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The Denver skyline

Denver is the capital and largest city of Colorado, USA. Known as "The Mile-High City", Denver sits at an altitude of 5,280 feet/1,600 meters above sea level and lies where the Great Plains give way to the Rocky Mountains. Denver is a large city and one of the fastest growing in the United States.

Understand

Denver is a bustling city of more than 600,000 people supporting a fast-growing metropolitan area of nearly 3 million people. The city embraces its cowboy and mining past but also looks toward the future with a vibrant arts and performing arts scene, dozens of great outdoor festivals, and distinct neighborhoods each offering a unique experience. You'll find everything a cosmopolitan city has to offer including a spectacular view of and easy access to the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which are only 12 miles west of town.

Denver does have its growing pains. Urban sprawl is becoming a problem, with the metropolitan area sometimes growing faster than the infrastructure can really handle, especially with public transportation. Denver is generally a driving city, and some problems with pollution and traffic are a part of everyday life. Large mass transportation and freeway expansion projects have recently been completed, including the popular light rail system.

Climate

Denver
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See Denver's 7 day forecast
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Denver residents enjoy a mild climate and the third most sunshine of any US state, with four pronounced seasons.

Heavy snowfalls can occur between October and March, often alternating with days of high temperatures and sunshine. About once a year, a snowfall of over a few feet occurs. Winter is also when the Denver area gets pounded by a phenomenon known as the "Chinook". That's when air flows over the mountains to the west and sinks on the leeward (eastern) slopes of the foothills and warms up. This raises air temperatures dramatically, which can last for several days. If you're planning to visit Denver during the winter, be prepared with full winter gear just in case, but also pack a light sweater and T-shirt; the weather is usually very sunny and mild.

Evening thunderstorms are common in late spring and fall

Spring in Denver is pleasant, though generally rather brief. Trees begin budding by late March and are in full leaf by mid April to mid May. March, on average, is Denver's snowiest month.

By June, Denver enters its summer season. Temperatures typically rise in earnest at this time, with most heat waves beginning in mid-June and continuing through July, usually Denver's hottest month with temperatures in the high 80s to mid-90s. By late July, the southwest monsoon kicks in. In August, short spells of thunderstorms occur about three to four days per week. By late August, temperatures begin to drop with a noticeable difference between day time and night time temperatures. As the days get shorter through September and October, daytime temperatures drop to the high 50s to mid-60s. Slather on that sunscreen all summer long; the rays are strong and the air is dry, with temperatures often reaching the upper 90s in July and August.

Autumn is a peaceful time to visit, with mild temperatures, little severe weather and lots of that famous clear blue sky. You'll get to see the trees display their fall colors, which usually peak around mid-September in the mountains and October in the city itself. October usually brings the first snowfall of the season to Denver, although it's very light. By November, it's clear that winter is on its way, with plenty of clouds, some snow and much cooler temperatures.

Get in

By plane

The Denver International Airport main terminal

1 Denver International Airport (DEN IATA). Commonly referred to as DIA, the airport is about 18 miles northeast of Downtown Denver and is one of the busiest airports in the nation, due to it being a hub for Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, which maintain hubs in Concourses A, B, and C respectively, with most other major domestic carriers also offering service to DIA.

For such a busy airport, the layout of DIA is quite intuitive, with a single centralized terminal with its distinctive "peaked" roof, where all ticketing, baggage claim, security, and ground transportation facilities are, connected to the three concourses by an underground train line. The airport can be crowded due to a post-9/11 security redesign that created a single central screening station, followed by the train that passengers must take to the concourses (Concourse A is also connected to the terminal by a pedestrian bridge). It can take up to an hour to get from the ticket line to the gate, so travelers should get to the airport at least 1.5 hours before their scheduled departure time. Many connecting flights are made in DIA, and this airport is more pleasant than most to kill time, with plenty of public art displays, battery charging stations, and free Wi-Fi, as well as a decent selection of restaurants for an airport.

The airport is set amidst rolling plains with the towering Rocky Mountains and Denver to the west, somewhat far from any conceivable local destination. There are a number of airport shuttles you can take from DIA to the city and destinations in the mountains. The public transportation service SkyRide offers five bus routes from the Level 5 of the airport terminal to locations throughout the metro area, including Union Station in Downtown and many "Park and Ride" lots. Purchase tickets at the RTD desk in the main terminal; fare is $9 one-way, although the "Regional/Airport Day Pass" costs the same and covers unlimited trips on the RTD system for the remainder of the day.

Private pilots mostly fly into Centennial Airport (APA IATA), south of town (not far from the Denver Technological Center), and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC IATA), northwest of town (near Interlocken Business Park, Broomfield and Boulder and the closest airport to Downtown Denver). On warm days the density altitude may make takeoffs difficult; Centennial and Rocky Mountain Airports thus have relatively long runways, to accommodate volumes of private jet traffic. Flight visibility in the Denver area is often in excess of 100 miles; weather fronts tend to travel quickly N-S along the Front Range. For small planes, any direction but west is a good choice.

By car

Since 1914, the City of Denver has maintained a bison herd on the outskirts of town at Genessee Park. The herd is still easily viewed along Interstate 70.
Caution Note: Interstate Freeway I-70 is closed indefinitely from Glenwood Springs to Gypsum (between the Utah border and Denver) due to a massive rock slide. A 140 mile/225 km detour to the north is available. This is the main route into Denver from Las Vegas and Southern California. Allow for several additional hours of travel time.
  • I-25 (north and south), I-70 (east and west), and I-76 (northeast) are the major interstates leading in and out of the city. I-225 and I-270 cross the Denver area.
  • U.S. Highway 40 connects Denver to Salt Lake City to the west.
  • Interstate 70 connects Denver to Summit County, the location of many major ski areas, to the west.
  • Interstate 25 connects Denver to Colorado Springs in the south and Cheyenne, Wyoming in the north.
  • U.S. Highway 36 connects to the northwestern suburbs and on to Boulder.
  • C-470 Connects to the southern end of E-470 (also accessible from I-25) leading to the south, southwest, and western suburbs.
  • Toll Roads There are a couple of major toll roads in the Denver area, and they can help you avoid some serious rush hour traffic on I-70 and I-25.
    • E-470 connects the airport to the southeast, east, northeast and northwest suburbs, C-470 at its southern terminus, and the Northwest Parkway at its northern terminus, leading to Boulder. E-470 is a "cashless" toll road - there are no longer any toll plazas and no way to pay tolls except via an in-car device or a billing service. If renting a car, check to see if the rental car agency provides for proper billing; otherwise, you may be subject to billed tolls and hefty service charges. Tolls are $2–4 and without an in-car device, service charges can run to $25 or more.
    • Northwest Parkway connects to the north end of E-470 leading to north, northeast and northwest suburbs, and Boulder. Also accessible from I-25. Tolls are up to $3 each, and booths accept only cash. There's no attendant between 10PM and 6AM, so pay attention to the signs; though some booths still accept exact change, others require you to pay online or by mail.

By train

  • 2 Amtrak, Union Station, 17th and Wynkoop Streets (in the LoDo neighborhood). Amtrak's California Zephyr stops in Denver twice a day, one continuing east-bound (departing approximately 7pm MT) to Chicago and one west-bound (departing approximately 8am MT) to Emeryville, California (in the San Francisco Bay Area). Check the Amtrak web site for exact times and updates as this train is frequently delayed. 

By bus

  • 3 Greyhound. The bus station is downtown at 1055 19th Street, just a few blocks away from Coors Field and other central attractions. Serviced by Greyhound and skyRide buses, the station also has storage lockers that can be rented hourly. Expect the bus station to be crowded and dirty.
  • Autobus Americanos, Provides bus service to/from Mexico. The bus stop is located at 2147 N Broadway. 

