center is committed to making your stay the most enjoyable experience while visiting the beautiful Colorado Rockies. Few cities have the appeal, sophistication and energy of Denver, where the downtown area is alive with culture, commerce and fun. Staying with the Holiday Inn Denver City Center allows you to experience Denver's numerous attractions which include the memorial museum and the grave of Buffalo Bill, tours of the Coors ...

Embassy Suites Hotel Denver - Aurora
Hotel guests will love our convenient location. The hotel is just West of the Denver International Airport right off of Interstate I-70. We are located in a business park setting close to many local business and corporations. Within a matter of minutes, guests can leave our front door and arrive to Downtown Denver, the Denver Zoo, and many of the major tourist attractions and shopping areas. We are also just down the street from the Stapleton Development Center and minutes away from the ...

Inn at Cherry Creek
This new boutique hotel, located in the Heart of the Cherry Creek North Shopping and Restaurant District. The Hotel features 35 intimate guest rooms with LCD flat screen TVs, terrycloth bathrobes, large work desks, complimentary high-speed Internet connections, two phones, and irons and ironing boards. Some rooms feature fireplaces, two-room suites with living rooms and private balconies.The Inn also features a new restaurant, the Weber that offers fresh American cuisine in an intimate ...