2011.9.24We arrived at Denver in a late flight the day earlier. The next morning, our trip started with a city tour of Denver downtown. 16th street mall was still quiet at 10am in the morning. We went to see the State Capitol first.

View Denver Treasury Division from the State Capitol.

Colorado State Capitol

The 16th Street Mall is an 1.5-mile long shopping area opened in 1982. Besides all kinds of restaurants and shops, the tree-lined street also hosts various live performance and exquisite squares.

Double Daughter’s Salotto on Market Street close to the 16th Street Mall

Writer’s Square on the 16th Street Mall

Tree-lined 16th Street Mall

At one end of the 16th Street Mall, you can see the State Capitol. We should have gone to the mall first and walked to the State Capitol from here.

After walking 2 hours, it’s nice to take the free MallRide bus back to where we started. We then went to Larimer Square. This short street is a historical downtown district. While the 16th Street Mall has mostly chain stores and restaurants, Larimer Square offers some authenticity of city’s past.

Larimer Square