When someone generally thinks of Denver, one may think of it as a winter destination due to the fabulous ski resorts and Rocky Mountain National Park. Now while the Rockies and the resorts here are top notch, the city of Denver has so much more to offer than just activities in the winter months.
Also known as the Mile High City, Denver offers a magnitude of fun to every kind of traveler: fabulous shopping, innovative food, delicious craft beer, and of course, a variety of options to explore the wild West. Because of this, Denver provides a fun city scene to go along with the activities that can be spent in the great outdoors. With so much to do in the Mile High, it’s hard not to fall in love and leave a piece of your heart here in Denver.
Best Time To Visit Denver?
What To Do In Denver?
Attend a sporting event
Drink Beer
Dine in Larimer Square
People Watch at Union Station
Go Skiing or Snowboarding
Visit Red Rocks
Check Out Denver Neighborhoods
Since Denver has so many fabulous outdoor activities, it’s sometimes fun to just stay in the city and bounce between neighborhoods. Check out Little Mans Ice Cream in LoHi, then head over to the 16th Street Mall in Lodo or hit up arcade bar, 1UP. If you want a little more culture and breweries, like Infinite Monkey Theorem or Stem Ciders, check out the RiNo district. Want some delicious food? Head to Steuben’s or Ace in Cap (Capital) Hill or spend a day at Cheeseman Park with some beers playing volleyball.
Want more things to do in Denver? Check out this article by the Travel Channel on Top 7 Things to Do in Denver
Where to Stay in Denver?
Downtown is your best and most convenient option because you can cover a lot by foot, the light rail or by bike. If you’re on a tight budget, I highly recommend considering a hostel, such as Hostel Fish, in the Lodo/Baseball district with prices starting at $57 USD/night. The location is excellent and close to all the action: Coors Field, fun bars, and delicious restaurants (on top of Ophelia’s SoapBox). If you prefer a hotel, Aloft, and The Curtis have excellent locations and hip decor.
Find and book these hotels on our favourite accommodation search website: Booking.com
However, since staying in a hotel is slightly high in price, it might be wise to go for a fun Airbnb option. Try finding an option in the Lower Highland (LoHi), Downtown (Lodo) or Capital Hill (Cap Hill) to be close to all the action.
Don’t have an Airbnb account yet? Sign up now and receive a discount to put towards your first Airbnb stay!
Where to Eat in Denver?
Denver is a foodie town and there is an endless supply of delicious options. For breakfast, I highly suggest going to Snooze, Denver Biscuit Company, or The Delectable Egg. For a full run down of great brunch options, check out this amazing article by Eater for your full list of top Denver brunch options.
For lunch, try an amazing burger at Hop Daddy or tacos at Torchy’s. For a cool and unique dining experience, try out either The Source or Avanti. Both have several options for both food and drink with a true Denver feel. For happy hour, look no further than Cherry Creek North or Hapa Sushi for excellent (and extremely affordable) dining and drink options. For dinner, try Linger, a remodeled mortuary with incredible views of the city or feel as if you’ve stepped into Paris and dine on exquisite French food at the charming Bistro Vendome (don’t worry, it doesn’t have Parisian prices). Regardless of what neighborhood you find yourself in, you’ll be sure to find some amazing food. That’s for damn sure.
How Much Time in Denver?
I would say 2-3 nights would be sufficient, especially if you only plan to explore the city of Denver and the surrounding metro, such as Boulder or Golden. Depending on the season, this gives you plenty of time to enjoy both what the city and the outdoors has to offer you. If you do want to spend some time in the outdoors (highly recommend), then I would extend your trip by a night or two to fully experience the beautiful mountains and National Parks nearby.
You can check out these itineraries to get more ideas when visiting Denver:
- Denver Itinerary : 3 Days
- Your Two-Day Best Of Denver Itinerary
- Denver Itinerary for 3 Nights 4 Days
About the Author: Chloe is a born and raised California girl now residing in beautiful Denver, Colorado, along with husband and Shiba Inu pup. She has an undying love for adventure, world travel and animals. She started TimeTravelBlonde as a platform to share her travels and inspire others to take the leap into world travel. Follow along for the fun at www.timetravelblonde.com and Instagram @timetravelblonde.
Denver is one of the places I would like to visit in 2017. This guide is very helpful and I’m going to use your suggestion, when I will plan my trip. Thank you
Hope it works out for you! Enjoy the city!