Win my Denver guidebook at the Denver Cupcake Truck

Facebook users: Join the Denver Cupcake Truck page today and win a copy of my Moon Denver Guidebook by answering a trivia question! You can find out where the truck will be next-maybe your neighborhood or near your office or campus, then grab some friends and make your sweet tooth happy.

The Denver Cupcake Truck shop is actually in Denver's Park Hill neighborhood:
Cake Crumbs Bakery
2216 Kearney St.
303-861-4912

For those who miss the truck or want to set up with their free Wi-Fi, it's a charming little neighborhood block to hang out and enjoy some delicious treats.

Denver's Darlington Electric Fountain

About the time my Moon Denver guidebook was wrapping up, the city of Denver was showing off the newly rebuilt Darlington Electric Fountain. There will be a special night of celebration from 6-8 p.m. in City Park on Memorial Day to turn the fountain and lights on for the season during a jazz concert. I think this is so cool. Back in the early 1900s a few of these prismatic fountains were built around the country--try to imagine that time before Vegas and Disney fountains galore--including this one is City Park's Ferril Lake. At the time it was a huge draw to the park and people loved to come out on a warm night and watch the water and lights blink on and off during a concert. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair for many years to the point where it had to be rebuilt and not just renovated. Equipped with more colors and LED lights, the Darlington Electric Fountain is once again bringing people to City Park in the summer months.

Mile High Loop upcoming events

I wrote about the Mile High Loop in City Park in my Moon Denver guidebook even though the trail was still a work in progress. Well, many of those changes/additions are now coming to fruition! On June 2, Mayor Hickenlooper and others will be on hand to unveil the new 5,280 marker on the Mile High Loop. The trail hits the 5,280 elevation four times, but when I walked it recently I did not see any mention of this fact anywhere so it's exciting to know it will now be official in at least one spot. THe marker will be at the west side of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. I thought the loop was a great walk on a day when the trees were in full bloom and the park was not very crowded--a real step into nature in the middle of the city.

Radio show link

Here's the link to my Internet radio show interview talking about my Moon Denver guidebook:

http://webtalkradio.net/?s=mindy+sink&task=search

All about budget ways to enjoy Denver anytime!

No more Films on Fillmore

On page 101 of my Moon Denver guidebook I included a fun summer event, Films on Fillmore, which I just learned is no longer happening. There are still many outdoor summer movie events, and you can find some at www.denver.org. Many of these happen in Denver parks, up in Boulder and I know the schedule for summer movies at Red Rocks Amphitheater was recently posted.

Denver Life Magazine article

This month I have an article in Denver Life Magazine about 50 Things for Families to Do in and around Denver this summer. The article is not on their website, www.denverlifemagazine.com, but can be seen in the print edition on stands May and June. I included a lot of places that are also featured in my Moon Denver guidebook, plus more that are a bit beyond the scope of the book.

Denver's 10 Things To Do Before You Die

I saw this article in the Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_5054084

Top 10 Things to Do in Colorado Before You Die and it got me thinking that Denver should have such a list. Or I should write one, since only two of the things on their list would be covered in my Moon Denver guidebook. Here goes (in no particular order):

1. Climb up to the Capitol Dome and take in the view
2. Spend a night in the Brown Palace Hotel (or just take a tour)
3. Visit Confluence Park (and read about the history of founding Denver on the spot)
4. Drive, walk, horseback or bicycle through Garden of the Gods
5. Run the Bolder Boulder
6. See a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater (or just take a hike there)
7. Listen to the elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
8. Check out the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya
9. Take in a Rockies game at Coors Field (or take a tour and be sure to enjoy the view from the Mile High seats)
10. Visit the Denver Art Museum and don't miss the Western art

Agree? Disagree?

UPDATE: Thanks to Elizabeth's funny comments to this post, I feel the need to clarify--although the clarifications are also in my book. Of course I meant climbing the stairs to the inside of the Capitol building dome. They were closed for a few years, but I believe remain open these days for those not afraid of heights or a bit of steep exercise:)

Denver's Olivea restaurant

Last Friday I had the pleasure of dining out at Olivea on 17th St. This restaurant opened after my Moon Denver guidebook came out in spring 2009, but I am certainly going to include this place in my next edition. Overall I say it was pretty fantastic. Simple and sophisticated i decor, food and staff. Really enjoyed the fava bean crostini--one of many small plates that can be had for only $5 at the bar--and the ravioli was scrumptious, followed by a tasty panna cotta with berries. I went with a girlfriend and now hope to go back for a date night with hubby.