Get around Denver without a car

Most PrideFest activities take place in the heart of Denver with events sprinkled all throughout. For visitors from out of town and those who simply do not drive – not to mention partygoers who want to drink without worrying about where the car is parked – there are ways to get around the city without driving.

The 16th Street Mall Ride: The 16th Street Mall Ride is a free shuttle beginning at the heart of PrideFest adjacent to Civic Center Park, and follows a straight-line path through the heart of downtown and to the major transit centers at Market Street Station. It runs until 1 a.m. and starts up again at 5 a.m.

Light Rail: It’s nothing compared to a New York City subway system, but Denver is on a frontier of transit with light rail lines connecting the city core with outlying areas and suburbs. If you happen to catch the last trains out of downtown, they’re a delightful glimpse back at Denver at its sloppiest.

More info at http://RTD-Denver.com

Bus routes: Buses are the key component of public transportation in Denver. Many routes run frequently and late, and express routes connect to Denver International Airport and Boulder.

An automated telephone line posted at each stop provides a schedule for the next three bus arrivals. When you board a bus, be sure to ask the driver for a transfer ticket so you won’t have to pay again on the same trip – and in Denver, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask drivers if they’re going to the destination you’re trying to reach.

For maps, routes and information: http://RTD-Denver.com or call (303) 299.6000.

Rent a bike with B-Cycle: For shorter trips, one of the easiest ways around Denver’s central neighborhoods is B-cycle, an automatic public bike rental system – albeit you do need a credit card. For a 24-hour “membership” for $8 or a $20 week-long membership – available with a card swipe at a station – it’s free to check out a bike and ride, provided you return the bike to the station or another B-Cycle station within a half an hour of checking it out. (You can pull it out again right afterward).

B-Cycle is designed for short trips: The stations are clustered in Central Denver and Boulder and there’s a $1 charge for checkouts that last more than a half an hour – increasing to $4 every half hour after the first hour has passed.

For maps and information: http://Denver.bcycle.com or call (303) 885.3325

Walk: Many PrideFest events are a short distance from Civic Center or downtown, so why not walk? Colorado is known for its sunny weather and Denver for its friendly streets, abundant parks, pedestrian corridors and trails. There are paths along the Platte River and Cherry Creek, and more that radiate through Downtown and around the city.

Perhaps you don’t want to use your own tired feet – but I’m sure there will be plenty of hunky shirtless men who’d love for you to introduce yourself and ask for a friendly piggyback ride. And best of all walking and socializing is healthy!

Pedicabs & Horse Carriages: Novelty-seekers can find pedicabs and horse carriages to meet the interesting (and fit!) chauffeurs, so if you’d like to give your legs a little respite, they make for pleasant rides around town and double as impromptu tour guides. The pedicabs are fun, but there is something luxurious and romantic about horse carriages – so if you want to win over the hearts of some new friends you met at PrideFest, they’re your route.

Mile High Pedicabs: (303) 733.4222
Denver Carriage Rides: (720) 999.2941
Irish Rose Carriage: (720) 883.5325

Cabs: Denver’s taxi services are in full-gear during busy summer seasons like Pride, but in Denver they’re difficult to flag down – your best chance is to find a designated stop or call the company to schedule a pick-up.

Metro Taxi: (303) 333-3333, http://metrotaxidenver.com
Yellow Cab: (303) 777-7777, http://denveryellowcab.com
Union Taxi: (303) 922-2222, http://uniontaxidenver.net
Occasional Car: (720) 259-7809, http://occasionalcar.com
Craigslist Denver Ride Share listings: http://denver.craigslist.org/rid ]