Denver’s Golden Triangle neighborhood brims with more than 30 innovative art galleries and artists’ studios showcasing the innovative wares of nationally renowned talent and regional up-and-comers. First Fridays Art Walk, a shuttled gallery tour that takes place the first Friday of each month, is a terrific way to tour art marts like Camera Obscure Gallery, the William Havu Gallery and Walker Fine Art, all of which are must-sees. The Golden Triangle art galleries are bordered by Speer Boulevard, Colfax Avenue and Lincoln Street. Shuttle tours begin at the Osage Street Light Rail Station; www.artdistrictonsantafe.com

The Colorado State Capitol, modeled after the Capitol Building in Washington D.C., is a stunning spectacle embellished with stained glass depicting events and people inherent to Colorado, coupled with gorgeous Colorado white granite, rose onyx and yule marble. To see if you’ve got what it takes to adjust to the altitude, climb the 99-step spiral staircase to an open-air deck affording jaw-dropping views of the city skyline and Rocky Mountains. The Corinthian-styled building, famed for its gold-plated dome rising 272 feet above the ground, offers temporary exhibits, visitor galleries, and complimentary tours by reservation. 22 E. Colfax Ave.; 303-866-2604 or www.colorado.gov

No visit to Denver would be complete without a journey through the Tattered Cover bookstore, one of the top independent booksellers in the country. This astounding literary marvel boasts three Metro Denver locations, but the newest store, in the renovated Lowenstein Theater on a burgeoning stretch of East Colfax, is the talk of the town. Grab a latte from the in-house java joint, plop down in one of the overstuffed chairs or sofas to wrap your hands around the latest best seller, or attend a free book signing or author lecture from big-names like John Gray, Al Gore, Annie Leibovitz, and Garrison Keillor. www.tatteredcover.com.

You can literally spend the entire day luxuriating at the Brown Palace Hotel, the undisputed crown jewel of Denver architecture. Built from Colorado red granite and Arizona sandstone in 1892 by renowned architect Frank Edbrooke, who also designed the Colorado State Capitol, the regal lobby, plied with Mexican onyx, extends skyward, exposing six tiers of balconies enhanced with opulent cast-iron grillwork and a beautiful stained glass ceiling. Book a public or private tour to discover the cast of presidents, dignitaries, and entertainers that have slumbered here: Dwight Eisenhower (who has a suite named after himself), the Beatles, and Queen Marie of Romania, just to name a few. 321 17th St.; 303-297-3111 or www.brownpalace.com.

To see where your currency is conceived (sorry, no free handouts), follow the money trail to the Denver U.S. Mint, one of only two mints in the United States. Hour-long weekday tours led by knowledgeable guides provide a fascinating look into the history of coinage, and both kids and adults love getting up close and personal with the shiny pocket change that streams off the production lines. Admission is complimentary, but reservations must be booked in advance. 320 W. Colfax Ave.; 303-572-9500 or www.usmint.gov.

Proving that the honor system and humanitarianism is alive and well, the Same Cafe (which, incidentally, stands for "So All May Eat"), is doing what no other Denver restaurant has ever done -- allowing customers to eat for free (with a pay-it-forward catch). Instead of menu prices, of which there are none, there's a box on the counter for diners to donate their dollars, or you can volunteer an hour of your time working in the restaurant or taking on the role of kitchen magician for an hour or two. The mostly organic menu rotates daily, but always includes soups, salads, and pizzas. Best of all, all the profits from the cafe go to various charities in the Denver area. Gotta love that. 2023 E. Colfax Ave.; 720-530-6853 or www.soallmayeat.com.

Free attractions abound near Confluence Park, a stunning greenway located at the nexus of the Cherry Creek and South Platte Rivers, just west of downtown Denver. It’s at this spot that Denver was founded in 1858 when the area was gilded with gold. Today, you can watch the kayakers splash, surf, and spin through the rapids, bike, rollerblade or walk along the paved trail, picnic on the grass, take in an al fresco summer concert, or browse the exhaustive selection of outdoor paraphernalia at the spectacular REI flagship store, just a stone’s throw from the rolling South Platte River. 15th and Delgany Streets; 303-433-3674 or http://www.denvergov.org/tabid/393910/Default.aspx?

Denver’s art scene sizzles in the summer when more than 200 world-spanning, top-notch artisans and craftsmen hawk their paintings, statues, sculpture, jewelry and wood and metal compositions in the heart of tony Cherry Creek, a hot bed of galleries in its own right. The three-day art mart, which is free to the public (the art is another matter), also features live entertainment and a firestorm of foodstuffs from neighborhood restaurants. Cherry Creek North; www.cherryarts.org.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts – home to the Newton Auditorium, Temple Buell Theatre, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Garner Galleria Theatre and a wealth of smaller stages – hosts several free performances throughout the year. There are rules, of course: No advanced reservations are accepted; seating is general admission; children under six-years-old are not allowed; and tickets are only available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the performance. Despite the regulations, it’s worth braving the lines to experience some of the best theater in the country. 1050 13th St.; 303-893-4100 or www.denvercenter.org.