Nestled in the Colorado Rockies at exactly 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver—"The Mile-High City"—escapes the extreme winter chill that hits other Colorado destinations like Vail, delivering 300 days of sunshine per year. Its mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting and kayaking are world class. In winter, skiers and snowboarders do day trips out to Winter Park and other nearby ski areas. Finally, spectator sports are a big draw all year round, thanks to Denver's "big four": the Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, and Avalanche.

Most of Denver's in-town tourist attractions are squeezed within a small area. Get in some shopping along the pedestrian-only 16th Street Mall, and see what's on the calendar at the Performing Arts Complex (which is actually ten venues on one campus). Take a peek at politicos in the Colorado State Capitol, or brush shoulders with them at the landmark Brown Palace Hotel. Scenesters and barhoppers can spend a whole weekend hanging out in ritzy Larimer Square and the historic LoDo district—where brewpubs and live-music clubs sit shoulder to shoulder with renovated Victorians.