The Denver experience, in three flavors

BUDGET

Getting there: Four airlines with nonstop service (AirTran, Delta, Frontier, United) offer one-way trips starting at $144 with a three-week advance purchase notice. A comfortable 50-minute skyRide from Denver’s airport to downtown is $8. rtd-denver.com/skyRide/index.html

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GLENN ASAKAWA/Denver Post

You don’t have to pay money to see money. Take a free guided tour of the Denver Mint.

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www.skitrain.com

Colorado is known for its slopes; but for those not inclined to ski, a scenic mountain train ride is nice.

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www.monaco-denver.com

Hotel Monaco offers a ‘Drive-In’ room package that includes an in-room movie and a goldfish companion.

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Stay: Double-room rates at the boutique-style Hampton Inn & Suites start at $139 a night. The well-located hotel is close to the Downtown Aquarium and Denver Center for the Performing Arts. 2728 Zuni St., 303-455-4588, hamptoninn.com

Eat: About a half-hour drive outside downtown in Arvada is Heaven Dragon, a surprisingly upscale Chinese restaurant with affordable prices (entrees average $9). President Bush got his takeout from here, shouldn’t you? Sesame chicken is a specialty. Open daily, 16255 W. 64th Ave. 720-898-9909.

Experience: That tiny “D” on the coins in your pocket indicates the money was minted at the Denver Mint. Take a free guided tour and learn about all the stages of the minting process with a bit of history thrown in. 320 W. Colfax Ave. Online reservation registration required; usmint.gov.

MODERATE

Getting there: AirTran permits an upgrade from any economy fare on a first-come, first-served basis for an additional $99. www.airtran.com

Stay: The hip, stylish Hotel Monaco is within easy walking distance to the 16th Street Mall (more than a mile of shops and restaurants). Spacious, colorful rooms start at $219 for the “Drive-In” package, which includes an in-room movie, a companion goldfish, animal-print robes, morning coffee and tea, newspaper, Wi-Fi access, and an evening lobby wine reception. 1717 Champa St. 303-296-1717, monaco-denver.com

Eat: Denver’s oldest bar, My Brother’s Bar, serves up a Johnny burger with Swiss, cheddar, jalapeno cream cheese and grilled onions, along with a grand assortment of fine beers and single-malt scotches. There’s no sign out front. Enter at the southeast corner of 15th and Platte streets, 2376 15th St. 303-455-9991.

Experience: Anheuser-Busch of Fort Collins (57 miles north of Denver) offers free guided brewery tours with complimentary tastings. Afterward, visit the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Thursday-Monday, October-December. 2351 Busch Drive. 970-490-4691, budweisertours.com

SPLURGE

Getting there: Buy a cushy seat up front in business class at $412 each way on AirTran or Delta.

Stay: Junior Suite accommodations at Hotel Teatro feature a spacious living area, two bathrooms, Indonesian sandstone floors, a floor-to-ceiling “rain forest” shower, Frette bed linens, bay windows and complimentary Wi-Fi starting at $365 a night, double. The Dazzle Jazz package includes transportation and admission to Dazzle Club. 1100 14th St. 303-228-1100, hotelteatro.com

Eat: Enjoy a sumptuous Sunday champagne brunch and services of tuxedoed attendants at Ellyngton’s in the historic Brown Palace Hotel. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., reservations required. 321 17th St. 303-297-3111, www.brownpalace.com

Experience: Hit the slopes of the spruced-up Winter Park resort. Take the scenic two-hour Ski Train from Union Station in LoDo (lower downtown). The ride back to Denver in the train’s dining car is often called one of the best rolling parties in America. About $50 each way. www.skitrain.com