Denver in 7 days

The Mile High City: craft beer, sunshine and the Rocky Mountains on the doorstep. Best time to visit: April-May and September-October. Average daily budget: $140 to $260 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: LoDo (Lower Downtown), Historic redbrick warehouses, Union Station, Coors Field, breweries and the liveliest nightlife.

Morning: A concert or hike at Red Rocks. The stunning natural sandstone amphitheatre 30 minutes from town, catch a show or hike the trails by day.

Afternoon: Explore LoDo (Lower Downtown), Historic redbrick warehouses, Union Station, Coors Field, breweries and the liveliest nightlife.

Evening: Explore LoDo and Union Station. The beautifully restored rail hall, surrounded by breweries, bars and restaurants.

Eat: Green chile smothered over burritos

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: RiNo (River North Art District), Murals, galleries, craft breweries, distilleries and the coolest creative scene.

Morning: Brewery and distillery crawl in RiNo. Denver is a craft-beer capital, RiNo packs the densest, most creative concentration.

Afternoon: Explore RiNo (River North Art District), Murals, galleries, craft breweries, distilleries and the coolest creative scene.

Evening: Day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Alpine peaks, lakes and wildlife under two hours away via Estes Park, jaw-dropping in any season.

Eat: A Colorado craft beer flight

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Capitol Hill & City Park, The State Capitol, museums, the zoo and leafy streets with a local, bohemian feel.

Morning: Denver Art Museum & Civic Center. Striking architecture and strong collections, especially of Indigenous American art.

Afternoon: Explore Capitol Hill & City Park, The State Capitol, museums, the zoo and leafy streets with a local, bohemian feel.

Evening: Sunrise yoga or a film night at Red Rocks before the crowds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Rocky Mountain trout and bison

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Highlands (LoHi), Trendy hilltop neighbourhood with skyline views, patios and acclaimed restaurants.

Morning: The food halls of RiNo and the Source for a graze through local makers.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Highlands (LoHi), Trendy hilltop neighbourhood with skyline views, patios and acclaimed restaurants.

Evening: Tubing or a riverside beer along Confluence Park in summer.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Global street food at a RiNo food hall

Day 5, Day trip

Base: South Broadway (SoBo), Vintage shops, dive bars, live music and an offbeat, eclectic energy.

Morning: A scenic drive up Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans), one of the highest paved roads in North America.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore South Broadway (SoBo), Vintage shops, dive bars, live music and an offbeat, eclectic energy.

Evening: Dinner at Green chile smothered over burritos, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in South Broadway (SoBo).

Eat: Green chile smothered over burritos

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: LoDo (Lower Downtown), Historic redbrick warehouses, Union Station, Coors Field, breweries and the liveliest nightlife.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in LoDo (Lower Downtown), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore LoDo (Lower Downtown), Historic redbrick warehouses, Union Station, Coors Field, breweries and the liveliest nightlife.

Evening: Dinner at A Colorado craft beer flight, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in LoDo (Lower Downtown).

Eat: A Colorado craft beer flight

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: RiNo (River North Art District), Murals, galleries, craft breweries, distilleries and the coolest creative scene.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in RiNo (River North Art District), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore RiNo (River North Art District), Murals, galleries, craft breweries, distilleries and the coolest creative scene.

Evening: Dinner at Rocky Mountain trout and bison, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in RiNo (River North Art District).

Eat: Rocky Mountain trout and bison

Hidden gems

Sunrise yoga or a film night at Red Rocks before the crowds.
The food halls of RiNo and the Source for a graze through local makers.
Tubing or a riverside beer along Confluence Park in summer.
A scenic drive up Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans), one of the highest paved roads in North America.

Getting around

Downtown Denver, LoDo and RiNo are walkable and connected by the free MallRide shuttle and light rail, and the RTD train links the airport directly to Union Station. For Red Rocks, Rocky Mountain National Park and the ski resorts, a rental car (or organised tour/mountain shuttle) is the easiest option. Remember the mile-high altitude, hydrate and pace alcohol your first day or two.

Safety

Denver is generally safe for visitors in the main areas, with normal big-city caution advised downtown and along parts of Colfax Avenue at night. The biggest first-time issues are altitude (drink water, ease into alcohol and exertion) and fast-changing mountain weather, so check forecasts and pack layers for any excursion into the Rockies.

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