Mile High City · Colorado
Denver, CO Travel Guide
Denver sits at exactly 5,280 feet above sea level — hence the nickname — at the edge of the Great Plains where the Rocky Mountains begin their dramatic rise. It's a city that rewards the curious: world-class restaurants, a thriving arts scene, and some of the best outdoor access of any major American city.
Most visitors underestimate how much there is to do in Denver itself before even heading into the mountains. The RiNo Art District, Union Station neighborhood, and the Platte River corridor have transformed the city into a genuine destination — not just a gateway.
Whether you're here for a ski trip, a summer music festival, a long weekend with friends, or a family vacation, Denver delivers. Here's what the Tailored Stays team — people who actually live and work here — recommends.
Get Outside
Rocky Mountain National Park
1.5 hrs from Denver — elk, alpine lakes, Trail Ridge Road. Go early morning to beat crowds.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Morrison, CO — hike the Trading Post Trail at sunrise before the concerts start. Free and stunning.
Clear Creek Canyon
Golden, CO — whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and mountain biking all in one canyon. 45 min from Denver.
Chatfield State Park
Littleton, CO — paddleboarding, kayaking, and lakeside camping just 30 min from downtown.
Where to Eat
Mercantile Dining & Provision
Union Station — Alex Seidel's farm-to-table flagship. Book ahead. The pasta is worth it.
Tacos Acapulco
Federal Blvd — Denver's best street tacos. Cash only, no frills, completely authentic.
Snooze A.M. Eatery
Multiple locations — the city's favorite brunch spot. Pineapple upside-down pancakes. Enough said.
Hop Alley
RiNo — modern Chinese-American in a beautifully designed space. One of Denver's most creative kitchens.
Craft Beer & Coffee
Great Divide Brewing
RiNo — one of Denver's original craft breweries. The Yeti Imperial Stout is legendary.
Ratio Beerworks
RiNo — industrial taproom with excellent IPAs and a great patio. Dog-friendly.
Huckleberry Roasters
Multiple locations — Denver's best specialty coffee. The Sunnyside location has a great neighborhood vibe.
The Source Hotel
RiNo — a market hall with multiple food and drink vendors under one roof. Great for grazing.
Arts & Culture
Denver Art Museum
Free on the first Saturday of each month. The Native Arts collection is world-class.
RiNo Art District
River North — Denver's most vibrant neighborhood for street art, galleries, and independent shops.
Union Station
The heart of downtown. Great bars, restaurants, and the best people-watching in the city.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Congress Park — beautiful year-round, but especially stunning in summer. Summer concerts are a local tradition.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (Mar–May)
Wildflower season begins. Occasional snow. Great for hiking as trails clear.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Peak season. 300 days of sunshine. Perfect for outdoor activities and concerts.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
Aspen season. Cooler temps, fewer crowds, and stunning foliage in the mountains.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Ski season. Denver itself is mild, but world-class skiing is 1–2 hours away.
Getting Around
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the country, with direct flights from virtually everywhere. The A-Line train connects the airport to Union Station downtown in 37 minutes — it's the easiest airport-to-city connection in the country.
Within the city, the light rail and bus system (RTD) covers most major neighborhoods. For mountain day trips, you'll want a rental car — rideshare prices to mountain towns can be steep. Most of our Denver properties have parking, making a car easy to manage.
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