A guide to planning your trip to Denver, including key facts, itinerary ideas, an interactive map, and links to destination guides.
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 numerous opportunities for hiking, whitewater rafting, skiing, and much more!
Inspiration
What made me choose Denver? I was interested in traveling Labor Day Weekend (2024), so I was looking for a domestic destination that was easy to explore in 3 to 4 days. Having heard positive things about Denver’s attractions, art scene, and fun, relaxed atmosphere, I figured this was a great time to check out the city. Plus, it’s a short drive from Rocky Mountain National Park, and I was really missing the mountains!
Travel Style
My journey to Denver was a solo adventure, and it included a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Not wanting to rush my time in Denver, I decided to make the trip 4 days instead of 3. This allowed for 3 days in the city and 1 day in the mountains. While in Denver, I either walked or took an Uber to get around, which I found to be less expensive than renting a car.
My Itinerary in Denver
Thursday: I arrived in Denver late in the evening, so I decided to take an Uber instead of the train to my hotel in downtown Denver.
Friday: This morning, I participated in a tour of the Colorado State Capitol and later visited the Wings Over the Rockies museum. That evening, I attended a concert at the Mission Ballroom to see one of my favorite musicians, Gregory Alan Isakov (indie-folk-rock).
Saturday: This was a jam-packed day with a lot of walking! I started by exploring the Historic Home of Molly Brown and then meandered through the gardens near the Colorado State Capitol. That afternoon, I visited the Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Sunday: Today, I participated in a day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park with Explorer Tours.
Monday: On my final day, I visited the History Colorado Center and the Denver Art Museum. Later in the afternoon, I had fun exploring downtown, checking out Union Station and Larimer Square (the oldest block in Denver), and walking around to find some of the famous outdoor sculptures.
Excited about Denver and ready to book a trip? Explore these destination guides, which provide information on what to expect, admission discounts, accessibility details, and more. ⬇️
General Information
Lodging Guide
Dining Guide
Denver CityPASS
Sites
Wings Over the Rockies
History Colorado Center
Denver Art Museum
Museum of Nature & Science
Colorado State Capitol
Historic Home of Molly Brown
(Titanic survivor, activist, and philanthropist)
Denver Botanic Gardens
The Mission Ballroom
Denver Interactive Travel Map
Fellow adventurers, here is a great map to help you plan your trip to Denver! I created this map while planning my own trip and added the restaurants I visited afterward.
Explore this travel guide to discover how to create your own My Maps for your next trip.
Click on each icon to get more information, such as address, phone number, and website, for each site. You can also select the option to view the site in Google Maps.
| Green ~ Museums | Burgundy ~ Sculptures | Orange ~ Restaurants |
| Navy Blue ~ Historical Sites | Light Blue – Gardens | Gray ~ Hotel |
Denver Key Facts
Language: In Denver, English is the primary 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 widely accepted in most places, and ATMs are available at the airport and throughout the city.
Transportation: As Denver is a large city, travelers will need to rely on public transit or ride-sharing services to reach most destinations. I initially planned to take the bus to save money, but I settled on Uber because it was quicker and more efficient. I used Uber 13 times during the trip and found the service reliable in Denver. Of course, travelers can rent a car, but keep in mind that some hotels charge a high parking fee, plus parking is limited in the downtown area and at some sites.
Weather: Denver’s weather can range from very hot to very cold. In the summers, Denver can get relatively warm, while winters can be harsh with snow. I visited Denver from August 30th through September 2nd, and it was hot (90s F)! The positive is that there is little to no humidity in Denver. It is important to note that at Denver’s high altitude, the air is thinner, making you more susceptible to sunburns. As for the mountains, spring and fall offer the best weather, summers tend to be warm, and winter brings a good chance of snow.
Safety: Now to an important topic everyone has in mind – safety. Is Denver a safe city? Recent news reports have highlighted rising crime rates in Denver, but most incidents don’t affect visitors. As with any major city, the key is to keep standard safety best practices in mind. During my 3 days in Denver as a solo female traveler, whether exploring by foot or attending an evening concert, I never felt unsafe or threatened.
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