Get around

Map
39°44′13″N 104°58′52″W
Map of Denver
Map of Downtown Denver
  • Numbered streets run east-west in the north half of the metro area, including suburbs. Ellsworth Avenue is the "equatorial" street. Numbered streets increase as you travel north and are generally called avenues. Avenues south of Ellsworth are named.
  • Named streets run north-south. Broadway is the "meridian" street. Ordered alphabetically going up as you travel east or west away from city center. Addresses on named streets correspond to intersecting numbered streets, so "1701 Broadway" is at 17th and Broadway. North-south streets are generally called streets, not avenues.
  • Downtown streets: The diagonal layout of the downtown area can be tricky, especially for first-time visitors. North of Colfax and west of Broadway, the streets are canted 45 degrees from all other streets in the city. The transition between the two systems is confusing even for locals. Southeast-northwest streets are numbered, while southwest-northeast streets are named. As this was the original grid system of Denver, some vestiges of it exist outside of downtown, creating diagonal cuts in certain parts of the city. Some of those streets include Park Avenue, Speer Boulevard and Morrison Road.

By car

Renting

If you plan to go outside of downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation. Local companies tend to offer better prices, but national chains might be more convenient as far as return policies and hours.

Rental companies include most major car rental chains.

Parking

Meters are free on Sunday and run until 10PM on weekdays. After 10PM at many of the meters where it was formerly free, it now is $1.00 per hour from 10PM until 8AM at the new "smart meters." The meters say "overnight parking allowed" but you are still required to pay during this time, or you will get a $25 parking ticket. In the downtown area near Coors Field, The Pepsi Center, and LoDo, there is pretty much no free parking on weekdays. In some areas a few blocks from the city center there are a few non-metered spots within reasonable walking distance of downtown. However, just because you don't see a meter doesn't mean that parking is free. Denver is increasingly using "European-style" meters, where you purchase a paper ticket from a machine somewhere on the block and place it on your dashboard. Also, many neighborhoods around downtown allow only permitted residents to park, so be sure to check the signs first.

It is worth noting that the city government has been cracking down on parking violations recently, so if you park at a meter with a flashing red light and don't pay, even for a few minutes, EXPECT TO GET A TICKET. Meter violations will cost you a cool $25 ($50 if you don't pay up within two weeks). Lack of change is no longer a problem, as all the meters in the downtown area are now equipped with credit card readers that accept Visa and MasterCard. $1 will get you around an hour, depending on the location of the meter.

Areas outside of the downtown core (20th St, Speer, Wynkoop St, Colfax and Broadway) usually have meters that end at 6PM and are free on weekends, so parking is much easier during those times. The area just northwest of downtown, across the train tracks from Union Station, has free 2-hour parking spots (on Wewatta Street just before the Park Avenue bridge).

By public transit

RTD light rail

The RTD (Regional Transportation District) is the region's primary public transit provider, operating buses and light rail throughout the Denver area.

Denver has a fairly extensive and rapidly growing light rail system that can efficiently get you from Downtown to some western and southern suburbs. There are currently six rail lines that branch out of Downtown along three corridors: the C and D lines south to Englewood and Littleton, the E, F and H lines south along I-25 past the Tech Center, and the W line west to Lakewood and the Denver Federal Center. A seventh line, the A line east to Aurora and Denver International Airport, is scheduled to open in April 2016. In Downtown, all rail lines either terminate at Union Station or travel through central Downtown via the Convention Center. Rail tickets must be purchased (cash or credit card) from vending machines at the stations before boarding the trains and cost between $2.60 and $4.50 one-way, depending on how far you travel. Day passes are also available and include bus fare.

Colorado Convention Center and central transportation hub

The backbone of Denver's transportation system is the buses. RTD buses are $2.60 (cash only; exact change required) for a one-way local trip, and with payment you receive a transfer that's valid for three hours from when you board the bus. Day passes are also available and include light rail fare. There is also a free shuttle, the MallRide, which runs along the 16th Street pedestrian mall through Downtown and is a handy way of traveling between Downtown attractions. More information about RTD can be found at the Union Station and Civic Center bus stations at either end of 16th Street in Downtown, or on the RTD website. Local routes crisscross the city, supplemented by 'Limited' buses that stop less frequently on major arteries like Colfax and Colorado Boulevard; these buses are denoted by an 'L' after the route number, and cost the same as a Local route.

RTD also operates limited intercity coach service, mostly to the north suburbs and the more distant communities of Longmont and Boulder. These services are denoted by letters and tend to leave from Union Station or Civic Center Station at either end of the 16th Street Mall. Fares are $4.50 one-way, with a day pass costing $9. The Flatiron Flyer offers a fast service along express highway lanes between Denver and Boulder. If you're in Colorado to ski or board on a budget, Eldora Mountain Resort in Nederland can be reached via the N bus from Boulder. RTD also operates SkyRide service to the airport; see the "By plane" section above for further details.

By bike

Denver has a large network of bike trails leading all over the city. The city has a fiercely loyal cycling culture, and it's reflected in the abundance of bike lanes and trails in and around downtown. Main trails run along both Cherry Creek and the Platte, and bike lanes run down many downtown streets. The lanes are sometimes dedicated and sometimes run with traffic, and are marked by a stencil of a bike in the street. The city's designated routes are signed, and you can pick up a bike map at the info centers downtown and at many bike shops.

Denver was one of the first US cities with a modern bike share program; you can purchase a membership online or at any of the 81 stations throughout the city, choose a bike, and start exploring. After the purchase of a membership rides of less than 30 minutes incur no additional fee, while there is a small fee for longer rides.

Don't be afraid to assert yourself in traffic when there is no bike lane - the drivers are, while impatient sometimes, for the most part respectful. Bikes are treated legally like traffic in Denver, and (while admittedly rare), you can get tickets for running red lights and stop signs. Bikes are also expected to ride as far to the right as practicable, unless you're riding in a group of 3 or more - in which case you are considered (and can behave like) a car. Neat, huh?

Bikes are required to have front lights at night, and a good lock is recommended in areas around downtown. Bike theft happens frequently.

See

Colorado State Capitol Building

Denver is a vibrant city with plenty of attractions for visitors, plus a diverse collection of neighborhoods that can be attractions in themselves. Many of Denver's older areas are the perfect density for exploration; you'll find an interesting mix of apartments and homes with flowery front gardens, wide flagstone sidewalks, bright green lawns and big, shady trees. Capitol Hill, Highlands, Baker, Berkeley, Uptown, Sloan's Lake, Cheesman, Washington, City and Congress Parks are just some of the neighborhoods bustling with people and places to see.

Denver has many beautiful parks that are full of colorful gardens, meandering paths, crystal clear lakes, abundant wildlife and recreation opportunities. The city has a rich pioneer history, and there are plenty of museums where you can learn all about it. It's also a very environmentally conscious city, with one of the nation’s first municipal “Green Fleets”, public transit vehicles using hybrid and alternative fuel and a city tree-planting initiative. Hop on a green bus, grab a bike or just walk around to discover Denver.

