Travel Guide: Denver, CO

Mountains, art, breweries, and beyond! The Mile High City boasts stunning views, a thriving food and beverage scene, and supposedly 300 days of sunshine a year. I had wanted to visit Colorado for a while, so my husband and I finally planned a trip to Denver for the beginning of May.

From hiking to eating and exploring nearby towns, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit out west and packed in as many activities as possible. I’ve rounded up some of the best places we visited, restaurants we ate at, and trails we explored during our 3-night stay.

The views were unmatched at the Flatirons

Where to Stay in Denver

We used Denver as our home base to explore nearby mountain towns, which I would definitely recommend doing. You’ll be able to day-trip to various nearby cities while still enjoying all that Denver itself has to offer. 

We stayed in an Airbnb in the Skyland neighborhood, which was perfectly fine. It wasn’t a particularly lively part of the city or walkable to many sites, but we were easily able to get to everything we wanted to see by car. Depending on what you’re looking for, here are the top areas I’d recommend staying in if you’re planning a trip to Denver.

  • River North Art District (RiNo): Mural-lined buildings and some of the best restaurants and nightlife in Denver make this area such a hotspot! You’ll find plenty to do staying in this area. 

  • Union Station/Lower Downtown (LoDo): A vibrant part of the city that’s in the center of it all. There’s no shortage of restaurants, bars, and shopping, and it’s convenient to Union Station transportation.

  • Lower Highlands (LoHi): Across the South Platte River from Union Station, atop a hill sits this hip neighborhood. It’s a desirable area with popular restaurants and views of downtown Denver.

The photogenic travel hub of Denver

Where to Eat & Drink in Denver

Indulging in tasty cuisine is one of the most enjoyable parts of any trip for me, so I always, always research the best restaurants in a city before visiting. I knew from reading online that Denver touts an impressive culinary scene, and after eating our way through the city, I can say it delivered! Here are some restaurants we tried and absolutely loved.

Scrumptious lamb kebabs and eggplant at Safta

Best Food in Denver 

  • Safta: Up-scale Israeli restaurant where we devoured the most delicious whipped feta, fattoush salad, eggplant, and lamb kebabs. So good we went a second time for dessert—hello, labneh doughnuts and knafeh!

  • Linger: Located in a former mortuary, there’s a reason this restaurant gets rave reviews. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered, from the bao buns and bison pad thai to the wagyu sliders.

  • Stowaway Kitchen: A must-try bakery/brunch spot! The scones, cinnamon buns, coffee, bowls, breakfast sandwiches, and ambiance were all 10/10.

  • Onefold: This breakfast spot seriously hit the spot! The breakfast tacos and Vietnamese coffee were to die for, and the service was fast and friendly.

  • Reunion Bread: Right next to Safta, this bakery whips up exceptional pastries. We tried a churro croissant and a ham & cheese croissant, which were both exquisite. 

  • Denver Central Market: This 11-vendor food hall sits in the heart of RiNo and is open all day, every day. We had Caprese and Italian sandwiches at Culture Meat & Cheese—they were the perfect afternoon pick-me-ups! 

  • Little Man Ice Cream: Housed in a 28-foot milk can, this place is a Denver classic. Be prepared to stand in line, but the wait is worth it! We stopped here after dinner at Linger since it’s right next door.

Flavorful duck, pork belly, and chicken bao buns at Linger

While we didn’t have time to try these restaurants, I did read glowing reviews about them:

How gorgeous is this breakfast bowl at Stowaway?

The most unique dessert I’ve ever had—knafeh at Safta

Best Bars & Breweries in Denver

  • Improper City Brewing: This beer garden has spacious indoor and outdoor seating along with 36 taps, cocktails, and a coffee bar.

  • Ratio Beerworks: We stopped by the RiNo location and enjoyed the retro decor, outdoor patio, and peach lemonade seltzer!

  • Federales: This open-air Mexican restaurant and bar along Larimer Street was a lively spot to check out, especially for Cinco de Mayo weekend!

  • Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company: This Larimer St. craft brewery uses Colorado-grown ingredients to produce their tasty beers.

  • Great Divide Brewing Co.: Denver’s largest and oldest packaging brewery is worth a visit!

  • Cohesion Brewing Co.: Featuring flavors from the Czech Republic, this brewery pours unique bevs you can’t find just anywhere.

  • Blue Moon Brewing: Visiting this Denver original known for its Belgian-style wheat ale is a no-brainer!

