From City Streets to Mountain Peaks: A Denver Itinerary

Land in Denver and pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel. Drink water. The altitude change is no joke, and the best way to combat it is by staying hydrated. Today will be an easy day so you can adjust to the elevation.

Once you’re settled, head to the RiNo District to check out the colorful art murals and explore the many craft breweries. My personal favorite is Our Mutual Friend Brewing—it is casual and fun, has a huge outdoor space, and often hosts great food trucks. Not into food trucks or beer? Head to Mister Oso’s for margaritas and Mexican food, or Barcelona Wine Bar for wine and tapas. Can’t decide what to eat or drink? Denver Central Market is a great option, offering a variety of fast-casual bites all in one place.

After lunch, head to my favorite park, Washington Park, for a stroll—or visit the Denver Botanic Gardens (or both!). It’s a perfect way to stretch your legs and take in the sights before heading to dinner.

Now it’s time to dive into Denver’s food scene. While Denver may not be Los Angeles or NYC, it still has an impressive selection of fun restaurants and bars. I recommend starting with drinks at Golden Hour in Highland, then heading to dinner at Kawa Ni or Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings. For lighter fare, Ash’Kara is a great choice. After a delicious and filling meal, grab ice cream at Little Man Ice Cream before calling it a night.

Today includes some light hiking and possibly biking, so be sure to hydrate before heading out. Grab coffee and breakfast at Fox & the Hen for their infamous “fancy toast,” or stop by Call Your Mother Deli for bagels.

If you’re visiting in spring or summer, head to Red Rocks for Yoga on the Rocks!

If it’s another season—or if you’re not up for a 7 am start—take your time and head to Red Rocks for a short hike instead. The Red Rocks Trail and Morrison Slide Trail are great options. Afterward, explore the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. You can also skip the morning hike altogether if there’s a concert you’d rather attend at night—be sure to check the schedule before traveling to Denver so you don’t miss out.

From there, you can easily drive to Golden, Colorado, or swing back to Wheat Ridge Park and run or bike the seven-mile trail to Golden. If you choose the latter (highly recommended—it’s so fun!), just be prepared to make the trip back as well. No matter how you get there, get ready for more food and beer. Golden is an adorable town, and New Terrain Brewery is one of my favorite spots, with plenty of outdoor seating, food trucks, and live music. Spend as much time as you’d like here before heading back to Denver.

Once you’re back in Denver, decide how casual or elevated you’re feeling for dinner—though I do recommend making reservations for most places. If you’re in the mood for something casual, head to Señor Bear for the best happy hour in Denver (it’s the sister restaurant to Mister Oso!). Feeling a bit more upscale? Start with drinks at Death & Co. (if you can snag a reservation), then head to Alma, Tavernetta, Sap Sua, or Olivia—each is a fantastic option depending on availability and what you’re craving. After dinner, either head back to your hotel or grab a nightcap at Gramercy Tavern or Yacht Club.

Today, you can sleep in and enjoy a leisurely stroll through City Park, Washington Park, or Sloan’s Lake before grabbing breakfast at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. After breakfast, hit the road and head to Boulder.

Boulder is roughly 40 minutes from Denver and incredibly charming. Start with a hike at Chautauqua Park, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Flatirons. After your hike, wander around downtown Boulder and grab a late lunch, early dinner, or happy hour at Postino. Spend a bit more time exploring Boulder, or head back toward Denver—if you’re up for it, consider stopping by Indian Hot Springs. There, you can soak in their mineral-rich, turquoise-blue, naturally heated pool or relax in one of their geothermal hot cave pools.

Once you’re fully relaxed, head back to Denver and stop by Colorado Sake Co. before grabbing dinner in RiNo. For dinner, I recommend sushi at Uchi Denver or Temaki Den.

You can also choose to stay the night in Boulder instead of returning to Denver, as it’s closer to your next day’s event.

Wake up early, grab a coffee from Huckleberry Roasters or Blue Sparrow Coffee, and hit the road. Try to arrive at Rocky Mountain National Park early to beat the crowds, and plan to spend some time in Estes Park on the way back. I recommend hiking either the Emerald Lake Trail or the Four/Five Lake Loop—both are great options that allow you to see multiple stunning alpine lakes in one outing.

Be sure to check ahead for a timed-entry reservation. If none are available, still sign up for the lottery—we did and were able to secure a last-minute reservation. There are plenty of other hikes in the park, but if you’re on a tight timeline, these are excellent choices.

After your hike and time in Rocky Mountain National Park, head to Estes Park. This charming mountain town sits just down the road from the park and offers plenty to do. You can fit in another short hike, rent a canoe and spend time on the lake, or simply wander around town. Grab lunch at The Hive at Estes Park Brewery before making the roughly 1.5-hour drive back to Denver.

This is your final night in Denver, so make it count—catch a sports game, revisit some of your favorite neighborhoods, snag a reservation at Florence Supper Club, or go for something a little more eclectic at Linger.

If you opted to stay overnight in Boulder or Estes Park, enjoy a relaxed dinner there and soak in the mountain-town atmosphere.

Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final stroll through a nearby park, grab a delicious breakfast, or visit the Denver Zoo before heading home.

If you’re staying in Boulder or Estes Park, squeeze in one last hike or catch a sunrise before making your way to Denver International Airport.