Let's face it, all work and no play is no way to live. So, if you're traveling to Denver for the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference, why not maximize your time in the rarefied air of the Mile High City with a few conference "extracurriculars" we'd like to recommend?
Whether you're looking to stretch your legs after a day of sessions, compare notes over a local craft beer (highly recommended!), tour the local art scene, or simply explore a new neighborhood, Denver makes it easy to turn a conference trip into a memorable adventure. Call it the superhero effect: professional development by day, urban explorer by night.
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The 16th Street Mall. Downtown Denver's iconic pedestrian promenade is back and better than ever! Newly renovated, the walkable 16th Street Mall is where you and colleagues can explore shops, restaurants, public art, and people-watching opportunities just steps from the convention center.
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The Denver Botanic Gardens. Need a break from screens, schedules, and conference bustle? Wander through 24 acres of gardens, walking paths, native plants, and seasonal displays that feel miles away from downtown.
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Meow Wolf or the Denver Art Museum. Whether you're drawn to immersive, mind-bending experiences or world-class collections spanning centuries and cultures, Denver has an art experience to match your mood.
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Denver's great urban parks. Take a morning walk through Cheesman Park, enjoy riverside views at Confluence Park, jog around Washington Park, or visit City Park for skyline and mountain vistas.
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The RiNo Art District. Short for River North, RiNo is where enormous murals, converted warehouses, local galleries, food halls, and craft breweries create one of Denver's most energetic neighborhoods.
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Denver's famous craft beer scene. Trade networking over coffee for networking over some of Denver's tastiest craft beer options. Woven throughout downtown and nearby neighborhoods, Denver breweries are a spirited place to continue those great conference conversations long after the convention doors close.
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Chase a Colorado sunset. A complete freebie that never gets old for people who call Colorado home. No matter what you decide to do, the Front Range provides plenty of opportunities for the kind of sunset photo that makes coworkers back home just a little jealous.
So, consider this your official permission to add a few extracurriculars to your conference agenda. The sessions will be memorable, but the combination of big ideas, mountain air, and Mile High energy is what makes Denver truly unforgettable. See you soon, urbex adventurers!
