Denver Geographical Help Needed

[rolanni]

As reported elsewhere in this journal, I plan to have me at least one ride on a wooden carousel during my visit to the City in the Clouds. I am now in possession of a train schedule and a barebones panel assignment list (no reading/signing/coffee- chat filled in yet), with which to work. What I need to do now is figure out relative locations and the availability of mass transit/taxicabs.

The con schedule, insofar as it currently exists:

Tuesday: Arrive Denver Union Station 7:10 a.m.

Wednesday:
The Electronic Storyteller's Bowl 11:30 a.m. Steve and Sharon

Thursday:
Clarion West Student Readings: the Early Years 11:30 a.m. Steve
Writing in Concert 4:00 p.m. Steve and Sharon

Friday:
After the day job goes: writing full time to pay the mortgage 5:30 p.m. Steve
Dinner 7 p.m.

Saturday:
Keeping a Job: What writers do to support their writing 11:30 a.m. Sharon
Short stories/Long Novels: Fitting the story to the form 4:00 p.m. Steve

Sunday:
Working with Science and Science Fiction Museums 10:00 a.m. Steve
Writers Married to Each Other 1:00 p.m Steve and Sharon

Monday: Catch a Zephyr going East 8:10 p.m.

...From this it looks like my best shot is going to be arrival-Tuesday, assuming I can find somewhere to stash my bags; Wednesday afternoon; Friday; or departure-Monday, again assuming a place to stash bags. I'm a little uncomfortable planning outside activities on actual con days, because of those unscheduled-but-still-possible events.

My information is that there is a 1925 Philadelphia Toboggan Company wooden carousel in Elitch Gardens, which is said to be in "downtown Denver". This looks the most promising, though I understand that Denver is a Big City, and that the carousel and the convention both being "inside the city limits" doesn't necessarily mean they're anywhere near each other.

There is also a Parker Menagerie three-level carousel (just...oh, wow...) at Lakeside Park at 46th St and North Sheriden Blvd -- also inside city limits?

Can someone who is local to or very familiar with Denver counsel me on the relative sanity of trying to reach either of these carousels during the times I have available, and the best (most reliable) way to reach them?

Thanks!

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

So, it's been well over a decade since I lived in Denver, but...

Elitch Garden's was basically a combination of teens wanting to see and be seen and park security guards who were on a serious ego trip *and* had to deal with said teens.

Lakeside, on the other hand, was a slightly down at the heels Art Deco park, with one of the best sets of "whirl and hurl" rides in the country, a classic roller coaster, and other classic rides. Lines are short to non-existent, and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone there between the ages of 10 and 21.

[dhw.livejournal.com]

That was me.

[dhw.livejournal.com]

Oh, I should add, Lakeside is in its own city.

Seriously, the lake, the park, a mall, and about 6 houses are their own city (1sq mile).

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Seriously, the lake, the park, a mall, and about 6 houses are their own city (1sq mile).

Yanno... that sounds worth visiting, even without the triple-decker carousel...