Denver

Understand

Denver sits in a broad valley where the High Plains meet the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 5280 feet (one mile or 1609.344 m), hence its nickname. In 2020, the City and County of Denver had a population of 715,522, while the 12-county Denver Metropolitan Area had a population of 3,623,560. Metropolitan Denver does have its growing pains. Urban sprawl has been a problem, with the metropolitan area sometimes growing faster than its infrastructure can handle, especially with public transportation. Denver is generally a driving city, and some problems with pollution and traffic are a part of everyday life. Extensive mass transportation and freeway expansion projects have been completed. Colorado is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-07) in the winter and on Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-06) in the summer. The 105th Meridian West, the reference for the Mountain time zone, passes directly through Denver Union Station.

Climate

Because it lies in the lee of the mountains, Denver has a milder climate than most surrounding areas. Denver residents enjoy a dry climate with abundant sunshine and 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. 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. Average summer temperatures peak around 89 °F (32 °C) for daytime highs and 62 °F (17 °C) for overnight lows. 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 temperatu

Getting there

See this Colorado travel map.

By plane

1 Denver International Airport (DEN IATA), 8500 Peña Boulevard, ☏ +1 303-342-2000, [email protected]. Locally known as "DIA", the airport is located 18 miles (29 km) east-northeast of the Colorado State Capitol and is one of the ten busiest airports in the world. The RTD commuter rail A line connects the airport to Denver Union Station in about 37 minutes. General aviation airports:

2 Centennial Airport (APA IATA), 7800 South Peoria Street, Centennial CO (off I-25), ☏ +1 303-790-0598. 3 Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC IATA), 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield CO (off US-36), ☏ +1 303-271-4850. Centennial and Rocky Mountain airports have relatively long runways to accommodate private jet traffic. Flight visibility in the Denver area is often excellent, although weather fronts can arrive suddenly. For small planes, any direction but west is a good choice.

By train

Denver is served by Amtrak via its daily California Zephyr service between Chicago and Emeryville, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Westbound trains depart at 8:05AM (for the best views of the Rocky Mountains), and eastbound trains depart at 7:10PM (for a restful night ride to Omaha.) However, as this is one of the longer train routes in the U.S., delays are quite common.

4 Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St, ☏ +1 833-391-0338. An extensive renovation has restored Union Station to its former glory. It now boasts an on-premise hotel, several restaurants and bars as well as plenty of seating for the tired traveller. Denver Union Station is often cited as the "poster boy" for the revival of train stations, train travel in general and the adjacent neighborhoods that can be observed in several North American and European cities. Union Station is also known for its iconic "travel by train" sign first put there in the 1950s when arrivals at Stapleton Airport started to outstrip traffic at Union Station. In addition to Amtrak trains, RTD commuter and light rail services also call at Union Station, providing easy access to many places in the Denver area if you arrive by train.

By highway

Denver is served by five Interstate Highway routes, seven U.S. Highway routes, and a toll road: 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

Getting around

Numbered avenues 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 also named avenues. Named streets run north-south. Broadway is the "meridian" street. Ordered alphabetically going up as you travel east or west away from the city center, though not alphabetical closer to the 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

Tolls Denver has a system of toll roads. There are two types, the Express Lanes and full toll roads. The Express Lanes take a lane on existing highways and are divided from regular traffic by double white lines. Crossing over these lines will be subject to a fine of up to $250 from 1st January 2025. Make sure to use the designated entry and exit zones if you choose to use them.

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 cost $1.00 per hour from 10PM until 8AM at the 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 Ball Arena, 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

See

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. F Sa 10AM-2PM. 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. The 19th-century building was moved 12 blocks to become a museum. Adults $17, seniors $15, youth 6-17/college ID/military ID $12, children 5 and under free. (updated Mar 2025) 2 Center for Colorado Women's History (Byers-Evans House Museum), 1310 Bannock St, ☏ +1 303-620-4933, [email protected]. M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM (guided tours at 10:30AM, 11:30AM, 12:30PM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM and 3:30PM). 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. Adult $7, senior (60+) $5, child (18 and under) free. (updated Mar 2025) 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, [email protected]. 9AM-4PM. This educational museum takes a fun, hands-on approach to learning. Note: No adults are allowed in the Museum without a child, and no children without an adult. $18.75

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.

