What to do in Denver while you’re waiting for the Democratic National Convention

Step away from the computer and your hotel’s TV. If you’re in Denver waiting for the Democratic National Convention, see some sights already. There is free bus transportation, a historic restaurant that serves buffalo and rattlesnake, and a bunch of music concerts to enjoy. Here are suggestions for what to do and where to eat and drink in the Mile-High City.

Five Popular attractions in Denver:

1. The Denver Art Museum | Photos of the Museum

2. 16th Street Mall

3. Denver Zoo

4. LoDo District

5. Denver Botanic Gardens

Music during the convention: Denver is rocking with music events Aug. 23–30, 2008. Don’t worry if you didn’t get an invite to Green Sunday at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, you can see popular artists such as Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper and Rufus Wainwright at the Fillmore (Aug. 25), get patriotic with Willie Nelson at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Aug. 26), get electronic with Moby at the Church (Aug. 27) or feel the anger of Rage Against the Machine at the Denver Coliseum (Aug. 27). Wanna dance? Get your groove on at Discobama 2008 all week at the Shag Lounge. More info: Rock the Convention, Denver.org

Where to eat and drink: Gayot’s Hot 10 Restaurants in Denver list includes Bistro Vendôme, Deluxe, Elway’s Cherry Creek, Fisher Clark Urban Delicatessen, Fruition, Izakaya Den, Mizuna, Osteria Marco, Rioja and Sushi Sasa.

Denver magazine’s Lori Midson has a fun article called “Campaigning for Cocktails” highlighting Dixons Downtown Grill that is pouring politically themed drinks such as the “Obamapolitan,” [Editor's note/update 11:05 p.m: Will there be Bidenapolitans, too?] “Barack Me Slowly” and the “Hillarini.”

L.A. Times Denver links:

> Photo Gallery: Denver, Colorado Sights & Scenes

> Denver, Colorado more than a conventional choice

> Planning your trip to Denver, Colorado

> How Denver will hide its homeless during the Democratic convention

> Denver airport’s free wireless service comes at a price

Denver Web resources:

> National Geographic Traveler: 48 Hours Denver

> 5 Things Delegates Should Do in Denver

> Denver magazine

> Denver Post

> Rocky Mountain News

> 5280.com

> 303 magazine

> Frommer’s Denver City Guide

Note: There are Visitor Information centers at the Denver International Airport (DIA), downtown and at the Colorado Convention Center.

– Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger

[Photos: Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times]

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This entry was posted on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 4:23 pm by Jen Leo and is filed under Colorado, News, Tips & Advice, Rocky Mountain States. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.