Set on high, rolling plains, Denver takes the visitor by surprise at every turn, with a view of the mountains at the end of 17th Street or the surprisingly continental feel of the pavement cafes in Larimer Square. Horse-drawn carriages clatter around the solid brick Victorian warehouses of Lower Downtown (‘LoDo'), a sight that is reflected in the mirrored-glass skyscrapers alongside.

Unlike most metropolitan centres, walking is a real pleasure - the Downtown area is compact and bursting with greenery in its parks, pedestrian areas and tree-lined boulevards. Hotels, convention facilities, shops, restaurants and nightspots are all within easy walking distance, not to mention top attractions like the US Mint, modelled on the Palazzo Riccardi in Florence, Denver Art Museum, Colorado History Museum and the Molly Brown House Museum.

Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau
1555 California Street
Tel: (303) 892 1112.
Website: www.denver.org

There is also a visitor information centre at Denver International Airport (tel: (303) 317 0629).

There are no sightseeing passes available.