Denver
Thrills & Chills
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
Print this Page
Email this Page
|
EVERGREEN. The opportunity for hiking and mountain biking that's most convenient to Denver is Alderfer / Three Sisters Park in Jefferson County. It's known for magnificent views of the Three Sisters and Big Brother peaks, and its Summit trail presents views of the Continental Divide. If elevation is what you're looking for, Sisters trail offers a challenge for bikers, escalating 946 feet and promising plenty of physical exertion.
ENGLEWOOD. See the Rocky Mountains in a way that few other visitors do when you take a helicopter tour of the Front Range. On a "Rocky Mountain Experience" tour, Aviation Technology Services offers spectacular views of Denver's urban landscape, the natural phenomenon that is Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and much more. Other tours feature customized picnic packages for two and aerial shuttles to Blackhawk, CO, to enjoy an evening at the casinos. Reservations required.
For a skiing or snowboarding experience like locals do it, skip the lifts and five-star hotels of nearby resort communities and hit the back country. Not recommended for vacationers who have limited experience, Loveland Pass offers a challenging slope that is easily accessible from the highway. Be aware, however: The further you go, the more likely the chance of avalanche.
If you're eager to experience the excitement of floating downstream in a mountain river, but kayaking and rafting are not your speed, look to Blue Sky West for a more low-key alternative. Offering affordable tube rentals along the Yampa River from Steamboat Springs, the company delivers the Cadillac of tubing. Each seat, for example, comes complete with storage space and a river map! Reservations recommended.
COMMONS PARK. If you relish the idea of hitting the whitewater and are interested in conquering the man-made watercourse through the Platte River at Confluence Park, Confluence Kayaks has you covered. Providing rentals for those who want to jump right in and take on the rapids as well as offering courses for beginners, the company promises plenty of opportunity for all. Private instruction is available on request.
DOWNTOWN. Formerly a Six Flags amusement park, Elitch Gardens gets its name from the grounds on which it stood for 100 years. Relocated to be convenient to downtown Denver, the updated version boasts a full-scale water park, an old-fashioned wooden roller coaster, and numerous thrill rides meant to jolt your senses. Folks who would rather leave the excitement to professionals can check out the acrobatic spectacle of the Bailamos show instead.
GOLDEN. Heritage Square is the place to go to combine family fun and thrills. Host to an alpine slide, a kiddy-land amusement park, and bungee jumping, it delivers something for the adventurous spirit in everyone. After you've exhausted yourself on the rides and activities, ease your weariness as you go back in time at Notz Landing, a '50s-style diner. Individual attractions are priced separately.
Mile Hi Skydiving Center, located a short distance from Denver in Longmont, CO, offers tandem and free-fall experiences for daredevils interested in a birds-eye view of the local terrain. First-timers and seasoned folks can both participate, and safety is paramount. Not only do divers get a breathtaking (literally!) experience at 17,500 feet, but they also get a DVD to document their stunt, perfect for impressing friends back home.
DOWNTOWN. Known to locals as one of the most haunted buildings in Denver, The Brown Palace Hotel features special Spooky Tours for the Halloween season. Follow as the staff historian leads you through the 115-year-old luxury hotel, telling chilling tales of guests gone-by. In the end, after being regaled with hair-raising stories of the property's past residents, you'll be left wondering about the strange, unexplained occurrences and questioning whether the souls have really departed at all.
Rivers carve out some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountains, and you'll find no more exciting way to view the awesome highlights than on a waterborne raft. The strength of waves varies along each river (Class 1, or no waves, to Class 6, considered not runnable), and the company caters trips to its participants, making rafting an appropriate activity for all skill levels when planned accordingly. Wilderness Aware offers an excellent safety rating and a variety of activities, and includes tours of the Colorado River or the Royal Gorge. Big or small, these selections make a city exciting. They include stomach-churning rides at amusement parks, river action-packed rafting trips, and even festivals that titillate the senses. You might also find places that offer once-in-a-lifetime memories, breathtaking views, or unbeatable draws. We'll chime in to let you know what the city holds that you may not have considered at first glance.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Big or small, these selections make a city exciting. They include stomach-churning rides at amusement parks, river action-packed rafting trips, and even festivals that titillate the senses. You might also find places that offer once-in-a-lifetime memories, breathtaking views, or unbeatable draws. We'll chime in to let you know what the city holds that you may not have considered at first glance.
Click here to share it »
(
(
