What are some fun things to see/do in Denver? Will be there for 2 days. Interested in funky botiques, outdoors, musuems, historical, nightlife. Also would like to know what are some towns/areas to see when driving from Colo Springs to Estes Park? Am a big cat lover and seeking shops that sell cat merchandise. Thanks.

Gee - You didn't mentions dates, but in the summer you can see a Rockies game if they're in town. The area of Denver that the stadium is in, LoDo has been redeveloped and theres a ton of restaurants, breweries, etc in the area. A few blocks down is Larimer Square & the 16th Street mall - more boutiques and restaurants - all walkable. The new aquarium just opened - its supposed to be great (haven't been yet b/c of the crowds). The Denver Art Museum is also fairly central to downtown, as is Elitches, an amusement park just taken over by Six Flags. On the other side of town, the zoo, IMAX theater and the natural history museum are all bunched together. From Estes, I would drive into Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park. Great wildlife viewing - elk, coyotes, deer, foxes, etc. In Colo Springs - Cave of the Winds, 7 Falls, Pikes Peak, Air Force Academy. Can't think of much between the Springs and Estes though. Let me know if you want more details. b

If I had 2-3 days in the Denver area, I'd drive out of the city to Boulder, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, rather than staying in Denver!

Thanks for your responses. My hubby/I will be in Colo from Aug 21-29. First stop in Colo is Colo Springs,RMNP, Arapaho Forest, Boulder and Denver. I have the Springs and RMNP area planned out. Lot's of hiking, shopping, sight seeing and more. Appreciate your assistance in reference to Denver.

Gee: Two things you shouldn't miss in the Estes Park/RMNP area:
1. Hiking at Sprague Lake, especially early in the morning. Get some coffee and donuts and go sit by the lake at 7 in the morning. It's great! The hiking there is also wonderful.
2. Visit the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. It was Stephen King's inspiration for "The Shining."

I'll say it again -- The Buckhorn Exchange near downtown Denver is one of the most unique restaurants I've ever been to; it proudly displays Liqour License #1 in its bar and can truthfully claim to have served venison from a deer shot that day by the President of the US (Teddy Roosevelt). True western ambiance, not the faux type you see in a 1000 cookie-cutter, yuppie eateries.

Denver isn't big on funky boutiques, but if you like upscale ones, the best shopping area is Cherry Creek North, an area just north of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Some interesting artsy type shops there(probably even cat stuff!) and clothing boutiques with more unique merchandise. For history of the region, try the Colorado History Museum (near downtown), the Molly Brown House and Four Mile House, a living history museum dedicated to pioneer life.