I am on a mission to visit all 50 states, and Colorado was #20. This was more or less a spontaneous trip that I planned for Labor Day Weekend, just a quick getaway to explore a new place and visit the mountains (the mountains are my happy place). I chose Colorado as I had never been to any of the mountain states, and the Rocky Mountain National Park was on my bucket list.
Denver, nicknamed the Mile High City, is home to a vibrant cultural scene, beautiful parks, and award-winning restaurants and breweries. For sports fans, the city has six professional teams and several local leagues. And, of course, one cannot forget that Denver is near the mountains, which offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, whitewater rafting, skiing, and so much more!
My time in Denver was a solo adventure, but I did participate in a guided day tour to the Rocky Mountain National Park via Explorer Tours. I felt a guided tour was best for this national park as I have no experience driving in the mountains!
With careful planning, I managed to visit a handful of sites and explore downtown Denver during my 3-day visit. (The trip was 4 days – 3 in Denver and 1 in Rocky Mountain National Park.)
These are the places I visited….
- Museums ~ Wings Over the Rockies, History Colorado Center, Denver Art Museum, & Museum of Nature & Science
- Colorado State Capitol Building
- Historic Home of Molly Brown (Titanic survivor, activist, and philanthropist)
- Botanic Gardens
Around downtown, I explored Union Station, walked through the historic Larimer Square, and meandered through the streets admiring various historic buildings and sculptures.
One fun experience while in Denver was attending a concert at The Mission Ballroom to watch Gregory Alan Isakov, an indie and folk rock musician. The Mission Ballroom is an amazing venue and one I highly recommend!
While Denver was great, the day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park was definitely the highlight of my adventures in Colorado! The tour stopped at several overlooks, provided time for a few short strolls, and, best of all, included a picnic lunch by Spraught Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely magnificent and should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Interested in visiting Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park?
Check out my posts about the various sites you can explore in Denver, along with information on lodging and food. Each post is written to guide you in your trip planning, providing notes on what to expect, letting you know about admission discounts, sharing accessibility information, and much more!
You will also find a post about Explorer Tours and the tours they offer to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Interactive Travel Map
This is a map of my adventures in Denver! I created this map to help me develop my trip itinerary.
Fellow adventurers can use this map as a guide when planning your trip to Denver. Click on each icon to get more information on the location, such as address, phone number, and website. You can also select the option to view the site in Google Maps.
Transportation
Denver is a large city, and one needs to rely on public transportation or ride-share services to get to most places. I had initially planned on taking the bus as a way to save money but settled on Uber since it was quicker and more efficient. I used Uber 13 times throughout the trip and found the service to be reliable in Denver. Of course, travelers have the option of renting a car but keep in mind that some hotels charge a high fee for parking, plus parking is limited in the downtown area and at some sites.
Safety
Now to an important topic everyone has in mind – safety. Is Denver a safe city? I know this is a hot topic because there have been recent news reports of high crime in Denver, mostly related to the large homeless and migrant population. In my honest opinion, and remembering that I had visited Denver as a solo female traveler, I felt that Denver was safe. Yes, there were parts of downtown that were a bit sketchy, and yes, I did run into groups of homeless individuals, but I never felt unsafe or threatened. Don’t let news reports deter you from visiting Denver – just follow standard safety practices and be mindful of your surroundings!
Language: In Denver, English is the main language, but many Uber drivers speak little to no English. Be mindful of this fact if an Uber driver has trouble understanding you or is not very talkative.
Currency: The US Dollar. For foreign visitors, credit cards are accepted in most places, and there are a handful of ATMs around the city.
Weather: I visited Denver from August 30th through September 2nd, and it was hot. Coming from Florida, where summer temperatures have been in the 90s (F) with high humidity, I hoped for cooler weather in Colorado. Alas, that was not the case! The positive is that humidity was very low in Denver. It was a little cooler and breezier at Rocky Mountain National Park, but still considerably warm.
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