Denver Mint
 

I know this topic has been discussed in the past, but I wanted to see if there are any fresh opinions regarding same.

We'll be going to Denver in a few weeks, and my boyfriend really wants to go to the Denver Mint. I know that we'd have to contact our Congressman to arrange it, but I wonder:

1. Is it probably too late?

2. Is it worthwhile?

Thanks!

According to their website, they accept same-day walk up reservations (if space is available). It doesn't say anything about contacting your Congressman.

http://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/ind...?action=denver

I've never been there, but if your boyfriend "really" wants to go, I guess it would be worthwhile to keep him happy.

Weird, because the US Dept of the Treasury's website says to contact your Congressman to arrange a tour. I'll just have to contact the Mint to find out.

With regard to my point #2, has anyone been to the Mint, and is worth the time to stand in line and get tickets?

Reminds me of when I first moved to the Wash, DC area. We took out of town family to them mint...but instead of currency...they were printing gas ration coupons.

As of this spring you don't need your Congressman's approval. The tour is about a 1/2 hour. Show up early to get a slot for that day. You can't call and get a time.

bringing this back to the top to see if anyone else had comments about visiting the Denver Mint.

thanks!

My info is really old. I took some family to the Denver mint in July, 2001.

We didn't have reservations, passes from our senator or anything. We waited in a short line and went on in during a weekday.

I thought it was interesting, but I always like manufacturing. I find it fascinating to watch anything made. I'm a theoretical, software kinda dude, so seeing actual things made always interests me. (I still haven't figured out how a copier picks up one sheet of paper at a time. :-) )

Congressman invite is no longer needed. However, I read a letter to the editor in a magazine recently, despite their "just show up" policy advertised on the web site, the letter writer was turned away stating that tour tickets for a whole week are given out Monday morning and others are turned away with no standby policy.

I called the Denver Mint hotline today, and the message indicates that the ticket office opens at 7 am and that tours run from 8 am to 3 pm. Its first come, first serve; tickets are only provided for that day; and no phone, email or mail reservations are accepted.

For what it's worth, we took the tour in June of '99. We found it quite interesting and definitely worth the wait. I know we did have to wait, but don't remember it as being terribly long.

Visited the Denver Mint today. The ticket office opens at 7 am to get a reservation for tours that run from 8 am to 3 pm. Its first come, first serve and free! I was at the ticket office at 8am and was able to reserve 8 tickets for the 1pm tour. The "line" took maybe 5 minutes. You need name, birth date & SS number for the adults when you make the tour reservation. The tour is about 30 min and very interesting. There is also a small gift shop where you can get some freshly minted coins. There is also free 2 hr on-street parking about 3 blocks south of the mint or about $3 for all day in the lots 1-2 blocks south.

SummitNet thanks for the update. I tried to visit in early June and ran into the problem that BarryK mentioned. I showed up on a Wednesday morning and all the tickets for the WEEK had been distributed. They told me to come back early Monday. I told them to correct their website or at least follow their policy. I'm glad it worked out for you.

I just returned from Denver (am working on trip report)and we had no luck getting in to Mint.

Our line moved very slowly, and the "cut-off" for the day was about 3 people in front of us.

Maybe next time....