  • Finn’s Manor: Creative cocktails, wines, and beers make this locale a hit when you’re craving libations. 

  • Death & Co: Sophisticated cocktail bar with food offerings and non-alcoholic beverages, as well.

Quirky decor at Ratio Beerworks

What to Do in Denver

Denver has something for everyone! From art, museums, and shopping to breweries, sporting events, and of course, nearby hiking, the Mile High City is loaded with adventure. Here are the top activities in and around Denver that you’ll definitely want to add to your list.

The iconic Larimer Square

  • Coors Field: If you’re visiting in spring or summer, catch a Colorado Rockies game! There’s nothing like the ambiance of a baseball game, and it’s always fun to visit stadiums in other cities.

  • Larimer Square: Walk around this shopping and dining district to find cute boutiques and yummy food. It’s an iconic and bustling part of the city! 

  • Larimer Street: From Larimer Square, head north on Larimer to find lots of breweries, bars, and restaurants (many of the ones mentioned above). It’s a fun area to bop around!

  • Denver Botanic Gardens: If you’re a nature lover, you’ll want to plan a trip to this 24-acre plant paradise. Tickets are around $15 for adults. 

  • Denver Beer Trail: Brewing more beer than any other US city, Denver is synonymous with its craft beer. Check out this map to experience the best brews it has to offer!

  • Museums: Perfect for a rainy day or for art, history, and science buffs. Visit the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, or Meow Wolf Denver—an immersive art playground.

  • Parks & Walking Trails: Soak up the beauty of Denver itself by walking, biking, or having a picnic at Washington Park, City Park, or Confluence Park.

One of many mesmerizing murals in RiNo

Hiking Around Denver

For true hiking, you’ll want to venture slightly outside of Denver. Check out these top parks in nearby cities for guaranteed gorgeous scenery:

From the top of Red Rocks Amphitheatre!

Golden was so cute and western!

  • Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre: Only 20 minutes outside of Denver, you have to hike at this iconic music venue (and maybe attend a concert too!). Climb to the top of the ampitheatre for a spectacular view and venture into nearby Golden afterwards. Parking and admission are free—just keep in mind the park closes around 2 p.m. on concert days.

  • Garden of the Gods: About an hour south of Denver in Colorado Springs lies this captivating landmark. The rock formations here are breathtaking, and parking and admission are both free. Check out downtown Colorado Springs afterward!

  • The Flatirons: In Boulder’s foothills you’ll find these iron-shaped rocks that are nearly 300 million years old! Some of the best views we saw on the whole trip were here. Park at the Chautauqua Trailhead or take the free shuttle since parking is very limited. Admission is free. Leave time to explore downtown Boulder (mead bar at Savannah Bee Company and Dushanbe Teahouse), too!

  • Rocky Mountain National Park: As Colorado’s #1 attraction, this park is a must-see. Bask in snow-covered peaks, waterfalls, and wildlife. Parking is $30 per car, and the lots fill up fast during peak summer and fall seasons, so plan ahead! Hike to Emerald Lake (easy) or Sky Pond (difficult).

One of the coolest parks I’ve ever visited—Garden of the Gods

Top Tips for Visiting Denver

As with any new place you visit, it’s important to know what to expect. Here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling to Denver.

  1. Let your body acclimate. Don’t try to hike an intense mountain on your first day. Let your body adjust to the elevation—start with easier hikes & save the tougher ones for later in your trip.

  2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Your body dehydrates faster at higher elevations, so drink tons of water and go easy on the alcohol–having 1 drink is equivalent to having 2!

  3. Rent a car. You’ll definitely want to explore the surrounding towns and mountains of Denver, so having a car is essential. Plus, the airport is about 30 minutes outside downtown Denver.

  4. Pack layers. Although Denver is said to be sunny 300 days of the year, the temperature fluctuates frequently, and spring weather, in particular, is unpredictable, so pack smart and bring options.

  5. Protect your skin. Higher elevation means drier air and more intense sun, so pack that lotion and apply sunscreen often!

  6. Research trails. If you plan to hike, make sure you know the hours, fees, trailhead addresses, and weather forecast for the places you want to visit. AllTrails is a super helpful app for mapping trail routes, parking lots, and more.

A windy but memorable hike at the Flatirons!

And there you have it—Denver in a nutshell! I’ve always been a beach girl, but visiting Denver gave me a greater appreciation for mountain life. It also made me want to explore more of the West and check other national parks off my list. If you’ve never been to Denver, I’d highly suggest planning a visit. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did and that these recommendations are helpful! 

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