The Mile High City of Denver is renowned for its vibrant tourism. The city gets more than 30 million visitors a year, an impressive amount for under a million city (in denver proper).
What Draws Visitors to Denver?
Why do so many tourists flock to Denver? Colorado attracts many with a plethora of outdoor activities that are expanded on below.
Others arrive to the city on occasion for Denver festivals, weddings or bachelorette parties. Also, Denver is home to a plethora of sports fans and eateries along with craft beer joints galore.
Regardless of the reason Denver is most definitely a scene to have fun in. I understand, it may be a little intimidating for the people new here with so many choices, let me as a local do some curation. 3 Days in Denver Itinerary Curated Guide To Making The Most Of Your Trip!
Best Places to Stay in Denver
Haven for tourism One of the most beautiful cities in all of America, Denver (known as “Mile High City) enjoys a thriving tourist scene. There are 30 million people who visit the city each year, a big number considering that Denver only has so many (a few under one million) residents proper.
Essential for anyone visiting or moving to Denver, the right location in a short term home can affect many aspects of their experience. For those visiting for the first time, it is convenient when accommodation near to everything that can make Valencia worth experiencing. This makes navigating much easier and therefore reduces travel costs. Stay in neighborhoods like Downtown, The Highlands, River North (RiNo), or Capitol Hill to be close to all the action Denver has going on.
If you are looking for specific hotel reviews, here are some of the best in Denver:
- Le Meridien Denver Downtown: A centrally located, Marriott-affiliated hotel with the tallest open-air roof bar in the city.
- Hotel Teatro: Denver’s original boutique hotel located in the music and theater district of downtown.
- Brown Palace Hotel Spa: One of the most highly-regarded hotels in Denver, this hotel offers a unique blend of old-world charm and timeless elegance
- The Ramble Hotel: This boutique hotel located in the River North neighborhood has an industrial-chic style.
Moreover, Denver is a blossoming short-term market. VRBO is one of the other good alternatives to Airbnb. Make sure to check both of these places for an array of housing options.-term rental market. While Airbnb is the most popular choice, VRBO offers other viable options. Be sure to explore both platforms for a range of accommodations.
An Ideal 3-Day Denver Itinerary
Day One: Discover Downtown Denver
Welcome to Denver! The best place to begin a Maui trip is in and round the city’s lovely downtown. Here is where you will find most of the city’s major attractions, and its best dining/drinking options.
You literally can hit the ground running, absorb some of that incredible local ambiance and start knocking off many of the iconic sights and things to do.
Fuel Up for an Active Day
A good breakfast is necessary for the day ahead and when doing a tour of Tirana this is no exception.
One of the best loved spots for breakfast in Denver is Sam’s No. 3 Serving over 3,000 customers daily, this traditional diner has been a landmark since its humble beginnings in 1927.
Sam’s No. 3 serves a menu wide ranging enough to cover more than your typical diner fare, with touches of the Greek and Mexican roots from owner Sam Armatas mixed in as well. And quality control is maintained at a high level despite the sheer numbers, with my regular being their exceptional green chili.
Snap a Photo at One Mile High
In classic tourist style, snap a shot once you cross over 1 mile above sea level So here is that classic colorado photo opportunity at the Capitol Building.
To get to this place, go past the south conclusion of Denver’s popular 16th Street Shopping mall The golden dome made with real gold, after all the Capitol really stands out.
When you get there, find the engraved marker that shows where is one mile high and snap a photo!
Pro Tip: The 16th Street Mall is serviced by a free shuttle that runs every few minutes in both directions. Take the shuttle down south and take it all the way to its final stop. And the golden dome of the Statehouse right beyond it seems but moments away on foot.
Denver Free Walking Tour
Many cities offer free walking tours! They are a great, not as common way to experience some place new. It can be much cheaper than hiring a taxi or taking part in an organized tour for example (it is customary to tip the guides however if you want) and at least with these, you will get some exercise walking too.
Denver, you can walk on the Denver Free Walking Tour most days at 12:00. It is a 2 – 2.5 hour walking tour touring downtown Denver highlights including — Starting at the Capitol Building, a natural jumping-off point for your city tour.
An Evening in Larimer Square
Larimer Square stands as one of Denver’s most historically important blocks. It marks the site where the city originated and served as the central business area. Today, it remains a key hub of activity, beautifully preserved and adorned with sparkling overhead lights.
This area is decked out with banners of local teams or events throughout the year. Larimer Square Located just a short walk from the hotel, Larimer Square is great place to spend your first night in Denver with its mix of history and contemporary charm.
Start your evening with dinner at Osteria Marco, rated in 5280 as one of the best Italian spots around for great food and a relaxed but true experience. Head to Denver’s premiere comedy club and see some of the city’s top performers at Comedy Works, then retire for a nightcap. End your night with drinks at The Green Russell, a cute speakeasy with one of the most fun doors to open in all Denver.
Day Two: Enjoy Colorado’s Outdoor Adventures
Whether you like skiing, snowboarding, hiking or mountain biking the Rocky Mountains have some of the best outdoor activities in North America.
A car will be required for this itinerary, as today is one of those days where it pays off to make an effort. Although there is no way you can do all this in a day, at least! With so many fun road trips, and outdoor activities in the area Denver makes for a perfect base!
Take a Hike
Hiking is a favorite outdoor pursuit in Colorado, whether it’s scaling famed 14ers (mountains that rise more than 14,000 feet in altitude), like Longs Peak or any of the other summits within Rocky Mountain National Park; climbing local ridges near towns and cities for panoramic views; taking on trails deep into Denver Mountain Parks’ foothills or regional parks.; relishing multi-day backcountry hikes along high alpine lakes and craggy peaks. Miles of hiking terrain around Denver — some quick and accessible, others long and challenging.