1 Convergence Station (Meow Wolf), 1338 1st St, toll-free: +1-866-636-9969. A labrynthine, immersive, surreal, confusing explosion of creativity in this five-floor installation by the Meow Wolf art team. "Convergence Station" is the official name for this location at Denver, but it is often referred to as "Meow Wolf". The narrative is that this is a station transporting you to other worlds. Your "tram" drops you off at an upper floor, and you percolate down to the ground floor and exit. There is a restaurant off the lobby, and a bar tucked away in one of the astral planes. General admission is for a specific date and time, but paying more buys flexibility. Be aware you will need to wait outside, in the weather, until that time arrives. $39 for fixed entry times, $51 for flexible entry, children 4-12 years less, children under 4 free. (updated Jul 2025) 2 The Southwest Rink at Skyline Park, 511 16th St, ☏ +1 303-825-6787, [email protected]. Skating rink in downtown Denver open from late November to mid February. Skate rental $8 adults/$6 kids, or bring your own skates. 3 Archery Games Denver, 5405 W 56th Ave, Unit D, ☏ +1 720-443 0287, [email protected]. Play archery dodgeball with bows and foam-tipped arrows at this indoor arena. $30. (updated Sep 2018)

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

4 Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Cir, ☏ +1 303-595-4386, [email protected]. A huge amusement park with rides and family entertainment. 5 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 6 Comedy Works, 1226 15th St (between Larimer and Lawrence in Larimer Square), ☏ +1 303-595-3637. La

Buy

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. 3 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. 4 Larimer Square offers some of the best shopping districts in the city and was one of the first urban shopping concepts, 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. Colfax Avenue and Capitol Hill offer some of the most eclectic retailers including 5 Capitol Hill Books

Specific retailers 6 Angelo's CDs & More, 1959 S. Broadway, ☏ +1 303-798-6378. Eclectic record store offering thousands of new and used vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs. (updated Jun 2020) 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. 7 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. 8 The Wizard's Chest, 230 Fillmore St, ☏ +1 303-321-4304. Magical toy and costume shop.

Groceries and other basics The major supermarket chains in Denver are King Soopers (which is owned by Kroger), Safeway, and Albertsons. In addition the nation's largest discount store chain, Walmart, has several stores in Denver. In addition many specialty and organic supermarkets such as Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe's can also be found throughout the area.

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. Like other large cities, Denver has most types of cuisine, and several restaurants have been noted in top food publications. Smoking inside bars and restaurants is prohibited 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.

Food markets 1 The Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer St. (updated May 2022)

Budget Snarf's Sandwiches, multiple locations, ☏ +1 720-389-7920. Celebrated local chain of off-beat sandwich shops offering a variety of store-made ingredients, including their signature hot pepper giardiniera, in both traditional deli-style and more adventurous combinations. Founded in Boulder and now a Colorado-wide mainstay, with a dozen locations around the Denver area alone. Ask about their "Not-on-the-Menu Menu". (updated Dec 2025)

Around the Union Station 2 Illegal Pete's, 1530 16th St #101, ☏ +1 303-623-2169. A local favorite hangout with great, cheap burritos. Its patio is directly on the 16th St Mall, making it a great place to people watch. (updated May 2022) 3 Olive & Finch, 1701 Wynkoop St (In Union Station, just north of the main entrance), ☏ +1 303-944-8811. Daily 7AM-9PM. A small deli counter indoors serves grab and go coffee and sandwiches for the train commuters, while a dozen tables on the patio allow for more relaxed dining. Order at the counter, and staff bring you the food. lunch $15–25 per person. (updated Jul 2025) 4 Zoe Ma Ma, 1625 Wynkoop St. Chinese street food (updated May 2022)

Downtown 5 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 feedin

Drink & nightlife

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

1 Great Divide Brewing Co., 2201 Arapahoe St, ☏ +1 303-296-9460. Offers 30-minute tours on the hour M-F 3-5PM, Sa Su 2-6PM 2 Wynkoop Brewing Company. 3 Bull & Bush. 4 Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, 200 S Kalamath St (1/2 block north of Alameda, NE corner), ☏ +1 303-296-7440. 5 Rail's End Beer Company, 11625 Reed Ct. Unit B, Broomfield, ☏ +1 303-353-8121. Food trucks frequent this location. Parking lot is limited, but there is plenty of street parking. (updated May 2021) 6 Rock Bottom. A national chain of brewpubs. 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.

