Well I finally bit the bullet and admitted I needed to attend a conference in Denver this week. I am staying in the Holiday Inn downtown where the conference is. I expect to know nobody and have 5 evenings to kill.

I am interested in historical sights, shopping, museums and good moderately priced (under $20 entree) dining. May also be interested in evening skiing if that is available nearby.

Any suggestions?

Denver Art Museum is great, as is the Museum of Nature and Science. There's always the Molly Brown House (not my cup of tea, but many like it). Go to nearby Cherry Creek for shopping (and private galleries), and the pedestrian mall downtown and surrounding blocks have myriad dining spots, movie theaters, etc. You might be able to catch something at the Tabor Center, lots of things going on in the theater complex right now.

If you love history, you'll enjoy this: walk through the Brown Palace and have afternoon tea or a cocktail. If you're there on the weekend they offer a free tour of the hotel.

If you like reading, spend some time at the Tattered Cover (I like the Cherry Creek location best but there is also one near your hotel).

You've unfortunately got quite a ways to go for evening skiing, so I don't know if that would work for you. Second the vote for the Art Museum, it's wonderful. I like the area around Union Station - I think the train station itself is beautiful, and there are some good restaurants down there (near the baseball stadium). If you are feeling adventurous, El Chipoltipec is a great little Mexican bar/restaurant (ok, some might say dive) with pool tables and fantastic live music. Wander around the Lamier Square area and the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall also to find some nice restuarants and shops.

Eat in LoDo--Jax Fish house. Ollie's in Cherry Creek for Chinese--or PFChang's. Il Fornaio for Sunday brunch, if you want. Vesta Dipping Grill.

The only resort that offers night skiing is Keystone, and that's almost 2 hours away from Denver, so I don't know if that will work for you.

If you do not have a car, then destinations in Cherry Creek would be difficult to get to, unless you take a cab, and Denver is not really a cab sort of city. Same problem with the Museum of Nature and Science. The Art Museum you can get to by walking, though I don't know what the evening hours are.

Molly Brown house for tea and/or a tour sounds great. I'll check the art museum's evening hours.
I am assuming the Tattered Cover is a used bookstore? That should be right up my alley.
A colleague suggested I'd be happier with a rental car as well. I'll look into that, althought probably only for a day or two and not my whole trip.
I was told there will be a shuttle from the airport to the hotel for around $20, which seems reasonable.
Thanks for all the great suggestions - keep 'em coming!

Shaya,

Oddly enough, the Tattered Cover sells new books (go figure on the name!). Think a homier Barnes and Noble spread out over several floors.

I second the Vesta Dipping Grill suggestion.

The Tattered Cover may be unlike AnY bookstore you have EVER visited--4 floors of books, homey reading areas and even a restaurant.
And actually, a good friend of mine whose children and grands live in Denver went to visit them one time and took taxis everywhere rather than drive. She said it was fun (the children are younguns) and not all that expensive.
If you want to have a delicious drink and an appetizer in beautiful surroundings, go to the bar at Elway's. Their cucumber lime martini and lamb fondue is TDF.

I just read in 5280 (Denver magazine) that the Fourth Story restaurant in the Cherry Creek Tattered Cover is closing. What a shame.

The shuttle is reasonably priced. Be sure to purcahse the tickets int he airport. If the weather is really cold, take a cab. Standing outside waiting for a cab when it is 10 degrees can get to you.

The Tattered Cover is very cool. Never made it to the original one.

There are many restaurants in Downtown Denver you can try. Larrimer Square has a good collection. I liked Bistrot Vendome and Tamayo. I always wanted to try Red Square Euro Bistro, but for some reason never did. The Delectable Egg had pretty decent breakfasts. I concur with Vesta Dipping Grill as a great restaurant. Be sure to get reservations. I also like the Wynkoop Brewing Company (pronounced Wine coop) for hanging out, drinking a fresh brewed beer and watching sports.

Tess did you know that the Tattered Cover in Cherry Creek is closing and moving to a new location off of Colfax? I would like to go the Fourth Story one last time, but I wonder about the service, since the employees are losing their jobs.

No, I didn't know that! We live about 3 hours away and I haven't been there for a couple of months. Off of Colfax??????? Why? Ugh.

Ugh! is right and very disappointing. There was a vague reference when the news was released about being unable to reach a lease agreement. I think this is unfortunate for both sides. The Tattered Cover has been a fixture in Cherry Creek for years and I have never found that the other locations (LoDo and Highlands Ranch) have that unique feel as the Cherry Creek store. You can check the Tattered Cover website for more info.

Another enthusiastic recommendation for Vesta Dipping Grill. I also like Tamayo, Rioja and Panzano. You can google any of the above to take a look at the menus.