List of Denver landmarks
Denver has a formal historic designation program that establishes Denver landmarks. These are designated by ordinances of Denver's city council.[1] The first three sites so designated, on January 10, 1968, are the Emmanuel/Sherith Chapel, Constitution Hall (site) (destroyed by fire in 1977), and the Governors Mansion. The list of designated sites is 11 pages long.[2]
It also has many visitor attractions and unofficial landmarks, including:
- 16th Street Mall is a mile long pedestrian-only street that runs from Denver Union Station in LoDo to Broadway at the other end of downtown.
- Avenue Theater, a professional theater located in the Downtown Denver vicinity.
- Black American West Museum, which reflects the history of African Americans in the West and Denver.
- Brown Palace Hotel, proclaimed by Elvis as "The best hotel in the world", a historic hotel that has hosted many celebrities, dignitaries, and other important people.
- Buckhorn Exchange, Denver's oldest restaurant, a historic old-west steakhouse
- Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Denver (shown), where Pope John Paul II celebrated mass twice in August, 1993.
- Civic Center, a neoclassical park, and the cultural, art and governmental center of Denver.
- Colorado Convention Center, the newly renovated large convention center often hosts major events held in Denver.
- Colorado State Capitol, the seat of the state government of Colorado.
- Confluence Park, where the city started at the confluence of the South Platte and Cherry Creek.
- D&F Tower, when it was built in 1910, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi.
- Denver's Downtown Aquarium, a full-sized public aquarium.
- Denver Art Museum, the largest art museum between Kansas City and San Francisco.
- Denver Botanic Gardens (shown), which made a Hollywood debut in Woody Allen's Sleeper
- Denver Mint, the single largest producer of coins in the world.
- Denver Firefighters Museum
- Denver Museum of Nature and Science, one of America's premier museums exhibiting world culture.
- Denver Performing Arts Complex, the second largest performing arts center in the US after New York City's Lincoln Center.
- Denver Public Library, which serves Denver's educational and entertainment needs from 24 locations and two bookmobiles.
- Denver Zoo, one of the largest zoos of its kind, it features a gift shop and a wide array of exotic animals.
- Dikeou Collection, a private collection of contemporary art that is open to the public.
- Elitch Gardens Theme Park, an amusement park.
- Elitch Theatre, an amazing historic theatre at the site of the original Elitch Gardens.
- Ellie Caulkins Opera House
- Four Mile House, an important stop on the Cherokee Trail and the oldest standing residential building in the metropolitan area.
- History Colorado Center, the modern state history museum is Denver's newest cultural attraction located in the Golden Triangle Museum District, and features interactive exhibits, artifacts, the Stephen H. Hart Research Library, a cafe and gift shop.
- Lloyd M. Joshel House, one of the finest examples of International Style architecture in Denver.
- Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, a museum featuring works of Vance Kirkland and others.
- Molly Brown House, where "The unsinkable Molly Brown" once lived.
- Red Rocks, a Denver-owned park and outdoor amphitheater located 15 miles west of city limits known for its natural red rock formations, acoustics and legendary concerts.
- Richthofen Castle, a castle built by the uncle and godfather of the Red Baron.
- Sakura Square or "Tiny Tokyo", the center of the historical and prominent Japanese community of Denver, first formed around 1944.
- Samsonite house, the historic home of the Shwayder family (1900–1921) who founded the Samsonite Luggage Corporation
- Tattered Cover, a very popular independent bookstore with two locations in Denver (LoDo and Colfax Avenue), and one in the suburb of Highlands Ranch. It has hosted lectures by such great poets and minds as Denverites Allen Ginsberg and Neal Cassady.
- Union Station (shown), a magnificent three-story building and the future hub of RTD's commuter rail network.
- Wells Fargo Center, also known as the "cash register" building, one of the city's most identifiable buildings.
