While in Denver we wanted to take a tour of the U.S. mint. All tours on-line are booked up. Anyone know about walk ups for it, if they take them, and how long of a wait that is?
Thanks!
Elaine

Why not call and ask them?

Maybe because seremarcus would like to learn from the experiences of actual visitors and not from the employees?

Easy off, Reneeinva, that is a reasonable response. As a Denver resident that is hard to answer. I have visited the mint twice with out of town guest and we just walked in BUT that was several years and before the internet reservations.

I called the US mint. All tours are cancelled for the entire week.

I like to ask this forum questions because many times people have actual experience instead of getting just the obligatory answer from direct phone calls to places. I then use all the info for helping me with my planning on trips.

Elaine

<<Maybe because seremarcus would like to learn from the experiences of actual visitors and not from the employees?>>

Sometimes the employees don't know what is going on. About two years ago I followed the directions posted on the website, showed up for a tour and was told the tickets were gone for the week even though the website specified that tour tickets were distributed on a daily basis and not in advance. I talked to a guy at the info desk and he told me that in order to get tickets, I needed to show up early - around 8 a.m. - on a Monday morning and try to get tickets for a tour time during that week. It made no sense! My previous visit was like the tours fmpden described and basically the way the website advised visitors to get tickets. Fortunately, the mint changed over to a reservation system the following year and it is now much easier - well at least the last time I visited.

It sounds like the mint is not an option for you on this trip, but if I was in the area and had time I might try to walk-up in case of no shows. The tour is okay - my kids used to like the machinery - but, if it means a special trip, I would not go out of my way to show up without a reservation.

Seremarcus, What other type of things are interested in? Maybe we could suggest some others while you are in downtown or in the Denver area. The Art Museum has added a wing that is quite unique, even if you only see it from the outside. The 16th Street pedestrian mall is fun to walk (and the DNC crowds should be gone by Friday -- or mostly). Union Station has interesting architecture. LoDo (Lower Downtown) is a renovated area with shops, restaurants, etc. There's a free shuttled along 16th Street that takes you from where the Taste is happening to LoDo area. Hope you have a good time in Denver.

Is the The 16th Street pedestrian mall and LoDo close - walking distance? If I take the lightrail from my hotel in the DTC, will I know where to get off, and be able to wonder around and see everything, including the Taste?

Elaine

Sure, depending on the train you either get off at Union station (no choice, dead end) or 16th and Stout. Union station is the north end of the 16th Mall and Stout is about the middle. Free shuttle buses run the lenght of the 16th mall every couple of minutes. LoDo is generally defined as the area between Union Station (Wynkoop St) and Larimer -- four streets south of Wynkoop.

The Taste is in Civic Center park which is the area in front of the state capitol to the face of the Denver County Building. The turn around for the mall shuttle buses is a Broadway. Walk south on Broadway for one block and you will see the State Capitol and the Taste will be spread out to you right.

For the return trip take the mall bus to the Walgreen drug store corner (Champa) and catch a south bound train to the Lincoln station. All trains show the "Route Letter" and end station.

All very walkable and the mall bus make it convenient.

I just realize I wasted my time repeating the detailed answer I had provide earlier, How about keeping your posts together.

Yes, you should encounter few problems by the time the DNC ends. For the Taste of Colorado, take the train to the 16th & California stop (lots of folks exit the train there) and then, at the corner, look right and you'll see the State Capitol (big gold dome). There will be signs for the Taste, or just ask, most people will know. The 16th Street Mall Shuttle (free)runs to Civic Center station -- very close to the Taste. 16th Street is a pedestrian only street.

For LoDo, take the 16th Street mall shuttle towards Union Station (to the left as you exit the rail at 16th and California) - that's the LoDo area.

This may sound confusing -- but it's all quite easy -- and just ask folks on the train or on the street -- most people are helpful.

Let me know if I can help more. Hope you enjoy Denver and Denver area!!

Opps, it is 16th and California for north bound and 16th and Stout (Walgreens) for south bound. Just off one block both ways. I apologize for that.

the mint was closed for the week. We sure did enjoy Taste of Colorado, walked through the Capitol and all down 16th Street Mall. Absolutely fell in love with Denver.

Fmpden, sorry about the posts being confused, your time wasn't wasted replying to them all, I made copies of everything and took them with me. I felt very confident trying out the light rail system with my directions from here.

Everyone has been very helpful making this a wonderful trip to Denver.

Elaine