Museums and architecture

  • 1 Black American West Museum & Heritage Center, 3091 California St, ☏ +1 720 242-7428. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed Su-M. Set in the home of Dr. Justina Ford, Colorado's first Black woman doctor, this museum is dedicated to the contributions of Black pioneers in the Old West. $10 adults, $9 seniors, $8 students, $6 children. 
  • 2 Byers-Evans House Museum, 1310 Bannock St, ☏ +1 303 620-4933. M-Sa 10AM-4PM (guided tours at 10:30AM, 11:30AM, 12:30PM, 1:30PM and 2:30PM). One of Denver's great historic homes, built in 1883 by Rocky Mountain News publisher Williams Byers and elegantly furnished with original turn of the (20th) century pieces. Tour the house or catch featured exhibitions in the gallery. $6 adults, $5 seniors/students, $4 children (children under 6 free). 
  • 3 Chamberlin Observatory, 2930 E Warren Ave, ☏ +1 303 871-5172. Built in 1890, this working observatory is a historic landmark and a pride of the University of Denver. Star Parties and other events are open to the public. 
  • 4 Children's Museum of Denver, 2121 Children's Museum Dr, ☏ +1 303 433-7444, fax: +1 303 433-9520. This educational museum takes a fun, hands-on approach to learning. 
  • 5 Colorado State Capitol, 200 E Colfax Ave, ☏ +1 303 866-2604. A gorgeous domed building at the southern edge of Downtown. Tours are available, though the big attraction for tourists is standing above the words "One Mile Above Sea Level" engraved into one of the steps out front. 
Denver Art Museum
  • 6 Denver Art Museum, 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, ☏ +1 720 865-5000. Tu-Th,Sa-Su 10AM-5PM, F 10AM-8PM. Closed M and major holidays. A huge museum with art from all over the world. You'll want to give yourself several hours to properly explore the place. $13 adults, $10 seniors/students, $5 youth (6-18), free for children 5 and under. Discounted rates available for Colorado residents. Free admission for eveyone on the first Sa of the month. 
  • 7 Denver Firefighters Museum, 1326 Tremont Pl, ☏ +1 303 892-1436. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. Historical and interactive exhibits, activities and special events celebrating Denver's firefighters. $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children. 
  • 8 Denver Mint, 320 W Colfax Ave, ☏ +1 303 405-4761. M-F 8AM-2PM, closed on all federal holidays. Tours begin every hour on the hour. Thanks to this place, more U.S. money is made in Denver than anywhere else in the world. Fish a coin out of your pocket and look for the "D" on the face side (usually in the bottom right quadrant). That means the money was minted in Denver. Advance registration is required for all mint tours. Free. 
  • 9 Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys, 1880 Gaylord St, ☏ +1 303 322-1053. W-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 1PM-4PM. Houses, trains, planes, circuses and more. Everything's tiny except the giant teddy bears! $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children (children under age 5 free). 
  • 10 Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd, ☏ +1 303 322-7009. Open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Exhibitions, planetarium and IMAX. 
  • 11 Forney Transportation Museum, 4303 Brighton Blvd, ☏ +1 303 297-1113. M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. $9 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children (3-15), free for children under 3. 
  • 12 History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway (Entrance is on Broadway between 12th & 13th Ave.), ☏ +1 303 447-8679. Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun. Noon-5PM. The center has many displays and exhibits focusing on historical sites throughout Colorado (prairie settlement, mine, Native American life, etc.). Housed in a new building, with some new exhibits. Great for families with kids and even adults; only takes 1-1 1/2 hours to take in. Adults $12; seniors (65+)/students (w/ID) $10; children (6-12) $8; children (under 5) free. 
  • 13 Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St, ☏ +1 303 832-4092. This restored Victorian was once home to labor reformist, actress and Titanic survivor Margaret Brown. It now showcases that era of Colorado history through exhibits and special events. 
  • 14 The Money Museum, 1020 16th St (Entrance is on Curtis Street.), ☏ +1 303 572-2300. 8:30AM-4:30PM. Self-guided tour. Small room with a few displays, including $30 million in cash! Free.. 
  • 15 Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr, ☏ +1 303 571-4401. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa-Su 12PM-5PM. Denver is home to a large and growing Latino population, and this museum focuses on their art and heritage. $5. 
  • 16 Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St, ☏ +1 303 298-7554. Tu-Th noon-7PM, F noon-9PM, Sa-Su 10AM-5PM. Housed in an ultra-modern building downtown, this innovative museum seeks to engage the community with workshops, films, lectures, and a relaxing, open environment. Visit the rooftop deck for 360-degree views of Denver, grab a quick bite in the cafe, and check out the functional public performance space called The Lane. $8 adults, $5 students/seniors, children and teens under 18 free. 
  • 17 National Ballpark Museum, 1940 Blake St (off of Blake and 20th, across from Coors Field), ☏ +1 303 974-5835. Open by appointment; call to schedule a visit. A family-run museum that contains one of the best private baseball collections in the country, this museum holds a stunning collection of artifacts from ballparks all over the country, including signs, bricks, and seats from the classic ballparks of old, as well as a section of Fenway Park's "Green Monster". $10 adults, $5 seniors/children, free for active military and children under 6. (updated May 2015)

Parks and gardens

  • 18 City Park (between Colorado Blvd, York St, 26th Ave and 17th Ave). Enjoy the Denver sunshine at this 330-acre urban park east of downtown. Two lakes, numerous fields, playgrounds, and a golf course, as well as the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science are all within its expansive bounds. 
    • 19 Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St, ☏ +1 303 376-4800. Open every day of the year, hours vary by season. Denver zoo's pride is Bear Mountain, created using casts of actual Colorado rock outcroppings to simulate the bears' natural habitat. For a different way to watch the wildlife, hop on the Pioneer Train, the first train in a U.S. zoo to be powered by natural gas. Other exhibits include an indoor rainforest and the 7-acre Primate Panorama. $5-12. 
  • 20 Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St, ☏ +1 720 865-3500. May-Sept: Sa-Tu 9AM-8PM, W-F 9AM-5PM. Sept-May: 9AM-5PM daily. Closed on major holidays and for special events. Come for the array of flowers and plants from around the world, stay for the peace and quiet (and the free WiFi!), then check out the bonus attractions. Above the gardens' bistro, you'll find Denver's first public green roof, a living example of the benefits of green design. Space and science buffs won't want to miss the OmniGlobe exhibit, a spherical simulation of the Earth from space. $12.50 adults, $9.50 seniors, $9 students/children. 
  • 21 Washington Park. Beautiful and lush Denver park, with lakes, flower gardens, a recreation center, soccer fields and tennis courts. Over 160 acres of natural beauty, surrounded by turn of the 19th Century homes. A favorite jogging, volleyball, and drinking destination. This was formerly the favorite hang out of young residents during the summer months but recent regulations requiring permits for many common activities have dwindled park usage and transferred it to City Park. 
  • 22 Cheesman Park, 12th Ave at High St. The Acropolis-inspired pavilion has a commanding view of the Denver skyline. 
  • 23 Confluence Park, 15th Street at the Platte River. Named for the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, Confluence Park is a summertime spot for many of Denver's residents. Cool off in the river, or bring a kayak or inner tube for the purpose built rapids near REI. The park is also accessible via the Cherry Creek or Platte bike trails. 
  • The Southwest Rink at Skyline Park, 511 16th St, ☏ +1 303 825-6787. Skating rink in downtown Denver open from late November to mid February. 2$ for skate rental or bring your own skates. 

Do

Late spring and early autumn are excellent seasons to do things outdoors in Denver. Besides the city's various lush green parks, there are plenty of outdoor festivals, sports, and gondola rides. (Yes, gondola rides.) In winter, the snow-peaked mountains in the distance and the crisp air on your cheeks make it the perfect time to tour Denver's famous breweries or check out the downtown arts scene.

Amusement parks

In addition to the two listed below, the Denver area is also home to Water World, a huge water park in Thornton.

  • 1 Elitch Gardens. A huge amusement park with rides and family entertainment. 
  • 2 Lakeside, 4601 Sheridan Blvd, ☏ +1 303 477-1621. call for hours. A throwback from Denver's past, Lakeside is an amusement park like they used to make; without all the corporate branding and commercialism. While it may have a somewhat seedy exterior, Lakeside is still a staple of local kids' upbringings, and remains a fixture of Denver culture as well as a much cheaper alternative to Elitch Gardens. Coaster buffs will squeal with glee over the Cyclone, the park's original 1940 Edward Vettel-designed wood coaster. 

