(Thanks to Local Arrangements Chair Gail Heidbrink for providing this touring information.)
Colorado is known for having another adventure or breathtaking view around every curve and corner. It is a fantastic region to visit and enjoy. With the excellent program prepared by the National Meeting Program Committee, the AALAS schedule does not allow for the organization of formal tours during the AALAS week. For those of you that have flexibility in your schedule, the following are a few ideas where you can build your own tour or sightseeing event.
In the lobby of the Colorado Convention Center, there is a full time professional staff that can help you arrange a formal tour, make reservations or map out a walking tour of the local landmarks. You can also seek advice and recommendations at the Local Arrangements Booth by the registration desk.
DENVER PROPER
Downtown Aquarium
Discover how much fun and mystery lurks in the depths of our planet’s aquatic systems. Observe swimming tigers and a variety of aquatic life such as sharks, river otters and a vast array of fish from all waters around the world. Along the way, encounter 14 thriving ecosystems, survive a flash flood and stand mere inches from the exotic, stunning and dangerous. Diving adventures are available.
303-561-4487 or www.downtownaquarium.com
Also houses a very nice restaurant (Aquarium) and lounge (The Dive).
Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo, open every day of the year, is home to nearly 4,000 animals representing 700 species including the incredibly rare okapi, red-bellied lemur, Amur leopard, black rhino and Siberian tiger. There are normally 1.6 million visitors a year. The Zoo spans over 80 acres in Denver’s historic City Park and is located just a quick 5 minutes from downtown.
303-376-4800 or www.denverzoo.org
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for informal science education. A variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. The Museum has expertise and provides programming in six main areas. Our exhibitions, IMAX films, lectures, classes, and programs pertain to one or more of the following core competencies: anthropology, geology, health sciences, paleontology, space and science and zoology. The museum is also located in City Park – 5 minutes from downtown.
303-322-7009 www.dmns.org
Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is a private, non-profit, educational resource for Colorado. The mission is to enrich the lives of Colorado and Rocky Mountain residents through the acquisition, preservation, and presentation of art works in both the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, and by supporting these works with exemplary educational and scholarly programs. The 356,000-square-foot museum complex includes collection gallery space, three temporary exhibition venues, and the Lewis I. Sharp Auditorium. In addition to our art collections, the Denver Art Museum is internationally recognized for our family-friendly environment, and has received critical acclaim for encouraging art appreciation through interactive activities. It is a 5 minute walk from the Colorado Convention Center.
720-865-5000 or www.denverartmuseum.org
Molly Brown House Museum
In 1970 local citizens joined forces to preserve the long-time home of Titanic’s most famous survivor. They organized as Historic Denver, Inc. and began a long-legacy of preserving Denver’s historic places. Today, you can visit the Brown’s opulent 1889 home, designed by architect William Lang. You’ll also hear the fascinating tales of Molly Brown’s incredible life, from instant mining-town wealth, to labor reform and the stages of New York. The museum is in the downtown area at 1340 Pennsylvania St.
Special event, High SocieTea, Saturday, November 7th, 11 AM and 1 PM
Gold and silver flowed through early Denver, creating great fortunes and elite society leaders. Brush up on the many manners of the Victorian era during our elegant tea and imagine what life was like for Denver's mining barons.
303-832-4092 or www.mollybrown.org
Colorado Adventure Segway Tours
Cover more miles than you thought possible as you glide along on your Segway. It’s simply the best way to experience the scenery, sites and sounds of Denver – more fun and exiting than any tour you’ve ever been on.
303-817-4524 or www.coloradoadventuresegwaytours.com
DENVER, COLORADO SPRINGS & FRONTRANGE
The Colorado Sightseer
#1 Historic Denver
Tour beautiful Denver, including Lower Downtown (Lo Do), and Larimer Square. See Mile High Stadium, the United States Mint and Coors Field. Tour inside the elegant Brown Palace Hotel and the State Capital Building. Hear costumed guides tell tales about the historic home of the “unsinkable Molly Brown” (admission included). See magnificent parks and neighborhoods. Fall in love with the Mile High City.
