Colorado Press WomenTravel Tips
Denver skyline from City Park
Photo courtesy of Denver Metro
Convention & Visitors Bureau
Denver is called the Mile High City because it is just about one mile high — not because of the "Rocky Mountain high" refrain in John Denver's song. But John's description is notable.
High Altitude Hints
The high altitude causes alcohol to go to your head faster, so sip those libations carefully, drink plenty of water and enjoy the entire NFPW Conference and our host city.
Drinking lots of water is also important because of altitude sickness and Denver's low humidity. Staying hydrated is crucial here. If you feel a headache coming on, take some aspirin or ibuprofen.
High altitude also means more intense exposure to UV rays. In addition to the altitude, Denver is blessed with 300 days of sunshine, on average. Pack some sunscreen and lather up. And don't forget your sunglasses, visors or hats.
As for the weather, the fall is usually pleasant with warm days and cool evenings. We "layer" in Denver. A sweater and/or light jacket may be needed in the early morning or evening, but you probably won't need either in the day time (except in air-conditioned venues).
Early September is usually dry, but Colorado weather is notoriously unpredictable — all year long. Bring an umbrella, just in case.
Driving Instructions to Denver and Adam's Mark Hotel
Please go to this link to find your way to the conference hotel. > > >
Transportation Options from Denver International Airport to Adam's Mark Hotel
Shuttle Vans: Go to the main airport terminal (Jeppesen Terminal) to the Level 5 Baggage Claim area to pick up your luggage. You have several ground transportation options. The Super Shuttle counter is across from Hertz car rental. Super Shuttle (303-370-1300) costs $19 one way to downtown Denver and leaves every 10-15 minutes. The trip takes about 45 minutes. Other shuttle services include Golden West Commuter, 303-342-9300, and Airport Connections, 303- and
RTD skyRide: Public buses run continually from the airport to downtown. This is a convenient, economical way to travel -- it costs $8 one way (exact change required if paying driver when you board; you also can buy tickets, including round-trip tickets for $14, at RTD skyRide sales counter inside West Terminal, Level 5).
Get the bus marked AF (it will also say Cold Spring). The driver will help load your luggage.
The skyRide leaves from the 5th level of the West Terminal, Island 5 (several curbs away from the main driveway), in the morning at 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 8:15, 8:45, 9:45, 10:45 and 11:45, and in the afternoon at 12:45, 1:45, 2:15, 2:45, 3:15, 3:45, 4:45, 5:45, 6:15, 6:45, 7:45, 8:45, 9:45, 10:45 and 11:45; or from the 5th level of the East Terminal in the morning at 6:50, 7:20, 8:20, 8:50, 9:50, 10:50 and 11:50, and in the afternoon at 12:50, 1:50, 2:20, 2:50, 3:20, 3:50, 4:50, 5:50, 6:20, 6:50, 7:50, 8:50, 9:50, 10:50 and 11:50. More details are at www.rtd-denver.com (NOTE: Don't be confused by the terminal names -- there really is just one main terminal, but the east-facing side is called the East Terminal and the west-facing side is called the West Terminal.)
The ride takes about 55-60 minutes. Get off at the 16th Street Mall/Market Street Station stop. Walk across 16th Street and get on the free Mall Shuttle and ride to Court Place, location of the Adam's Mark. The shuttle stops at nearly every corner.
Taxi: Cab fare is about $46 one way for up to five people.
Car Rental: If you are renting a car, ask for a detailed map and directions from your rental company.
Downtown Streets: Most of the greater Denver area has a grid of east-west avenues and north-south streets, but downtown is different. Downtown streets are at a diagonal, and there are many one-way streets. The Rocky Mountains are west of Denver.
Parking in Downtown Denver
Most downtown parking meters require payment until 10 p.m., and you pay four quarters for an hour. Be sure to check when you park. Please visit this link to learn about parking in the downtown area.
Downtown Denver
A free 16th Street Mall shuttle runs up and down the mall just out the front door of the Adam's Mark Hotel, allowing Press Women to traipse all over town easily.
Use the shuttle or stroll the mall to visit interesting restaurants, art galleries, shops and the Tattered Cover in LoDo (lower downtown). The owner of this well-loved, independently owned book store will be a panelist at the conference on right to privacy.
You could tour the gold-domed Colorado State Capitol, see renowned architect Daniel Libeskind's wild-looking addition to the Denver Art Museum, visit the top-rated Denver Public Library, or attend a performance at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. You might even catch a Colorado Rockies baseball game in lower downtown.
Denver is also a great city for families. Kids and parents will love the Denver Zoo, Downtown Aquarium, the Denver Children's Museum and, of course, the Six Flags Elitch Gardens.
To learn more about Denver's offerings, click on the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau website and the Downtown Denver Attractions Map.
Enjoy some down time before or after the conference to enjoy our vibrant, growing city of culture and sports just east of the towering Rocky Mountains. Come early, over Labor Day weekend, to experience Taste of Colorado, an annual food festival Sept. 1-4, very close to the Adam's Mark Hotel, site of the 2006 NFPW Conference. Try tasty tidbits from various chefs.
Colorado Tourism Links
If you would like to enjoy attractions in the mountains, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, or other regions of the state, check out these links via the Colorado Tourism website and the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau website.