Comedy

  • Bovine Metropolis Theater, 1527 Champa St, ☏ +1 303 758-4722. Nope, no cows on stage. Just exciting and surprising improv comedy shows five nights a week. All ages. $5-16. 
  • Comedy Works, 1226 15th St (between Larimer and Lawrence in Larimer Square), ☏ +1 303 595-3637. Laugh it up with local comedians as well as big name acts. 21 and up. $10-30 tickets. 
  • Impulse Theater, 1634 18th St, ☏ +1 303 297-2111. Th-Sa. At Denver's original improv comedy venue, no two shows are ever the same! Great for group events and appropriate for all ages. $18. 

Festivals & events

  • January National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, Martin Luther King Parade, Indian Market, Mile High Snowfest
  • February Colorado Garden and Home Show, Denver Restaurant Week, Buffalo Bill's Birthday Party
  • March St. Patrick's Day Parade, Denver March Powwow, Starz Global Lens Film Festival
  • April Doors Open Denver, Colorado Rockies Home Opener, KBCO Kinetics, Denver Cannabis Cup
  • May Cinco de Mayo, Tesoro Indian Market and Powwow, Downtown Denver Festival of the Arts, Denver Day of Rock, Colorado Colfax Marathon also includes Denver's Navy Week.
  • June Colorado Renaissance Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, Comcast La Piazza dell’Arte, Do At The Zoo, PrideFest, The People's Fair, Highland Street Fair
  • July Cherry Creek Arts Festival, The INTERNATIONAL at Castle Pines, Colorado Irish Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Evergreen Jazz Festival, Global Dance Festival
  • September A Taste of Colorado, Great American Beer Festival, Brew At The Zoo, Annual Oktoberfest, Festival Italiano, Denver Beer Fest
  • October Fright Fest, Denver Mariachi Festival, Denver Marathon
  • November Denver Arts Week, Starz International Film Festival, Denver International Wine Festival, Downtown Denver, Grand Illumination
  • December Mile High Holidays, Blossoms of Light, Zoo Lights, 9News Parade of Lights, New Year's Eve Downtown Fireworks

Performing arts

Major performing arts performances are held at the Denver Performing Arts Complex at N Speer Blvd and Arapahoe St in downtown Denver, including:

  • 3 Colorado Ballet, Ellie Caulkins Opera House (in the Denver Performing Arts Complex), ☏ +1 303 837-8888. September–April. Founded in 1951, this internationally acclaimed company presents classical and contemporary ballets. 
  • 4 Colorado Symphony, Boettcher Concert Hall (in the Denver Performing Arts Complex), ☏ +1 303 623-7876. September–June. The Colorado Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra established in 1989, as the successor to the Denver Symphony. 
  • 5 Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Buell Theatre (in the Denver Performing Arts Complex), ☏ +1 303 893-4100. Year-round. Spend an evening at the theater watching anything from revivals to world premieres. The center hosts a Tony Award-winning professional resident company, as well as touring productions. 
  • 6 Opera Colorado, Ellie Caulkins Opera House (in the Denver Performing Arts Complex), ☏ +1 303 778-1500. November–May. This young company performs classic operas in their downtown venue. $30-160. 

Besides this complex, you can find smaller venues, restaurants, and cafes for a unique and exciting experience.

  • 7 Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St, ☏ +1 303 294-9281. Highly recommended. This popular restaurant/cafe/event center is a must for any lovers of poetry, theater, or counterculture. Live music almost every night, salsa classes, and more. Particularly recommended Sundays nights, when it hosts Denver's best poetry slam. Often, you might run into well-known names like Andrea Gibson. Check out their schedule for more information. 

Sports

  • 8 Denver Broncos, Sports Authority Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St, ☏ +1 720 258-3333. National Football League. 
  • 9 Colorado Avalanche, Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle, ☏ +1 303 405-1100. National Hockey League. 
  • 10 Colorado Rockies, Coors Field, 2001 Blake St (on the edge of the LoDo neighborhood), ☏ +1 303 762-5437. Ballpark tours at noon and 2PM on M-Sa non-game days during the season and M, W, F, and Sa during the off-season. Denver's Major League Baseball team plays in Coors Field, one of the most beloved ballparks in the major leagues and the most hitter-friendly park as well, thanks to Denver's dry air and high altitude. Tickets range from the $4 "Rockpile" bleachers behind center field to $60 for a seat behind home plate. Behind-the-scenes tours of the ballpark are available. Tickets $4-$60, Ballpark tours $9 adults, $7 seniors, $6 children. 
  • 11 Denver Nuggets, Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle, ☏ +1 303 405-1100. National Basketball Association. 
  • 12 Colorado Mammoth, Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle, ☏ +1 303 405-1100. National Lacrosse League. 
  • 13 Colorado Rapids, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, ☏ +1 303 727-3500. Major League Soccer. 
  • 14 Glendale Raptors Rugby Club, Infinity Park, 950 S. Birch St, Glendale, ☏ +1 303 639-4609. USA Rugby Division 1. 
  • 15 Denver Barbarians Rugby Club, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City. United States Rugby Super League. 
  • 16 Denver Pioneers, Ritchie Center, 2240 E. Buchtel Blvd, ☏ +1 303 871-2336, . The University of Denver (DU), which plays NCAA Division I sports, mostly in The Summit League. With no football program, the highest-profile sports are men's basketball, men's ice hockey (in which it is a traditional powerhouse, playing in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference), and men's lacrosse (an emerging national power in the Big East Conference). 
  • There are also many frisbee golf (frolf) courses that bring hours of entertainment for free, as well as numerous golf courses.

Tours

Among the most popular tours in Denver are those of the many local breweries. Note that the most famous brewery in the area, the Coors Brewery, is located in Golden, about 15 miles west in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

  • Great Divide Brewing Company, 2201 Arapahoe St, ☏ +1 303 296-9460. This celebrated local microbrewery is helping make Denver an international destination for beer-lovers. Learn firsthand how they do it. Tours happen Monday-Saturday. Free. 
  • Venice on the Creek, Creekfront Plaza (Larimer St between Speer Blvd and 14th St), ☏ +1 303 893-0750. June–August: Th-Su 5PM-10PM. It's just like you're in Venice. Only you're in Denver. Take a relaxing ride in a punt (very similar to an Italian gondola) on Cherry Creek. Your guide will tell you about city history while navigating the shallow waters around downtown. Tours leave every 15 minutes, and reservations are recommended. $20-75. 
  • Denver Microbrew Tour, Denver Downtown (Tour Starts at Great Divide Brewing Company), ☏ +1 303 578-9548, . Year Round, Fri-Su 3PM-5:15PM. Guided walking tour in downtown Denver’s historic LODO (lower downtown) area. The tour includes a brewery tour, beer samplings at several microbreweries, everything you want to know about beer, and local Denver history. $29. 
  • Banjo Billy's Bus Tours (Starts at the big blue bear in front of the Denver Convention Center). 1.5. The tour in a bus which looks like your aunt's livingroom (you can ride in a saddle if you don't like armchair) with guide talking about history, people and tales (like ghost stories) about Denver's past and present. Highly entertaining and informative. Book online, they seem not to have physical office in the area. $22. 

Buy

16th Street and the State Capitol during the holiday season.

Districts

There are a number of shopping areas in Denver.

