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Second in a series of posts about traveling in Colorado & Wyoming.
Wherever you go in Denver, you’re aware of the elevation and of the mountains as a backdrop, so even though this post is about the city, the mountains are part of your overall experience.
Exploring Denver, Day 2
Determined to get tickets to the Denver Mint, we rose early and arrived there about 7:30 a.m. To our surprise, the first available tickets were for the 12:30 p.m. tour, the morning tour tickets already gone. Note: Tickets are free and have to be used the day you pick them up.
We had had a minimal breakfast at the hotel. So, tickets in hand, we walked to the Denver Diner, which served a generous breakfast and bottomless coffee.
Free Trolley makes cruising the Denver Mall easy
Next, we headed over to the Denver Mall. As we paused to get our bearings, a friendly Denver resident stopped and asked if we needed directions. After talking with our “casual tour guide” we found and hopped onto the free Mall Trolley. It runs every few minutes along the mile-long pedestrian mall. It was a fast-forward kind of way to see the shops and people of Denver. We rode to the end to visit the redone vintage Union Station.
Interior of restored Union Station, Denver, Colorado
Then we hopped another trolley to take us back to the Convention Center. It’s near our next destination, the History Colorado Museum, which opens at 10 a.m. Being fans of craft beer, we were intrigued by the current exhibit, Beer Here!, sponsored by Coors. (No surprise there.)
History Colorado Museum is Senior and Children Friendly with interactive exhibits and places to sit and regroup.
In addition to the Prohibition, saloon and beer artifacts of “Beer Here!”, we also enjoyed the other well-displayed and informative exhibits. Many were interactive and would appeal to young visitors. “Written on the Land, Ute Voices, Ute History” showcased the Ute Tribe, made up of bands (sort of like clans) who had lived in the Colorado area. Looping video accompanied a variety of artifacts, especially baskets and beaded work and authentic feathered head dresses/bonnets of the type seen in TV and film Westerns. It was amazing to see them close up.
The influx of white men started as a trickle of fur trappers and traders in the early 1800’s and turned into more of a flood with the discovery of silver and especially gold in the mid-1850’s. Farmers and ranchers looking for land also led to conflicts and forced relocation. The story of the Ute people and how they have adapted and worked to preserve their language and culture is presented through the perspective and voices of today’s Ute people. The exhibit was moving as well as eye-opening.
History Colorado is actually a network of 7 museums. If we had more time, we would have sought out some of the ones outside of Denver.
Senior Discounts and accessibility
The Senior Discount was $2 off the admission. If you become a member, the discount gets much better. Membership includes a guest pass and an adult ticket for the Georgetown Loop Railroad. A Senior Dual membership is, of this writing, only $10 more than a single and includes two memberships, two guest passes and two tickets for the railroad. And you get entry to all of the seven museums with your membership. They also offer a Grandparent pass which includes children’s passes.
Wheelchairs are available on a first come, first served basis at the Admissions Desk. Vehicles with a disability pass or plate may park for up to four hours at a metered spot on the street. Doors, elevators, and restrooms are all accessible. Closed captioning is offered at all the exhibits and service animals are allowed.
We wrapped up our wandering through the History Colorado Center as it approached the time for our tour of the U.S. Mint in Denver. The Center was very clean with a newer style of displaying artifacts. It was uncrowded and accessible with plenty of elevators, benches, and restrooms.
It was an easy walk from the History Colorado Center to the Mint. We did have to be aware of people riding electric scooters. We took a moment to study one and determine how to pay and use one. Some were left in very unsafe places, including half on and half off of a curb. Hopefully this will change as people and cities that have them adapt safe habits and regulations.
Touring the U.S. Mint in Denver
As we approached the entrance to the Mint, we saw that the directions on the website and on the tickets meant business. When it says, be there 30 minutes early, believe it. And absolutely no purses or bags or cameras. No exceptions. People were running back to their cars with them. And those without tickets were turned away.
Arrive 30 minutes before your tour
We were there about 35 minutes early and dozens of people were already in line. We noticed that they had trays and realized that the Mint employees had stacks near the entrance so we took one. You have to put everything that’s in your pockets onto the tray and you and the tray get screened by a metal detector. Cell phones must be turned off.
The line going inside moved rather quickly and the guards were welcoming while efficient. Once inside, there is a waiting area with exhibits and displays about currency since Ancient Times. There are some benches for those who may need to sit. We were escorted by a small team of guards and docents to the upper level and throughout the tour. At one point they handed out a shrink-wrapped packet of a newly minted penny along with a blank. A sort of “before and after” souvenir.
An unhurried guided tour with time to observe the operations and exhibits
The docents would give brief talks at different parts of the tour, and then give us a little time to look at the exhibits and down at the equipment being used to mint coins. There are strategically placed benches for those who need to rest their legs. One thing that was surprising is that the Mint makes coins for other countries, not just the United States.
On the final leg of the tour, the friendly and personable guides led us through the oldest part of the building, which has a totally different feel to it. It retains much of its original woodwork and doors. As we approached the exit, we saw lovely period stained glass light shades and well cared for murals.
Tour or No Tour, the Mint Gift Shop is worth a stop
If you aren’t able to get a ticket for a tour, the gift shop in the building has a video which gives a good overview about the Mint. The gift shop also gives a respite if you need to cool off as well as having a good stock of fun gifts and mementos.
As we headed back to our car, we stopped at a friendly street vendor for a bottle of water. It was reasonable priced, as we found elsewhere in the city. We couldn’t take any photos in the Mint, but couldn’t resist taking a photo of this coffee vendor.
A note about getting around Denver
A note about Denver: We found the people friendly and helpful, parking lots plentiful, and it was overall easy to get around. The free trolley along the pedestrian mall was easy to hop on and off, and very much appreciated on the hot day. We wouldn’t have seen as much had we kept to walking as it was getting prohibitively hot. Plus I had a mild sprain on one ankle and appreciated being able to sit in between our jumping on and off one. In addition to scooters, Denver is a bike friendly city, so watch out for those as well, whether walking or driving.
If you are a bicyclist, Denver welcomes you with bike lanes, trails, lockers, bike share, and easy transit. Here’s a link for you: BikeDenver.
