Denver Travel Guide | What to See Do and Eat

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Big Blue Bear

About Denver

Also known as D-Town or the Mile High City, Denver is packed with things to do, see, and eat. It’s sunny approximately 300 days out of the year and is a great destination for both city and outdoor activities.

Below is our travel guide with recommendations for people looking to visit Denver!

Where to Stay in Denver

Here are the best spots to stay in Denver:

Browne Palace Hotel and Spa – An Autograph Collection Hotel in a historic landmark. The hotel offers elevated amenities, exclusive dining, and the timeless tradition of Afternoon Tea in the Atrium Lobby.
Clayton – Michelin-starred hotel with a rooftop pool and exclusive members’ club.
Hyatt Regency – Located conveniently next to the Denver Convention Center. They have an enclosed rooftop bar and excellent amenities.
Moxy Hotel – This affordable and hip hotel is perfect for anyone wanting to explore Denver’s bustling food and shopping scene. The Moxy is located in Cherry Creek, which is a popular destination for dining and shopping. Across the street, you’ll find the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, which is one of our favorite places to shop in Denver! And don’t forget to check out our list of favorite Cherry Creek Happy Hours!

Brown Palace Hotel and Spa

Best Time to Visit Denver

Denver is a great place to visit year-round. There are always events and things to do.

If you visit Denver during your birthday, check out our Denver birthday freebies list to make your special day EXTRA special!

How to Get Around Denver

A Train to Downtown Denver International Airport

A Train to Downtown Denver from DIA

You can easily get to Downtown Denver via the A Train from the Denver International Airport (DIA) (Airport Code: DEN). It’s $10 each way and gives you a full day’s worth of access on the trains and buses.

The bus system is very reliable. We recommend downloading the RTD App to buy your bus fare and using Google Maps to find your way around town.

There are some parts of Denver where you’ll need to take a rideshare or rent a car to get to. Parking is not cheap in Denver, and costs can add up.

Daniels and Fisher Tower Denver Colorado

Daniels & Fisher Tower

Best Things to Do in Denver

#1 Head to the Mountains!

Many people come from around the world to ski, snowboard, and hike Denver’s gorgeous mountain range.

Popular snow destinations include Vail, Breckenridge, Telluride, Winter Park, and Aspen.

You can easily get to Vail or Breckenridge via the Bustang. It’s a bus that takes you (and your gear) to and from Downtown Denver and the parks so that you can easily spend a day on the slopes. A round trip will run you about $35.

#2 Explore 16th Mall Street

16th Street Mall is a popular shopping destination for visitors. There is a FREE bus that will take you throughout downtown along 16th Street.

Right now the street is under construction, but many businesses are still open and struggling. Be sure to check out 16th Mall Street while you’re downtown.

At the end of the 16th Street Mall, you’ll come upon the Golden Triangle, one of Denver’s cultural hubs, with museums, restaurants, and shopping.

#3 Explore the RiNo Art District

If you love street art and murals, the RiNo Art District is perfect for you! Many popular bars and restaurants are also in this area.

#4 Visit a Denver Museum

Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum Denver Colorado

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Here are the museums we highly recommend:

Clyfford Still Museum
The Denver Art Museum is a must for people who love art! Here you’ll be able to see the indigenous arts of North America and the Claes Oldenburg dustpan sculpture next to the museum.
Dikeou Collection
History Colorado Center
MCA Denver
Molly Brown House Museum
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Scottish Angus Cow and Calf at the Denver Art Museum

#5 Union Station

Union Station is one of the first attractions most people see when they visit Denver. This is the final stop for the A Train from the Denver International Airport (DIA).

Union Station is a food hall with shops, a bookstore, restaurants, and bars.

#6 Visit the State Capital

The State Capital offers free tours. Tours are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Capitol is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM-5:00 PM. The Visitor Information Desk is open Monday-Friday, 9:00-4:00.

Free guided tours are available Monday through Friday, on the hour between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

#7 Larimer Square

This is a hot spot for food, shopping, and hanging out. This pedestrian-only section of Larimer is only a block long, but it is packed with tasty restaurants, bars and even an underground club (Disco Pig).

#8 Cheeseburger Invented in CO?

The Humpty Dumpty Barrel Drive-In in Denver, Colorado, claims to be the birthplace of the cheeseburger.

The restaurant no longer exists, and what is left is a stone marker in the parking lot of the former restaurant.

Louis E. Ballast claims to have invented the cheeseburger in 1935.

Our favorite spots to grab a burger in Denver include Twans, Duke’s, Hop Doddy, and (my favorite) In N Out.

#9 Confluence Park

A walk along the river at Confluence Park is very relaxing. It also connects you from LoDo to Platte Street, which is a popular shopping and dining street.

Luz de Denver wing sculpture

#10 Meow Wolf Denver

If you love trippy art, you HAVE to visit the Meow Wolf Convergence Station in Denver. It’s an experience!

There’s a bar on ground level and a music venue (tickets required). They also host special 21 and over events, such as Adulti-verse Prom Night. I could spend HOURS here.

Be sure to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated while you explore.

All month of April, Colorado residents can enjoy up to 30% off tickets!

#11 Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

The Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater is a bucket list venue for many!

It’s an amphitheater carved from towering red rock monuments. It is entirely outdoors and has bleacher seating.

When there’s no concert, the free Visitor Center has a museum and Performers Hall of Fame, while the surrounding park has hiking trails that weave in, around, and over the colorful red rocks.

If you’re headed to Denver for a Red Rocks concert, we highly recommend checking out Bus Party Colorado. It’s a shuttle service and members only service that takes you safely to and from Downtown Denver to Red Rocks. It’s FREE to become a member and round trip rides are only $55!

#12 Rocky Mountain National Park

The wilderness area includes 355 miles of hiking trails, 147 lakes, 77 mountains taller than 12,000 feet, and the opportunity to see elk, bighorn sheep, and moose.

At only an hour and a half drive from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park and makes for a memorable summer day trip.

It’s also very affordable at $25 per automobile per day.

#13 Visit a Denver Food Hall

Edgewater Public Market

Denver is known for their indoor food and retail halls. It’s a place for people to meet, shop, eat, and drink while it’s freezing or hot outside.

Here are some food halls we highly recommend:

Avanti Food and Beverage
Clever Girl (Formerly the Zeppelin Station)
CoArk Collective – Korean-style food hall
Dairy Block
Denver Central Market
Denver Union Station
Edgewater Public Market
La Plaza Colorado – 24+ vendors
Mango House
Mile High Food Club – Takeout/Delivery food hall with 15+ vendors.
Milepost Zero at McGregor Square
Milk Market
Plaza 38
Junction Food & Drink
Schoolyard Beer Garden – The historic Evans School in Golden Triangle was transformed into a community space with offices, shops, a cafeteria, and a beer garden. It’s a nifty place to hang out and meet with friends and family. It’s a really cool concept and worth visiting!
Stanley Marketplace

#14 Hammond’s Candy Factory

This free tour will get you behind the scenes at Hammond’s Candy Factory. Hammond’s has been making candy in Denver since 1920.

You’ll get to see how the candy is made and receive free samples!

Tours are available Monday through Saturday between 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The tours last 30 minutes.

Book online to reserve your spot!

#14 See a Concert

There are so many opportunities to catch a show or performance in Denver. There is just about something happening every evening in Denver.

Here are our favorite live music venues in Denver:

Ball Arena – A popular venue for concerts and sports games. See their event schedule.
Church Night Club – Here is your chance to party in a church! We watched Paul Van Dyk at Church Nightclub and had a blast!
Club Vinyl
Denver Convention Center – The very popular Decadence NYE festival is held here.
Meadowlark – There is always live music at Meadowlark. Our favorite nights to visit are Wednesday open jam night.
Mile High Stadium at Empower Field
Mission Ballroom – One of my FAVORITE venues in Denver. There are bleachers throughout and a ground floor for those who want to get close to the action. We saw Gareth Emery at the Mission Ballroom and it was amazing!
Nocturne
Paramount Theater
Red Rocks Amphitheater – A natural-ish amphitheater where you can watch concerts in nature! We saw Polo & Pan at the Red Rocks Amphitheater and it was AMAZING!

#15 First Friday Art Walk

The First Friday Art Walk occurs monthly along Santa Fe Dr between W 6th Ave and W 13th Ave and runs from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. It features many shops, art galleries, restaurants, and bars. Some galleries sell alcohol and snacks.

Our favorite food stops include Santiago’s for their green chile and PZA for sourdough pizza. People seem to love El Taco de Mexico, but we thought it was just OK.

#16 Go on a Coors Brewery Tour

Golden is less than a half-hour drive away from Denver. It’s worth a day trip here for the Coors Brewery tour alone!

You’ll learn about how their beers are produced and try multiple beer samples. They have heavy pours and you’ll learn so much!

Book your tickets for the Coors Brewery Tour ahead of time. We recommend at least one to two months ahead. The tour costs $20.

#17 Check Out the Celestial Seasonings Factory!

If you’re a tea nerd like me, you HAVE to visit the Celestial Seasonings tea factory. All their tea is made, packaged, and distributed from Boulder, Colorado.

They offer 45-minute tours and a chance for you to try their entire tea collection!

Boulder is a 1-hour drive from Downtown Denver.

The tour is only $6 and runs hourly. You can book your tour online on the same day. Tours are for ages 5 and up only.

You will not be allowed to film or take photos in the warehouse or of the production and packaging process.

Where to Eat in Denver

Adelita’s Cocina y Cantina – This is my go-to for Taco Tuesday! Tacos are only $2, and they have at least 7 types to choose from, along with a daily special. They also have excellent pozole, molcajetes, and pork with chile Colorado (red chile). Everything is SO GOOD at Adelita’s! see more
Alma Fonda Fina – A one-Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant that is worth experiencing.
Beckon – High-end tasting menu with one Michelin star.
Blue Island Oyster Bar – This spot has amazing clam chowder and Thai curry mussels. They also have $1 oyster deals on Friday and Saturday after 9 PM. We are obsessed with this spot! see more
BRUTØ – Another of Denver’s one-Michelin-starred restaurants.
BurnDown – If you’re looking for a party vibe, the Burndown has got you covered. This multi-story building has great cocktails, food, and live music/DJ. see more
Cart Driver – People LOVE this spot, but I unfortunately didn’t. The dough was undercooked and the staff was extremely apathetic during my visit. I’d go back for their late-night happy hour sardine appetizer, though. see more
Casa Bonita – Owned by Matt and Trey Parker of South Park, Casa Bonita is an EXPERIENCE. They have indoor performances and mid-Mexican food. Definitely check this out if you want to experience a different side of Denver.
Cholon – Come here for the French onion dumplings.
The Original Chubby’s – There’s only ONE OG Chubby’s in Denver. All the other locations are owned by other relatives who have their own recipes (not the original created by Stella Cordova). Chubby’s is known for smothering everything in green chile (burgers and burritos), but I prefer their smothered fries (add carne asada and sour cream). It’s so delicious and hits the spot. see more
El Five – Tapas with a view!
Fish N Beer – They make eating seafood in a landlocked state a thing to do. They have some of the BEST fish and chips I’ve ever tasted in my life. We also highly recommend their wood-grilled oysters and Key Lime Pie cocktail! During happy hour, you can get 6 oysters for $12!
Hey Kiddo
Hong Kong Station
Kawa Ni – Amazing sushi and Chinese plates. They have one of the best happy hours in town!
Kiké’s Red Tacos – Known for their birria tacos and consommé. Highly recommend their birria ramen and carne asada, and Al Pastor tacos. see more
La Diabla – Come here for their tacos and pozole. On Thursdays, they have BOGO pozole!
La Loma – A downtown spot with freshly made flour tortillas and the iconic Colorado green chile. see more
Land of Sushi – This spot is a hidden gem! It’s been around for 20 years, and the sushi is so fresh and tasty. see more
MAKFam
Makizushico
Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizza – I come here for their Italian Neopolitan-style pizzas, burrata, and Caesar salad. This is my favorite pizza spot in Denver! see more
Molotov
Mono Mono – Popular Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) joint! Their batter is golden and crispy. We also love the tteokbokki rice cake pasta. see more
New Saigon
Noble Riot – Come here for their fried chicken!
O Lien’s Kitchen – For authentic Vietnamese Hué region food in Denver, you have to check out O Lien’s Kitchen. They have my favorite pho and bun bo hue noodle dishes. see more
One Fold – They offer modern Asian fare. I highly recommend their fried rice and congee on the weekends.
Restaurant Olivia
Steuben’s Diner – Come here for delicious food, drinks, and desserts! We love their milkshakes and seasonal crisps. Their green chile cheeseburger also won the best burger award in Denver in 2023. see more
Safta – Israeli cuisine by Netflix famous Chef Alon Shaya.
Sắp Sửa – Come here for their Trúng Và Trúng scrambled egg dish. Pay with In Kind to get 20% off your bill!
Snarf’s Sandwiches – This sandwich spot is a Denver staple! Definitely check them out while you’re in town. see more
Spuntino – Known for their handmade pasta.
Super Mega Bien
Star Kitchen – For an authentic push cart Dim Sum experience.
Sushi Den – One of the best sushi spots in town!
Tamaki Den – Known for their hand rolls and aburi (partially grilled) sushi.
Tavernetta – One of the best happy hours in town! Only during their happy hour can you order their pasta flights. They’re located next to Union Station, and reservations are highly recommended.
The Wolfs Tailor
Woody’s Wings and Things – A Cambodian restaurant with amazing chicken wings and Phnom Penh noodles.
Uchi Denver – Fine dining sushi restaurant by Chef Tyson Cole. A Uchiko is coming soon to Cherry Creek!
Yuan Wonton

And if you want to leave it up to the professionals, definitely check out Dine and Dash Luxury Tours for their awesome neighborhood food tours. You’ll complete 6 stops at some of Denver’s most highly regarded restaurants on this 3.5-hour walking tour.

Where to Drink in Denver

PP Fizz from The L

We REALLY love craft cocktails. Check out our Cool Denver Bars Series on Instagram:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Below you can find our favorite spots to get a tasty drink in Denver.

B&GC – Vibey speakeasy located behind a hotel and underground in Cherry Creek. Reservations are required. Book ahead of time.
Barcelona Wine Bar – This fun Spanish bar with tasty drinks and tapas. They serve a fun drink in a traditional Perron. see more
Block Distilling – One of our favorite spots for craft cocktails in the artsy RiNo neighborhood. All their drinks are made with their own distilled spirits. They are currently offering a Dubai Express cocktail, which tastes just like a Dubai Chocolate bar! We also highly recommend the Mango Stick Rice cocktail.
The Broken Cage – I LOVE the happy hour here. Craft cocktails are only $8 (regularly $14), and they have one of the best Espresso Martinis. It comes with a coffee dalgona float. It’s also a plant shop. They have a location in Orlando, too.
Burndown – Fun three-story bar and restaurant that offers live music/DJs and a rooftop! see more
Cruise Room
Death & Co. – Elegant lobby bar with exquisite libations. We highly recommend getting the New Slang cocktail with a side of caviar. Pay with In Kind to get 20% off your bill!
Electric Cure
Hell or High Water Tiki Bar – A speakeasy located inside Honor Farm, a haunted spirits bar. They offer chilled Malort on tap…if you’re into that. Also…see our list of spots to get Malört in Denver.
The L Denver – This is a bar owned by long-time bartenders Adam Hodak and Alex Lerman. Their menu offers creative cocktails such as a clarified key lime cocktail and $10 espresso martinis. They don’t have food on-site but welcome food from elsewhere into their bar.
Lincoln’s – A true speakeasy bar where ALL DRINKS are $5 ALL THE TIME.
Molecule Effect – One of the best spots in town for an espresso martini. On Saturdays, their espresso martinis are two for the price of one! see more
Pretty Neat – One of my FAVORITE bars on Broadway. They have reimagined classics and seasonal menus. They also have a speakeasy within the bar!
Retrograde – Fun speakeasy located behind an ice cream shop. We’ll leave it up to you to find it.
Roosevelt – Come here for their soufflé espresso martinis. The vibes are always right here! If you see Cholo, tell him Alex said “Hi!”
Run for the Roses – Speakeasy bar with reimagined classics and vintage cocktail offerings. Their menu is a deck of cards. Fifty-two pick up anyone? Expect a wait on weekends.
Union Lodge #1 – Prohibition-style bar with amazing drinks! We’ve always had a great time here.
Welton Room – This Thai-owned bar is known for its espresso flights and ornate drinks. Next door is Monkey Bar. They have their own next-level libations here. And if you’re hungry, the food is very good! We love their focaccia bread with tomato spread.
Williams & Graham – A speakeasy located behind a bookshop. They have very creative cocktails including a mango cocktail with chicken jerky garnish.
Yacht Club – Elevated craft cocktails with a hot dog on the side.
Vesper Lounge – Fun dive bar with an awesome happy hour.