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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
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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. Note: The Capitol Dome will be undergoing major structural renovations for 2-3 years and not offering tours during that time-frame.
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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.
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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. 303-572-9500 or www.usmint.gov.
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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.
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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?
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Denver’s art scene sizzles every Fourth of July weekend 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.
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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.
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Carved from towering red rock monuments, this 9,000-seat arena is one of the world’s most renowned concert venues. When there’s no concert, the free Visitor Center has a museum and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, while the surrounding park has hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks.
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“Taste the Rockies!” The world’s largest brewing site still uses the same Rocky Mountain spring water that Adolph Coors discovered in 1873. Free tours show every step in the brewing process, and end with free samples for those over 21.