DOes anyone know anything about the Embassy Suites in Denver? We will be in Denver for 3 days before travelling to various national parks. Kids are 11, 13 and 15. Will be doing hiking, etc. later in trip. What is recommended in Denver area? Is a car necessary in downtown area or is it easy to get around without one? Any good one hour or less trips from Denver? Thanks for any advice.

Last time I was in Denver I was 15!

In or near Denver enjoyed:
Visiting Indian reservation and Indian plablos...

Downtown Denver, walking up and down the road that is blocked off to traffic

Dinner at an Italian restaurant

Swimming in the hotel swimming pool

Easy to get around using a taxi in Denver, but if traveling to outer areas will need to rent a car

DID NOT ENJOY OLYMPIC LEFT OVERS!

Denver is a great city! For kids, there is an aquarium called Ocean Journey, Elitches -an amusement park, Coors Field for a baseball game, Denver Zoo and much more. Colorado Springs would be a good day trip (Garden of the Gods, Air Force Academy, Pikes Peak).
Boulder is not far. You can take a stroll on Pearl Street Mall and see a lot of fun street artists.

I think you need a car in Denver. Except for the very central part of Downtown, public transportation to specific places in not very good. Parking tip. Park across the street from the libraray. 3 hour parking is one dollar. After that the rate jumps.
Teens might like a trip to Dave and Buster's. It's a restaurant/bar type place.But, it has a great many high tech games, and activities that interest young and old. We're supposed to get an ESPN zone dowtown soon. Which Embassy Suites? I'm sure any of them are good. You can save a little money by staying at a place not in downtown if you get a car.

The only Embassy Suites I have ever stayed at in Denver is in South Denver at I-25 and Hampton. It was a very nice hotel with atrium/Glass elevator and lovely pool area. The location really isnt' near anything unless you plan to head south the Colorado Springs - (Garden of the Gods/Pikes Peak Cog railway). There probably is an Embassy Suites in Downtown Denver - and it is probaly fine also. Downtown Denver has Elitches and Ocean Journey and some nice restaurants - Thats about all you could walk to - I agree that you would need a car to do anything else - Even to go to Civic Center Park and the Museum of Natural History and the Zoo.

I Don't know what "a" above is referring to - The only Indian Pueblos we have in Colorado are way in the southwest corner of the State - Mesa Verde is Fabulous but you can't visit it with only three days in the Denver area - unless that is all you do - It takes a day to get there and get back - and there is so much to do in the Southwest corner that you really need at least five days to do the trip justice.

Colorado has never had the Olympics. During the 70's we were offered the Winter Olympics but we voted and turned it down - It is doubtful that we will be offered an opportunity to have the Olympics again for a long, long time!

Have Fun!

The 16th St. Mall is a pedestrian street with free shuttle buses going from one end of downtown to the other. There is a variety of shops and restaurants all along the mall. The capital building is at one end (good tours), the Denver Art Museum and Colorado History Museum. Lower Downtown is a fun place. If the kids are sports fans, going to a Rockies game is great, or if there aren't any home games, try taking a tour of Coors Field (including dressing rooms) or of the Pepsi Center (Nuggets/Avalanche)for a minimal cost. Elitches is a lot of fun for teenagers. Water World is a great water park for kids, but would need a car to get there (1/2 hour out of downtown). In May the Cultural Connection Trolley starts running which would take you to many of Denver's tourist spots, Denver Zoo, Museum of Nature and Science, Botanical Gardens, etc. Hope this helps - have fun.