The mall is a mile-long, tree-lined promenade stretching through the heart of downtown. Bustling with street vendors, souvenir shops, clothing and jewelry stores, and a plethora of bars and restaurants, this energetic strip offers plenty of variety. The Denver Pavilions, at the entrance of the mall, is a new open air-shopping plaza filled with trendy chains, including the Denver edition of the Hard Rock Café. The D & F Tower, a 325-foot (100-meter) replica of the Campanile (bell tower) in Venice, graces the center of the mall. The Tabor Center adds to the shopping enthusiasm. Free shuttles provide transportation up and down the mall, allowing for convenient cross-town sightseeing.

The Tabor Center, located on the 16th Street Mall, is a two-block, glass structure housing a small shopping galleria and the Westin Hotel Tabor Center. An expansion and renovation to the Center has added the mammoth ESPN Fun Zone. The complex sports a variety of ever-changing specialty stores peddling fashion, accessories, cards, gifts, toys and games. The food court is a happening lunch destination, but for something more upscale try the popular Cheesecake Factory, or the stylish Palm Restaurant.

The Denver Pavilions, located downtown at the south end of the 16th Street Mall, is Denver's latest upscale shopping plaza and entertainment center, stocked with popular chains. This three-tiered, open-air venue is a hotspot of activity, especially around lunchtime. The stylish Wolfgang Puck Cafe headlines the dining destinations, along with tourist favorite Hard Rock Café. A 15-screen United Artists movie complex occupies the third floor. All the standard retail chains, including GAP, Banana Republic, Niketown and Ann Taylor are scattered about the plaza.

Munchy fanatics love this shop for its hefty selection of muffins, cinnamon rolls, cream cheese and fruit filled croissants, brownies and bagels. Coffee, tea (hot or iced), and fresh squeezed orange juice and lemonade make for perfect liquid accompaniments. Fruit and salads are available for those who have already met their sweet intake for the day. For the the health-minded there are also plenty of sandwiches including the turkey cranberry and albacore tuna. Enjoy your meal at a table or take it to go as you wander the 16th Street Mall.

Interesting souvenirs made from reclaimed farming equipment make up the landscape of this novelty store. Iron wind chimes made from cowbells and Western Flyer bicycles hang from the ceiling. You can brush up on your local history or spice up your sightseeing with informative overview books. Warm yourself in fleece pants or keep your drink cool with a Colorado inscribed drink holder. Preserve your memories with T-shirts, sweat shirts, shot glasses and bells with Bronco, Denver and Colorado insignias.

Located on the 16th Street Mall, this two-story shop packed with Colorado collectibles, souvenirs and gifts, is a tourist haven. Coon-tail hats will bring out the Wild Bill in you, and bolo ties will give you a down-home look. T-shirts and warm moccasins are also available. Add a southwestern look to your home with glass window hangings, carved wood sculptures, clocks, dream catchers, pottery and wind chimes. You can even infuse your garden with a bit of Colorado by taking home some Rocky Mountain wildflower seeds.

A variety of taper candles in every color are available at this specialty shop. Blown glass, mobiles, menorahs, and iron sculptures are other creative ways to display the scented votive and taper candles from this company. A full line of aromatherapy candles are available and include grapefruit, geranium, and orange to inspire love and sensuality, and lemon grass, lavender, rose and jasmine to illicit peaceful dreams. Everything in this shop is conducive for adding mood and atmosphere to your house.

The Ruffly Rose, located in the trendy South Pearl shopping district, is a combination flower and wedding/birthday/etc. shop with a distinctly feminine flair. While most of the clients will be the bridal crowd, the Ruffly Rose is also a great place to shop for anniversary gifts, birthday supplies, and baby showers. The flower selection is fantastic, with everything grown in the indoor atrium or the outdoor garden which is visible from the street, and the gift selection, ranging from cards to decorations and flatware, are feminine and romantic in an old-fashioned way. The Ruffly Rose also hosts bridal showers, decorates weddings and receptions, and more upon request. For the more girly people in your life, this is the place to shop! - Sabrina Zirakzadeh

This family owned shop is a must stop for anyone in search of a unique gift, or looking to add a southwest touch to the home. Outside Old Santa Fe Pottery, are rows upon rows of red clay pottery as well as glazed pottery of every size and shape. There are chimeneas, sun faces, and decorative Acatlan animals. Fountains and bird baths fit perfectly in the quaint courtyard. Inside you will find rustic pine, oak, and Equipole furniture, wall art, lamps, dinnerware, rugs and much more.

Talk about specialized. This used bookstore carries more than 2,000 titles with magnified font sizes. The selection of large print books covers the literary spectrum, from fiction to humor, and is perfect for seniors, visually impaired readers, and exercise enthusiasts looking to follow a plot line from afar. Located in the Denver Book Mall, the shop resides in the southern antique district, and is a perfect stop if your reading involves a magnifying glass. Call for opening hours.