Denver

Best time to visit Denver

Spring (March to May)
Spring in Denver brings mild temperatures, ranging from 5°C to 20°C, making it a great time to explore the city's parks and outdoor spaces. While early spring can still be a bit chilly and snowy in the mountains, by May, the city blooms with flowers and festivals. This season also offers fewer tourists, so you can enjoy attractions without the crowds.

Summer (June to August)
Summer is one of the best times to visit Denver, with warm, sunny days and temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. It's perfect for outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, and enjoying the city's many parks. Denver’s summer months are also packed with festivals, concerts, and outdoor events, making it a lively time to explore the city and nearby mountains.

Autumn (September to November)
Autumn in Denver is absolutely beautiful, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 22°C. The cooler weather and changing leaves make it a perfect time for outdoor activities and scenic drives through the Rockies. September and early October are especially great for catching the fall foliage, while the city stays relatively quiet before the ski season begins.

Winter (December to February)
Winter in Denver is chilly, with temperatures averaging from -5°C to 10°C, but it’s also a fantastic time to visit if you’re a fan of skiing or snowboarding. The nearby mountains are a winter sports paradise, and Denver itself offers plenty of cosy spots to warm up, as well as holiday markets and seasonal events. Plus, the city gets lots of sunshine even in winter, making the cold more manageable!

Discover Denver

Slick glass skyscrapers bustling with a young workforce overlook the hip and historic Victorian downtown. The fusion of historical and modern, natural, and urban is perfectly encapsulated by artist Lawrence Argent’s ‘Big Blue Bear’ sculpture peering between its paws through the window of the Colorado Convention Centre.

A walkable, outdoor city, Denver enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year complemented by brilliant blue skies and breath-taking mountain scenery. Once you arrive, you'll find Denver is located at the base of the majestic Rocky Mountains, 5,280 feet (1,609 meters) above sea level – exactly one mile high, earning it the moniker “The Mile High City”.

The commercial and cultural hub of Denver is anchored around Larimer Square and Lower Downtown.. This elegant area twinkles with charm as the entire block is bedecked with lights and oozes hip urbanites. The perfect district to head to for lively nightlife and a vibrant atmosphere year-round, the restored Victorian buildings house specialty boutiques, lounges, and unique chef-driven restaurants.

In the heart of Denver, the 16th Street Mall pedestrian promenade stretches a mile through the centre of bustling downtown, decorated on both sides with an abundance of shops, outdoor cafes, and restaurants. With the gold-topped dome of the Colorado State Capital building, the Denver Art Museum, and the History Colorado Centre all to be seen here, Denver doesn’t stop unless you do.

Things to do in Denver

City Park & Denver Botanic Gardens
City Park is Denver’s largest park, two miles east of downtown. It is home to the Denver Zoo; the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and IMAX; tennis courts, baseball, football, and two fishing lakes. Denver Zoo is especially noted for its innovative habitats, including one of the world’s largest bull elephant habitats. A few blocks south is the urban oasis of the Denver Botanic Gardens which has nearly different gardens and one of the nation’s top 10 conservatories.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
As one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the area, the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is an attraction you really don’t want to miss out on. Just fifteen miles west of Denver is the only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world. This stunning concert venue draws huge crowds to its naturally formed outdoor arena, as well as to its hiking and biking trails. The Visitor’s Centre enhances your visit with a film documentary on the geological features of Red Rocks and the musical giants who’ve rocked out there in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

Larimer Square
Sitting in the heart of downtown Denver, historic Larimer Square is Denver’s oldest block and houses beautiful architecture, Victoria Buildings, colourful flags, one of kind shops, and unique restaurants.

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Things to do in Denver

16th Street Mall
One of the city’s most popular areas, the 16th Street Mall is a 1.2-mile pedestrian road that cuts through the heart of the city. Lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants it’s a hive of activity, particularly in the warmer months when people dine al fresco. The free Mallride bus travels up and down the mall daily.

Denver Union Station
After years of restoration historic Union Station, is one of the city’s coolest and most beautiful places to visit. A great place to shop, people watch, and dine, it’s fast becoming a destination for foodies. Popular restaurants include Snooze for great breakfasts, farm to table favourite Mercantile Dining and Provision and the Terminal Bar which was the station’s former ticket office.

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Top tips for Denver

• Getting around
  If you’re flying in to Denver International Airport, catch the quick and affordable rail service that travels from the airport to Denver’s Union Station. The journey takes 37 minutes and costs approximately $10 per person. As well as the city’s buses and Light Rail services, the MallRide bus offers free transportation from Union Station to Civic Center Station along bustling 16th Street Mall, where you can hop on and off and explore attractions including Larimer Square and the ‘Big Blue Bear’.
  
• The Big Blue Bear
  Titled ‘I See What You Mean’, artist Lawrence Argent’s “Big Blue Bear" is a Denver icon. Located on 14th & California St, this delightful 40-foot sculpture peers curiously into the Colorado Convention Center. Make sure you snap a photo or two with him – he looks good from all angles.
  
• Get above it all
  The Museum of Contemporary Art in Lower downtown boasts a rooftop café offering 360-degree views of the city and the iconic Rocky Mountains the perfect place for coffee and cake with a view.

Top tips for Denver

• Denver’s breweries
  Beer is booming in Denver! The city is packed with brewpubs, each boasting its own handcrafted takes on ales, stouts, lagers, and all other sorts of suds. Explore Denver's beer culture and visit some of the 150 brewpubs, breweries and tap rooms in the metro area. Pick up your Denver Beer Trail booklet at the Tourist Information Centre and don’t miss the Coors Brewery in nearby Golden.
  
• Denver’s free attractions
  Throughout the city, there are countless free attractions and activities for visitors including museums and tours. Free attractions include a tour of The Colorado State Capitol building, which was modelled after the Capitol Building in Washington DC. See how billions of US coins are produced on a free guided tour of the Denver Mint. Visit the art gallery inside the Denver Central Library and enjoy the many free arts, food and music festivals that take place throughout the year.