I don’t always use a wheelchair, but when I do, I take the opportunity to take a lot of pictures! Inspired by a recent trip to the zoo in which we brought out the power wheelchair, we decided to venture downtown to visit Denver’s Union Station.

I have been to the Union Station in DC a million times and never get over the feeling of awe it inspires. And my university team used to go to the Model UN conference held in the former Union Station in St. Louis – which is now a hotel, conference center and mall. In fact one of the first places I crossed paths with my husband was at this former train station. Both places left a lasting impression, so I have wanted to check out the station here to see if it lived up to its cousins in other cities.

Getting around downtown Denver is no easy feat, and my mobility issues make it even more daunting. Add cold weather and I just couldn’t do it alone. Luckily we had a free weekend and the weather was unseasonably warm. We loaded up the power chair and found the closest parking garage to the station. While the idea of using the wheelchair full time is daunting, I can’t deny that it is handy for longer outings and makes it possible for me to use my big Sony camera.

Union Station in Denver is an impressive structure, built in 1880. It’s smaller than the other two stations mentioned, as train travel west of the Mississippi River has never really taken off, but still worth a visit. The inside is also less ornate, but classy, and filled with bars, restaurants and shops, with the bulk of the building taken up by the Crawford Hotel. Local, regional and national trains stop here and it’s a great place to start or end your train travel adventures.

One feature of the Dairy Block not to be missed is “The Alley.” In December , this heated alleyway is home to the Mistletoe Market filled with stalls selling everything from jewelry to artwork to culinary delights. An interesting feature is the mirrored ceiling in the middle of the alleyway. Pass through after buying your Christmas presents, or stop for a drink (or ice cream!).

Another noteworthy block nearby is McGregor Square. In December it boasts an ice rink set up in it’s center. But this would be a great location at any time of the year to have some beers while watching a game on the giant TV overlooking the square. Built to mimic nearby Coors field, the buildings housing various eating and drinking establishments wrap around this space, giving you the feeling of being on a baseball field.

At the end of the day I was satisfied with my little outing. I got some great shots of the station and practiced seeing – and getting – shots from my new vantage point. I still need practice, but the whole exercise boosted my morale. And I finally got to explore part of downtown Denver (LoDo as the area is called by locals).

It helps that Denver is a fairly accessible city. Most areas have curb cut outs in the sidewalks for us wheel-dependent folks. And a large number of businesses have an accessible entrance somewhere. Not all the sidewalks are well maintained, but nothing I encountered was enough to hinder my exploration. I look forward to taking the wheels out for a spin in other parts of downtown Denver again soon!

*It is worth mentioning that the Accessible/Family bathroom in Union Station requires a code to enter. You must track down a security guard who will come let you in. There is plenty of space and grab bars near the toilet, but the sink is not really accessible. I didn’t go into the main bathroom, but I did notice that the main doors are propped open, so that is one less obstacle to overcome.

For more information on Union Station Denver visit their website at https://www.denverunionstation.com/

To learn more about the Dairy Block, visit their website at https://dairyblock.com/