From Blackbeard to Billy the Kid, Summer Events Follow Famous Cowboys, American Indians and Pirates

DENVER, April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Denver is a city of adventure, but never more so than this summer when a series of special events allow visitors to touch Real Pirates booty at the Museum of Nature & Science, get their hands dirty in Marvelous Mud at the Denver Art Museum, or bid on the only authentic tintype of Billy the Kid at Brian Lebel's Old West Show & Auction.  

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These and more than 130 other adventures can be found at www.visitdenver.com/adventure.  The website lets visitors mix and match activities to create a variety of action packed itineraries to meet their individual tastes. With the Rocky Mountains in Denver's backyard, it's possible to spend a morning whitewater rafting through Clear Creek Canyon and your afternoon walking the quarterdeck of a reconstructed pirate ship. Take a morning drive up Mount Evans to the top of the Colorado Rockies, and then spend the afternoon cheering on the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

For information on Denver vacation adventures, along with special hotel rates, discounts and deals for attractions, or to build your personalized itinerary, visit: www.visitdenver.com/adventure.

SPECIAL DENVER ADVENTURES AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER

Real Pirates Anchored in Denver until August 21

The classical age of piracy comes to life in the exhibition Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.  Real Pirates tells the amazing story of the Whydah, a pirate ship that sank in 1717 and rested on the bottom of the ocean for nearly 300 years, only to be discovered by underwater explorer Barry Clifford in 1984. The immersive 13,000 square-foot exhibition, organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, features more than 200 artifacts recovered from the ship wreck, including treasure chests of coins, jewelry, cannons and cutlasses. Interactive activities include boarding a life-size replica of the ship's stern, entering Captain Sam Bellamy's cabin, and hoisting a Jolly Roger. Hotel packages with VIP tickets to the exhibition can be found at:  www.visitdenver.com/pirates.  

American Indian Art on Display throughout Denver

From Navajo textiles and Plains beadwork to modern bronze sculpture, Denver is paying homage to its' Native American ancestry this summer through special exhibits on display at the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Botanic Gardens. The recently remodeled American Indian art gallery at the Denver Art Museum (www.denverartmuseum.org) is recognized as one of the best Native American artwork collections in the nation with a collection spanning 2,000 years.  At the Denver Botanic Gardens, more than 20 bronze works created by American sculptor Allan Houser (Warm Springs Chiricahua Apache, 1914–1994) will highlight the magnificent 23-acre gardens (www.botanicgardens.org) from May 1 through November 13.

Marvelous Mud at the Denver Art Museum

Getting your hands dirty is only half the fun during Denver Art Museum's celebration of all things clay, Marvelous Mud: Clay Around the World.  From June 11 – September 18, visitors can explore the prolific uses of clay in art throughout time and across cultures with a museum-wide, immersive exhibition that leads them through temporary exhibitions and permanent galleries.  Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in clay inspired activities including interactive hands-on projects, live artist demos, artist installations and live kiln firings. There will also be a number of classes and camps for kids, adults and families. (http://www.denverartmuseum.org)

Original Billy the Kid Tintype to be Auctioned at Old West Show

The one and only existing tintype of Billy the Kid (from which all photos of Billy have been copied) will be auctioned in Denver June 24-26 at Brian Lebel's Old West Show & Auction.  It is one of hundreds of historic Old West six shooters, paintings, saddles and sombreros to be offered for sale at this auction and show.  More than 200 booths will be selling all variety of Old West paraphernalia, from hats worn by John Wayne to silver-studded holsters.  The Old West is alive – and for sale – at this colorful show. www.denveroldwest.com

Denver's Pioneering Bike Sharing Program Offers Two-Wheel Adventures

The B-cycle program, Denver's large-scale, citywide bicycle sharing program, is celebrating its one year anniversary this summer with 500 shiny, red bikes stationed at 50 locations across the city.  Visitors can explore 850 miles of off-road, paved bike routes and trails on a Denver B-cycle, a cheap, eco-friendly way to get around. Cyclists can check out a bike at one of the many stations located at popular attractions around the city and return it at any station when they are done, starting at just $6 per day. Find out how to set up an account at http://denver.bcycle.com.

For more adventure ideas, great attraction deals and special hotel rates, visit: http://denver.org/adventure.

About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Celebrating more than 100 years of promoting the Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. Tourism is the second largest industry in Denver, generating $2.8 billion in annual spending in 2009, while supporting nearly 50,000 jobs. Learn more about Denver at VISITDENVER.com, on Twitter @VisitDenver and Facebook.com/VisitDenver, or by phone at 800 2 DENVER.

With press or photo inquiries, please contact:
Rich Grant – (303) 571-9450 or rgrant@visitdenver.com
Deborah Park – (303) 571-9451 or dpark@visitdenver.com
Katie Adamson – (303) 571-9418 or kadamson@visitdenver.com

SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau