In the largest city within a 600-mile radius, with the 10th-largest downtown in America, Denver naturally thrives as the cultural, sports, shopping and nightlife capital for a vast region. Within a mile's radius are three major sports stadiums with seven professional teams; a variety of art and history museums; the U.S. Mint (producing 10 billion coins a year); the $140-million Elitch Gardens (theme and water park); the $100-million Downtown Aquarium; and about 300 dining and entertainment venues. Groups will enjoy the area's ease and walkability, just as planners will appreciate the plentiful Denver event venues.
Less than four hours' flight time from most major cities, the Denver International Airport welcomes more than 1,600 daily flights, including nonstops to over 160 worldwide destinations. One drawback, however, is its distance from Downtown Denver; shuttles are advised, as taxis can be pricey.
Chief among Downtown Denver venues is the Colorado Convention Center, the ultimate meeting and convention facility, offering 2 million square feet of flexible Denver meeting space. (Some might notice the gigantic blue bear peeking in its windows). Also nearby, the 10,000-square-foot Seawell Grand Ballroom at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, which has a view of the Rocky Mountains, is one of the most frequently chosen Downtown Denver event venues.
A total of 8,400 hotel rooms are within walking distance of the center. Hotel venues in Downtown Denver include the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, Four Seasons Denver, Ritz-Carlton Denver, Grand Hyatt Denver, Westin Denver Downtown, recently renovated Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel and the new Embassy Suites Denver Downtown — Convention Center.
Planners can blend cultural experiences with off-site meeting space. Attendees can leisurely stroll through the world-renowned exhibits at the Denver Art Museum or the Colorado History Museum and then join together at their private meeting space. Free time for attendees is often spent walking the 16th Street Mall, a mile-long bustling pedestrian street, filled with shops, restaurants and nightlife.
Lower Downtown, or LoDo, features historic buildings converted into restaurants, brewpubs, art galleries, boutique shops and nightlife venues in addition to Coors Field, home of Colorado Rockies baseball. Stir up game fever by offering attendees behind-the-scenes tours of this ballpark and then taking them out to the ballgame.
