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Need a break from show? There's plenty to explore in Denver

Brian D. Crecente, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 5, 2007 at midnight

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The National Western Stock Show can keep you busy all day and into the evening, but for out-of-town visitors there are plenty of other things to check out in Denver. Whether you want to visit a 40,000-square-foot honkey-tonk or find out how quarters are made, Denver has plenty of things to do.

• 16TH STREET MALL

Packed with shops, cafes, historic buildings and lined with trees, this pedestrian mall cuts through the heart of downtown and offers visitors a chance to shop and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. Free shuttle buses run along the mall.

Where: 16th Street

When: All day and evening

Cost: Free

• CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF DENVER

A great place to take children from infant to age 8. This unique hands-on museum includes a child-sized basketball court and market, tree-themed play area and plenty of arts and crafts activities.

Where: 2121 Children's Museum Drive

When: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $7

• DENVER ART MUSEUM

Opened in the 1890s, the current museum opened its doors in 1949 and received major expansions in the '50s, '70s and most recently last year with the addition of the Frederic C. Hamilton Building. The unusual titanium-coated edefice opened its doors in October.

Where: Civic Center Cultural Complex on 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock streets.

When: Closed Mondays. Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Colorado residents, $3 to $13 a ticket; non-residents, $5-13.

• DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS

The sprawling 23-acre gardens shimmer with lights illuminating the plants and landscapes throughout the garden. The Blossom of Lights runs through Jan. 21.

Where: 1005 York Street

When: 6-9 p.m. nightly.

Cost: $4 to $8

• THE DENVER MINT

Founded in 1863, the Denver Mint manufactures all denominations of circulating coins. Free daily tours are available. Reservations, made in person or online, are required.

Where: Cherokee Street between 14th and Colfax avenues.

When: On the hour from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Cost: Free

• DENVER ZOO

With more than 4,000 different animals from 700 species, the 80-acre zoo is a haven for animal lovers.

Where: 2300 Steele Street

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $5 to $9

• GRIZZLY ROSE

Considered one of the top country bars in the country, the Grizzly Rose is a 40,000-square-foot honky tonk that features live country six nights a week.

Where: 5450 North Valley Highway

When: Nightly specials Tuesday through Sunday.

Cost: Entry prices vary.

Ethnic delights

When you've had your fill of ropin', riding and funnel cakes, Denver's rapidly expanding roster of ethnic restaurants offers stock show goers a genuine change of taste. We recommend the following establishments for cuisine as exciting as a rodeo.

• Buenos Aires Grill

2191 Arapahoe St., Denver; 303-296-6709;

What to expect: You'll enjoy great grilled meats Argentine-style at this warm, inviting restaurant that also boasts good service and a wine list full of meaty reds. There's also a strong Italian influence in the menu with polenta, ravioli and risotto dishes.

Be sure to try: The showpiece entrée here is the Parillada Argentina, a sizzling, smoking platter of grilled skirt steak, flank steak, blood sausage, chorizo, sweetbreads and more. An added plus: Dancers tango through the dining area on weekend nights.

• Super Star Asian Cuisine

2200 W. Alameda Ave., Denver; 303-727-9889

What to expect: On weekend mornings families gather around big tables in this modestly decorated restaurant to sip tea and taste an array of little goodies chosen from carts pushed around the room. There's no dim sum "menu."

Be sure to try: Easy-to-love classics include: steamed white buns with the barbecue pork filling; fried, crumb-coated shrimp-stuffed shrimp; and lotus leaf-wrapped packets of fried rice with chewy sausage. Other choices push the envelope, including congealed pork blood cubes with fresh ginger, and white radish chunks in a chile oil-powered, tripe-riddled broth.

• Tula Latin Bistro

250 Josephine St., Denver; 303-377-3488

What to expect: Chef Chris Douglas offers his personal take on upscale New American fare with a Latin American accent. The chef focuses on fresh ingredients and has a magical touch with all sorts of sauces.

Be sure to try: Start with veal and pine nut albondigas, tamales three ways or pumpkin soup with duck confit. Make a main event out of butter-poached lobster napoleon, pan-seared pork chops with cinnamon-cider reduction and chipotle-spiked potato gratin, or roasted duck.

• Jaya Asian Grill

1699 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver; 303-757-7887;

What to expect: This modestly decorated and moderately priced new eatery does serve some winning dishes from China, Thailand and Japan, but the must-try specialties come from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Be sure to try: The lengthy roster of recommended dishes includes starters such as roti canai (Indian pancakes with curry) and grilled beef salad. Favorite entrees included Hainanese chicken, spicy chili ayam Malacca, funky fried rice and Chinese broccoli with slated fish, and sizzling green curry.

• Caribbean Bakery

2934 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; 303-399-7993

What to expect: The service at this tiny, storefront eatery is seriously laid-back. The island fare dished on clear plastic plates emerges from Lance Huggins' kitchen slowly but it is always worth the wait.

Be sure to try: Must-taste items include "patties," flaky pastries filled with spicy curried turkey, mild beef, chicken or minced vegetables; jerk chicken infused with spices and pepper; and chewy curry goat with browned, seasoned rice with pigeon peas. The popular Saturday special is roti: a thin, griddle-cooked flatbread is used to wrap bitefuls of curries and stews.

• Ha Noi Pho

1036 S. Federal Blvd., Denver; 303-975-0919

What to expect: Regulars flock to this low-key, strip-mall space for the national dish of Vietnam. Served in big white bowls with ceramic spoons, pho is a rich beef broth and long rice noodles with meatballs, tripe and other meats. The soup is garnished with greens from a side plate containing mint leaves, bean sprouts, lime, jalapenos, basil leaves, sliced banana blossoms and sawleaf.

Be sure to try: Don't miss com tam thit nuong, steamed broken rice with grilled pork and vegetables; and pho tai chin, beef noodle soup with rare steak slices and well-done brisket slices.

• Pattaya Thai Restaurant

1571 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood; 303-238-5587;

What to expect: The interior isn't fancy, but the service is charming and fast at this family-run bastion of authentic Thai fare. If you like your food Thai hot, they'll make it so fiery your palate will beg for mercy and ice water.

Be sure to try: Start with the deeply soulful tom yum gai soup. Continue with moo sesame, addictive slices of sweetly glazed, grilled pork tenderloin. Settle in with the wonderful silver noodle pad Thai, beef masuman curry and pla rad prik, the latter a deep-fried whole catfish loaded with licorice-y Thai basil leaves.