Since many people won't have cars, I've been getting a lot of questions about things to do/how to get around downtown Denver. Herewith, some ideas:
GETTING AROUND
Downtown's main drag is the 16th Street Mall. It's a pedestrian mall that runs from the Civic Center/Capitol area on the east to Union Station at the west. (Downtown Denver is oddly knocked sideways, but we'll just use "east" and "west" for simplicity.) The beauty of 16th Street is that the free Mallride shuttles run up and down at frequent intervals. Hop on a Mallride and you'll run down the spine of downtown. Most people will get off the Mallride at the Cheesecake Factory at Larimer, but resist the urge. There is much to do off of 16th Street, and the trusty Mallride will always get you back home. Unless it's really late.
Don't be afraid of walking. Denver is a very safe city compared to many others. There are some rough spots, of course, but you'd have to drive to find them. The most threatening people you'll run into downtown are the homeless folk and the eager college students with Greenpeace T-shirts. Walk east on Colfax and it gets a little shadier, but people mostly keep to themselves except to ask for money. Being willing to walk will expand your fun options a bit.
There's also Denver's bike-sharing program, Denver B-cycle. Stations are set up all over the city - you simply rent a "Magic Red Bike" from one, use it to get where you want, and return it at any station. Each station has a little kiosk where you can pay $5 for a 24-hour guest membership. Hot tip: If you use the B-cycle, it behooves you to return it to a kiosk while you do whatever you're doing. Of course, someone could borrow it while you're away and then you'll be bikeless, but you won't be getting charged for the time you're not using the bike. Usually the kiosks have plenty of bikes anyway.
City buses: There are two you may want to take in order to escape downtown. The 0, the Broadway bus, heads south of downtown. The Baker neighborhood, at Broadway and Ellsworth, is worth checking out for food, drink, and shopping. The 15 bus, the Colfax bus, will take you east of downtown to some quirky spots. East Colfax and St. Paul Street is a good intersection for food and bars.
The most important thing to remember when roaming about Denver: THE MOUNTAINS ARE WEST. Say it aloud with me: MOUNTAINS ARE WEST. If you can see the mountains, you know your directions. Of course, this is not terribly helpful after dark. Ha.
Here's a list I started compiling for a friend with suggestions for places to go. Most are downtown/in the downtown area.
A place to have a delicious beer: Falling Rock Tap House. (They also have excellent burgers.)
Hang out with frat dudes: all of Lodo (lower Larimer, Market, Blake streets)
Be fancy and civilized: Larimer Square
Cool bar: Double Daughters -- in Lodo, but usually low on d-bags
Brunch: Steuben's. It's a walk from downtown, but if the weather's nice, it would be pleasant. Just head east on 17th St.
Super-popular brunch: Snooze (if you don't mind a wait)
Drink Scotch: Pint's Pub
Pizza: Proto's. accessible via Mallride and walking
Eat vegetarian: Watercourse Foods or City, O' City (long walk, short walk respectively)
Margaritas!: the Rio Grande. Food's not great but the margs are delightful.
Mexican: D'Corazon. or Chipotle, ha. Denver is Chipotle's hometown.
Upscale Mexican: Tamayo
Dance: Beta (nightclub)
Empanadas: Buenos Aires Pizzeria
Baseball: Colorado Rockies!
Gay: JR's
Sweet view: From the state capitol building at the southeastern end of downtown
Nice bar patio: the Meadowlark (upper Larimer)
Ethiopian food: Ethiopian Restaurant. (Yep, it's just called Ethiopian Restaurant.)
Shoppin': Denver Pavilions, Cherry Creek Mall
Oldest bar: My Brother's Bar (Mallride and walk)
Hipster havens: Beauty Bar, the Hi-Dive, Larimer Lounge
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