3 perfect days in Denver

Sure, the Mile High City is a gateway to Colorado’s mountain towns, ski slopes, and beautiful state parks. But Denver is a destination in its own right, with a vibrant food scene, world-class art institutes, and spectacular nature framing the city limits.

This three-day itinerary shares slices of all of these highlights, organized by neighborhood so you’re not wasting precious travel time traversing the city. We’ve added real tips and suggestions from recent Tripadvisor reviews, all highlighted below, with plenty of suggestions for other nearby attractions so you can pick and mix your perfect Denver adventure.

Start slow on this first morning in Denver with breakfast at the always-popular Jelly Cafe in Capitol Hill. Known for its donut bites filled with custard, jelly, or chocolate, it’s also the spot for huge platters of brunch fare like eggs Benedict and creative pancake options like bacon jalapeno or blueberry lavender. Remember Denver sits at over 5,000 feet, so linger over your breakfast while you acclimate to the elevation and remember to drink plenty of water.

From Jelly Cafe, you’re just two blocks from the Molly Brown House Museum, a compact and fascinating celebration of the Titanic survivors’ life and work in Denver. Pop in if it’s open, then head west along 13th Street to Golden Triangle Creative District, south of Civic Center Park. Here, you’ll find a collection of world-class art institutes including your next stop, the Denver Art Museum.

Beyond the gorgeous architecture and views of Downtown and the Rockies, once inside you’ll find one of the best collections of Native American art in the country, plus many other exhibits, on show across seven floors. There are two cafes for a quick bite or hot drink, as well as a gift shop for souvenir hunters. You could spend a full day exploring the collections but there are many other art institutes nearby, too, including the popular Clyfford Still Museum, which houses more than 90 percent of all works created by the Abstract Expressionist artist.

Time for lunch! Stay local and head for a feast of creative vegetarian fare at City O City, which has a diner vibe but a healthy menu of all-American classics done with veggies or meat alternatives. Don’t miss the “chicken” and waffles where cauliflower shines in the starring role.

Your next stop is a Denver essential: a meander through the Denver Botanic Gardens. Spanning 24 acres, the gardens are a year-round celebration of planting styles of the American West, with everything from “water smart” gardens to a cactus and succulent house. Don’t miss the Ornamental Gardens and Water Gardens and, for families, the huge Children’s Garden with an indoor workshop area. Light shows, gardening classes, and yoga sessions bulk out the calendar during the winter months.

The gardens are part of Denver’s unofficial backyard, Cheesman Park, where you can join locals for alfresco yoga classes, meet families at the playground, or get in step with the joggers and power walkers traversing the Cheesman Park Inner Loop.

For dinner, book in advance for dinner at Potager, a longtime favorite that opened back in 1997 with a now signature focus on locally sourced, seasonal fare. The menu changes often, but expect a mix of veggie-topped flatbreads to share and a hearty pasta dish. Save room for dessert, especially if it’s the warm churros or chocolate torte with beets. For a nightcap, head a few blocks north to Hudson Hill, a laid-back cafe by day and classy cocktail bar after hours serving natural wines and seasonal concoctions. Good to know: there’s a late-night happy hour that runs from 10 pm until close.

Head from one hotel to another this morning for a carb-tastic breakfast at Reunion Bakery. Located in the hip Source Hotel + Market Hall in the River North Arts District (RiNo), you’ll be joining a cool crowd for coffee and creative bakes from chef Ismael de Sousa. Seasonal and Portuguese-inspired pastries line up alongside sourdoughs and baguettes, and everything sells out, so go on the early side to claim your crust. Ideally your trip falls on one of Denver’s 300+ sunny days a year, and you can finish your baked goods alfresco, across the street in RiNo Art Park.

Spend the rest of the morning exploring this revitalized neighborhood on foot, especially along the mural-clad Larimer and Walnut Streets. Check the business hours and drop in at the many galleries and creative spaces, including favorites Alto Gallery, Plinth Gallery (for modern ceramics), and Ironton Gallery, part of the Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse.

For lunch, take your pick from the many grazer-friendly cafes within Denver Central Market, or make it a daytime two-step with a BBQ feast at Pit Fiend and beers next-door at Our Mutual Friend. This neighborhood is packed with small breweries, so you could also check out Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Ratio Beerworks, or Odell Brewing Company, all a short walk apart.

From a brewery crawl, it’s on to a baseball game or insider tour at Coors Field. The stadium is a standout for its downtown location just off the pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall, and epic views of the skyline and Rocky Mountains in the distance. Beyond watching the Colorado Rockies play, there are 60- to 90-minute stadium tours throughout the year, as well as off-season highlights like golf sessions from the rooftop and big-name music concerts.

Save some time for a spin through Union Station, the historic transit hub that’s now at the heart of the Lower Downtown (LoDo) scene, filled with indie boutiques selling everything from vintage books at Tattered Covered Book Store to quirky homewares and jewelry at Bloom by Anushka. Foodies will want to proceed directly to Ultreia for a feast of creative Catalan fare from James Beard Award–winning chef Jennifer Jasinksi. Or, make it cocktails and gourmet bites at The Cooper Lounge, set in a dining room under soaring ceilings overlooking the station’s Great Hall.

Today is all about the natural treasure’s outside the city limits, but first: coffee. Head back to LoDo to experience the micro-neighborhood of the Dairy Block. Once home to a working dairy, this historic city block is now a creative hub of shops, restaurants, bars, a buzzing coworking space, and a sceney hotel. Morning Jones, within the Denver Milk Market, is the spot for your pastries and coffee, but get it all to-go so you have time to explore the rest of the 16-restaurant dining hall with everything from posh crepes and chicken and waffles, to gelato and tacos.

The rest of your day will be spent just a 15 - 20 minute drive outside the city in Denver’s unforgettable Red Rocks Park and Ampitheatre. “Denver’s” because the city owns and operates the designated National Historic Landmark—a natural amphitheater with famously perfect acoustics and jaw-dropping views.

The easiest, and most popular, way to get there is on the affiliated shuttle that leaves from Union Station each day, but you can also drive, take a taxi, or hop a 45-minute tram ride. The park opens an hour before dawn and many visitors choose to arrive in time to see the sun rise, but for concert goers, a late-morning departure leaves plenty of time to hike or bike the Trading Post Trail and get a bite at the Ship Rock Grille before the concert. Most start around 6:30 p.m., so you’ll be back in LoDo by late evening for your final sleep in the Mile High City.

Depending on your return time from Red Rocks Park, wander over to lively Larimer Square for a late-night bite. Choose a soothing tea at Bao Brewhouse, a sip of Champagne at Corridor 44, or go out with a bang and dance your final night away at Emerald Eye, Disco Pig or Villa Denver.