Duration: 4 hours Adults $45 Children 5-112 $35
#2 The Foothills
Visit Coors Brewery and enjoy the tour and beer samples. Travel 2000’ up the Lariat Trail to the top of Lookout Mountain while viewing a breathtaking 200 mile panorama. Visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave (admission included). See American Bison. Enjoy a beautiful walk while witnessing the majesty of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater.
Duration: 5 hours Adults $45 Children 5-12 $35
#5 Rocky Mountain Gold Country
Great half-day Rocky Mountain excursion. Trace the steps of the 1859 Pikes Peak or Bust gold rush while seeing rugged canyons, old western towns, an beautiful mountain scenery. Experience drop-offs of over 1000’ on the “Oh-My-God” road made famous by Ulysses S. Grant in 1872. Tour an 1871 gold mine (admission included) and, if time allows, pan for gold in a clear mountain stream.
Duration: 4 ½ hours Adults $50 Children 5-12 $40
#6 Pikes Peak Region
Tour the United States Air Force Academy and Chapel, one of three military academies in the U.S. See beautiful forests and rugged cliffs in beautiful Cheyenne Canyon. Stop for pictures at Helen Hunt Falls. Travel trough rock-walled train tunnels on the Gold Camp shelf-road. Sample 1000 year old soda mineral springs and enjoy lunch in the Victorian mountain hamlet of Manitou. Enjoy walking into the Garden of the Gods while surrounded by towering red sandstone formations and majestic views of Pikes Peak. Travel the exciting Pikes Peak Highway to the 14,110’ summit (weather permitting).
Duration: 8 hours Adults $80 Children 5-12 $60
#3 The Winter Ultimate Mountain Trip
Stroll among giants in majestic Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. Travel through rugged Clear Creek Canyon on your way to the Continental Divide where you will reach an altitude of nearly 12,000’. See breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, ski resorts and Dillon reservoir. Stop for lunch and shopping in Breckenridge. After lunch, cross the Continental Divide through the longest, highest, passenger car tunnel in the world. Tour a real gold mine (admission included)
Duration: 8 hours Adults $75 Children 5-12 $60
303-423-8200 or 800-255-5105 or www.coloradosightseer.com
Gray Line of Denver
#19 Dinosaurs, Red Rocks and Coors
The Dinosaurs, Red Rocks and Coors tour package offers a behind-the-scenes look at Colorado’s beautiful mountain parks and attractions on an exciting full day tour. Start the day with a guided tour of dinosaur footprints, bones and fossils at Dinosaur Ridge. Learn about the prehistoric creatures that existed before us.
Next, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the world famous Red Rocks Amphitheater and Park. You may even get to step on stage, where famous musicians have performed, such as the Beatles, Pearl Jam, the Grateful Dead and many more. The design of the Amphitheatre consists of two, three hundred-foot monoliths that provide acoustic perfection for any performance. Then, settle in for a relaxing lunch at Shop Rock Grille, located in the new Red Rocks Visitor Center. Click here for lunch menu.
Head to Golden for shopping and free time in the historic city. The famous Coors Brewery is last stop, but certainly worth waiting for. Get a "close-up look" at what goes on over the course of a day at the third largest brewery in the U.S.
Recommended to bring: a camera, jacket and water. Wear comfortable shoes as tour involves lots of walking.
*Backstage tour at Red Rocks may not be available on all tour days due to concerts at the facility.
