Are you planning a trip to Denver and looking for things to do? Here are 12 things that you should add to your Denver bucket list for a weekend trip or an extended stay!
Where to Stay
I would recommend staying in the downtown/city center area, as there are tons of hotel options right off the 16th Street Mall. We stayed at the Residence Inn City Center, which was recently renovated! It was two blocks off 16th Street, so very close to the main strip of shopping and dining!
How to Get Around
Getting from the airport, there is a train that costs only $10.50 (compared to a $30-50 Uber/Lyft) that takes only 30 minutes. It brings you right into Union Square, which is right off the 16th Street Mall. There is also a free bus that runs very regularly up and down the 16th Street Mall. As far as traveling throughout the city, Uber and Lyft are very prominent and easy to catch. The rates were a bit higher than I was expecting to pay. There are also rideshare scooters and bikes available throughout the city.
What to Do
1. Confluence Park
I highly recommend a visit to Confluence Park, especially on a nice day. The park sits directly in front of the R.E.I. Flagship Store. We visited and sat in the grassy area overlooking the water. It was a great spot to people watch, but also has walking/running and bike trails or a kayak run for the more active folks. It’s a great spot for whatever activity you’re seeking for a nice day.
2. Catch a Rockies Game at Coors Field
If you are visiting during baseball season, why not catch a game at Coors Field? You can get tickets pretty cheap for most games and get to experience America’s favorite pastime.
3. Bacon Social House
If you love bacon, you must go to Bacon Social House. If you only like bacon, you should still stop here for a meal. I went to the Bacon Social House for dinner and it lives up to its name. They also have a great looking brunch menu as well! Do not leave without trying the Bacon Flight. It’s 100000% worth it.
4. Improper City
I went to Improper City with some friends on a Friday night and this was the spot to be. It is a 20,000 square foot space (including 12,000 sq. ft outside space) serving coffee and rotating 36 (mostly local) craft beers, wine, and cocktails. There are also tons of food trucks that set up in the outdoor space. There is frequently live music and other community events as well. The vibe of Improper City is so relaxed and laid back; is it the perfect place to spend your evening!
5. Hiking
I don’t think that you can visit Denver without planning at least one hike during your trip. There is no shortage of hiking options with some just outside of the city and some a little further out. This website is a great resource for all things hiking in Denver.
We did one of the shorter hikes about 20-30 minutes outside of Denver at South Table Mountain – the Golden Summit Hike. It was about 1.8 miles round trip and is considered an easy/intermediate trail. I would say that based on our hike, I wouldn’t take a beginner on this trail. The ascent/descent is fairly steep in certain spots and is very rocky and dusty.
6. Red Rocks Amphitheatre
A stop at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a MUST when you visit Denver! I didn’t have the chance to attend a concert, but it’s still on my bucket list! If you visit during the day, grab lunch at the Ship Rock Grill and sit outside for a gorgeous view! Make sure to plan appropriately because if there is a concert, the venue is closed off to the public as they prepare for the event.
7. Dinner at Vesta
We had a nice dinner at Vesta and it did not disappoint. I did a lot of research while I was looking for a dinner spot and Vesta was highly recommended on every single website that I reviewed. The food was absolutely delicious and we wrapped up our dinner with some yummy desserts! I had the Slow Cooked Beef Tenderloin meal which was on point. I highly recommend the Peanut Butter Cups for dessert.
8. Union Station
Obviously, Union Station primarily serves as a transit hub, but Denver’s 100-year-old historic Union Station now serves as “vibrant gathering space” with local restaurants, bars, and shops. Even if you don’t have a lot of time to spend here, it is definitely worth a walk through to see what this space has to offer!
9. Ale House
I went to the Ale House for Sunday brunch and IT.WAS.AMAZING. We snagged a table on the rooftop on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, taking in the view of the city. The service was great and the food came out very fast! Everything that I ordered was delicious! Added bonus – they have a Beer Cheese Soup on the menu, which is one of my absolute favorites, but is hard to find at most restaurants!
10. Little Man Ice Cream
After brunch with one of my friends, I told her that I had to have the best Denver Ice Cream so she took me to Little Man Ice Cream. The business is operated in a twenty-eight foot tall, 14,000-pound cream can, which is just the cutest little thing I’ve seen! There were some very unique flavors and I tried a few that I liked a lot such as Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cup or Carrot Cake, but they were very rich! I ended up settling on a regular strawberry ice cream so that I could make sure to enjoy every single bite!
11. Avanti Food & Beverage Food Hall
We went to the Avanti Food & Beverage for a drink, but I wish I had planned to eat here as well because there were so many good looking food options! This was just a very fun space and was my first exposure to a food hall. There was plenty of outdoor seating to bask in the sunshine, but it was definitely packed on a Sunday afternoon!
12. Rideshare Scooters
Even if you never plan to do it again, you should 100% hop on one of the rideshare scooters (Lyft or Bird) for a ride in Denver. They are everywhere you look! Since Denver isn’t quite as busy of a city (compared to your San Franciscos and New Yorks of the world), for me it felt like a safer place to give it a go! It is definitely a very convenient way to get around (and pretty speedy too!).
What are your favorite things to do in Denver?
Pin it to save for later!
Some great ideas for Denver. I have never stayed in Denver. I will have to go there and do some of these things.
Great tips! All the restaurants look fantastic and I love the views from your hike. We haven’t been to Denver yet, I’ll be sure to save your post.
There are so many good places to eat, but these definitely did not disappoint!
I love Denver! I’ll have to check out some of these places next time I go!
I live in Denver and will check out some of your ideas, like Vesta! And I never knew there was such a thing as a bacon flight! Thanks for the thoughtful comments and suggestions! It’s so easy to go to the same places all the time.
I do the exact same thing at home! It’s one of my favorite things about traveling because it pushes me out of my comfort zone!
Great recommendations and variety of things to do in Denver. A destination concert at Red Rocks is on my bucket list!
Me too! That is the the one thing I wish I had been able to plan in on my trip!