Looking for a Rocky Mountain high? Visit Denver, Colorado’s capital city, which makes the most of its enviable perch at the foot of the majestic Rockies. A Denver vacation combines stunning scenery (the mountain panorama visible from the city is 120 miles long, including nearly 200 named peaks) with the best of city life. In fact, Denverites are known for being among the most active and the most educated urban dwellers in the country—and their city reflects it.

Taking advantage of its 300 days of sunshine a year, Denver boasts the largest park system in the U.S. along with 90 golf courses and 850 miles of paved bike trails. Active vacationers will feel right at home here, whether they choose to kayak the city’s South Platte River during the summer or go skiing at one of the many ski areas nearby in the winter. No vacation in Denver is complete without spending time downtown, which features a mile-long pedestrian area and an array of shops, galleries, outdoor cafes, restaurants and brewpubs (in fact, Denver brews more beer than any other city). Three new sports stadiums are also downtown, helping to accommodate the city’s eight professional sports teams. A Denver travel itinerary should also include a visit to one of the city’s world-class arts venues. The Denver Performing Arts Complex is the country’s second-largest, with 10 theaters, while Red Rocks Amphitheatre—carved out of giant red boulders—is one of the most memorable concert arenas in the world

Travelers to Denver shouldn’t forget that they’re in the Mile-High City. Alcoholic drinks at this altitude are more potent, and there’s less protection from the sun, so be sure to slather on the sunscreen. Denver International Airport, the 10th busiest airport in the world, offers nonstop service to more than 130 U.S. cities. Public transportation options in the city include the bus, a light-rail system, and free shuttle buses that travel up and down the 16th Street Mall downtown. For more information on travel to Denver, log on to www.denver.org, the official website of the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.