  • The 16th Street Mall runs the near entire length of 16th St in downtown Denver. It is home to a number of chain stores, as well as novelty shops. It is dominated by the 1 Denver Pavilions, an "urban mall," on the southeast end of the street.
  • The Cherry Creek Shopping District sits southeast of downtown Denver, and hosts some of the most expensive stores in the metropolitan area. The 2 Cherry Creek Shopping Mall is the epicenter of this district.
  • LoDo (Lower Downtown) is immediately west of the Financial District of Denver and is connected directly to Larimer Square. Like Larimer, it is home to rich old architecture (as well as a few modern pieces). It is anchored by the Tattered Cover (see below) and hosts a ton of shops, mostly in fashion, furniture, and big chains like OfficeMax.
  • Larimer Square offers some of the best shopping districts in the city and was one of the first urban shopping concept, dating back to the 1960s. The area is full of all kinds of stuff from clothing to furniture. Check out the district's rich history, as well. The main part is along Larimer Street between 14th and 16th Streets.

Specific retailers

  • The Tattered Cover, ☏ +1 303 322-7727. The area's largest and best-known bookstore, selling new and used books. The bookstore hosts author readings and other educational programs at their two downtown locations. 
    • 5 The Tattered Cover, Colfax Avenue, 2526 E Colfax Ave (intersection of Elizabeth St.; free parking in garages on Elizabeth or Columbine Sts.), ☏ +1 303 322-7727. M-Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 10AM-6PM. 
    • 6 The Tattered Cover, Lodo, 1628 16th St (intersection of 16th & Wynkoop Sts. near Union Station), ☏ +1 303 436-1070. M-F 6:30AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 10AM-6PM. 
  • 7 Caboose Hobbies, 500 South Broadway, ☏ +1 303 777-6766. Huge model train store. 
  • 8 The Wizard's Chest, 230 Fillmore Stree, ☏ +1 303 321-4304. Magical toy and costume shop. 

Eat

Mexican food is abundant and satisfying and takes a local Denver flavor. Green chili is the order of the day: a brown, chunky and spicy sauce made from pork and Pueblo or Hatch green chilies that works well on everything from chorizo and eggs to tamales. Denver is also known for "western" food using ingredients such as angus beef, buffalo, rattlesnake, cutthroat trout and Rocky Mountain oysters. The city also embraces its cultural diversity with a wide range of ethnic restaurants. Southeast Asian restaurants are especially abundant with a multitude of Thai and Vietnamese restaurants in every style and price range. Denver has most types of cuisine as other large cities and has several restaurants recently noted in top food publications. A recently passed bill had outlawed smoking in bars and restaurants statewide. However, some places with outdoor patios still allow smoking there.

The restaurant section of the weekly independent newspaper Westword (available for free every Thursday at newsstands and locations across the city) is a good place to find the food you are interested in for your price-range and location. Below is a sampling of some consistently good choices.

Budget

  • 1 Bennie Blanco's, 616 E 13th Ave, ☏ +1 303 831-1346. Bennie Blanco's is a classic hole-in-the-wall pizza joint, and in this case the phrase is literal. There's no seating, but big, New York-style slices fresh from the oven can be had for as little as $2.50 a slice. 
  • 2 Blue Bonnet, 457 S Broadway, ☏ +1 303 778-0147. A noisy bar featuring southwest/Tex-Mex in Denver with most items under $10. There is patio seating and two separate dining rooms that are a bit quieter than the main bar. Consistently rated a "Best Of" in various local polls. 
  • 3 Breakfast King, 300 W Mississippi, ☏ +1 303 733-0795. The Breakfast King is a late night staple of Denver, and one of the best greasy spoons. Open 24 hours and it's also walking distance from the Broadway light rail station. 
  • 4 Buenos Aires Pizzeria, 1319 22nd St, ☏ +1 303 296-6710. An Argentinean-style pizza joint with unusual topping choices and plenty of $2 empanada (small savory turnovers) offerings. 
  • 5 Cherry Cricket, 2641 E 2nd Ave, ☏ +1 303 322-7666. Once featured on the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food," the Cherry Cricket is known for having a massive variety of toppings to put on your burger, including such oddities as melted peanut butter, fried eggs, and cream cheese. 
  • 6 Denver Diner, 740 W Colfax Ave, ☏ +1 303 825-5443. 24 hours daily. In an otherwise deserted stretch of an otherwise hoppin' Colfax, this is pretty much everything you would want of an iconic urban diner—the sort that achieved just the right balance of neon, grime, tattoos, and cheap greasy food, with an ample dose of authenticity. And crucially, it is open around the clock to feed the morning downtown crowd and the late night intoxicated revelers $3.50-9. 
  • 7 Illegal Pete's, 1530 16th St #101, ☏ +1 303 623-2169. A local favorite hangout with great, cheap burritos! Its patio is located directly on the 16th St Mall, making it a great place to people watch. 
  • 8 Jerusalem, 1890 E Evans Ave, ☏ +1 303 777-8828. Open until 3AM, and within walking distance of the University of Denver, this small but excellent Middle Eastern restaurant offers great no-frills food in a laid-back and hip atmosphere. 
  • Far East Center, Federal Blvd (between Alameda and Mississippi). Several southeast Asian restaurants located in this area offer a wide variety of pho, noodle houses, upscale Vietnamese, dim sum and other Asian cuisines. Pho 95, Pho Duy, Super Star Asian and Saigon Bowl are a few of the places to try in this diverse and delicious culinary corridor. 
  • 9 Leela European Cafe, 820 15th St, ☏ +1 303 534-2255. Leela's is a combination bar/coffeehouse/cafe which is a favorite among the college crowd. There's good Italian coffee, great music (live on some nights), and great panini sandwiches. Leela's is open 24 hours as well, and free wireless internet is available, so you can be productive (or not) while waiting for your friends to arrive. 
  • 10 Pete's Kitchen, 1962 E Colfax Ave, ☏ +1 303 321-3139. This combination Greek restaurant and short-order diner is open 24 hours a day and has a great Greek salad and French toast. It's a favorite of local celebrities as well. 
  • 11 Sam's No. 3, 1500 Curtis St, ☏ +1 303 534-1927. Just a block off the 16th Street Mall and across the street from the Denver Center of Performing Arts Complex, this family-owned restaurant has been feeding Denver and its visitors since 1927. Featured on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives for their Famous Kickin' Pork Green Chili, it's not a spot to be missed. 
  • 12 El Taco de Mexico, 714 Santa Fe Dr, ☏ +1 303 623-3926. This small Mexican lunch-counter offers many delicious food choices for the adventurous palate. 
  • 13 Taqueria Patzcuaro, 2616 W 32nd Ave, ☏ +1 303 455-4389. This neighborhood favorite has the most amazing tacos and green chili. 
  • 14 Two-Fisted Mario's Pizza, 1626 Market St, ☏ +1 303 623-3523. Two-Fisted Mario's has excellent East-coast style pizza on the cheap ($2 a slice, and it's a big slice), and is open until 3AM, so you can grab a pie after drinking microbrews into the wee hours of the morning. 