7 The Cruise Room, 1600 17th 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. 8 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. 9 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. 10 Wynkoop Brewery, 1634 18th St, ☏ +1 303-297-2700.

Sleep

Budget 1 11th Avenue Hostel, 1112 N. Broadway (at 11th Ave), ☏ +1 303-894-0529, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Dorms $30-34, private rooms from $54. (updated Feb 2019) 2 Hostel Fish, 1217 20th St, ☏ +1 303-954-0962, [email protected]. 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 3 Courtyard Denver Stapleton, 7415 E 41st Ave, ☏ +1 303-333-3303, fax: +1 303-399-7356. Between the airport and downtown Denver. 24-hour market on-site. 4 Sonesta Denver Downtown, 1450 Glenarm Pl, ☏ +1 303-573-1450. Rooms are reasonably spacious and have free broadband internet access and a desk. Breakfast is modestly priced and modest in style. The lobby is typical Holiday Inn. Given the size of the hotel, reception and concierge staff numbers are small but there still seem to be no queues for their services. Stay high in a room on the Glenarm St. side if you want a mountain view. Airport shuttles ($21 to international) serve the hotel. (updated Feb 2021) 5 Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver Tech Center, 10250 East Costilla Ave, ☏ +1 303-792-0433. Near Denver Tech, hotel offers complimentary hot cooked-to-order breakfast and nightly Manager's Reception featuring complimentary cocktails and appetizers. from $127. 6 Magnolia Hotel Denver, 818 17th St, toll-free: +1-888-915-1110. Downtown Denver hotel featuring guestrooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, and event space for meetings, weddings, and special occasions. 7 Sheraton Denver Downtown, 1550 Court Pl, toll-free: +1-866-716-8134. On the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown, 3 1/2 blocks from the Denver Convention Center. 8 SpringHill Suites Denver Downtown, 1190 Auraria Parkway, ☏ +1 303-705-7300, toll-free: +1-877-249-9279. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Across from the Ball Arena in LoDo. 9 Hyatt Place Denver Tech Center, 8300 East Crescent Parkway, ☏ +1 303-804-0700. (updated Sep 2017) 10 Aloft Denver North Westminster, 14780 Delaware St, ☏ +1 303-427-5121. (updated Oct 2024) 11 Courtyard Denver Cherry Creek, 1475 S Colorado Blvd, ☏ +1 303-757-8797. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Dec 2024) 12 Residence Inn Denver Cherry Creek, 670 S Colorado Blvd, ☏ +1 303-758-6200. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon

Go next

Near Denver Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre lies 15 miles (24 km) and 25 minutes by car west of the Colorado State Capitol. The Coors Brewery in Golden lies 15 miles (24 km) and 25 minutes by car west of the Colorado State Capitol. The Pearl Street Mall in Boulder lies 29 miles (47 km) and 40 minutes by car northwest of the Colorado State Capitol. The historic mining towns and casinos of Blackhawk and Central City lie 38 miles (61 km) and 50 minutes by car west of the Colorado State Capitol. The United States Air Force Academy lies 61 miles (98 km) and 65 minutes by car south of the Colorado State Capitol. The 11,992-foot (3,655 m) Loveland Pass on the Continental Divide of the Americas lies 60 miles (97 km) and 70 minutes by car west of the Colorado State Capitol. Colorado Springs lies 80 miles (130 km) and 80 minutes by car south of the Colorado State Capitol. Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park lie 65 miles (105 km) and 90 minutes by car north of the Colorado State Capitol. The 14,271-foot (4,350 m) summit of Mount Blue Sky lies 60 miles (97 km) and 1:45 by car southwest of the Colorado State Capitol. The 14,115-foot (4,302.31 m) summit of Pikes Peak lies 100 miles (160 km) and 2:10 by car south of the Colorado State Capitol.

Mountains

For skiers 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 Springs, and Aspen. You can find information on resort shuttles at the desks in DIA's main terminal. There are many ski resorts about 1½–2 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. Winter Park (Colorado) receives train service with the Winter Park Express operated by Amtrak. Departures are once every Saturday and Sunday from January to March at 7AM with the return trip departing Winter Park at 4:30PM.

More Colorado destinations See the National Parks of Colorado. Winery tours - Visit a Front Range or mou