Flying into Denver International Airport, I was awestruck by the stark contrast in the landscape as I looked from window to window on the aeroplane.
On one side, the Rocky Mountains loomed, a jagged horizon which welcomes many skiers and hikers year-round.
On the other, the vast, great plains that this central area of America is renowned for.
And this contrast is one that a trip to Denver encapsulates – you can marry the perfect blend of outdoorsy altitude-ascending adventure with the best of American indulgence on flatter city streets.
Donald posing in his Denver Broncos jersey in front of a mural in the city(Image: Newsquest)
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Colorado is famed for bucket list-bursting locations like the Rocky Mountains as well as the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
It could be tempting only to use the city of Denver as a stop-off point, allowing people to venture on to these great landmarks; however, you’d miss out on the brilliant Mile-High City.
Drenched in hundreds of days of sun per year – close to 300 on some – and with a food, drink and art scene bursting with colour, it’s a city deserving of delving deeper into.
Arriving in Denver, famed for its altitude, 5,280 feet (1,609 meters) or exactly a “Mile High”, I was immediately struck by the lack of built-up area that American cities can be guilty of.
We’re informed that there’s a strict limit on the height and number of skyscrapers allowed. Turning onto any street with a vantage point due West, it’s clear to see why – the Rocky Mountains dominate the skyline, and what a view.
The entire city of Denver is shaped by its surrounding nature, and when a trip to big-city America can feel a bit overwhelming, it’s a genuine breath of fresh air.
Donald enjoying a beer on the rooftop of the Rally Hotel(Image: Newsquest)
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Those lungfuls of fresh air are sought after by those living there. The city’s full of “granola core-ians”.
Another fact about Denver that hits you square in the face as you arrive is its love of sports.
The entrance to the city swoops around the stunning Coors Field baseball ground, where the Colorado Rockies play.
The green steel and red brick structure holds the record as the highest stadium in the league, and I’d argue that, along with its views of the mountains from the stands, it’s the most breathtaking, too.
For any baseball fan, there’s only one choice of hotel in Denver, and that’s The Rally.
Located next to the baseball ground, The Rally Hotel is a ‘ball-themed boutique hotel with the bonus of a rooftop pool offering stunning vistas.
The location is ideally situated for walkable access to downtown, and it also boasts a 35-tap self-service beer wall in McGregor Square.
The rooftop pool at the Rally Hotel, Denver(Image: Supplied)
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Staying right next to Coors Field, catching a game was at the top of my to-do list. I’d yet to experience watching baseball, and what a picturesque first experience it was.
Between hot dogs, beers and trying to catch the foul balls heading our way, a crash course in the basic rules had me hooked on the sport – despite the Dodgers and their talisman Ohtani coming out on top, it was thrilling and a must, if only for the sunset views alone.
The city is home to other sporting giants, such as the Denver Broncos, and the passion the place holds for their teams shines through, with team colours filling every available space.
The Colorado Rockies playing at Coors Field(Image: Kyle Cooper)
There’s only so long you can admire the view of the Rockies before they draw you in, and with scorching temperatures forecast, I laced up my hiking trainers and hopped aboard a guided trail.
Having tackled some scenic summits in Scotland, a landscape needs to be something special to leave me awestruck, but the hikes through the Rocky Mountains are something special.
A moderate five-mile hike saw us rise 800 feet to the staggering Mills Lake which sits at 9,800 feet above sea level, in a cauldron of mountains, the whole experience had me pinching myself.
While the August heat allows for stunning hikes like this, our guide is waxing lyrical about the skiing season, telling tales of perfect snow and off-piste adventure that sees the city clearing out to the slopes at every opportunity.
Donald at Mills Lake in the Rocky Mountains(Image: Newsquest)
A waterfall in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado(Image: Newsquest)
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Within the jagged Rockies also lies another bucket list item – Red Rocks.
Red Rocks is a naturally formed, acoustically perfect amphitheatre nestled in the iconic setting, it first opened in 1906, and has since played host to legendary performances from the likes of The Beatles, U2, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and more recently rising US star Zach Bryan.
I was lucky enough to catch a Beatles tribute act perform. While sitting in the stands, I lost myself in the ambience and views over what felt like the rest of the world below this heavenly venue.
A truly unforgettable experience, and to hear the exact songs the Fab Four sang made it seem like the rocks hummed along with the history they hold.
I fear that every other stage will forever pale in comparison.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre(Image: Scott Dressel-Martin)
Beatles tribute act on stage(Image: Newsquest)
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In the North of the city, Denver has birthed a vibrant street art scene in the RiNo district.
Murals, tags, and graffiti adorn every spare patch of wall space in the area, and a vibrant community of breweries has also nested there.
Coupling a wide range of IPAs and craft beers with a tour of the most renowned works found a match for every taste – both alcoholic and art.
The undeniably “cool” neighbourhood welcomes you to wander, drink beer, and get lost in some of the finest street art around.
Street art in the RiNo district of Denver(Image: Newsquest)
The group enjoyed a tour of Denver’s breweries in the RiNo district(Image: Newsquest)
Alongside the street art, the Denver Art Museum is home to one of the largest collections of indigenous artwork in the United States.
For those seeking a deeper dive into unique history, a visit to the former home of Titanic survivor Molly Brown takes you a step back in time and offers a fresh perspective on the activist and influential figure she was.
By stopping by either, you’ll be in the heart of Downtown Denver, which has seen a multi-million-dollar investment and is glowing as a result.
Denver left me speechless as I boarded the train at Union Station back home, a breathtaking terminal set within the heart of the city.
When I’ve been lost in my own world since I got back and been quizzed about where my brain’s gone, I find myself quoting the great musician who shares his surname with the city, John Denver, who sang, “I guess he’d rather be in Colorado.”
Getting There:
The average daily room rate for the Rally is $299 (£220.75)+ taxes and fees.
Aer Lingus flies to Denver six times a week from Dublin Airport. By connecting from Glasgow through Dublin, travellers can avail of US Pre-clearance in Dublin Airport. This allows customers to save time when they land.