THE BEST OF DENVER
How To Get to denver
The majority of visitors will arrive at Denver International Airport (DEN). This is a relatively short flight from either coast (roughly 2.5 hours from Los Angeles and 4.5 hours from New York).
How Much Time Do You Need in denver
This depends on how much you would like to see outside of the city as well as Denver. We recommend at least 1 full day in Denver itself. If you’d like to visit Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, you’ll need another full day and one more full day for Rocky Mountain National Park (we recommend 2 days if you like hiking). Boulder is also a great nearby city worth visiting and there are a lot of nice hiking areas and beautiful red rocks in the state parks surrounding the city. If you would like to enjoy all of this we recommend visiting for 5-7 days.
what to EAT in denver
Ice Cream Little Man
This is our favorite ice cream place in Denver. The flavors rotate regularly, but the best one is the Vegan Salted Chocolate Oreo. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, they always have at least one vegan ice cream and sorbet. There are a couple locations throughout Colorado. Check out their Instagram (littlemanicecream) for the most updated list of flavors or call and ask!
High Point Creamery
High Point Creamery is the first place I’ve ever had an ice cream flight. For $9 you get to pick five scoops, caramel or chocolate sauce, and bits of cone. We picked Basil with Blackberry Swirl, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Blueberry Lemon, Mint Chocolate Bark, and Salty Dog Chocolate and would get them all again – especially the Blueberry Lemon. There are a couple locations throughout Colorado.
Huckleberry Roasters
If you’re looking to get your coffee fix, Huckleberry Roasters is just the place. They have all the classic coffee options as well as chai and matcha. They have a couple food items, like avocado toast and porridge (which is gluten free).
Root Down
Root Down is a nice, lively option for brunch or dinner. For brunch they have a wide selection of both sweet and savory options. There are also a bunch of gluten free and vegan options which are noted on the menu. The Mushroom and Herb Omelette, the Breakfast Burrito, and the Veggie Burger Sliders are all solid choices. The Sherpa Chai and Coconut Ginger Fizz are solid non-alcoholic options and the Blood Orange mimosa is the best option with alcohol. You can get unlimited mimosas for $25/person.
Safta
Safta is my favorite restaurant in Denver and if you like Israeli food, it will definitely be one of yours too. The Persian Rice is fluffy, but also crispy and laced with cherries. We’ve tried all of the Salatim, and the best are the whipped feta, the creamy hummus with lamb ragu, and smoky baba ganoush. You can get them with fresh, fluffy, warm pita, or crudite if you’re looking for a gluten free option. Personally, I like going for appetizers and drinks and making a meal of it, but if you’re looking for a heartier dish, the harissa chicken and the hanger steak are delightful.
Snooze
Snooze is a small chain with a retro vibe and the best pancake flight you will ever eat. The egg dishes are good too, but you’re really there for the pancakes. To make up your flight you can pick three pancakes. They have all of the classics (plain, chocolate chip, blueberry), as well as some crazier, rotating flavors (think: pineapple upside down, strawberry shortcake, cereal milk, and blueberry danish). Snooze does not take reservations and people start lining up early for their pancakes on the weekend, so either go early, or put your name down and plan to walk around for an hourish while you wait. You can check out each restaurant’s live wait time either on the Snooze App or on their website.
El Taco de Mexico
Solid hole in the wall for a sizable and affordable burrito – under $9. I love their breakfast burritos, which they serve all day, but you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Somebody People
Somebody People is a great special occasion restaurant. It’s a bit on the expensive side, but you’re paying for top tier ingredients and you can really taste it in the dishes. The citrus salad, creamy polenta and the arancini were top notch. Oh, and everything here is vegan but doesn’t taste vegan.
Cholon
Go for Happy Hour and get the French Onion Soup Dumplings. They’re so deliciously unique. The Salt and Pepper Calamari and the Kaya Toast are also super yummy. The cocktails are all great or you can get a sake flight!
what to SEE in denver
Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf Denver, also known as Convergence Station, is an intergalactic transit station where you embark on a journey through four alien worlds, each surreal and unexpectedly different. Like the other Meow Wolf locations, search around for hidden features and interact with the exhibits to unlock secrets. There is also an underlying mystery narrative that you can try and solve. Plan to spend around 3 hours here.
Ticket prices vary by day and time, but are usually around $45. Colorado residents with valid IDs can receive discounted tickets.
