Denver

Big City with a small city feel, isn't that the most common thing we hear in most cities we go to except maybe NYC.

Here's a list of places we checked out:

16th Street Mall
"The 16th Street Mall is Denver’s hub of shopping, dining and entertainment that stretches for 16 blocks in the heart of downtown...The 16th Street Mall is conveniently located near many of Denver’s top attractions. The Denver Performing Arts Complex and Colorado Convention Center are just two blocks from the Mall. Coors Field, The Pepsi Center and City Lights Pavilion are only four blocks away, making 16th Street Mall an excellent place to stop before or after a game or show.

Locals and visitors alike enjoy strolling down the Mall’s wide, pedestrian friendly sidewalks to people watch and visit with friends. Since no cars are allowed to drive through the Mall, navigating on foot or with the free shuttles is easy. Street vendors and performers add to the exciting atmosphere found here."

This place was walking distance from the Ritz, so we went there for dinner. It was fun to see an outdoor band perform at Rock Bottom and Budweiser Buggies carrying people. Pretty vibrant atmosphere. We ate at a restaurant called Rioja, where I tasted my first White Rioja. Here's my research for the day:

"White Rioja has had its ups and downs the last 25 years. It was traditionally made like red Rioja, aged for years in small barrels.  Viña Tondonia is about the only remaining example of this style.  In the early 1980s technology allowed a crisp, fresh and fruity style to emerge, with the juice vinified at low temperature in stainless steel tanks.  This style was successful for a few years until the arrival of chardonnay-based whites from Australia, Chile and California took Rioja’s international markets by storm.  Then in the 1990s, Riojans began to produce barrel fermented whites."Link to more information

The next sat we started with a drive through downtown, taking a speed tour by the state capital, court house, federal reserve bank and denver arts museum. 

Next stop, Washington Park. We took a stroll through the park, walked by the lake and took some pictures of the geese. Its a small lake but full of people cycling and running. 

After that we took a cab to Cherry Arts Festival

"For three days during the July 4th holiday weekend since 1991, Colorado's signature cultural event is presented in Denver's Cherry Creek North. The festival is a world-class and award-winning celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts and enjoys an annual attendance of 350,000 visitors. Special exhibits, art and culinary demonstrations, and interactive family activities on “Artivity Avenue” complement the festival experience. "

We got free salad dressing, free power bars and a look at the local arts as well as a look at the cherry creek neighborhood. I also got to try the new Mondavi Fume blanc, another new wine that I had never tried. On the way back to the hotel we had a Ethiopian lady taxi driver, had a fun talk with her about cold climates, los angeles, sending her kid to college in Paris. 

When we got to the hotel we had an hour before check out and I got to use the crazy 50000 sq ft fitness facility attached to the Ritz. Olympic size lap pool, huge whirlpool and a steam room. It was very refreshing. 

Happy Hour Lunch at very well renowned Panzano and then off to the airport. Was hard parting from my Camaro but it had to be done. One thing I wont forget about the Denver airport is the blue horse with red blazing eyes and ofcourse the actual roof of the airport, which makes it look like a circus tent. 

Back in Minneapolis last night, driving a brand new Chevy Cruze with 2 miles on it. Today was mainly relaxing and watching SVU marathon back to back.