Denver bicycle program

Earth Day in Denver kicked off the Mile High City's new bicycle rental program. The rainy weather wasn't much help, but it's just a beginning. The cute red bikes with handy baskets on front are awaiting riders at stations all over town--my daughter keeps pointing them out, "More bikes, Mama!" Go to www.denver.bcycle.com. The next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook will be sure to have additional details on the rent-a-bike locations and progress.

New name: Denver Chalk Art Festival

Hmmm. I just learned that the annual La Piazza dell'Arte event held in Larimer Sqaure has changed its name to the Denver Chalk Art Festival. I did include La Piazza dell'Arte in the "Arts & Leisure" chapter of my Moon Denver guidebook and I do think it's a very unique event for the Mile High City. I have no idea why the name was changed though. Their talks about the Italian tradition of chalk art...less wine and Italian food at this year's event?

Dog parks in Denver

I don't know if it's just Denver or everywhere nowadays, but people do love their dogs in the Mile High City. I even wrote about the dog love in my Moon Denver guidebook and now there is more to tell: more off-leash dog parks are coming to town! This Denver Post article has the details about how city officials are trying to give man's best friend more places to roam freely:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_14760911

Denver's new bicycle program

Finally! I wrote about the different ways to get around Denver--car, bus, light rail, bicycle--in my Moon Denver guidebook and at long last, the bicycle program is going to debut:

http://www.denver.bcycle.com/

So no exact date that I can see other than "this spring" but spring is right around the corner, as they say, and what better way to enjoy these glorious sunshine-filled days than riding around the Mile High City?

Denver's music scene

OK, this is about something not even happening in Denver, but still provides useful information for me and the readers of my Moon Denver guidebook about the best bands and DJ's from the Mile High City. Check out this Denver Post article about who is shining bright at Austin's SXSW Festival this week:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14676274

Love=bargains in Denver

Check out some of the lovely deals at some of Denver's best hotels--also included in my Moon Denver guidebook--this Valentine's weekend. The Brown Palace is offering under $200, the Magnolia Hotel under $100...it doesn't have to cost a lot to celebrate your romance in the Mile High City!

Talking about Denver on a budget

This morning I'm scheduled to speak with Brian Peters at http://www.nodebtworldtravel.com about the ways my Moon Denver guidebook can help travelers--or even locals--save while exploring the Mile High City. Be sure to tune in to learn more about freebies, discounts and other bargains that make Denver an affordable place to stay or visit.

Find Denver on Facebook

Since I wrote my Moon Denver guidebook in 2008, it seems like social networking has really boomed (or maybe i just joined the boom?). Now there are many ways to "follow" Mile High City events and deals on Twitter and Facebook. One that's been handy lately is on Facebook, Winter Holidays in Denver, and if you become a fan then you'll receive regular (but not too often) status updates about fun activities around Denver.

Denver's ski gear deals

I was in REI the other day--the flagship store that I wrote about on page 141 of my Moon Denver guidebook--and discovered that in the basement where you pick up rentals (as well as online orders with free shipping direct to the store), there are bargains! Kind of like when the rental car company sells off the fleet, here they have rental gear for sale as-is. I saw skis and boots at significant markdowns. Just another place to look for deals here in the Mile High City.

Denver's sunrises

Good Morning! I just had the pleasure of watching a stunning Mile High City sunrise. While I have no idea if there is a place talking about pretty sunrises and sunsets in my Moon Denver guidebook, it seems worth sharing here at least. It's a reminder of our wide open skies and with our cold autumn mornings the colors are spectacular.

more Denver Arts Week

Definitely go to www.denverartsweek.com to find $52.80 deals on hotels such as the Oxford, the Curtis and more that I included in my Moon Denver guidebook as well as restaurants like Duo in Denver's Highlands neighborhood or Il Posto that are participating as well. The schedule of participating events is huge and the weather is perfect to soak up the culture of the Mile High City this weekend.

Denver Arts Week

While still a fledgling annual event, Denver Arts Week is about to launch its 3rd year and I'm hearing about lots of interesting deals, discounts and freebies that are tie ins to the Mile High City's cultural scene. I did write about Denver Arts Week in the pages of my Moon Denver guidebook but honestly had been unaware of its first two years, so this year I'm looking forward to exploring.

For starters, check out C & H Glassworks in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, www.chglassworks.com, where you can see glass blowing demonstrations this weekend, Nov. 6-8. I would love to see a little glass orange pumpkin made--and can even buy one for 10% off or enter to win a $100 gift certificate. Watch the artists at work and tour the gallery.

Over at the Children's Museum of Denver, which is one of the Sights in my Moon Denver guidebook, get in free on Sat., 11/7 from 5-10 p.m. (a little late for kiddos, but okay) or get a $1 off admission when you bring in new or gently used art supplies. Check the schedule for different daily art themes throughout the week.

Denver's fall snowstorm!

Unexpected storm but welcome moisture hit the Mile High City before Halloween this year. Although in my Moon Denver guidebook I mentioned these occasionally paralyzing snowstorms, I was thinking of wintertime! Flights at Denver International Airport have been hugely affected and many businesses shut down this week but now it looks like the sun is coming out and trick or treating will go on in the slush.