Two Garden Tours on Thursday

For garden enthusiasts with more time, the longer tour will first go to the Hudson Gardens, where lunch is from Panera Bread, and then go on to the Denver Botanic Gardens. The bus will leave the hotel at 8:45 a.m., returning about 3:00 p.m. At Hudson Gardens, you may take a self-guided or guided walking tour. For those requiring assistance to enjoy the gardens, we can accommodate two groups of up to 10 each to tour by golf cart. Please request this assisted tour when registering.

The Hudson Gardens reflect the plants that grow well in the dry Colorado climate, and the terrain varies from high, dry prairie to wetlands near the Platte River. There are about 30 gardens, displays, and other features on 30 acres (12 ha). The gardens are arranged in a continuous flow and feature ponds, wildlife, sculpture, a garden railroad, and natural displays along a leisurely 1.25-mile (2 km) walking path.

The second tour is a morning-only self-guided tour of the Denver Botanic Gardens. It also leaves the hotel at 8:45 a.m. but returns about noon and does not include lunch. Wheelchairs are available for those requiring assistance. Please request a wheelchair when registering.

Saturday Evening at the Downtown Aquarium

We will be going by bus to the Downtown Aquarium where you may enjoy cocktails in the Dive Lounge and take a leisurely self-guided tour of about an hour either before or after dinner. The tour includes exhibits of animals and habitats from around the world, and a huge tank with divers and a diverse assortment of marine life. You can pet and feed the sting rays if you wish, enjoy the river otters if they are awake, and search for the chocolatechip starfish. You will be dining among the fishes as the restaurant surrounds a 150,000-gallon (~570,000 L) aquarium with excellent views of a very curious grouper, a large shark with his (yes, his...) entourage, and other fascinating species as they swim by your table. Dinner is on your own (dinner cost is not included when you register for this trip) and the selection is up to you. For better service, there will be two seatings, one at 6:00 p.m. and the second at 7:15 p.m., for our group. Menu choices include a variety of seafood, steaks, chicken, salads, pasta dishes, and desserts.