DETAILS

Denver Biking

GETTING THERE: Many carriers fly from the three Washington area airports to Denver. United, Southwest and Frontier are among the airlines offering nonstop service, with fares starting at about $200 round trip.

STAYING THERE: I stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton Denver Cherry Creek (600 S. Colorado Blvd., 303-757-3341, http://www.starwoodhotels.com/ ), a pedal away from the Cherry Creek Trail and not too far from the swank Cherry Creek retail area. The rooms are spacious with good bedding, and the hotel has an outdoor heated pool, fitness center, bar and restaurant. Plus, the staff let me store my bike in the luggage room. Rates from $79 double. In Uptown, the Warwick Denver Hotel (1776 Grant St., 303-861- 2000, http://warwickdenver.com/ ) has 219 elegant rooms, with antiques and many with balconies and views of the Rockies, Front Range or downtown. There is also a restaurant and bar on-site, as well as a rooftop pool. Rooms from $115. For a boutique hotel, the Jet Hotel (1612 Wazee St., 303-572-3300, http://www.thejethotel.com/ ; from $169) is an exit off the Cherry Creek Trail, though you'll most likely want to swap your biking shorts for something a bit more stylish -- especially if you go for happy hour in the bar ($1 Moet champagne nights!). There's also a nightclub beneath the hotel for some underworld action.

EATING THERE: You can restaurant-hop along 17th Avenue in Uptown: For burgers and brews, grab a booth at Hamburger Mary's (700 E. 17th Ave., 303-832-1333; $8 to $10); fuel up on retro faves like mac and cheese ($8) and meatball subs ($8) at Steuben's (523 E. 17th Ave., 303-830- 1001); or try contemporary Vietnamese at Parallel 17 (1600 E. 17th Ave., 303-399-0988; about $25 per person). In the Golden Triangle, Cuba Cuba (1173 Delaware St., 303-605-2822) is run by a first-generation Cuban American with a flair for mojitos and such plates as stewed rice and chicken ($15), Cuban sandwiches ($10) and plantain chips with mojo ($6.50). For a local scene, try Benny's (301 E. Seventh Ave., 303-894-0788), which serves Mexican favorites (from $7 to $12).

BIKING THERE: I rented a Giant hybrid from the Cherry Creek Bike Rack (171 Detroit St., 303-388-1630, http://cherrycreekbikerack.com/ ); the $30 per 24-hour period included a bike kit, lock and helmet. Confluence Kayaks (1615 Platte St., 303-433-3676, http://www.confluencekayaks.com/ ) also rents bikes, for $15 per four hours or $25 for the whole day. Before setting out, pick up the all-important Denver Bike Map, sold at many outdoor stores and bookshops. You can also get the $5 map beforehand through the city; for info: 720-913-4600, http://www.denvergov.org/Bicycle_Program/template31482.asp .

If you prefer a guide, Denver Bike Tours organizes outings, including a city tour that goes around downtown or ventures up to Red Rocks (from $70, not including bike). Info: 720-641-3166, http://www.denverbiketours.com/ .

OTHER ACTIVITIES: There are lots of sights and activities along -- or just off -- the bike paths. At the Downtown Aquarium (700 Water St., 303-561-4450, http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver/flash_content/index.html ; $13.25, or $9.95 after 6 p.m.), check out the exhibits, or become one, on a snorkeling ($75) or diving ($175; certification required) adventure. Scream your lungs out at Six Flags Elitch Gardens (2000 Elitch Circle, 303-595-4386, http://www.sixflags.com/parks/elitchgardens ; $35 to $45), home of the world's highest free-fall swing. The Denver Art Museum (Civic Center Cultural Complex on 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock streets, 720-865-5000, http://www.denverartmuseum.org/ ; $13), set to reopen next weekend, has masterworks inside and out, thanks to its new expansion. For other Golden Triangle attractions: http://www.goldentriangleofdenver.com/ . Even if the stage is dark, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (15 miles west of Denver) is a sight to behold. Info: 303-295-4444, http://www.redrocksonline.com/ .

INFO: Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau , 800-233-6837, http://www.denver.org/ .

-- Andrea Sachs