The "Mile High" city, nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, is as flat as a pancake. But what a view! Once a Gold Rush town, Denver is now Colorado's commercial and transportation center.  Home to major corporations, cultural attractions, museums, parks, a zoo, galleries, lofts, brewpubs and shops.  With plenty of sunshine and "unsinkable" energy. From Broncos to bronc-busters. Larimer Square.  The State Capital Building. Plus great neighbors including world-famous ski resorts and the Coors Brewing Company.

As impressive as it is from the outside, the Colorado State Capitol building has a one-of-a-kind interior feature that truly sets it apart.  The wainscoting is made of “Beulah red” marble, otherwise known as Colorado onyx, an incredibly rare stone.  So rare, in fact, that this is the only place on earth that you’ll see it.  The entire world’s supply was used in this one building.

Denver’s Colfax Avenue is the longest continuous street in the US.  Sunny days are here again! Denver has over 300 days of sunshine annually, more than either San Diego or Miami.

Cheeseburger in paradise… Well, Denver anyway, which is the birthplace of one of America’s favorite sandwiches.  Invented in 1935 by drive-in owner Louis Ballast, the cheeseburger has been a hot seller ever since.  The restaurant was demolished long ago, but there’s a memorial plaque in its former location at 2776 North Speer Boulevard.

Affectionately called the “the Napa Valley of beer” by experts, Denver has more brewers per capita than any other city in the country, and Colorado is the second largest producer of beer in the US.  The Adolph Coors Brewing Company in nearby Golden is recognized as the world's largest single-site brewing facility.

It’s not called the Mile High City for nothing!  The purple row of seats at Coors Field and the 15th step on the west side of the Capitol building are the “mile markers” – both are exactly one mile above sea level.  The altitude can sometimes be a little distressing to visitors, so experts recommend you drink plenty of water and stay away from alcohol for the first couple of days.

"Park"-ing problems? Not in Denver!  Denver has 397 parks and pathways, running the gamut from small, quaint squares and paved trails to forested areas and skate parks.  In addition, the parks and recreation department oversees some 14,000 wilderness acres dubbed “Denver Mountain Parks.”  These include undeveloped natural areas outside the city, and range from scenic overlooks to vast open spaces with herds of roaming bison.

Let’s eat!  Dining out in Denver can be a real gourmet experience.  The distinctive cuisine makes use of game and buffalo (which is similar to, but leaner than, beef), and Denver chefs are notably creative and every bit as skilled as their counterparts in other big cities.  And while local dishes are most definitely worth a try, you might think twice before sampling a little delicacy known as Rocky Mountain Oysters – otherwise known as bull testicles.

My stars!  Denver’s East High School has graduated more than its share of now-famous people.  Actors and singers have walked those hallowed halls, including Don Cheadle, Pam Grier, and Hattie McDaniel (the first African American to win an Oscar), and crooners Judy Collins and Dianne Reeves.  And although he did attend, silent film star Douglas Fairbanks was actually expelled from East High before he graduated.

The Brown Palace is Denver's oldest and most luxurious hotel, and it has welcomed guests every day since opening in 1892, even during renovations.  Of course, the rich and famous have made their mark at the Brown, such as the time President Eisenhower’s out-of-control golf ball made a dent in the fireplace molding.  You can see Eisenhower’s suite (complete with golf ball damage) on a tour of the hotel, available on Wednesdays and Saturdays.