Denver Travel Guide

Overview and Things to Consider

Denver's popularity has exploded, and it's easy to see why - altitude (5,280 feet), outdoor access, breweries and a good food scene. Downtown is walkable, and LoDo (Lower Downtown) has historic character. Highland and RiNo have young, creative energy. Craft beer is central to the city's identity. The mountains are visible from downtown and within minutes' reach. The weather is famously sunny and dry, and winter snow rarely shuts the city down. Rapid growth has brought gentrification and housing affordability problems.

Getting There and Around

Denver International Airport (DEN) is a major hub. The RTD A Line commuter train connects the airport to Union Station downtown efficiently. Downtown is genuinely walkable with good neighborhood character. The city sprawls but main attractions are accessible. A rental car is useful for mountain day trips but not necessary for the city. Public transit is improving. Ride-shares work well. Walking downtown and neighborhoods is the best way to experience the core.

What's Changed Since 2016

Denver's population growth has been extraordinary, and housing costs have skyrocketed. Restaurants and breweries keep multiplying and the food has gotten more sophisticated. Tech companies have relocated here. LoDo has gentrified heavily but kept some character, and new neighborhoods have grown up with their own personalities. Mountain access is still the main draw. The city is less affordable and more congested than it was.

Ideas to Consider for Your Visit

Walk LoDo for historic character and restaurants. Visit the Denver Art Museum and Natural History Museum. Highland, RiNo and South Pearl are where to go for local character and food. The craft beer scene is strong, so drink at the breweries or take a tour, and eat well - the restaurants are excellent. Red Rocks Amphitheatre is 15 minutes away by car or transit, worth it for the scenery and a concert if you can catch one. Hike the foothills west of the city, visit Cherry Creek for shopping and dining, and take a day trip to Boulder or the mountain towns.

Realities to Be Aware Of

The altitude (5,280 feet) gets to some people, so take it easy your first day. Housing is expensive enough that the city is no longer affordable for workers. Traffic has worsened with population growth. Some breweries feel more like tourist traps than local gathering spots. Homelessness and poverty are increasingly visible downtown. Growth has brought congestion and changed the character of neighborhoods. Spring can bring severe weather. Crowds and tourism are increasingly visible, and the outdoor culture can feel aggressively athletic and exclusionary.

If Denver Is Part of a Longer Trip

Boulder is 45 minutes northwest for hiking and a small-town mountain feel. Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are 1.5 hours north. Aspen, the luxury ski resort, is 3.5 hours southwest. The mountains are the draw, so use Denver as a base. Most visitors spend 2-3 days in the city and pair it with mountain destinations.

Yearly Things to Consider

Summer (June-August) brings warm weather and outdoor events, though July-August can be hot and crowded. Fall (September-October) is crisp and ideal, and October is the best month of the year. Winter (November-March) brings snow and cold, but less accumulation than northern cities, and it's manageable and beautiful. Spring (April-May) can bring severe weather along with pleasant days.

Ideas for Itineraries

Two Days in Denver

Day one: Arrive, rest for the altitude, walk downtown and LoDo. Day two: Museums, a brewery, a neighborhood and its restaurants.

Four Days with Mountains

Day one: Arrive, altitude adjustment. Day two: Downtown and museums. Day three: Day trip to Boulder or Red Rocks. Day four: More neighborhoods and restaurants.

Denver and Boulder Combination

Spend 2 days in Denver. Drive 45 minutes to Boulder. Spend 2 days hiking and exploring the mountain town. Return to Denver or fly from Denver.

Colorado Mountain Loop

Spend 2 days in Denver. Drive 1.5 hours to Estes Park. Spend 1-2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Return to Denver or extend exploration. Combine Boulder and/or Aspen if time allows.