As the largest public park in Denver, 300+ acre City Park offers so much more than just beautiful green spaces and meandering trails. Located about a mile and a half east of downtown, the park is easily accessible and provides ample opportunity for relaxation and recreation for the whole family.Parking and public transportation at City ParkArriving at City Park by car is easy, as parking spots along the park's roadways are ample. If you plan to take a bus, first consider where in the park you would like to end up. If you want to visit the zoo or science museum, try RTD bus 32, which will stop at the corner of Montview Blvd. and Colorado Blvd for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, or along 23rd Ave. for the Denver Zoo. For boating at Ferril Lake, take a route 20 bus to the park entrance off of 17th Ave.Best and worst times to go to City ParkFirst and foremost an outdoor recreation area, City Park is best visited on one of Denver's many mild, sunny days, which can occur year round. A summer evening is a fine time to visit, when the heat of the day has passed and you can enjoy a stroll around Ferril Lake. If you head to the east side of the lake at the right time, you can watch the sun set and the sky change color behind the city skyline to the west. If you do get caught in an afternoon rainstorm, which occur frequently between April-August, you can always seek refuge and exploration of a different kind at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.Admission to City ParkAccess to the park is completely free, and you can walk, run, bike and take advantage of recreation opportunities in the the playgrounds and on the sports fields and tennis courts at your leisure. Admission to the zoo and science museum will cost upwards of $10 each per person, and renting a canoe, kayak or paddle boat at Ferril Lake will cost $10-$40 per hour.Must see/do at City ParkIf possible, rent a bike or use the city bike share program to make use of the excellent trail system in City Park. Take advantage of the park's ample space and provided grills and picnic tables, as well as Denver's lack of irritating bugs, to enjoy an outdoor meal.Other places to visit near City ParkIf you walk up the City Park Esplanade from the 17th Ave. entrance, you will find yourself on Colfax Ave., one of Denver's main drags and home to dozens of restaurants and bars. The Tattered Cover bookstore and Twist & Shout music store are both the largest and most well known retail stores of their kind in Denver, and well worth a visit.Insider tips for visitors to City ParkOn Sunday evenings from June through August, a jazz concert series is presented at the bandstand pavilion near Ferril Lake. Each concert features a different band and is free and open to the public, so bring a picnic and enjoy a relaxing musical evening.Author's bio: Julia O'Connor is a full-time editor and part-time freelance writer transplanted from Boston to Denver. She is thriving on the transition and has enjoyed the exploration of both cities and everything in between.

Nothern Shores Cafe

Commerce Bank ATM

Simply Pizza Truck At the Zoo

Forest Heights Lodge