Mid-range

  • 15 Azucar Bakery, 1886 S Broadway, ☏ +1 720-283-3294. 10AM-7PM. Café, dessert restaurant and bakery. Sit-down area with LavAzza coffee, fruit smoothies, pastries, Inca Kola, tarts, cookies, cupcakes, ice cream. 
  • 16 D Bar Desserts, 494 E 19th Ave (opening summer 2014), ☏ +1 303 861-4710. Dessert is the main course at d Bar, especially with celebrity chef Keegan Gerhard making the delectable desserts. The menu does includes savory items as well as Allegro Coffee to go with your sweets. 
  • 17 Empress Seafood, 2825 W Alameda Ave, ☏ +1 303 922-2822. Empress has long been the queen of dim-sum and affordable yet flavorful seafood selections from all over Asia. 
  • 18 Imperial Chinese, 431 S Broadway, ☏ +1 303 698-2800. Simply put, the Imperial is Denver's premier Chinese restaurant and has been for the over 20 years its been in existence. Dinner entrées range from $10-$30, with all but the Peking Duck and various specials under $22. 
  • 19 Jack n Grill, 2524 Federal Blvd, ☏ +1 303 964-9544. Excellent New Mexico-style food with heaping portions usually soaked in your choice of a green or red chili or for the indecisive, both. 
  • 20 New Saigon, 630 S Federal Blvd, ☏ +1 303 936-4954. Denver is home to a sizable Southeast Asian population that shows off its unique culinary talents at this great Vietnamese community institution. 
  • 21 Racine's, 650 Sherman St, ☏ +1 303 595-0418. THE restaurant for both Denver's power brokers and proletariats with its simple yet elegant American menu and casual yet sophisticated decor. 
  • 22 Snooze, 2262 Larimer St, ☏ +1 303 297-0700. M-F 6:30AM-2:30PM, Sa-Su 7AM-2:30PM. Inventive, trendy (and really good) breakfast is the show-stopper at the east edge of LoDo, and you can expect the place to get extremely crowded on weekends. The thick, rich hot chocolate is definitely worth ordering. $8-20. 

Splurge

  • 23 TAG, 1441 Larimer St, ☏ +1 303 996-9985. Continental food, house-made tonic for drinks. 
  • 24 1515 Restaurant, 1515 Market St, ☏ +1 303 571-0011. Fine dining. Reservations are recommended. 
  • 25 The 9th Door, 1808 Blake St, ☏ +1 303 293-2111. Spanish tapas and wine, desserts and atmosphere. 
  • 26 Barolo Grill, 3030 E 6th Ave, ☏ +1 303 393-1040. Decadent Italian. 
  • 27 The Black Pearl, 1529 S Pearl St, ☏ +1 303 777-0500. 
  • 28 Buckhorn Exchange, 1000 Osage St (next to the Lincoln Park light rail stop), ☏ +1 303 534-9505. Lunch: M-F 11AM-2PM; dinner: M-Th 5:30PM-9PM, F-Sa 5PM-10PM, Su 5PM-9PM. Denver's oldest restaurant, from 1893, played host to famous guest after famous guest, arguably starting with one President Teddy Roosevelt in 1905. Without a doubt, this is as touristy as it gets, but it is nonetheless absolutely worth a visit. Famous for its game meat, both prosaic and rare, the buffalo tenderloin is exceptional, but more adventurous palates can go after the rattlesnake dip, alligator tail, ostrich medallions, or even yak steak! (Call ahead to check ostrich and yak availability.) The place is saturated in Old West kitsch, aging wood, and animal heads, and Th-Sa nights Roz Brown stops by to croon old cowboy tunes accompanied by his autoharp. $25-60. 
  • 29 Venice Ristorante, 1700 Wynkoop St. Amazing, authentic Italian. Very expensive. Very romantic. Very good. Reservations highly recommended. 
  • 30 Vesta Dipping Grill, 1822 Blake St, ☏ +1 303 296-1970. Each menu item at this hip LoDo restaurant comes with your choice of three dipping sauces for a unique and interactive meal. 
  • 31 Zengo Restaurant, 1610 Little Raven St, ☏ +1 720 904-0965. Fusion dining in a trendy establishment. 

Drink

Colorado produces more beer by volume than any other state and Denver ranks first for US cities. In fact, Colorado Governor (and former Denver mayor) John Hickenlooper was a microbrewer before running for office. Notable breweries in Denver and environs include:

One should keep in mind that the effects of alcohol are magnified at higher elevations, so people may find themselves inebriated more quickly and with greater effect than they would at lower altitudes. Moderation is probably a good idea until you understand your body's reaction to alcohol and can acclimatize to its effects at higher elevations.

That said, the following are some of the best bar-hopping locales in the city:

Bars in Lower Downtown (LoDo)

LoDo is the name Colorado locals have given the Lower Downtown district of Denver. It's a great place for meals, entertainment, and nightlife, where restored Victorian buildings now house more than 90 sports bars, brew pubs, jazz clubs, and restaurants.

  • 1 The Cruise Room, 1659 Waze St, ☏ +1 303 825-1107. 1930s Art Deco martini bar inside the Oxford Hotel. Best martinis in Denver! You can also order fresh seafood from McCormick's Fish House. 
  • 2 Double Daughter's Salotto, 1632 Market St, ☏ +1 303 623-3505. A modern and slightly goth bar for all the cool kids to hang out. The bar features some of the oddest and best ambiance in the city and is connected to Two Fisted Mario's, a pizza place that is open late so you can grab some grub after the bars close. 
  • 3 Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St, ☏ +1 303 293-8338. 11AM-2AM daily. The Falling Rock is a beer snob's dream, with over 70 excellent beers on tap. The selection changes from week to week, too, keeping the locals entertained and tipsy off of fine Belgians and microbrews. It gets crowded after Rockies games, but during the off season, it's a great place to escape from the cold and warm up with a well-poured Belgian trippel. For that matter, it's a good place on an average night to "escape LoDo" and have a beer in a place where you'll be able to have a good conversation without shouting. 
  • 4 My Brother's Bar (Brother's), 2376 15th St, ☏ +1 303 455-9991. 11AM-2AM daily. Brother's is the oldest still-operating bar in Denver, steeped in the history of the Beat movement; Jack Kerouac was a regular here during his years in Denver. Massive selection of premium choices and a fantastic single-malt scotch selection. Classical music plays, but don't expect to hear it on a really busy night. Good food, making this a great casual lunch option, including the JCB: a cheeseburger featuring Jalapeno Cream Cheese. There's no sign on the bar so don't look for one, but it's right on the southeast corner of 15th and Platte streets. This is where the locals go and regulars abound. Food: $4-10. 
  • 5 Nallen's Irish Pub, 1429 Market St, ☏ +1 303 572-0667. A little piece of the Old Country in Denver, Nallen's has great nightly drink specials and a Tuesday night pub quiz. 
  • 6 Wynkoop Brewery, 1634 18th St, ☏ +1 303 297-2700. Fresh brews, billiard tables, and excellent food. Banquets and private parties. Historically significant architecture. 

Bars in Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is the neighborhood directly east and south of the Colorado State Capitol, located on Colfax Avenue and Grant Street. It has long held as place for young people, sub-cultures and the gay and lesbian community. Currently, it rivals LoDo as the place to party, no matter what your scene is.

  • 7 Charlie Brown's Bar & Grill, 980 Grant St, ☏ +1 303 860-1655. Charlie Brown's in another Beat-era hangout located at a hotel where Ginsburg and the gang used to stay. Has great happy-hours, a mostly local crowd, good food, and an agile piano player belting out tunes while you drink. 
  • 8 The Church, 1160 Lincoln St, ☏ +1 303 832-2383. Part of the "SoCo" (South of Colfax) club district, the Church is one of the most popular dance clubs in the city, and as its name suggests, is housed in a former Episcopalian church. That however, does not prevent hundreds if not thousands of people from descending on the dance floor every night to shake what God has given them. 
  • 9 City O City, 206 E 13th Ave. You will find a changing handful of unusual brews on tap. Grab a blueberry muffin or the vegan buffalo wings (which are excellent - and you can eat them without having to worry about a bone!) and people watch. 
  • 10 Funky Buddha Lounge, 776 Lincoln St, ☏ +1 303 832-5075. Lounge with 2 floors each with its own bar and dance space. Good vibe for hanging out or grooving. Walls display artwork by local artists. Various DJs who play good music outside your mundane top40 list. Funk, old-school hiphop, dubstep, house. A frequent hangout for breakdancers on Thursdays. 
  • 11 Govnr's Park Tavern, 672 Logan St, ☏ +1 303 831-8605. Practically the after work bar for all of the state workers and lobbyists at the capitol, this comfortable place has great happy-hour specials and tasty food. 

