Denver2025Activities - Association of Professional Model Makers

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Naturally, the workshops and tours receive most of the attention and attendee focus during an APMM conference. But you won't be in workshop sessions or on tours 24/7! Around the workshops, and outside tour days, there is still a lot of time for you to join your fellow model making professionals while you unwind over a drink, gather to network and chat about business, life, whatever! Some of your best, most lasting takeaways from the conference may come in the form of business contacts or even friendships fostered during your conference downtime.

Opportunities for interaction that don't fall into the official structure and timeline of tour and workshop days will be presented here for your consideration. Got ideas? Let us know!

And if you'd rather go check out the scenery or some of the other amazing local attractions, we've got you. Keep scrolling down this page and you'll find enough ideas to plan your next vacation around!

Official or Conference Adjacent

Pre-Conference Reception

After traveling to Denver, why not unwind with your fellow craftspeople and get into the conference spirit by joining us for some drinks and snacks to kick things off? Traditionally, we'll either arrange for this to occur in a suitable reception area at the hotel, or a nearby restaurant or event space. Details will be updated here as we finalize our plans, but expect this to occur on Sunday, October 5th in the early evening.

Student Portfolio Review

Our conferences usually draw some student attention from aspiring model makers in training, either from programs from our education member institutions, or from local design, engineering, or architecture programs. As a service to these young craftspeople, we will facilitate portfolio reviews with working model makers, ideally shop owners or managers who have experience in hiring and scouting prospective model making talent. If you're a student who plans to attend the conference and would be interested in securing a portfolio review, or if you're a professional with a spirit of mentorship who would like to volunteer to review one or more portfolios with students, contact us here so we can gauge interest and line up students with mentors during the workshop days.

After-Hours Hangout Opportunities

As certain at an APMM conference as worthwhile tours and inspiring workshops, is the knowledge that your fellow model makers will tear off in groups large and small to go check out the local eateries, bars, or local tour destinations after we've closed up shop for the day. While it's never been easier to find well-reviewed establishments near the conference center, we'll have some ideas listed here as we finalize our conference planning.

Unofficial "Sight-Seeing"

Staying a bit longer than the conference run, or arriving a few days early? Maybe you intend to take advantage of the proximity to the amazing Rocky Mountains and stay a few extra days to do some sight-seeing? Early October is still a lovely time to do some hiking, or witness the aspen leaves in their full golden splendor if nature smiles upon us. A scant hour's drive into the mountains will open up some truly impressive vistas, with scenic overlooks and hiking trails accessible right from the main highway. If you prefer pints to pine trees, Denver is an awesome city with a great variety of culture, cuisine, museums, and natural landmarks within a short drive, bus, or light rail ride.

Below are some recommendations by board members who have either lived or spent time in the region, to get your imagination going, and maybe inspire you to plan a few extra days in or around this beautiful region.

Art Museums

The Denver Art Museum campus, located in the heart of Denver, consists of the Lanny & Sharon Martin Building, the Frederic C. Hamilton Building, the Bannock Administration Building, and, most recently, the Kirkland Museum, which houses an outstanding collection of decorative arts. Viewing the far ranging exhibits are a terrific way to spend a day.

Drive Time: 20 minutes from host hotel.

Botanic Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens, a 23-acre oasis in the middle of the city, has 45 different gardens (some 33,000 plants), as well as one of the nation's top 10 conservatories. Relax in the Japanese Garden, climb through the Rock Alpine Garden and explore the new Mordecai Children's Garden. The Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory is the largest single structure tropical conservatory in the U.S., including banyan tree roots and cloud forest orchids. And yes, it's still lovely in early October!

Drive Time: 15 minutes from host hotel

Casa Bonita Mexican Restaurant

Casa Bonita is an iconic Denver attraction for the fun-loving visitor seeking some entertainment with their tasty Mexican fare. Opened in 1974, Casa Bonita features live entertainment including mariachi musicians, puppet shows, and even divers making use of their massive indoor waterfall and pool. The long-beloved restaurant was purchased by two notable fans of the establishment - South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone - in 2021, and underwent over $40 million dollars in renovations. The revamped venue continues to be a highly in-demand destination for locals and visitors alike, and reservation waitlists fill up weeks in advance.

Note: Casa Bonita is a reservation-only restaurant; no walk-ins! It's not fancy or anything, just very in-demand. They only serve parties up to 10, and reservations are made weeks in advance. If you hope to catch up with some old APMM buddies at Casa Bonita during the conference, take a close look at their reservation guidelines, and coordinate well in advance! We'll have a special forum here on the website for conference attendees, so members can make plans and coordinate to make reservations.

Drive Time: 10 minutes from host hotel

Coors Brewery Tour

"Taste the Rockies!" Coors Brewery, the world's largest brewing site still uses the same Rocky Mountain spring water that Adolph Coors discovered in 1873. Self-guided tours show every step in the brewing process and end with free samples for those over 21.

Drive Time: 12 minutes from host hotel

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

Home to more than 3,000 animals representing more than 450 species, Denver Zoo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and the city’s oldest and most passionate advocate for the natural world. The Zoo is among the most visited cultural destinations in Colorado, serving almost 2 million people per year, and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which assures the highest standards of animal care. With the mission, "inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations," Denver Zoo dedicates almost $2 million annually to Zoo-led programs aimed at protecting animals within their natural habitats around the world.

