Denver Lodging recommendations

My boy and I are passing through Denver in April. We already have our Rockies tickets! :)

We'll need a place to stay. We'll have the whole day of the game to play around in Denver, so we'll need something to do, too.

We need a mid-priced hotel, preferably in a suburban area, on the northerly side somewhere, because we'll be leaving for SLC in the early morning after the game. I don't really care for interstate hotel clusters--I never feel safe. Is there a safe-at-night business area, that has hotels, but that might be off the beaten path? A La Quinta or a Sleep Inn or Hampton Inn or something?

Any areas to definitely stay away from? Any suggestions for a museum or other must-see?

Thanks in advance!
Karen

Hi there. I'm afraid I can't help much in the way of a place to stay, besides you've probably already found a place since its been a while since you posted this.

I just wanted to recommend a visit to the art museum. They just opened the new addition in October, the Hamilton Building, and its amazing. Even if it didn't contain any art, the building itself is wonderful and would be worth a visit. But, lucky us, it does contain art, and some really great stuff at that. Mostly modern. The classic stuff is across the street in the old part.

When DH and I travel, we are all about food, so I'm gonna throw these out, even though you didn't ask for them: Breakfast and lunch, try Zaidy's on the corner of 15th and Lawerence, its like a modern kosher deli, everything is delicious. Dinner: Rioja in Larimer Square is great for spanish/mediterranean, http://www.riojadenver.com/, across the street is Lime, kind of modern trendy mexican, really good. Although billed as "neighborhood Italian", Luca D'Italia is a little pricey, but worth every penny, http://www.lucadenver.com/. Cuba Cuba is fantastic, best mojitos ever and great food, http://www.cubacubacafe.com/ get there early, tables fill up immediately. If you want to go all out, visit either Restaurant Kevin Taylor, or Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House, http://www.ktrg.net/.

Have a great trip!