Denver
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Denver is Colorado’s capital city, also known as “The Mile High City” because it sits 5,280 feet above sea level (exactly one mile). The city is not actually in the mountains, but there are 200 named peaks visible from Denver and plenty of places for nature-based adventure. There are more than 200 parks in the city and over 20,000 acres of parks in the nearby mountains, too. The locals are kind and friendly, and can give some great tips on places to eat and things to do.
Travel tip #1: Denver is very 420-friendly with marijuana dispensaries generously sprinkled throughout the city. If you would like to learn more about the legalities surrounding the legalization of marijuana in Denver and the state of Colorado, click here.
Places of Interest
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre: Located in Morrison (about 10 miles west of Denver), this 868-acre park is absolutely stunning. See a concert, do yoga, watch a film, or attend other events at the Amphitheatre or go hiking along one of the trails. If you opt to hike, be cautious of your speed, as this spot sits 6,450 feet above sea level. Honest to its name, the rock formations are bold, beautiful, and best appreciated in the early morning at sunrise.
16th Street Mall: This walkable 1.25-mile space runs along 16th Street in downtown Denver, starting at Union Station and spanning to Civic Center Station. There are over 300 locally owned and chain stores, as well as more than 50 restaurants and breweries.
Larimer Square: A quaint little area near 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver lined with Victorian-style buildings that house specialty boutiques and unique restaurants. The stores are mainly locally and independently owned businesses and embody the city’s spirit. It’s a nice place to share a meal with friends and poke around the shops.
Tattered Cover Book Store: If you’re into books and need a place to take a break from sightseeing, stop by Tattered Cover in the 16th Street Mall. It is a large, cozy indie bookstore and cafe with plenty of comfortable sofas and chairs where you can enjoy leafing through new and used books. The Tattered Cover also has a long history of hosting live author events.
Street Art: There are tons of murals sprinkled throughout the city. Some you may come by just by walking around while others are off the beaten path. Check out a list of notable pieces here.
Coors Brewery: Outside of Denver in nearby Golden is the famous Coors Brewing Company. The water from the Rocky Mountains has been used to make their tasty beer since 1873. You can learn about the history of Coors by taking a free self-guided tour that includes an optional beer sampling at the end—just remember to bring your ID if you’re over 21! More information can be found on their website.
Travel tip #2: Denver has some incredible art museums. If you have the time, the Denver Art Museum’s American Indian and Western collections are worth checking out. The Clyfford Still Museum is next door and features abstract artwork. Additionally, the American Museum of Western Art has an extensive collection of decades-worth of artists.
Food
Dutch Bros.: One of my favorite coffee shop chains! Dutch Bros. has locations throughout the United States, but has yet to expand into Southern California. Whenever possible, I hit up a Dutch Bros. to start my morning off right—with half the sweetness in my drink, too. The Lakewood location a little outside of Denver has cute places for photo ops.
Denver Biscuit Company: Similar to Portland’s Pine State Biscuits, this spot serves up amazing breakfast. Their perfectly fluffy biscuits are great on their own or topped with some butter, gravy, or syrup. The menu offers different combinations of savory and sweet deliciousness to create stacked breakfast sandwiches. There’s also a bar in the middle of the restaurant! I recommend trying The Franklin with an added egg or The Lola.
The Cow An Eatery: Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this spot has large portions and classic favorites that everyone loves. After you watch the sunrise or take an early morning hike at Red Rocks Park, head slightly downhill to this restaurant to grab some breakfast and relax alongside local patrons and visitors alike.
Green Chile: Colorado and New Mexico are both known for their green chile, and each state has varying versions. New Mexico’s is centered around the flavor of the green chile and acts more as a condiment. It is usually made with minimal spices, garlic, salt, pepper, and sometimes has pork. In comparison, Colorado’s version is more of a stew that includes chunks of pork and tomatillos. In Denver, green chile is everywhere and is a must-try either by itself or smothered over a burrito, enchiladas, or tacos.
The Original Chipotle: Chipotle can be found throughout the United States, yet it had humble beginnings on a street corner in Denver 25 years ago. The restaurant is still marked with its original turquoise and white signs, but the interior was recently renovated. It’s a cool experience to sit in the small space and enjoy a meal where it all started.
El Taco de Mexico: Green chile and Mexican food is abundant in Denver, but one of the best places in the city is El Taco de Mexico. According to Westword, “[The restaurant] has been a repeat winner for Best Green Chile—a testament to the taqueria’s quality and consistency.” I had their chile relleno burrito covered in green chile and also tried their chicken enchiladas—both dishes were phenomenal and the green chile was awesome. Check out other excellent places in Denver to sample green chile.
Deiter’s Chocolates: From the outside, this little shop looks quite unassuming. However, the smell of chocolate wafts into your nose immediately after walking through the doors. There are rows of beautiful, decadent treats inside Deiter’s—all that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Also, it’s nice to support a small, local business.
Travel tip #3: Denver’s food scene is amazing and definitely cannot be conquered in just a few days. There is a wide variety of international cuisine, but Mexican food easily dominates. Definitely try some while in the city! Breweries with craft beers are also popular places to soak in some of Denver’s vibe.
Transportation & Accommodation
Denver’s public transportation is easy, inexpensive, and convenient. You can get almost anywhere by rail or bus, and can usually get places faster using public transportation than by car, especially during rush hour. (Although, Uber and Lyft are widely available and quite reliable if a more direct route is available.) Day passes for the train and bus are available and can be purchased at ticket vending machines located at each train station. These must be validated before boarding the train. If you’re coming from the Denver International Airport (DEN), you can take the new rail line that runs to Downtown Denver for only $9 USD. When in Downtown, the free 16th Street Mall shuttle makes it easy to navigate the area. More information can be found on the Regional Transportation District’s website.
Airbnb and hotels are both great options when staying in Denver. More upscale, luxury hotels can be found in Downtown Denver, while more budget-friendly alternatives are scattered throughout the region–check out Booking.com for accommodation deals. While in Denver, I stayed at an Airbnb in Lakewood, which is a suburban city about a 10 minutes drive from the city center. Our host, Melissa, was absolutely wonderful and her three dogs made the trip even more enjoyable. I recommend trying Airbnb while in Denver, as the locals are friendly and kind.
Travel tip #4: Bus Drivers do not carry or make change, so make sure you have exact change or a pass before getting on the bus. Many of the RTD light rail stations conveniently have Park-n-Ride lots where you can park for free if you need to drive into the city center to access the trains.
Climate
Denver has a semi-arid, continental climate with four distinct seasons and a modest amount of precipitation. Due to the city’s high elevation, temperature fluctuations are common throughout the year. Additionally, its inland location at the foot of the Rocky Mountains causes the region to experience sudden weather changes. Summers range from mild to hot with occasional afternoon thunderstorms and high temperatures. July is the warmest month of the year with December being the coldest. Denver winters consist of snow and very low temperatures, with snow being common throughout late fall, winter, and early spring. Late spring and early fall are the best times to visit Denver for cooler weather and fewer tourists.