What to Know

With a stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop and 300 days of sunshine a year, the Mile High City is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. A gateway to top ski resorts and Rocky Mountain recreation, popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding and rock climbing.

Denver is also heaven for sports fans, with eight professional teams including the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche. Coincidentally, Denver also brews more beer than any other U.S. city. Eighty beers are brewed in the Denver area, and tours are offered at many breweries, including the big boys Coors and Anheuser-Busch.

You don’t have to be a sports fan or outdoor enthusiast to fall in love with this diverse city. A thriving arts scene, top museums and some of the best shopping between St. Louis and San Francisco give depth to Denver’s offerings. Cosmopolitan downtown Denver also features unique neighborhoods that blend Victorian architecture with cutting-edge galleries, trendy nightlife and gorgeous mountain views around every corner.

Where to Go

Start at downtown’s four-block Civic Center Park, where the Colorado State Capitol is surrounded by formal gardens and a Greek amphitheater. After strolling the lovely gardens, explore the Denver Art Museum, relive the Wild West at the Colorado History Museum or tour the U.S. Mint.

Historic, hip LoDo (Lower Downtown) is home to both Coors Field and charming Larimer Square. Scattered with stately Victorian buildings, Denver’s oldest city block is also the site of some of the city’s trendiest dining, shopping and nightlife. LoDo is packed with historic warehouses-turned-galleries, restaurants and brew pubs. Be sure and stop by the Wynkoop Brewing Company for a pint at Denver’s first and one of America’s biggest brew pubs.

LoDo is also where the grand Union Station is located. For outdoor adventure and breathtaking scenery, hop on the Ski Train. The dramatic two-and-a-half-hour train ride winds through the rugged Rockies and dozens of tunnels to popular Winter Park where you can ski, hike or bike, depending on the season.

Serious shoppers will want to head to lovely Cherry Creek North, while gallery-hoppers should explore the Santa Fe Arts District. Music lovers can’t miss the Red Rocks Amphitheater. Located fifteen-miles west of Denver, the 9,000-seat arena carved out of enormous boulders is one of the world’s most famous concert venues.

When to Go

Summer is the most popular time to visit, but spring and fall offer lower rates and fewer crowds-along with somewhat unpredictable weather. If you’re planning on warm-weather mountain adventure, be aware that mountain snows usually don’t melt until June. Spring is a good time for white-water rafting, and both spring and fall are prime times for fishing.

Denver boasts several unique annual events throughout the year. In January, the National Western Stock Show offers more than two weeks of Western-style fun, including rodeos, Wild West shows and more. In May, Civic Center Park is the site of one of the country’s largest Cinco de Mayo festivals. In June, Denver celebrates African-American history and culture in a week-long Juneteenth festival with food, entertainment and a parade. July 4th weekend features the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, with arts, crafts, music and performance art. Finally, beer lovers may want to visit in October for the city’s Great American Beer Festival.