Spend a day in Denver's historic City Park neighborhood. Visit the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, or City Park Golf Course. Refuel at neighborhood restaurants such as Annie's Cafe and Pete's Greek Town Cafe before renting a paddleboat at Ferril Lake or listening to a free City Park Jazz concert in the summer.
1. Denver Zoo
Photo (c) 2009 Nina Davidson, licensed to About.com
The Denver Zoo covers 80 acres of City Park, and houses more than 4,000 animals. The Denver Zoo, established in 1896, is open 365 days of the year. Children and adults alike will enjoy the zoo's many attractions, including the recently-updated Predator Ridge.
2. City Park Jazz
Photo (c) 2009 Nina Davidson, licensed to About.com
During the summer months, City Park Jazz holds free jazz concerts every Sunday in the park at 6 p.m. The popular concert series runs from June - August, and provides an excellent spot for al fresco dining. Most concerts are held at the bandstand by Ferril Lake, but some concerts are held on the lawn in from of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
3. Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Photo courtesy of Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, founded in 1900, is open seven days a week in City Park. The museum features dioramas of nature, Eygptian mummies, a planetarium and IMAX theater. The museum is open every day of the year except Christmas day.
4. City Park Golf Course
City Park also features a 18-hole golf course open to the public. The popular golf course showcases views of downtown Denver's skyline. The City Park Golf Course also has a pro shop and restaurant on the grounds.5. Paddle Boat on Ferril Lake
Visitors can rent paddle boats and kayaks to navigate the 24-acre Ferril Lake in City Park. Boat rentals are available during March through October, weather permitting. Kayakers can use traditional paddles for a workout, or can pedal the kayaks as well.6. East High School
Photo (c) 2009 Nina Davidson, licensed to About.com
East High School is one of Denver's four original landmark schools imaginatively named after the four directions of North, East, South and West. Built in 1925, the school was constructed as part of the "City Beautiful" campaign. Famous alumni of East High include Judy Collins, Don Cheadle and Pam Grier.
7. Tattered Cover Bookstore
Photo (c) 2009 Nina Davidson, licensed to About.com
The Tattered Cover Bookstore across the street from Denver's East High School boasts more than 150,000 titles, and several comfy chairs for perusing the inventory. The bookstore renovated the historic Lowenstein Theater into a retail space, while keeping the theater's facade. The Tattered Cover is open seven days a week.
