SITE REVIEW #2 - DENVER

FOLLOWING ITS SUCCESSFUL HOSTING OF THE 45TH DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, DENVER RAISES ITS STATUS AS A SITE FOR MEETINGS, CONVENTIONS AND OTHER EVENTS

Following Senator Barack Obama's historic acceptance of his party's nomination for president of the United States in Denver, the Mile High City made history and raised its status as a site for meetings, conventions and other events.

"We are convinced that the Democratic National Convention showcased everything that Denver has to offer from our great accessibility at Denver International Airport to all of our facilities, including Pepsi Center, Colorado Convention Center and Invesco Field," said Richard Grant, communications director for the city's convention and visitor's bureau.

"The DNC showed what an exciting city is from our great restaurants and weather to the cultural activities that are here. It was a tipping point for bigger meetings and conventions, as Denver will never be looked at the same way again."

For BM&T readers who missed being a part of history and who would like to see where it all happened, note that Denver has something to offer practically every age and ethnic group. This includes first class hotels, acclaimed restaurants, six sports teams, spectacular music venues, world-class shops and museums, and a performing arts scene that includes the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

When visiting, note that The Mile High City really is a mile high. At 5,280 ft. your body needs more fluids to stay hydrated, so we recommend twice the amount of water that you do at sea level The altitude also plays a role in the city's 300 days of sunshine, and the sun is stronger here because there is less atmosphere between visitors and the sun. Sunblock, at all times, is recommended. If sightseeing on foot, note that 16th Street is a pedestrian mall that connects all of downtown, and there is a free eco shuttle that runs in both directions every few minutes. About a dozen "ambassadors" walk the streets providing handy information on directions, restaurants, shopping options, etc… that comes in super handy.

There are many "must sees" and "dos," but I would highly recommend the following:

Tour the lower downtown area (called LoDo by locals) which offers one of the nation's greatest concentrations of Victorian and turn-of-the buildings and warehouses, many of which have been refurbished to house restaurants, art galleries, offices and shops. Be sure to check out Tattered Cover, one of the nation's largest independent bookstores, at 1628 15th St. One of the unique items to look for is hip Obama t-shirts in a variety of colors, sizes and styles. Nearby, also, is the famed Rockamount Ranch Wear store at 1626 Wazee St. Founded by 107-year-old Papa Jack Weill (the oldest working CEO in America), the store carries the snapbutton western shirts designed by the founder and worn by every one from Elvis to Eric Clapton. While there, be sure to hob nob with 89-year-old Samuel Kornblatt who's worked in the store since 1945. You also might want to check out a bolo tie similar to one purchased by rocker Bruce Springsteen.

Tour Five Points, one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods and home of one of the few predominantly African-American owned commercial strips in the country. Drop by the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library and get a tour from Charleszine Terry Nelson and learn about the important roles that Blacks made in Denver's history. Five Points also is the home of mouthwatering Southern and African-American cooking. Next, head over to the Black America West Museum & Heritage Center, run by La Wanna M. Larson, at 3091 California St. You'll be fascinated by the history and culture of African-American men and women who helped settle and develop the American West. Located in the former home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first Black woman doctor in Denver who delivered over 7,000 babies, you'll find information on African-American miners and cowboys, including Bill Pickett, who Larson will tell you may not be buried where he is said to be.

Check out Denver's City Park, where the "I Have a Dream" Monument, by Denver sculptor Ed Dwight, includes a superb statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., surrounded by Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and Mahatma Gandhi. Outdoor jazz concerts are held weekly and an expansive greenway boasts tennis courts, picnicking areas, playgrounds and lakes for paddling.

Drop by for dinner at some of Denver's finer restaurants, including Jax Fish House, 1539 17th St. (great seafood); Lola's, 1575 Boulder St. (coastal Mexican cuisine and voted one of the top five places to drink tequila in the country by Food and Wine Magazine); Rioja, 1431 Larimer St . (Mediterranean-inspired dining); Via, 1801 Wynkoop, (Italian-inspired cuisine); or The Corner office, 1401 Curtis St. ("global comfort food").

Explore the cultural scene that includes the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave., PKWY, which houses an extensive permanent collection of classical and contemporary art, including one of the largest collections of Native American art. Not far away is the Colorado History Museum, 13th and Broadway, which features exhibits ranging from Indian buffalo hunts to mining in the Rockies. Also worth visiting is the Museo de las Americas, which features permanent collections and touring exhibits of ancient, folk and modern Latino art.

For a late night drink, Harry's bar in the Magnolia Hotel 818 17th St. is worth a visit. Also definitely check out Peak's Lounge on the 27th floor of The Hyatt Regency at the Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th St. The lounge features spectacular views of the nearby Colorado mountain range. If you are a jazz lover, Dazzle, a hot jazz spot at 930 Lincoln St., is popular for its after-work martini hour.

Finally, after you've seen the city, you can splash down a Colorado river on a whitewater raft, go for a horseback ride, or try your hand at mountain biking. You can also just get a soothing massage or other treatment at one of Denver's many relaxing spas. Recommended are the Spa at the Brown Palace, 321 17th St. (the hotel has hosted every US President since Teddy Roosevelt, with the except of Calvin Coolidge, and has an underground tunnel that was once connected to a nearby bordello); or the Oxford Club, 1616 17th St. Definitely recommended is the Moor mud bath, which includes a customized massage.