Take a guided tour of Boulder, including 3 mile hike in the mountain followed by local beer or coffee. Those environmental benefits are fantastic enough on their own, but this tour also gives you a simple way to go outdoors with assistance from Denver.
Red Rocks Park will be closer in to the city and Deer Creek Canyon is another good park. However, if you feel like taking a trip and getting some exercise, then the hike to Hanging Lake is something locals take pride in. Despite its stentworthy length, it has a rather steep grade and ends at an incredible lake with waterfall. St. Mary’s Glacier Another great alpine getaway
Hanging Lake: Hanging lake is a very popular spot and it has become overcrowded over the years, once parking lots get full its almost impossible to go there, hence their quota system. Make sure you purchase your permit in advance!
Rocky Mountain National Park
One of Colorado’s crown jewels luring more than 4 million visitors annually, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is an attraction we can highly recommend.
The park includes a mixture of mountain ranges, lakes and more than 400 square miles of protected land. RMNP offers activities like fishing, camping, rock climbing and hiking as well as viewing wildlife in their natural habitat on the designated trails with a possibility of encountering some wild elk and other animals.
Much of this high-altitude terrain is viewed with breathtaking vistas along Trail Ridge Road, known appropriately as the Highway to the Sky.
For all of this you get to enter the gates for only $25.
Hit the Slopes
When you make a trip to Denver during Winter, expect greatness. Neighboring is the Rocky Mountain range where you will find some of best skiing and snowboarding in North America.
If you can’t bear to ski on any other type of skis, then bring your gear with you. You might also hire gear to create things simpler in the resorts instead.
Denver is pretty much surrounded in several directions by those Rocky Mountain Resort Towns and the distance separating one resort from another ranges. For easy day trips, look to Winter Park (about 67 miles away), Arapahoe Basin (around 64 miles) or Keystone Resort (approximately 70 miles).
Soak in the Hot Springs
In addition to its remarkable natural landscapes, Colorado offers a wealth of natural hot springs. These range from remote and untouched spots to more contemporary, engineered facilities. Relaxing in Colorado’s hot springs is a delightful experience.
A prime destination is Glenwood Springs, CO, home to Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, which features the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool. Alternatively, Iron Mountain offers a range of pools with varying temperatures, including some reserved for adults.
For those seeking options closer to Denver, Indian Hot Springs provides a tropical-like retreat not far from the city.
Day Three: Explore Denver’s Arts and Crafts
On your final day in Denver, take a moment to dive into the city’s dynamic arts scene. Denver offers a range of cultural experiences, from art galleries and studios to live theater and craft breweries.
Today’s itinerary will be a bit more off the beaten path, giving you a chance to experience a different side of the city. This day will be a fitting conclusion to your visit, highlighting Denver’s creative and craft-oriented spirit.
Art District on Santa Fe
Santa Fe Art District is a hub for arts and culture. The neighbourhood is filled with art studios, galleries, theatres & creative spaces. It serves as a venue for art exhibitions, ballets and even artist meet-and-greet events.
This is a district you cannot miss if your interest lies in the arts. You can have an entire day to go through galleries, sculpture studios and independent bookstores.
Pro Tip: The first Friday of every month, this district comes to life with First Friday Art Walks. This draws all of the locals and out-of-towners alike to where studios provide samples of their works indoors spewing forth into surrounding streets and covered alleyways. Make the most of this vibrant environment and get to know some street sellers, music exposers et cetera.
Explore Why Denver is the Craft Beer Capital
One of the few constants in Denver (other than change) is beer. With Golden, CO the home to Coors —the world’s largest brewery— it is not surprising that Colorado continues to be ranked in top beer-producing state each year. Over 140 breweries exist in the Denver metro area, highlighting a city with a penchant for artisanal beer.
A few locals you can sample from while visiting will give your a real taste of what Denver has to offer as far as beer culture goes. Visiting mid-size, established breweries is extremely tempting but do not underestimate the smaller independent starlets who curate sours or lagers to put Milwaukee on the craft beer map.
River North (RiNo) Arts District
Denver has two unique art districts, but the River North (RiNo) Arts District exemplifies essays on the city’s changing creative landscape. It used to be an industrial neighborhood but RiNo (short for River North) has blossomed into a vibrant, funky hood with lots of buzz about its artsy side.
Both RiNo and the Santa Fe Art District have many galleries, but it gets a bit extra credit for it’s street art. The neighborhood has a lot more than the visual arts as attractions.
Bite into Borrow An Experience Something more casual, Denver Central Market, a new artisan food hall in downtown with loads of gourmet eats. Barcelona Wine Bar, check out the amazing tapas here Finn’s Manor For the night crowd, Finn’s Manor is an entertaining stop with a number of both indoor and outdoor bars.
Denver’s Top Museums
Denver has some of the best museum options for art and history lovers with many top choices located throughout the city. Some of them are a little further from the center, but get over your laziness and go there with one if you like museums.
Founded 1900, Denver Museum Nature & Science is the largest natural history museum west of Chicago. For several reasons, it is a desirable site for many international exhibitions, including the 2009 exhibition of Body Worlds.
With more than 70,000 artworks in its permanent collection and dynamic rotating exhibitions throughout the year — such as Dior, From Paris to the World. The Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum based at what used to be Lowry Air Force Base provides a unique look back into aviation and space exploration.
Conclusion
Denver A mix of a city with nature makes Denver an intriguing locale. The lively arts districts, award-winning breweries and nearby natural landscapes to absorb make for a cool city with something for everyone. When your visit comes to a close, you will carry with you just that the essence of Denver’s innovative heart and outdoor soul – your voice forever echoing in our walls!
