Illustration by Jackie Besteman via 5280
Isn’t that map cute? It was created by illustrator Jackie Besteman, who does an entire series of maps.
Over at 5280, Chris Outcalt put together a Jack Kerouac tour of Denver that includes a “believability index.” You can check out the jazz joints, cabaret clubs, and hotels here.
This reminds me to tell you that scholar Bill Morgan‘s Beat Atlas: A State by State Guide to the Beat Generation in America is a great resource if you go on the road in search of Beat-related haunts.
Literary Kicks, which you already know is one of my favorite sites, also has a page put together by Andrew Burnett entitled Neal’s Denver.
Denver.org also offers an online list of Beat-related places that also comes with recommended reading for each place.
If you’re looking to read about Kerouac’s time in Denver, Paul and I cover it in Burning Furiously Beautiful, which is available in print through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Lulu and as a Kindle through Amazon.
What are your favorite places in Denver?
Stephanie Nikolopoulos 
I have only been there once for a few days and couldn’t find much that reminded me of Kerouac’s and Cassidy’s Denver, sadly. I probably should have done a bit more research before I went. So I guess I have to vote for Union Station which I liked a lot. It’s now part of a huge urban redevelopment scheme so let’s hope it’s still recognisable afterwards – have got my doubts though.
I hope I get back to Denver eventually. I really loved it out there. I’ll have to check out Union Station. I think the only Beat-related place I went when I was in Denver was the Colburn Hotel. So much of the city has changed, but I think even getting a sense of distance between areas is helpful to me to understanding the environment and culture.
I missed to check out The Colburn Hotel – next time I’ll be visiting the city I won’t. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it there too, but I think (and know) that Larimer and Market Streets have changed A LOT. Of course I will have to check out his house and Central City as well, that should be excellent.
Thanks for the kind mention of my 1995
Essay .
Thanks
For the kind mention of my 1995 photo essay.