24 | THE MILE HIGH CITY Colorado’s


“Mile High City’ Just Nine Hours From Ireland!


AER Lingus’ new Dublin to Denver service now allows Irish travellers easy access to the State of Colorado USA and the towering majestic Rocky Mountains...


BY ROBIN NOWACKI


THE heart of Denver has a gold step which marks 5,280 feet, one mile above sea level, giving Denver its “Mile High City” nickname throughout the USA. The Rocky Mountains themselves rise to over 14,000 feet and within the State of Colorado 80% of America’s highest mountains are to be found. Some


of these require advanced


mountain climbing skills to scale, whilst at Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs the Broadmoor & Manitou Pikes Peak Cog Railway takes passengers of all ages and fitness in comfort to the summit at 14,115 feet. DENVER


Denver’s altitude gives the city a dry climate boasting over 300 days of sunshine each year, at it’s heart is the Grand Union Station which has recently been reborn. With Art Deco influences from the early 20th century the station now combines a futuristic transport hub, where trains run from Chicago to LA and to and from Denver Airport, with fashionable restaurants and classy bars like Terminal serving excellent local craft beers and classic cocktails on a long bar under a high ceiling until midnight. Trendy professionals from California have been moving to Denver in recent years seeking a more peaceful healthy lifestyle pushing up property prices and helping to give the city a feeling of sophistication. This is reflected in restaurants like Nocturne where live Jazz entertains diners whilst enjoying an imaginative gourmet cuisine, fine wines and cocktail creations.


The Denver Art Museum is one of the most important in the USA, and a striking


work of Art its self as it was designed by Daniel Libeskind the Architect behind New York’s Ground Zero regeneration. Special exhibitions are on show throughout the year, but two constants not to be missed are the Museum of Indigenous Arts of North America featuring 19th century works by native Americans, and the Museum of Western American Art depicting scenes from the Old Wild West. Both shows are in the Martin Building.


in Denver and drive yourself purchasing a day pass. But watch out for wild Mouse, Elks, and if you are very lucky, Bears, crossing the road. The Rocky Mountain National Park is open 365 days a year, but May through to October tends to provide the best weather for a visit.


COLORADO SPRINGS Peak


The before mentioned 14,115 foot Pikes dominates


Colorado Springs an hours drive south of Denver, it has been a


www.nitravelnews.com


July/August 2024


Close by the Broadmoor & Manitou Pikes Peak Cog Railway offers a memorable unique opportunity to ride in about 40 minutes to the top of a Rocky Mountain, the view from which inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write the classic song “America the Beautiful” in 1893. Within a 20 minute drive of Pikes Peak close to Manitou Springs is the


stunning Garden of the Gods where 300 red sandstone rock formations often caught crimson by the bright Colorado sun stand proud of a rough terrain. Entry is free to the Garden of the Gods and it is possible to hike around the main attractions in about three hours. However I took advantage of the Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour with Adventures Out West,


with an entertaining knowledgable guide.


The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Centre offers a range of quality shopping opportunities and good well priced freshly cooked meals to eat in a pleasant setting.


Denver also boasts The Clyfford Still Museum which shows the life works of the reclusive artist who turned his back on New York life becoming one of the most original and influential Abstract Expressionists.


Denver is a cool attractive place to visit


and I was impressed by the Limelight Hotel where I stayed with beautifully designed,


comfortable, rooms offering


everything the 21st century traveller seeks and a great breakfast menu, just five minutes from Grand Central Station. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Many Irish travellers on Aer Lingus’ new service to Denver will probably rate experiencing the magic of the Rocky Mountains perhaps a greater attraction than the Colorado State Capitol. Within an hour north west of Denver is


the Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the USA’s highest with elevations from 7,860 to 14,259 feet and 77 mountain peaks over 12,000 feet offering some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. Here the Continental North South Divide runs through, to the west the waters from melting mountain snows flow to the Pacific Ocean, to the east the waters run to the Atlantic. Accompanied tours of the Park are available which include hiking to high points with spectacular vistas. Whilst it is possible to simply hire a car


popular resort since the late 19th century when early health tourists were drawn by the mineral waters and the clean air of the Rocky Mountains.


In 1918 a visionary tour de force, Spencer Penrose, built the Broardmoor Hotel which was to become one of America’s most fashionable and famous hotels attracting a number of Presidents of the United States and Hollywood Stars. Today in 2024 the Broardmoor retains that luxurious grandeur of the early 20th century and attracts today’s celebrities such as Prince Harry to its superb 5 Star service and it’s beautiful location on to Cheyenne Lake at the feet of Cheyenne Mountain and the Rocky Mountains.


COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE: For more information, please visit: www. colorado.com


FACT BOX


COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE: For more information, please visit: www. colorado.com


HOTEL:https://www.limelighthotels. com/denver


@limelighthotel www.broadmoor.com @Thebroadmoor FLIGHTS:


Aer Lingus operates 4 weekly flights from Dublin Airport (where customers can clear US Immigration stepping onboard their


transatlantic flight) to Denver International Airport.


Flying with Aer Lingus customers enjoy complimentary meals and soft drinks on board plus the very latest in-flight entertainment system boasting latest blockbusters, box sets.


In Business Class passengers enjoy spacious seats that transform into fully lie-flat 6.5ft long beds, and luxury dining with fresh ingredients sourced from all over Ireland, complimentary alcohol and a generous baggage allowance of 63kg.


To book visit aerlingus.com before


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