Here’s another picture-perfect view of Denver. You’re standing in Larimer Square, the city’s first street and one of its most charming. In 1858, this was just a rough riverside camp, a cluster of tents and wooden shacks thrown together by fortune seekers chasing the Colorado gold rush. This stretch of Larimer Street became the city’s first real street, the birthplace of Denver as we know it. However, like many historic districts, it nearly disappeared. By the 1950s, the area had fallen into decline, and there was serious talk of tearing it all down. That’s when a visionary businesswoman named Dana Crawford stepped in. She bought and restored several buildings, giving the street new life and turning it into a pedestrian-friendly hub. It became Colorado’s first historic preservation project, and a model for others across the country. Today, Larimer Square has kept its soul, with its red brick Victorian facades, strings of lights crisscrossing above the street, indie boutiques, and cozy restaurants... It’s lively, local, touristy, and timeless all at once. If you can, come back in the evening when the lights come on and the whole place glows. Whether you’re sipping a drink on a terrace or catching some live music, you’ll feel the perfect blend of Wild West history and laid-back Denver charm.