**To receive complimentary beer on the Coors Brewery Tour, a proper ID must be presented.
Tour departs from Cherry Creek Shopping Center located at 3000 E 1st Avenue in Denver. Local hotel pick up is also available, but you must call Gray Line Denver at 800-348-6877 or 303-289-2841 to schedule a pick up at the hotel and to confirm reservation at least 24 hours before tour.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Guided Tour of Dinosaur Ridge
• Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• Lunch at Ship Rock Grille
• Coors Brewery Tour
________________________________________
Duration: 9 HOURS
TOUR DETAILS
Dates Available Tour Time Days Available Ticket Price BOOK ONLINE
Jan 06, 2009 -
Dec 26, 2009 8:30 AM ------S ADULT (USD $90.00)
CHILD (3-11) (USD $45.00)
#25 Mountain Parks/City Combo
Enjoy a combination of the (27) Mountain Parks and (28) Denver Highlights Tours - a full day tour highlighting a variety of exciting Denver area sites. On the Denver Highlights Tour, experience two sides of Denver - a historic western town and thriving modern city - all in the same trip. Along the way, you will pass beautiful City Park, the gold-domed State Capitol, United States Mint, Denver Art Museum and other cultural attractions. At the end of this journey through time and history, you will no longer be a stranger to the Mile High City!
At its completion, you will be dropped off at the Cherry Creek Shopping Mall with free time until 1:15 PM. We suggest you enjoy this time with lunch on your own or shopping.
The Mountain Parks tour features an unforgettable display of Colorado’s rich trove of natural treasures. The first stop is Red Rocks Park, a millennia-old geological creation named after its red sandstone monoliths. Next, journey up Bear Creek Canyon, the tranquil home to mountain communities and wildlife, such as elk, deer and buffalo. Homeward bound, visit the Buffalo Bill Cody Grave Site and Museum at Lookout Mountain above Denver.
In addition to a wonderful day of sightseeing with Gray Line Denver, this tour saves you money. By taking Tour (25) and combining two tours in one day, you save $5.00!
Tour departs from Cherry Creek Shopping Center located at 3000 E 1st Avenue in Denver. Local hotel pick up is also available, but you must call Gray Line Denver at 800-348-6877 or 303-289-2841 to schedule a pick up at the hotel and to confirm reservation at least 24 hours before tour.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
• Denver Highlights Tour
• Free Time for Shopping
• Mountain Parks Tour
________________________________________
Duration: 9 HOURS
TOUR DETAILS
Dates Available Tour Time Days Available Ticket Price BOOK ONLINE
Jan 02, 2009 -
Dec 30, 2009 8:30 AM SMTWTFS ADULT (USD $75.00)
CHILD (3-11) (USD $37.50)
#31 Pikes Peak and Air Force Academy
All aboard for a pleasure-filled, unforgettable day! As the tour leaves Denver, heading south on Interstate 25, see examples of 21st century business park architecture. Watch for the town of Castle Rock to the east pinpointed by the huge rock that depicts its name. Then, enjoy the scenic drive through the United States Air Force Academy and the celebrated Cadet Chapel with impressive mountain views, well-manicured athletic fields, and fine architecture.
Next, drive through beautiful Colorado Springs, the state’s second-largest city. Tour the fantastic Garden of the Gods with its magnificent red sandstone rock formations, followed by lunch at the Trading Post (included). Tour climaxes with the ascent of Pikes Peak, located at 14,110 feet above sea level. Pass above the tree line, then up to the summit for gorgeous panoramic views of the plain and western mountains.
Please call Gray Line Denver at 1-800-348-6877 to confirm reservations. Due to national security, access to the United States Air Force Academy may not be available. Instead, a visit to the United States Olympic Training Facility may be substituted. Recommended to bring: camera, light jacket and water to avoid dehydration.
Tour departs from Cherry Creek Shopping Center located at 3000 E 1st Avenue in Denver. Local hotel pick up is also available, but you must call Gray Line Denver at 800-348-6877 or 303-289-2841 to schedule a pick up at the hotel and to confirm reservation at least 24 hours before tour.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
• United States Air Force Academy
• Garden of the Gods
• Pikes Peak
________________________________________
Duration: 10 HOURS
TOUR DETAILS
Dates Available Tour Time Days Available Ticket Price BOOK ONLINE
May 03, 2009 -
Nov 29, 2009 8:30 AM -M-W--S ADULT (USD $100.00)
CHILD (3-11) (USD $55.00)
This is only a small sample of tours available to enhance your visit to Colorado. Stop by the information booth in the lobby of the Colorado Convention Center to see more options. Or, visit the Local Arrangements booth and the Mile High Branch volunteers will provide more advice and assistance.
Welcome to the Rockies and the Mile High Branch!