Bars on Colfax

Colfax Avenue, described by Playboy Magazine as the "longest, wickedest, street in America," stretches 26 miles through Denver and its suburbs. Colfax has long had a "gritty" reputation for being home to prostitution and drug peddlers. However, through much urban development work, Colfax has shed its past and emerged hipper, cleaner and more popular than ever. The many bars, restaurants and nightspots along the street give it a 24/7 ambience.

  • 12 The Irish Snug, 1201 E Colfax Ave # 100, ☏ +1 303 839-1394. The Snug (to the locals) is the best place in Denver to down a pint of Guinness with your mates. Excellent fish and chips will fill you up (if the Guinness doesn't first). 
  • 13 Mezcal, 3230 E Colfax Ave, ☏ +1 303 322-5219. Mezcal is a hip Mexican-themed bar/restaurant serveing excellent and cheap Mexican food along with its plentiful selection of great drinks, particularly tequilas. 
  • 14 Sancho's Broken Arrow, 741 E Colfax Ave, ☏ +1 303 832-5288. One of the four Don Quixote themed bars in Denver, Sancho's is the best place in Denver to relive your old days with its Grateful Dead come alive decor and live rock and roll every Monday. 
  • 15 Squire Lounge, 1800 E Colfax Ave, ☏ +1 303 333-9106. M-F noon-2PM, Sa noon-late. This is a serious dive bar, complete with nasty bathrooms, unkempt floors, characters, a couple pool tables, and a jukebox. And cheap late night drinks accompanied by some seriously plastered clientèle. Clearly not for everyone, but it has its place. If you are up for a real wild ride, order The Beaver, a huge pitcher of impromptu God-only-knows-what, usually less than $10. 
  • 16 Streets of London Pub, 1501 E Colfax Ave, ☏ +1 303 861-9103. The closest thing to England you can get without a 10 hour flight, Streets of London has an abundant selection of ales, draughts and other favorites. 

Bars elsewhere in Denver

  • 17 Lowry Beer Garden, 7577 East Academy Blvd, ☏ +1 303 366-0114. Summer hours: 11AM-12AM. New in the Lowry neighborhood, this beer garden is in between two of the old airplane hangars that made up Lowry Air Force Base. The Garden offers a thoughtful draft and bottled beer selection with a focus on Colorado and handcrafted brews. The Lowry Beer Garden also serves up your favorite casual fare with locally-made gourmet brats & sausages, freshly-baked pretzels, house-ground burgers, hand-cut fries and chef-created salads. 

Coffee

  • Pablo's Coffee. Sw corner of 6th and Washington. Fresh roasted coffee roasted in the store, excellent barristas and a nice patio, no wi-fi so the number of student "campers" is a minimum, a great place for people looking for a great cup of coffee. 
  • Hooked on Colfax, 3213 E Colfax. A few blocks south of City Park. Wifi-friendly coffeeshop with great local coffee offerings, as well as a small selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Offers delicious home-baked pastries and quiches, with gluten-free and vegan options. 
  • The Market, Larimer Square. THE place for coffee shop people watching in Denver. Outstanding pastries, hot from the oven every day at 6:30AM. Also a great full service deli. Wifi/Laptop friendly. 
  • St. Mark's, 2019 E 17th Ave (20 blocks east of Broadway). Quintessential coffeehouse ambience. House made pastries. Lovely neighborhood block with a nice collection of restaurants. 
  • Fluid (19th and Pennsylvania). Modern. Gourmets: order an Artisan coffee made with the Clover machine. Light pre-packaged eats available. Wifi/Laptop friendly. 
  • Daz Bog (9th and Downing). Formerly Diedrich's. Lovely tree lined street. Nice selection of pastries and light bites. Significant portion of patrons are gay. Wifi/Laptop friendly. 
  • Common Grounds Downtown (17th and Wazee). An old mainstay in Denver. Between Union Station and Market Street RTD station. Wifi/Laptop friendly. 
  • Metropolis. 11th and Cherokee and 17th and Champa. Modern. Wifi/Laptop friendly. 
  • Stella's Coffeehaus, 1476 S Pearl. Large wifi-friendly coffeeshop with a warm, open feel. Popular among students studying during the day, louder and livelier at night. 
  • Bardo, 228 S Broadway. Great laid-back atmosphere, vintage couches in back, tables in front, booths in the middle. Serves locally-roasted coffee, pastries and teas. Good study spot, or just to meet with friends. Wifi-equipped. 
  • Drip, 955 Lincoln St. #G. Upscale atmosphere with friendly staff and reasonable prices. Serving locally-roasted coffee, teas, sandwiches and pastries. Good spot for studying, business meetings, or just to meet with friends. Wifi-equipped, and there's a loft upstairs. 
  • The Gypsy House, 1279 Marion St, ☏ +1 303 830-1112, . Mon - Thu: 7AM - 11PM Fri: 7AM - 12AM Sat: 8AM - 12AM Sun: 8:30AM - 11PM. Located in the little red building on 13th and Marion, this cozy coffee and tea nook on the corner has beans, sandwiches and frequent live performances by an eclectic array of artists. Gypsy House is also a hookah bar. 

Music venues

Nightclubs

Denver is the heart of Colorado's nightlife. For a city its size, Denver does not disappoint.

  • Beta, 1909 Blake St. Located right in Downtown, Beta is one of Denver's most popular nightclubs, with a friendly clientele of all ages and sexual orientations. 
  • Grizzly Rose, 5450 North Valley Highway. A must for a true western experience. The Grizzly Rose is a huge saloon with line-dancing, live music, and even a mechanical bull. A popular draw for people living outside the city. 
  • Charlie's, 900 E Colfax Ave, ☏ +1 303 839-8890. Charlie's is simultaneously a gay bar and cultural landmark catering to the old west spirit and/or disco diva in all of us. Charlie's has a friendly clientele, a mix of country, pop, and dance music, and inexpensive drinks. 
  • Tracks, 3500 Walnut St. Denver's main gay nightclub, Tracks is big, friendly, and very fun. Go there Thursday for 18+ nights, or check out the monthly lesbian party First Fridays. 

Sleep

Budget

  • 1 11th Avenue Hotel and Hostel, 1112 Broadway (at 11th Ave), ☏ +1 303 894-0529. Dorms $20-$24, privates $44+. 
  • 2 Melbourne International Hotel & Hostel, 607 22nd St, ☏ +1 303 292-6386, . A hostel whose only real selling point is its price. It's in a gritty part of town and doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside it's decent and well protected. Private rooms and dorms available. Very close to downtown, just two blocks away from a light rail station. Dorms $16/$19.25, singles $28.50/$34, doubles $39/$44.50, doubles with two beds $43.50/$52. Hostel members, students with ID, and seniors 55+ receive the discount rate, everyone else pays the regular rate. 
  • 3 Ramada Denver Midtown, 2601 Zuni St (across I-25 from downtown), ☏ +1 303 433-6677, fax: +1 303 455-1530. 
  • 4 Hostel Fish, 1217 20th St, ☏ +1 303 954-0962, . New upscale hostel that opened in July 2015 in a historic building in downtown Denver that occupies top 2 floors of the building and a restaurant and bar on the ground floor of the historic building. The 2 story hostel has 67 dorm beds and 2 private rooms available with free continental breakfast, free wi-fi, guest lounge, bar and kitchen. $45-48 dorms, $150-200 private rooms. (updated Jul 2015)

Mid-range

Splurge

Stay safe

Denver is quite safe for a city its size. Use common sense when traveling, particularly in downtown and some of the other inner-city neighborhoods. Denver does have a visible population of people experiencing homelessness, but the city has strict laws about accosting for money. In general, panhandlers don't harm anyone. Downtown has a fairly active 24/7 population, especially in LoDo, so it's generally safe.

