Part of our Colorado guide.
6 places and guides from our Denver coverage, gathered into one page.
What To Pack For A 4-Day Trip To Denver, Colorado
Pack layers: Denver’s weather can swing 30°F in a day, so bring a fleece, a waterproof jacket, and a breathable base layer. For footwear, include sturdy walking shoes for city strolls and hiking boots if you plan to hit trails. Sunscreen and sunglasses are non-negotiable at 5,280 feet of elevation, and a reusable water bottle helps combat altitude dryness. Don’t forget a daypack for sudden afternoon thunderstorms.
11 Best Cycling Routes In Denver, Colorado
Denver’s cycling network spans over 850 miles of on-street and off-street paths. Top routes include the Cherry Creek Trail (a 40-mile paved path from downtown to Franktown), the South Platte River Trail (19 miles through urban parks), and the challenging Lookout Mountain climb (3.5 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain). For mountain bikers, Buffalo Creek and Apex Park offer technical singletrack within an hour’s drive. Each route connects to breweries, museums, or foothill views.
What To Do On A Day Trip To Denver
Start at Union Station (1701 Wynkoop St) for coffee and a pastry, then walk the 16th Street Mall’s free shuttle route to the Denver Art Museum. By noon, head to Larimer Square for lunch before visiting the Molly Brown House Museum (1340 Pennsylvania St). Afternoon options include the Denver Botanic Gardens (1007 York St) or a stroll through City Park to see the Denver Zoo. End the day with a rooftop drink at a LoDo bar to catch the sunset over the Front Range. If you arrive by train, the RTD light rail from Denver International Airport takes 37 minutes to Union Station.
Denver
Denver’s hidden gems include the International Church of Cannabis (400 S Logan St), a former church turned psychedelic art gallery, and the MCA Denver’s rooftop bar with 360-degree mountain views. The “alpine treasures in Colorado” extend to the city’s alleys: the Dairy Block micro-district on Wazee Street hides a speakeasy behind a faux storefront. For a quiet escape, the Denver Public Library’s Western History Reading Room (10 W 14th Ave Pkwy) houses rare gold rush maps. The “mountain secrets in Colorado” feel close when you hike the Mount Morrison trail—a 2.5-mile loop with dinosaur footprints embedded in the rock. Also worth seeking: the 9/11 Memorial at the Colorado State Capitol’s west steps, and the underground art murals in the 16th Street Mall’s transit tunnels.
What To Do On A Layover In Denver, Colorado
Best Places to Eat in Denver: Linger (2030 W 30th Ave), set in a former mortuary, serves globally inspired small plates and craft cocktails on a rooftop with skyline views. Denver Central Market (2669 Larimer St) offers a food hall with local vendors: grab oysters from the seafood counter, chocolates from Chocolaterie, and a sandwich from Maria Empanada. For a quick layover meal, the airport’s Great Hall has a New Belgium Brewing outpost and a local bison burger stand. If you have 4+ hours, take the RTD A-Line to downtown (37 minutes each way) and hit the Union Station food stalls.
10 Best Coworking Spaces In Denver, Colorado
Denver’s coworking scene includes Industrious (multiple locations, from $299/month) with phone booths and wellness rooms, and The Commons on Champa (1245 Champa St, $250/month) offering a rooftop deck and bike storage. For creatives, Shift Workspaces (1550 Wewatta St) has podcast studios and a coffee bar. Galvanize (1644 Platte St) focuses on tech startups with coding bootcamps and event spaces. Most spaces offer day passes ($25–$40) for travelers needing a desk for a few hours. Check for free trial days at WeWork locations downtown.
