Denver combines the convenience of a modern city with easy access to mountains, parks, and small Colorado towns. You can spend the morning in a museum, the afternoon walking through a neighborhood full of independent cafés, and the next day heading into the Rockies.
If you’re planning a short city break, here are five reasons to make Denver the destination:
- Getting there is straightforward
Most international visitors will arrive through Denver International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States. Denver International is a big airport, but it’s well organized and easy to navigate. Plus, it’s easy to get to your accommodation, etc from the airport. There are shuttle buses, taxis, rideshares, and so on that will take you straight to the heart of town. If your plans include traveling outside the city center, collecting a Denver airport car rental after landing will make the rest of your trip much simpler.
Major roads link the airport to downtown Denver, while Interstate 70 also provides a direct route to the Rocky Mountains. That flexibility makes it easy to combine a city break with a few days elsewhere in Colorado.
- Great outdoor adventures are never far away
You do not have to spend hours traveling before reaching walking trails, mountain scenery, or open countryside. Red Rocks Park, Lookout Mountain, and Golden all sit within easy driving distance of central Denver.
If you visit during winter, several ski resorts can also work as day trips, depending on your schedule. During warmer months, walking, cycling, and rafting become popular ways to spend time outside the city.
- Museums, galleries, and live entertainment
Denver has enough cultural attractions to fill each day without something completely new. The Denver Art Museum, the History Colorado Center, and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science all cover different subjects, which makes it very easy to match your itinerary to your interests.
If you enjoy live performances, check what’s on at the Denver Performing Arts Complex before you travel. Sports fans should also check the fixtures to see what’s on at the Ball Arena, Empower Field, Coors Field, or one of the city’s many other sporting venues.
- Food and craft beer
Denver has built a strong reputation for independent breweries, although the food scene deserves just as much attention. You can choose between neighborhood cafés, food halls, traditional diners, and restaurants serving cuisine from many different parts of the world.
If craft beer interests you, several breweries run tastings and guided tours. If it doesn’t, don’t worry – it’s not obligatory to drink craft beer in Denver! There’s also a rising wine scene in the city and plenty of world-class restaurants to choose from.
- A good base for exploring Colorado
A city break in Denver does not have to end at the city limits. Boulder, Colorado Springs, Rocky Mountain National Park, and several mountain towns are all relatively easy as day trips if you have access to a car. Colorado is, of course, famed worldwide for its iconic scenery, and Denver is a fantastic base for exploring that scenery.
That makes Denver an excellent choice if you want a bit of variety in your holiday instead of staying in a single location throughout your trip.
Make the most of your time
Denver is a popular city, so it’s a good idea to book the busiest attractions in advance – especially if you plan to visit during the holidays, during major sporting events, or while schools are on break. A little planning ahead will also give you a lot more time to spend exploring the city instead of waiting in queues.
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