Landmarks and Historical Sites
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception-Construction was started on this spectacular Catholic church on Capitol Hilt in 1906. Its 210-fV65-m twin spires have both survived strikes of lightning.
Colorado State Capitol Building—Easily identified by its gold-plated dome, this is one of the most striking U.S. state capitol buildings, both inside and out. The capitol dominates the Denver skyline and anchors scenic Civic Center Park, a three-block area of gardens, statuary and a Greek amphitheater. Be sure to climb the steps on the west side of the capitol—you'll be treated to a spectacular view of the Rockies. And take note of the 18th step. It's exactly 1 mi/1.6 km above sea level-—or almost exactly: Some claim that it's the 15th step that deserves the honor. One or the other, however, is—hence the nickname "Mile-High City."
D&F Tower—This rather unusual landmark was built in 1910 to resemble the campanile in Venice's St. Mark's Square. At the time it was one of the tallest buildings in the country, at 325 ft/99 m, and it anchored the Daniels and Fisher department store. Today only the tower remains, and although it is dwarfed by Denver's skyscrapers, it adds a sense of history and charm to the 16th Street Mall.

Denver Public Library—Completed in 1995, this library is an architecturally intriguing structure made up of turrets, towers and rotundas in shades of red, green, tan and blue. The architect was internationally famous Michael Graves. The art displayed within it is worthy of such distinguished surroundings: It includes works by Bierstadt, Remington, Russell and Audubon.
Union Station—Denver's Beaux Arts train station is worth a look inside just to admire its tall, oak benches. The building is still used by Amtrak and the Ski Train, but otherwise it's pretty much deserted.
United States Mint—In the summer, the wait to get into the Mint can take longer than the tour itself, but it's still worth it to watch coins being stamped and pressed. The Denver Mint produces 32 million coins daily. (It supplies the western part of the U.S. with pocket change, while the Mint in Philadelphia supplies the east.) Denver also has the second-largest gold depository in the country (you won't see any of it on the tour, however). The building itself, modeled after a Florentine Renaissance palace and built in 1904, is a treasure.