Our beloved recession travel rule  no. 11, which advises to check your destination's tourist board for deals before you book, comes up trumps again. The Denver Convention & Visitors Bureau has relseased a long list of "$52.80 deals" (named for the roughly 5,280-foot altitude of Mile High City) where the price at scores of hotels and attraction admissions can be had for just under $53. It's a great excuse to plan a late summer or early fall weekend in the Rockies.

The most enticing of deals are for hotels. The deal: Book one night at full price, and you'll get a second for just $52.80. The selection is made up mainly of solid brand names—like the Grand Hyatt in downtown. The regular rate for a late August weekend is $99 a night, so the deal translates to roughly 25% off a two-night stay. We also found some quirky charm on the hotel list. Check out The Curtis, a pop-culture-infused boutique hotel where cartoons play in the lobby, floors have themes (such as TV Mania, Big Hair, or Sci Fi) and you can even get a wake-up call from Austin Powers or Elvis. It’s also striking distance from the Downtown Aquarium, the Zoo, the Children’s Museum, and the downtown Elitch Gardens theme park. Regular rates at The Curtis hover around $150 a night, so this deal shaves about $100, or 33%, off a two-night stay.

The $52.80 deals are also available for a huge list of activities and attractions. For example, when one person pays the full $119 price on a rafting trip with Denver Adventures, a second person can go along for just $52.80.

Be sure, also, to download the "Denver Coupons and Discounts" PDF file, which includes lots of  $5-off-admission offers and free appetizers or desserts at restaurants around town.

The $52.80 deals are good through the end of October. Each hotel's listing indicates whether you can book the deal online or by phone. Many of the hotels require a weekend stay.