Denver is mile-high city + craft beer + mountain gateway + outdoor scene. 3 days perfect plus mountain day trips.
Top Things to Do in Denver
1. Red Rocks Amphitheater concert or hike
Cost: Free hike.
$30-150 concerts. Best concert venue in US.
2. Denver Art Museum
Cost: $13.
Free first Saturday. American Indian collection world-class.
3. Walk Larimer Square + LoDo
Cost: Free walking.
Historic district + restaurants.
4. Eat Rocky Mountain oysters at Denver Buckhorn Exchange (oldest restaurant)
Cost: $25-45/person.
Touristy but historic. Try them once.
5. Coors Brewery tour (Golden, 20 min away)
Cost: Free.
30-min tour + 3 free samples. World’s largest single brewery.
6. Day trip Rocky Mountain National Park
Cost: $30 park entry.
1. 5 hours. Trail Ridge Road highest paved road in US.
7. Walk 16th Street Mall
Cost: Free.
1. 25-mile pedestrian street + free shuttle.
8. Eat green chile at Sam’s #3 or El Taco de Mexico
Cost: $10-20.
Colorado green chile is a thing.
9. Catch a Rockies game at Coors Field
Cost: $15-100.
MLB baseball. Best Mile High views.
10. Denver Botanic Gardens
Cost: $15.
Best in the West.
11. Day trip Mount Evans (highest paved road)
Cost: $15.
14,265 ft. 2 hours from Denver.
12. Eat at Cherry Cricket (best burgers since 1945)
Cost: $15-25.
Customize your burger 256 ways.
13. Day trip Boulder (45 min)
Cost: Free if driving.
Pearl Street pedestrian mall + Flatirons.
14. Brewery hop in RiNo (River North) district
Cost: $5-15/tasting.
Great Divide + Ratio + Cervecería Colorado.
15. Hike Mount Falcon Park (close to city)
Cost: Free.
1. 5-hour hike. Sweeping views.
16. Catch a Broncos game at Empower Field
Cost: $80-300.
NFL. Mile-high altitude advantage.
17. Walk Confluence Park (where Platte + Cherry Creek meet)
Cost: Free.
Heart of Denver. Tubing + kayaking summer.
18. Eat Mexican at Tacos Tequila Whiskey
Cost: $10-20.
Best modern Mexican.
19. Day trip Colorado Springs + Pikes Peak
Cost: $15 Pikes Peak.
1 hour south of Denver.
20. Drink rooftop at Vesta Dipping Grill or Linger
Cost: $10-15/cocktail.
Best Denver skyline views.
Practical Tips for Denver
Currency: Local currency essential. USD accepted in some tourist areas at worse rates. Carry small bills.
Transport: Use Uber/Cabify/local apps (not street taxis). Public transport is cheap but watch belongings.
Safety: Don’t flash phones/cameras in crowds. Use hotel safes. Use Uber not taxis at night.
Tipping: 10% at restaurants. Round up taxis. Tips welcome from porters + drivers.
Where to Stay in Denver
Stay in safe tourist neighborhoods. Mid-range boutique hotels offer best value. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for peak season.
FAQ
Is Denver safe?
Denver is generally safe in tourist areas. Standard travel precautions apply – watch valuables in crowds. Use trusted taxi apps. Avoid certain neighborhoods at night.
How many days do I need in Denver?
Denver deserves 3-5 days for first-timers. Add days for surrounding regions + day trips.
What’s the best time to visit Denver?
Avoid wet/hurricane seasons. Dry season + spring/fall offer the best balance of weather + crowds + prices.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Basic Spanish helps enormously. Locals appreciate the effort. Google Translate works in a pinch. Some staff in tourist hotels speak English.
What about altitude sickness?
Cusco (11,000 ft), Quito (9,300 ft), La Paz (12,000 ft) cause altitude sickness for 10-30% of visitors. Acclimate 1-2 days, drink coca tea, take diamox if needed.
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