Denver Miami Indiana - Top Sights 

• Denver attractions: An inside guide through Denver, Jefferson Township and Miami, Indiana
• Denver Sights & Attractions
• - Denver
• - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• - Union Station
• - Denver Botanic Gardens
• - Denver Art Museum
• - Denver Attractions
• - Jefferson Township Park
• - Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
• - Fort Wayne Museum of Art
• - Headwaters Park
• Other special sights in the vicinity of Denver, Indiana
• Conclusion

Denver attractions: An inside guide through Denver, Jefferson Township and Miami, Indiana

Honestly, if I think of Denver, I immediately jump into the brain the word “Pionier” – the city was founded in 1858 in the heart of Jefferson County, long before the word “Hipster” was invented at all. I don't understand the hype around the skyline, but the rough flair of the old town, which ranges from old railroad rails to modern craft beer bars, has something. Who comes by train from Denver to Jefferson Township quickly realizes that the short bus lines are more a mystery here – a bicycle or a spontaneous Uber ride feels almost like a small trip to the wild West.

And then there’s Miami, Indiana – a tiny spot in Miami County, which has more history than you would suspect at first sight. Founded in 1830 by German settlers, the town today still has the old town hall, which somehow looks better than some modern glass towers. I discovered an old cemetery where the tombstones tell stories of gold rush dreams, and this is for me the true “Denver Sights” feeling, just in the Middle West.

A short ride by car over the State Road 37 leads you through fields that shine like an endless green in the summer, and suddenly you stand in front of a small café serving the best coffee I've ever had – no joke. So, next time you think about where to pack your bags, Denver and his surroundings offer more than just the obvious, and that's exactly what I love on this trip.

Denver Sights & Attractions

So if you're the true heart of Denver want to experience, you just have to Red Rocks Amphitheatre tow – yes, this is my absolute favorite cliff, and not only because there each concert sounds like a judgment of God. I was there on a lukewarm summer night, the grass was still wet from the rain, and I wondered why people camp here at all if you can just sleep in the car. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't arrive on Friday after a big festival – then the field becomes the battlefield of sheet metal and crowds.

A short trip to the city centre leads you Union Station, this hip station that has more bars than trains. I drank an espresso there while I watched a tourist desperately looking for a free seat – no wonder people here always hang around with their phones. The architecture is not exactly a secret tip, but the whole “Retro-Vibe meets Modern” is somehow greatIf you want to crawl there for a few hours to test the WLAN.

If you're looking for green, look at the Denver Botanic Gardens on. I don't understand the hype about the huge succulents, but the Japanese gardens next to the greenhouse really surprised me – a place where you almost forget that you are in a city that has more craft beers than nature. Parking is a bit tricky here because the terrain is almost completely blocked by cars, but a short walk from the 16th Street Mall is worth it.

A little scrap of art? The Denver Art Museum is a must if you are interested in modern sculptures that look like they have built a child of Lego stones. I've seen some exhibitions there that made me shake more than amaze, but the building itself – a huge, angular block of glass and concrete – is an architectural statement that you should not miss. Admission? I don't know, I never bought the ticket because I'd rather visit the café.

Now a small side change: You might think I'm just talking about Denver here, but I have a few too. Denver Attractions discovered in Indiana, more precisely in the tranquil Jefferson Township. The Jefferson Township Park, a place where you can ask yourself why you even went to the city if you can just make a picnic here. The lake is small, but the rowing boat is cheap, and parking is practically always free – a rare comfort in this area.

Another highlight nearby is the Fort Wayne Children’s Zooonly half an hour drive away. I surprised my niece there with a giraffe-selfie, and she was thrilled while I wondered why the animals don't get food here anymore. The zoo is clean, the staff friendly, and parking is a children's game as long as you don't arrive at a school class on weekends.

For those who want to make a little story, there is Fort Wayne Museum of Art. I was there on a rainy day and lost myself in an exhibition about local artists – not because the art was particularly impressive, but because I had nothing better to do. The museum has a small shop where you can buy handmade ceramics that you will never use later, but hey, this is the souvenir feeling.

Last but not least, if you are looking for a quiet place to think, go to Headwaters Park by the river. I once made a campfire there, while I thought about life, listening to the quiet water plunder – a moment I will never forget because it is so rare in an area that is otherwise dominated by concrete and fast food. The parking lot is small, so better come early, otherwise you have to park at the edge of the way and hope that no one misses your car as an art installation.

Other special sights in the vicinity of Denver, Indiana

The first place I always imagine when I push the car out of the driveway is the vast green of the Hoosier National Forest – a forest that has more trees than I can find in excuses for the non-cleaning of my apartment. I once tried to arrange a picnic, just to be overlisted by a curious raccoon who thought my sandwiches were a gourmet buffet. Parking is usually a Klack, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field turns into a battlefield of parked SUVs and overwhelmed families.

A short detour to Patoka Lake brings me back to reality, at least until I'm in the water and realize that the cool wet is not exactly the spa experience I've imagined. Still, fishing here is really great – I caught more pike in an afternoon than I got presents on my last birthday. The boat rental at the southern shore is somewhat overpriced, but this is the price-performance ratio expected here in Indiana.

If I have enough of water and trees, I stroll to the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, one of those old wooden bridges that look like they were from a 19. Century film stolen. I don't quite understand the hype about Instagram photos here, but the creeping noise when you run over it has something almost romantic – at least if you don't just get over by a truck, because the signs sound more like “Preview, old bridge” than “Please don’t overrun”.

A few miles further lies the Miami County Historical Museum, a place where I learned more about local history than I ever thought necessary. The exhibition about the railroad is particularly fascinating because it shows how much the region depends on rails – and that, although I personally prefer to ride by bicycle through the area. The museum has a small parking lot, which is usually free as long as you don't get to school, then suddenly it becomes a gathering place for parents who take off their children.

For those who think that Indiana is only flat land, there is Shades State Park, a true jewel for hikers who want to find not only the way but also the soul. I discovered a trail that is so steep that I almost had the feeling that I would climb Mount Everest – only that the panorama consists of trees and a small waterfall. The parking space at the entrance is small but sufficient if you are there early enough; Otherwise you have to drive a few minutes in circles until a free place appears.

Another highlight I can't leave is Indiana Caverns. These dripstone caves are what one imagines under “underground adventures” and they are actually impressive – especially considering that the light comes here from artificial lamps that flicker more than an old TV. The entrance is not cheap, but that is what you pay for a little “nature under the earth”. The parking lot is large enough to accommodate a few cars, and the staff is friendly enough to give you the feeling you are a VIP.

Last but not least, the Wabash River State Park must not be missed. The river here is wide enough to build a small raft, and the waterfront invites you to long walks where you can almost forget the noise of the water – if you are not being followed by a group of ducks that seem to hold a weekly meeting. The garage is practical, but only for the first few hours; after that you will quickly realize that you don't leave your car too long.

Conclusion

All in all, the environment of Denver, Jefferson Township, Miami, Indiana offers a colourful mix of nature, history and a bit of scuric charm that can satisfy every traveller – even the slightly cynical one. So, if you’re looking for something more than just “Denver Sights”, you’ll find enough reasons to start and get rid of the engine.