Denver Guide

Why you should visit Denver

Only an hour’s drive to the mountains, Denver is always buzzing with a thriving arts and restaurant scene, and shopping galore. The city has grown exponentially in recent years as people from all over the country look to settle down in the cool, artsy Colorado capital.

Denver is a walkable, sunny metropolis built at exactly one mile above sea level, giving reason to its nickname, the Mile High City. The city caters to outdoorsy types with one of the largest city park systems in the country, not to mention 90 golf courses. Plus, you will have no trouble finding a beer of your liking as Colorado’s capital brews more beer than any other city in the United States. This shouldn’t come as a surprise; after all, Denver’s first building was a saloon.

Ski Resorts Near Denver

• # Vail
• # Breckenridge
• # Beaver Creek

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What to do in Denver

It’s easy to embrace nature and immerse yourself in the artistic culture in Denver. Experience a concert with great acoustics and stunning scenery at the Red Rock’s Park & Amphitheatre , or take a tour of the Coors Brewery , the largest single-site brewery in the world. Denver is also home to world-class museums like the Denver Art Museum and noteworthy historic sites like the U.S. Mint .

If you want to take a day trip, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular attractions in all of Colorado and only an hour-and-a-half drive from Denver.

See the top things to do in Denver .

Where to stay in Denver

Denver is a big city with various hotel options to choose from in a collection of neighborhoods from Lower Downtown to Cherry Creek to Capitol Hill.

Hotel Indigo Denver is nestled in Lower Downtown (or LoDo), a popular neighborhood where you can explore a great selection of restaurants, art galleries, and museums.

For more of an upscale option, The Jacquard, Autograph Collection is where you will want to stay located in the middle of Denver’s shopping district, Cherry Creek about a 20-minute drive from downtown.

Visiting Denver on a budget? Homewood Suites Denver and Hyatt House Denver are affordable choices located in Capitol Hill, the center of the city. In that same neighborhood, you will find Capitol Hill Mansion Bed and Breakfast Inn , a romantic getaway where you can embrace the history and culture of Denver.

Where to eat in Denver

Denver’s population is growing, attracting new residents from all walks of life and making the city an up-and-coming spot for delicious cuisine of all types.

If you are looking for fusion food, you’ll want to try Cholon , which serves a blend of Asian and French flavors with French onion soup dumplings and lobster Saigon crepes. Hit up Biju’s Little Curry Shop for cheap and authentic Southern Indian food. Pizza is always a favorite, stop by Cart-Driver for wood-fired pizza, oysters and then maybe stay for some craft cocktails on their lovely outdoor patio. Wander through Denver’s Food Hal, Broadway Market where you will find an array of restaurant stalls from fried chicken sandwiches at Royal Rooster to lamb kebabs at Mother Tongue .

Lastly, for the sweet tooth, delight in a homemade Pop-art at Sugar Bakeshop , or stop at a Denver iconic landmark, Little Man Ice Cream for a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Family-friendly activities in Denver

Finding activities that the whole family will enjoy can be hard to come by, but in Denver, you will find an array of activities that will please everyone.

For the wildlife-lovers, hear the lions roar and watch the orangutans swing alongside 3,000 other animals at the Denver Zoo . Adjacent to the zoo is the Denver Museum of Nature & Science , where you and your kids can uncover the history of fossils and dinosaurs together.

If you’re visiting in the summer, spend the day Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park , home to more than 50 rides, including the Star Flyer swing. Or catch a fly ball at a Colorado Rockies game; if you are on a budget look out for outfield seats at discounted prices.