You can buy 3D glasses for a few extra bucks at the counter, but we did not feel that this added to the experience.
A couple times a month Meow Wolf offers an adults only night. You must be over 21 to enter and you can purchase alcoholic beverages to drink while you explore!
Denver Botanical Gardens
The Denver Botanical Gardens are some of the prettiest gardens in the USA. You can easily spend a half day getting lost in the different sections of this sprawling park. Amongst the various plants and garden sections, you’ll find a huge koi pond and art exhibits – like a giant glass pyramid and Chihuly glass structures. If you’re short on time, try and prioritize the Japanese Garden and Bonsai Garden, the Cactus and Succulent House, and the Monet Pool. On a hot day, the flavored lemonades and ice teas at the snack stand (Hive Garden Bistro) are the perfect thirst quenchers. Hive Garden Bistro is located right next to the Monet Pool.
Denver Botanical Gardens participates in the American Horticulture Pass, so if you have a membership to another Botanical Garden in the USA, like the New York Botanical Garden, there’s a good chance you will be able to use your membership card here and visit for free. Passes are normally $15 per adult and $11 per child.
what to DO
Catch a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater
I’m not sure if you’ve heard it before, but the energy at Red Rocks is truly magical. It’s said that Red Rocks has legendary acoustics. Whether it be the acoustics, the natural outdoor atmosphere or the crowds, concerts at Red Rocks can’t be beat. Check out who’s playing when you’ll be in town. The stairs up to the theater combined with the high altitude are no joke! Don’t be surprised if you’re a little out of breath when you reach the top. Red Rocks is about 20 minutes outside of Denver. It can be hard to get an Uber back after the show since a lot of people are trying to get rides back and service is spotty. Try and book an Uber in advance so you don’t need to leave it to chance.
Go to a yoga class at Red Rocks or Run Up the Stairs
If you can’t find a concert, try and go to a yoga class at Red Rocks. It’s so cool to see everyone in the theater moving through yoga flows together. If you can’t find a yoga class, or it’s just not your thing, you can run up and down the stairs as a workout. There are also some hiking and rock climbing trails in the complex.
Walk around River North Arts District, Larimer Square, Union Station and LoDo
Go for a hike
Check out this guide to our favorite hikes near Denver
DAY TRIPS FROM DENVER
Visit Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
Two of the more popular sites pretty close to Denver are Pike’s Peak and Garden of the Gods. They can easily be combined into one day trip. Check out our itinerary for a day seeing Pike’s Peak and Garden of the Gods.
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park and Bishop Castle
Royal Gorge Bridge is America’s highest suspension bridge. Looming over the Colorado River, the colossal suspension bridge stretches 1,053 feet across a dizzying 955-foot drop – that’s nearly the height of the Empire State Building! Buy a ticket and cross the bridge for some pretty epic views. Tickets are $22 for children and $27 for adults if you buy online. If you purchase tickets in person, it will be $3 more per ticket.
In addition to crossing the bridge, you can zipline, take a ride on the Skycoaster, or participate in a Via Ferrata experience. If you’re interested in booking the Via Ferrata, you should book in advance.
If you look down, you might notice kayakers and rafters paddling through the rapids!
Bishop Castle
Just an hour away from Royal Gorge Bridge, you’ll find Bishop Castle. Bishop Castle is a great place to jump out of the car and stretch your legs for a bit. It’s kind of like an adult jungle gym. This one-man masterpiece was hand-built by Jim Bishop over decades with salvaged materials like railroad ties, telephone poles, and even car bumpers. The result is a unique creation of stone, wood, and metal. Pay attention to the details – each look will bring something new to light, like dragons or stained glass. Climb the winding staircases for views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and valleys. Just be careful as some of the steps can feel a little unstable – but that makes it all the more fun!
Bishop Castle is free to visit, but donations are appreciated – that’s how Jim Bishop keeps expanding his creation. There is also a small gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs.
Rocky Mountain National Park
A day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is a must for any Denver itinerary. If you want a more detailed overview of the park, as well as some hiking suggestions, check out our guide to Rocky Mountain National Park here.
Boulder
At just 35 minutes from Denver, Boulder makes for a great day trip. Make sure to check out our guide to Boulder for more info.
NOT DONE TRAVELING?
Check out our guides of nearby areas:
Rocky Mountain National Park
Awesome Hikes in Colorado
Pike’s Peak and Garden of the Gods
Boulder