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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.
Union Station in downtown Denver
Best Time To Visit Denver?
Denver is amazing all year around, despite its reputation for unpredictable weather. However, that should be the least of your worries. Don’t believe me? There is actually a (very) famous saying here that goes, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes”. So with that said, Denver makes for an amazing destination, regardless of the season. Since there are so many wonderful things to do in here in the Mile High, thought I’d include a breakdown on each season.
Fall: Temperate weather and the ability to wear fun fall fashions, Autumn in the Mile High makes for a perfect excuse to order as much pumpkin flavoured craft beer and yummy dishes to boot all day long. Not to mention, Colorado has some of the best fall foliage in the country. Trust me, it does not disappoint. Best places to see the fall foliage are Vail (personal fave), Aspen, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Fall in Colorado
Winter: Undoubtedly the most visited season of the year in Denver. Not to mention, due to the incredible ski and boarding conditions we get here, our mountains are some of the most visited in the world. With some mountains having their highest peaks towering over 14,000 feet above sea level, you can only imagine how close to heaven you must feel while skiing. Mind you, mountains are chilly but with getting over 300 days of sunshine in Colorado, it doesn’t stay cold for long and giving you plenty of beautiful bluebird ski days. And quite frankly, it’s quite magical.
Spring: If there is one season that is iffy, it’s this one. With a highly unpredictable weather, conditions can be all over the place, literally. It can be 80 degrees one day in the city and then have a two-foot blizzard the next. However, the upside to visiting Denver in the springtime is cheaper flights, hotels and even discounted lift tickets!
Denver in the summer along Platte River
Summer: My personal favourite season, because Denver (all of Colorado for that matter), is absolutely gorgeous during the summer. With plenty of outdoor activities such as summer concerts, camping, hiking, white water rafting, roof top patio drinking, there is plenty to do for the every traveler.
What To Do In Denver?
Attend a sporting event
Denver is a HUGE sports town and the locals here are die hard fans. Home to the Superbowl Champs, the Denver Broncos, as well as the Rockies, Avalanche, and Nuggets, Denver covers the four main sporting events. So with that said, feel the infectious team pride by going to the Rock Pile inside Coors Field to root on the Rockies or hit up the many bars along Blake Street to cheer on the Broncos.
Coors Field
Drink Beer
Ok, this may seem alcoholic, but let me ensure you, it’s not. Colorado has a large beer culture and all sorts of varieties for every pallet. So go visit the Coors Brewery Tour (freebie!) in Golden just 15 minutes away from downtown or head to Boulder to sample brews from Avery Brewery.
Dine in Larimer Square
Hands down my favorite part of Denver is the famous Larimer Square. This historic part of town is incredibly popular for its famous bistro lights, world class restaurants, and culture. Be sure to dine at delicious restaurants such as Osteria Marco or Bistro Vendome. If you’re just looking for a nice glass of wine, be sure to check out Cru Wine Bar. You cannot go to Denver without checking out this lively and charming part of downtown.
Larimer Square
People Watch at Union Station
One of the more iconic landmarks in Denver, the downtown Union Station is incredibly beautiful and resonates old Hollywood glamour. Grab a drink at Terminal Bar, have brunch at Snooze, and stay at the fabulous Crawford Hotel, right in the heart of the action.
Go Skiing or Snowboarding
The resorts are roughly a little over an hour outside of the city so having a rental car is key. Check out popular resorts such as Vail, Breckenridge, or Aspen. Or avoid the tourist crowds by visiting locals favorites, such as Winter Park, A-Basin (Arapahoe Basin), and Keystone.
Visit Red Rocks
One of the coolest concerts (probably on Earth!), is right here outside of Denver. Go in the early morning for some hiking or yoga and return in the evening for a unique concert experience! To check out the upcoming events here!
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.
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!
Stay close to downtown to be near the action
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.
Union Station has Snooze EateryGrab dessert at Little Mans Ice Cream
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:
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.
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Have you ever been to Denver? What tips and advice would you give to first-time visitors to the capital of Colorado?
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2 thoughts on “Sunday City Guide: What to Do in Denver, USA”
Scott Edwards
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
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.
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!