Still, it may be a good idea not to travel alone at night in some of the neighborhoods surrounding downtown. Although the inner-city neighborhoods are not as bad as those in some other cities, they have higher rates of crime than the rest of the city. The rest of Denver is safe, though.

Emergencies

Like the rest of the United States, the emergency number in Denver is 911. This will connect you to the local emergency services (police, medical, and fire). If you need to report a crime to the police, such as a burglary (not in progress), minor assault (no injuries and not in progress), car theft, etc. Dial +1 720 913-2000 and request for police assistance.

The Denver Police is the main police force for the Denver Metro area. Most police officers are polite and trustworthy individuals, so if you need assistance, approaching a police officer is a good idea.

Altitude sickness

Mile High Marker on the State Capitol building

Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness is an ailment that potentially anyone can have when they visit areas with higher altitudes than they are used to, due to decreases in barometric pressure (though not oxygen content). Denver is called the Mile High City for a reason—at an altitude of a mile above sea level, one can start to experience some of the effects of altitude sickness though generally this condition becomes more pronounced at elevations around 8000 ft (2500 m) and above. Some normal changes may occur when people travel to higher altitudes that are not altitude sickness. These include the following:

  • Hyperventilation (breathing faster and/or deeper than normal)
  • Shortness of breath after exertion
  • Changes in nightly breathing
  • Awaking at night
  • Increased urination

The above are generally nothing to worry about, though problems with breathing may be helped by a drug called acetazolamide. If you think you may have problems, get advice from your doctor before traveling to Denver.

Some people get Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which can be serious, at the higher elevations you will experience if you are touring through the Rocky Mountains. A diagnosis of AMS is usually given if a person has a headache accompanied by one of more of the following symptoms:

  • Loss of appetite, vomiting and/or nausea
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Dizziness or light-headedness
  • Insomnia, difficulty sleeping

Some people liken AMS to a bad hangover or worse. It occurs because your brain tissue swells at higher elevations than it is used to. If you are feeling unwell at high altitudes, assume that you are suffering from AMS unless there is another logical explanation that would be accompanied by other symptoms (food poisoning or a viral infection).

To avoid AMS, try to get to a lower elevation until your symptoms subside, drink lots of fluid to avoid dehydration, and avoid traveling at high rates of ascent. If the symptoms continue or worsen, travel to a lower altitude. AMS can turn into High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), a potentially fatal condition where the brain swells so much that it ceases to function properly. Symptoms of HACE include confusion, inability to think clearly, lethargy, ataxia (walking staggerdly, as if one was drunk), and changes in behavior. The person may not recognize having HACE, but if you any of you experiences any of these symptoms (especially ataxia), immediately make sure the person is taken to lower elevations for medical treatment.

Another very serious condition, called High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) causes fluid in the lungs. If someone suffers chest tightness, congestion, gurgling breaths, blue or gray fingers or lips, cough producing frothy or pink liquid, and difficulty breathing even at rest, they should be taken to a lower elevation and receive medical treatment immediately.

Although not particularly common, keep in mind that these illnesses are possible and that anyone is susceptible to them, even if you have traveled to high elevations before.

Another medical concern at higher elevations, particularly those in Colorado and Denver, is sunburn and skin cancer. The higher elevation means that there is less atmosphere protecting the skin from harmful solar radiation. This is especially true in Colorado, with both dry air that saps the skin of protective moisture and with the beautifully sunny days we have in the state.

Colorado actually has the highest rate of skin cancer in the country, so it is always a good idea to wear a lot of high SPF sun-screen, hats, long sleeve shirts and pants. Don't think that you are protected from the sun in the winter either. The sun's rays can actually be reflected by the snow on the ground, still causing skin damage, so when in Colorado, do as the locals do, and wear sunscreen on any exposed skin surface at any time of the year.

Connect

Wireless internet

  • 16th Street Mall. Free Wifi along the pedestrian 16th Street Mall in the heart of Downtown. 
  • Cherry Creek North. Entire area has free WiFi provided by the Cherry Creek North Business District. 
  • Common Grounds, 3484 W 32nd Ave or 1601 17th St, ☏ +1 303 458-5248, +1 303 296-9248. Both locations in the West Highlands and LoDo neighborhoods respectively, offer wireless Internet as well as a wide selection of coffee and coffeehouse food. The LoDo location also offers pay internet terminals. 
  • Peaberry Coffee. Multiple locations. Free WiFi, but you have to ask the barrista for username and password. 
  • Paris on the Platte, 1553 Platte St, ☏ +1 303 455-2451. A funky little coffee shop down in LoDo. Good food, good art, great coffee. Free WiFi and even tables where you can plug in for power and even ethernet for those that lack wireless. 
  • Panera Bread, multiple locations. Free Wifi at most if not all locations. 
  • Starbucks, many locations. free wifi at participating places (updated Jun 2015)

Consulates

Go next

Winter sports

For skiiers and snowboarders, winter is the best time to visit Denver. Hordes of people fly into Denver International Airport each season on their way up to the ski capitals of Summit and Eagle counties, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Loveland Basin, Arapahoe Basin, and Breckenridge, Winter Park; a little further away are Steamboat, and Aspen. You can find information on resort shuttles at the desks in DIA's main terminal.

There are many ski resorts about 1 1/2–2 hours west of Denver along I-70, but weekend traffic to them can be very slow, especially in inclement weather. Steer clear of the crowds by skiing during the week or planning your trip outside the busy season (Thanksgiving to New Year's). There are also plenty of mountain trails for snowshoers and cross-country skiers, which are generally free. You can also take the RTD Ski-n-Ride service from Boulder to Eldora Ski Resort west of Boulder, which is the only resort with scheduled bus service.

Year-round destinations

  • Red Rocks Amphitheatre. In Morrison, Colorado on the western edge of Denver, this is a gorgeous outdoor concert venue set in a red sandstone paradise. There's a great view of Denver below. From Igor Stravinsky's North American debut of his 'Rite of Spring' at the park's opening in the '40s to the Jethro Tull, Grateful Dead and Phish riots of the '70s, '80s and '90s, Red Rocks's history is quirky and storied. It was also a stop on The Beatles famous British Invasion tour of America. But if you pay and visit Red Rocks only during a concert, you're seriously cheating yourself. Check out the Rock and Roll Museum at the top of Red Rocks, eat in the restaurant, hike the red sandstone and scrub oak trails for their scenic beauty and wildlife. It is illegal, however, to climb on the rocks themselves. If you can't bear to leave after the show, book a room or stay in a campground next to the amphitheater.
  • Travelers in Colorado often use Denver as a home base for forays into the neighboring mountains, to places like Rocky Mountain National Park.
  • Boulder is a laid-back university town about 25 minutes northwest of Denver. Snow-capped mountains can be seen for miles from the town.
  • Winery tours - Visit a Front Range or mountain winery, or even the vineyards themselves in Colorado's Wine Country. Various Wine Trails have been organized by the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board, a promotional entity funded by the state. The Wine Trails can be driven or biked.
Routes through Denver
Salt Lake City ← Granby ←  W  E  → Fort Morgan → Omaha
Fort Collins ← Thornton ←  N  S  → Centennial → Colorado Springs
Grand Junction ← Arvada ←  W  E  → Aurora → Hays
END ←  W  E  → Brighton → Big Springs
Grand Junction ← Lakewood ←  W  E  → Brighton → Sterling
Rocky Mountain N.P. ← Westminster ←  W  E  → Aurora → St. Joseph
Steamboat Springs ← Lakewood ←  W  E  → Aurora → Limon
Greeley ← Brighton ←  N  S  → Englewood → Colorado Springs
Fort Collins ← Longmont ←  N  E  → Aurora → Limon


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