8 Delightfully Weird Things You'll Only Find In Denver
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Annie
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Denver is one of those fabulously weird places that mirrors other large and quirky cities like San Francisco, Austin, and Seattle. However, despite being weird (in the best way possible), Denver is also just plain delightful with its numerous parks, interesting people, and unique, yet somewhat attractions, which include:
At first glance, Cheesman Park is just your average, all-American park, right? Wrong! You see, during Denver's early days, the city was home to the large Prospect Hill Cemetery, which spanned the area that is now the Denver Botanic Gardens, Congress Park, and -- you guessed it -- Cheesman Park. While this may not seem too weird at first, it turns out that the bodies of those resting at Prospect Hill were never properly exhumed, meaning the park and other modern day attractions were built atop the deceased.
Since nothing says "Welcome to Colorado" quite like a 32-foot tall, 9,000 pound cast-fiberglass sculpture of a blue horse, the good folks at DIA commissioned artist Luis Jiménez to create this terrifying Denver icon. (The horse, officially named "Blue Mustang," earned the nickname Blucifer not only because of its looks, but also because a section of the sculpture fell on Jiménez, which severed an artery in his leg and later killed him.)
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Established in 1893, the Buckhorn Exchange was originally started by Buffalo Bill scout band member Henry H. "Shorty Scout" Zietz as a place for miners, cattle ranchers, gamblers, businessmen, and Indian chiefs alike to enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal. Today, the oldest restaurant in Colorado -- which has served the likes of Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan -- is a Denver institution and go-to for killer Rocky Mountain Oysters.
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Guess what? Denver is home to not just one gourmet weed shop (which has "more edibles than you can shake a stick at"), but SEVERAL. (Depending on your views, this maybe seen as either delightful or weird... not both!)
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Are you beginning to notice a theme here? Let's just say that if you enjoy the occasional toke, you will probably enjoy your time in the Mile High City.
You know the sign, the location, and the fact that they serve amazing food and drinks… but did you know that Linger is a historic mortuary that at one time housed the remains of the notorious William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody? Now you do.
What better way to end our list of the most delightfully weird places in the city than with the epitome of weird Denver: Casa Bonita. Opened in 1974, the "Disneyland of Mexican restaurants" features cliff divers, an arcade, and overpriced entrees that are sure to make you ill for days to come.
For even more Mile High City fun, check out these 12 Undying Habits That Prove You Can Never Take Denver Out Of The Denverite.
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