Taking in Denver's Artscape

Blessed with clean air and a Rocky Mountain backdrop, Denver attracts skiers, hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners—and vegan diners. No wonder its citizens are among America's thinnest. And it's no wonder that nature—and its preservation—infuse this Colorado city's art.

Denver Arts Week runs from November 4 to 12, but there's amazing art on display there every day, anytime, indoors and outdoors.

More than 150 works of public art pepper Denver, from the airport to bridges to parks. Among the animals depicted are Lawrence Argent's hulking blue bear at the convention center as well as a towering Louise Bourgeois spider and Dan Ostermiller's bronze "Scottish Angus Cow and Calf" outside the Denver Art Museum.

Just off the Cherry Creek hike-and-bike trail, which provides a serene shortcut through the city, an underpass by the South Platte River and Confluence Park is painted with super-sized depictions of bicyclists, deer, and birds. And brightening the 15th Street underpass between Little Raven and Wynkoop streets is "A Life in Harmony With All of Creation," a tile and clay mural series. Artist Maria Alquilar took inspiration from Russian iconography and Mexican retablos.

To sightsee with ease, I used Denver B-cycle, a bike-share program. Its B-cycles come with baskets, locks for stops in areas lacking a docking station, and automatic lights in case you're out after dark. Once membership is purchased, all rides of 30 minutes or less are free. The trick for riding longer with no charge is to dock the bike within 30 minutes and then check out any bike at the dock for another 30 minutes. Docking stations display B-cycle maps, and you can find them online as well.

Denver's foodscape is powered by creativity too. Visiting on the first Wednesday of the month? Don't miss CHOMP!—a cruelty-free outreach feast that supports good causes and requires only a modest donation. For lunch or a late dinner, artsy City, O' City on Capitol Hill serves up made-from-scratch dishes, Colorado microbrews, locally roasted coffee, and sweet treats from WaterCourse bakery. I loved the grilled shishito peppers; La Osa salad with dried apricots, chickpeas, avocado, and jalapeño lime citronette; and the Florentine pizza featuring tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, rosemary, and cashew-ricotta on a thin, organic housemade crust (gluten-free rice crust is also available). I hear the quinoa veggie burger, vegan mac 'n' cheese, and dry rub bourbon BBQ tofu on a sweet potato kaiser are also delicious. As for dessert, take it from this chocoholic: Resist your first impulse, and instead get a cinnamon-y oatmeal raisin cookie.

Root Down in the fun Highlands neighborhood serves locally sourced fare, including veggies from the garden that surrounds the restaurant. Plant-based small plates include faux crab cakes, apple-beet borscht (sublime … the only borscht I've ever loved), organic risotto with fava beans, sweet potato falafel, and veggie sliders with curry-lime sauce, made more delicious by pairing them with refreshing cucumber-agave lemonade. Certified raw chef Daniel Asher relocated from Chicago for scenery that befits his art. This eco-friendly restaurant receives eco extra credit for using reverse-osmosis water for all cooking, drinking, and ice and for being 100 percent wind-powered. There's also a four-course raw vegan dinner on the first Tuesday of each month. Other sure dining bets include WaterCourse Foods, Thai Basil, Sweet Action, and the new Vegan Van food truck.

Companion animal–friendly lodging abounds, including the spiffy JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek, [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/denjw-jw-marriott-denver-cherry-creek] which is close to galleries and the Cherry Creek Regional Trail and across from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. There's also The Curtis,  a hotel that rocks a '60s pop vibe. Downtown, there's the wonderful, vegan-friendly Queen Anne bed and breakfast. Supporting the community, the inn sources products locally, some from the all-vegan Beet Box, and its suites are designed by Denver artists.

Find information about Denver events, cultural attractions, and recreation at VisitDenver.com.

All images ©Robin Soslow.