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Denver skyline with the Rocky Mountains behind at sunset
What to do

20 Best Things to Do in Denver

Denver is a base as much as a destination — the city itself is compact and easy to cover in two or three days, and then the Rockies are 45 minutes west. Below is our editors' shortlist of what to book, when to go and where to stay, with live rates through our licensed booking partner.

Downtown & the neighbourhoods

LoDo (Lower Downtown): Union Station's Great Hall (grab a cocktail at the Terminal Bar), Larimer Square's historic block, Coors Field for a Rockies game.

RiNo (River North Art District): Denver's mural district; hundreds of murals concentrated between Larimer and Walnut, best explored on a bike or scooter. Blue Moon Brewery visitor tour anchors the north end.

Denver Art Museum + Clyfford Still Museum + History Colorado Center — one Golden Triangle ticket covers Museum of Contemporary Art next block; a great half-day.

Cherry Creek: the shopping-and-dining alternative to LoDo; Cherry Creek North galleries and Cherry Creek Trail for a bike ride.

Highlands & Sloan's Lake: converted-Victorian residential streets with the best neighbourhood restaurants (Root Down, Linger, El Five).

Red Rocks and the Rockies

Red Rocks Amphitheatre (30 min west): visit the venue any day for free — the geology alone is worth it — or plan a summer concert.

Rocky Mountain National Park (1.5-2 hours north-west via Estes Park): Bear Lake, Trail Ridge Road (open late May-October). Timed entry required May-October, book 30 days ahead on recreation.gov.

Boulder (45 minutes north-west): Pearl Street pedestrian mall, Chautauqua Park hikes, Celestial Seasonings factory tour. Easy day trip.

Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans, 1.5 hours west): the highest paved road in North America to 14,130 ft — open late May-early October only.

Georgetown & the ski towns (Winter Park, Breckenridge, Vail) — 1.5-3 hours west; day trips in summer, longer stays in winter.

Craft beer, coffee and food

Craft beer: Great Divide (RiNo), Cerebral Brewing (RiNo), TRVE Brewing (Baker), Ratio Beerworks (RiNo), Denver Beer Co. (LoHi).

Coffee: Amethyst Coffee (Rino), Corvus Coffee (Platt Park), Huckleberry Roasters (Sunnyside), Sweet Bloom (Lakewood).

Icons: The Buckhorn Exchange (Denver's oldest restaurant, 1893), Casa Bonita (Trey Parker/Matt Stone-restored kitsch legend).

New-wave dining: Beckon (tasting menu), Barolo Grill, Rioja, Safta at the Source, El Five.

What to book ahead

Red Rocks concert tickets and shuttle from Denver (as soon as the show is announced — many sell out).

Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry — 30 days ahead in May-October, sold out most summer weekends by the time slots go live.

Casa Bonita reservations — required and released monthly; book the first day of the month for 30 days ahead.

A Coors Field Rockies game if you're in town April-September — cheap seats routinely available.

A pre-booked private transfer from DEN — $55-$95 fixed, much easier than the A-Line train with luggage and always available in a snowstorm.

Practical altitude tips

Denver is 5,280 ft (1,610 m). Rocky Mountain National Park and Mount Blue Sky reach 12,000-14,000 ft — many first-time visitors underestimate the impact.

Drink 50% more water than at sea level; go easy on alcohol the first 24 hours; give your body a night in Denver before heading to Estes Park or the ski towns.

Sunscreen is essential year-round — UV is 25% stronger than at sea level.

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need in Denver?

Two full days cover the city (LoDo, RiNo, museums, one great restaurant). Three days if you add a Red Rocks visit or a Boulder afternoon. Four-five days if you want a Rocky Mountain National Park day and a ski/hiking day.

When is the best time to visit Denver?

May-September for hiking, concerts and long daylight; late June-early September is warm and dry. December-March for skiing at the mountain resorts. April and October-November are shoulder season — cheaper hotel rates but unpredictable snow.

How do I get from Denver Airport (DEN) to my hotel?

DEN is 25 miles east of downtown. RTD A-Line train $10.50, 37 min to Union Station. Rideshare $50-$85 (30-45 min). Pre-booked private transfer $55-$95 fixed. RTD Route AB bus $10.50 (60 min). No direct hotel shuttles for most downtown properties.

Do I need a car in Denver?

For Downtown, LoDo, RiNo, Highlands and Cherry Creek only, no — walk, rideshare and the free 16th Street MallRide bus. Rent a car for Red Rocks, Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder or the ski towns. Hotel parking is $40-$60 per night downtown.

Is Denver safe?

The tourist neighbourhoods (LoDo, RiNo along Larimer/Blake, Highlands, Cherry Creek, Golden Triangle) are safe day and night with standard big-city awareness. The 16th Street Mall late at night and the far edges of RiNo warrant rideshare rather than walking.

Is Red Rocks worth a visit outside a concert?

Yes — the amphitheatre is free to visit and the geology, viewpoints and Colorado Music Hall of Fame museum are worth 90 minutes. There's also a public workout scene on the amphitheatre steps at sunrise (free).

How bad is the altitude?

Most people feel a mild headache or fatigue on day one at Denver's 5,280 ft. Drink extra water, ease off alcohol and don't drive straight to a 10,000+ ft ski town on arrival day — spend the first night in Denver or Boulder to acclimate before heading higher.

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