From Friday September 15 through Sunday September 17, the Association of VA Hematology and Oncology (AVAHO) will be in Denver, Colorado for their 13 th Annual Meeting. If you are looking for something to do in the Mile High City outside of the convention center, here are 4 ways to get the most of a little time to spare.
1. Know the best way to get around
Transportation in a new city can be a stressor, especially when you’re on a compressed schedule. In Denver, there are multiple modes of public transportation with inexpensive price tags. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has bus and light rail options that take you around Denver and the surrounding areas. For only $5.20, you can get a 1-day pass that allows you to hop on and off as you please. Activity duty U.S. military members ride for free on all RTD services. If you want a more open air option to see the city, try Denver B-cycle. The city-wide bike rental allows you to rent a bike and drop it off at any of the racks around town. Just buy an Access Pass for $9 and you’re good to go!
For more info on RTD, visit http://www.rtd-denver.com/index.shtml
For info in Denver B-cycle, visit https://www.denverbcycle.com/
2. Immerse yourself in culture
Denver has a rich culture and history worth exploring. All around the city there are public art exhibitions for viewing, from the 40-foot tall Blue Bear at the Colorado Convention Center to vibrant murals like the “Love This City” series in 3 different art districts. Information on walking tours is available here. Every 2 years, a week long arts and culture festival called The Biennial of the Americas is held in Denver. Fortunately, the biennial coincides with the AVAHO meeting and offers the opportunity to experience symposiums and concerts by artists, leaders, innovators, and experts from North, South, and Central America and the Caribbean.
For more about Denver Arts and culture visit https://www.denver.org/things-to-do/denver-arts-culture/
3. Eat well
Sometimes the best way to enjoy a city is by eating your way around it. In Denver you can get a taste of the old west when trying Rocky Mountain oysters (bull, sheep, or pig testicles) and locally brewed beers or experience a “smooth as silk, tough as nails” master sommelier like Bobby Stuckey. There are 4 thriving foodie neighborhoods; RiNo where the hipsters get sushi and live jazz, LoHi that continues to be a haven for group outings, Uptown for a mix of old and new school Americana eats, and LoDo as a drinking and dining hub perfect for lunch or dinner. All are easy to access from the meeting via public transportation, taxi, or a short walk.
For more about eating around Denver visit https://denver.eater.com/2017/8/29/16180854/best-food-denver-restaurants-city-guide or https://www.thrillist.com/eat/denver
4. Enjoy the scenery
If nature and fresh air is where you find solace, Denver has no shortage of places for you to experience and enjoy. The Denver Parks and Recreation was founded in 1868 and has about 20,00 acres of mountain parkland and urban parks to visit and more than 80 miles of trails within the city. Just steps from the meeting there are paths for walking or jogging that wind along the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. The architecture in Denver is also a great way take in the scenery and a little bit of history too. There’s a healthy mix of old styles like Beaux Arts at Union Station and French Gothic at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, with new modern designs in the Denver Art Museum: Frederic C. Hamilton Building and the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. Whether marveling at nature or buildings, there’s plenty to see.