Drive Time: 20 minutes from host hotel

Dinosaur Ridge

Dinosaur Ridge is a famous natural landmark, located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, near Morrison, CO. It features famous Jurassic dinosaur bones, such as Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus, discovered in 1877, and Cretaceous dinosaur footprints. Located adjacent to Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Drive Time: 10 minutes from host hotel

Garden of the Gods

Spectacular geological formations are featured in this free-access city park. For the less adventurous, there is a worthwhile 30 to 45 minute driving loop with several pull-offs to further enjoy the views. A free narration is available on the website which provides some interesting area information. For the more adventurous, there are jeep tours, hiking, rock climbing and Segway Tours, all accessible from the Visitors Center located across from the park entrance.

Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark featuring dramatic views. Admire the 300′ sandstone rock formations against the backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and awe inspiring vistas.

Drive Time: 1.5 hours from host hotel

Great American Beer Festival (Oct 9 - Oct 11)

The Great American Beer Festival®, the nation’s favorite beer festival and cultural phenomenon, returns to Denver October 9-11, 2025. Enjoy a weekend full of beer samples, beer-and-food pairing, and beer competition from the nation's finest brewers. Dubbed by Thrillist as “The One Beer Festival You Must Go to Before You Die,” GABF has topped beer lovers’ bucket lists since 1982 and unites beer lovers and brewers from all corners of the country. Go discover your new favorite craft beer, cider, cocktails, hard lemonades, teas, and seltzers!

This festival takes place just as the APMM Conference comes to a close, so some of you more adventurous members may be able to tack on a nice weekender to your conference ticket! We swear, we didn't plan the conference to coincide with this event. But if you're a fan of craft brews, why not take advantage of a wonderful coincidence?

Drive Time: 15 minutes from host hotel.

I-70 Corridor Scenic Drive

For the price of a tank of gas, you can experience some of the most breathtaking views you'll experience on the US Interstate system, starting just a few minutes from Denver. I-70 through the Rocky Mountains is a well-maintained, smooth and safe divided 4-lane highway, with gradual curves, reasonable elevation changes and stunning scenery. An hour of driving will take you through several charming and beautiful mountain towns such as Georgetown, as well as the Eisenhower Tunnel, which carries I-70 almost 2 miles straight under and through the Continental Divide. Keep going a few more miles, and be treated to an inspiring view overlooking the Blue River Valley, and the towns of Dillon and Silverthorne. This is a great place to stop and stretch your legs, grab a snack or pick up a souvenir before heading back to Denver, with a 2-hour round trip drive. Add a few more minutes and you can reach Frisco, Vail, or Breckenridge.

Warning: If you love the outdoors, you'll wish you'd planned to stay longer if you take this drive.

Drive Time: Recommend at least 1 hour out and 1 hour back.

Meow Wolf Denver

Meow Wolf Denver's Convergence Station is an unforgettable and transformational experience for all ages. In their own words:

"Meow Wolf opens portals of possibility. We redefine the paradigm of art and storytelling to make a positive difference in the world. Our msision is to inspire creativity in people's lives through art, exploration, and play so that imagination will transform our worlds."

Discover immersive, mind-bending art across the four alien worlds of C Street, Eemia, Ossuary and Numina. Uncover the secrets within. Inside the bustling multiverse transit station known as Convergence Station lies HELLOFOOD, an oasis of combined culinary cultures serving QDOT for 2,500 years and counting! Here, visitors can recharge from their cosmic exploration, and find sustenance in tasty treats and bold brews from local vendors.

Drive Time: 12 minutes from host hotel

Museum of Nature and Science

For more than 100 years, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has been at the heart of cultural experience in Denver. Explore the cosmos, uncover dazzling gems and minerals, see a film on the giant screen and a planetarium show, and get as close to a T-Rex as you dare.

Drive Time: 19 minutes from host hotel

Red Rocks Amphitheater

Opened in 1941, this Civilian Conservation Corp project carved a 9,500 seat, acoustically perfect, open-air theater from the sandstone just outside the city. On non-event days admission and parking are free to visitors. This is well worth the short drive from Denver.

Drive Time: 10 minutes from host hotel

Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado's No. 1 attraction, Rocky Mountain National Park, offers an unforgettable trip into the heart of the Rocky Mountains. More than 350 miles of trails meander to valleys of wildflowers, thundering waterfalls, high alpine lakes and craggy, snowcapped peaks. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous highway in the world with panoramic views in all directions. See elk, moose and bighorn sheep, while hawks and eagles circle overhead. National Geographic named Rocky Mountain National Park one of the top trips in the world in 2014. At the entrance to the park, the historic resort village of Estes Park offers shopping and dining.

Drive Time: 1.5 hours from host hotel

A Note on Timed Entry Reservations: Currently, according to NPS.gov, visitors are required to make timed entry reservations to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in October 2025. You will also require a valid park entrance pass, so plan accordingly if you intend to add this amazing destination to your trip.

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

Located about 2-1/2 hours south of Denver in Canon City, The Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers spectacular views. Throughout your 2 hour rail journey you’ll ride through what many consider Colorado’s grandest canyon. With 1,000-foot sheer rock walls on each side, you’ll experience a beauty that only mother nature can create. Right along side the route runs the tumbling, rushing, winding Arkansas River and remnants of bygone days including a wooden waterpipe system.

The drive from Denver to Canon City offers a dramatic change in landscape, shifting from the familiar Denver mountains to a Southwest prairie in Canon City. Along the drive, you will pass through Colorado Springs, home to the US Air Force Academy, Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods.

Drive Time: 2.5 hours from host hotel

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The APMM wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the following conference sponsors: