Travel guide · United States
Denver travel guide
Mile-high city of craft beer, museums and Rocky Mountain day trips
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Denver sits on the high plains at about 1,609 metres — one mile above sea level — with the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains filling the western skyline. Its compact downtown links the restored Union Station, Larimer Square and LoDo with the Golden Triangle's museums, while RiNo and the Highlands have breweries, murals and restaurants. Red Rocks Amphitheatre is about 30 minutes west, and Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder and the ski resorts are all reachable in a day. The climate is sunny and dry, with warm summers and changeable winters. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are June–September.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- June–September
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- DEN
- Mid-range daily budget
- $210–$350 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Mile High City, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Craft beer and Gateway to the Rockies
Why visit Denver
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a concert venue between two 90-metre sandstone monoliths, is about 30 minutes from downtown and free to visit when there is no show.
- The Golden Triangle groups the Denver Art Museum, the Clyfford Still Museum and History Colorado Center within a few blocks of the State Capitol.
- Craft beer is a local passion: the city hosts the Great American Beer Festival, and RiNo and LoDo have dense clusters of breweries.
- Boulder, Golden, Rocky Mountain National Park and mountain towns are within 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Denver averages around 300 days with some sunshine a year, according to local tourism boards, and its dry air keeps summer evenings cool.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Landmark · Morrison
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
An open-air amphitheatre set between two towering sandstone monoliths in the foothills west of Denver, famous for its acoustics and concerts by everyone from the Beatles to U2.
- Time needed
- 2 hours, or an evening for a concert
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- After dark
- Outdoors
Museum · Golden Triangle
Denver Art Museum
The art museum spans the angular titanium-clad Hamilton Building by Daniel Libeskind and the 1971 Martin Building by Gio Ponti.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Architecture · Golden Triangle
Colorado State Capitol
The Capitol's dome is covered with real Colorado gold leaf, and one of its west steps is engraved 'One Mile Above Sea Level'.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Architecture · LoDo and Union Station
Denver Union Station
The 1914 Beaux-Arts station was restored in 2014 as a transit hub, hotel and public 'living room', with restaurants, bars and a bookshop in the Great Hall.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Food
- History
Street · Downtown and Larimer Square
Larimer Square
Denver's oldest block, saved from demolition in the 1960s, is lined with Victorian buildings, restaurants and boutiques under overhead strings of lights that make it especially pretty after dark.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- History
Garden · Cheesman Park
Denver Botanic Gardens
Gardens covering about 9.5 hectares show plants from dry climates around the world, a Japanese garden, a rooftop alpine garden and the Science Pyramid, plus summer evening concerts.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Couples
- Kids
- Outdoors
Where to stay
LoDo and Union Station is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and food lovers
LoDo and Union Station
Restored warehouses, the station hub, Coors Field and sports bars
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples and shopping
Downtown and Larimer Square
Victorian block of restaurants under strings of lights, the 16th Street pedestrian mall and the Theatre District
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, solo travellers and culture
RiNo
Murals, breweries, food halls and galleries in a former industrial district
$$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and nightlife
LoHi and the Highlands
Restaurants and rooftop bars on a hill with skyline views across the river
What to eat
- Green chile — Colorado green chile is a thick pork-and-roasted-chile stew, usually from Pueblo chiles, used to smother burritos, eggs and fries or eaten by the bowl.
- Smothered breakfast burrito — A big burrito filled with eggs, potatoes and bacon or chorizo, smothered in green chile and cheese — the standard Denver breakfast.
- Denver omelette — An omelette with diced ham, onions and green peppers, also known as a Western omelette, served at diners across the US but named for the city.
- Rocky Mountain oysters — Breaded, deep-fried bull testicles served with cocktail sauce, a ranching-country novelty dish.
- Bison — Lean bison meat in burgers, steaks and sausages is common on Denver menus.
- Colorado lamb — Colorado raises a large share of US lamb, and lamb chops, shoulder and sausages appear on many fine-dining menus.
When to go
The best times to visit Denver are June to September, when it is warm and sunny, Red Rocks concerts are in season and the mountains are open for hiking, with September often ideal for clear weather and golden aspens. Winter suits skiers, who can combine the city with mountain resorts, while spring is changeable with late snowstorms.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Highly changeable, with warm sunny days and heavy wet snowstorms; March is often the snowiest month. |
| Summer | June–August | Warm and sunny with low humidity, afternoon thunderstorms, outdoor concerts and mountain hiking. |
| Autumn | September–November | Clear, mild September and October with golden aspens, then colder with the first snows in November. |
| Winter | December–February | Cold but often sunny in the city, with snow that rarely lasts; prime ski season in the mountains. |
Getting there and around
Denver International Airport (DEN) is about 40 km northeast of downtown. The RTD A Line train runs to Union Station in about 37 minutes; taxis and rideshares take about 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
Downtown, LoDo, RiNo and the Golden Triangle are walkable or a short ride apart, and RTD's light rail and commuter rail connect Union Station with the airport, Golden and the suburbs. A car is helpful for the mountains.
Plan your days
Two days covers Union Station, LoDo, the Golden Triangle museums, RiNo and a sunset at Red Rocks. Four days adds Boulder, Golden or Rocky Mountain National Park; a week allows a mountain town such as Breckenridge or a drive to Colorado Springs.
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English and Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; carry a bottle and drink more than usual at altitude.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Altitude sickness, dehydration and sunburn are common for new arrivals, so drink water and limit alcohol on the first day. In the mountains, afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning risk above the treeline, so start hikes early. Car break-ins happen at trailheads and downtown lots.
Flights to Denver
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Denver?
Two days covers Union Station, LoDo, the Golden Triangle museums, RiNo and a sunset at Red Rocks. Four days adds Boulder, Golden or Rocky Mountain National Park; a week allows a mountain town such as Breckenridge or a drive to Colorado Springs. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Denver?
The best times to visit Denver are June to September, when it is warm and sunny, Red Rocks concerts are in season and the mountains are open for hiking, with September often ideal for clear weather and golden aspens. Winter suits skiers, who can combine the city with mountain resorts, while spring is changeable with late snowstorms.
+What is Denver known for?
Mile High City, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Craft beer, Gateway to the Rockies, Green chile, Union Station and Sports fans. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a concert venue between two 90-metre sandstone monoliths, is about 30 minutes from downtown and free to visit when there is no show.
+Is Denver expensive?
Denver is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $210–$350 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Denver?
Not for the city itself, where rail, walking and rideshare work. A car is close to essential for Rocky Mountain National Park, mountain towns and many trailheads, though shuttles serve Red Rocks concerts and some ski areas.