Skip to main content

Denver travel guide: Where to stay, what to eat, and more

Here's how to have a great time in Denver

Denver Colorado
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Denver is a one-of-a-kind city. A unique crossover of the Colorado hippie and high plains cowboy cultures, it’s got a vibe unto its own. Offering everything from sports to art to the legal sale of weed, Denver has something for everyone in a cityscape that is generally designed well, making it easy to navigate. Traffic is relatively low, app-rented bikes and scooters plentiful, and wide bike lanes abound. Very exploration friendly.

To that end, here are a few suggestions for how to best enjoy your exploration. A lot has changed in Denver over the past few years, but I visited recently and dug into the latest and greatest in regard to where to stay, eat, and have fun.

The Ritz Denver.
Nick Hilden / The Manual

Where to stay

Best downtown: Ritz-Carlton

Simply put, the Ritz-Carlton Denver is outstanding by every metric. Refinement abounds, comfort ensured, and the top-tier service in every way. The location is essentially right in the center of everything, and it’s just a handful of blocks from the Colorado Convention Center. The suites in particular are top-notch — exactly the sort of place you want to bring business or romantic guests.

The Ritz-Carlton in Denver.
Nick Hilden / The Manual

Best in RiNo: Ramble Hotel

Located in the up-and-coming River North Art District — also known as RiNo — the Ramble Hotel offers a slick combination of old-school elegance with contemporary hip vibes. There’s a cool industrial coziness to it, with lots of dark refinement to the decor and a hint of steampunk to the lobby bar. It’s also adjacent to the neighborhood’s Friday Night Bazaar, where you can browse food carts, vendor stalls, and so forth.

Hyatt Place Denver Downtown
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Best for couples: Hyatt Place Denver Downtown

If you’re looking for a place that’s proven and tested to be an amazing couples’ getaway, then Hyatt Place Denver Downtown is the perfect one for you. Located 1,000 feet away from the Colorado Convention Center, this hotel highlights an indoor pool, a bar, and free Wi-Fi. The rooms at the hotel also come with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, and a private bathroom with free toiletries and a bath or shower. Best of all, you’re only 2 blocks away from the Free MallRide shuttle on 16th Street.

Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Best budget: Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center

The Hyatt Regency Denver is a 2-minute walk from the Colorado Convention Center. It is also just a few minutes’ walk from establishments like the 16th Street Mall, the Denver Art Museum, Union Station, and Coors Field. The hotel highlights 1,100 smoke-free guest rooms, daily housekeeping, a restaurant, two bars/lounges, and a fitness center. It’s the perfect hotel for leisure and going around the city without having to spend too much, with rates starting at $100.

Sushi at Uchi Denver
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What to eat

Uchi Denver

There are a number of places to go in Denver. If you’ve slowly grown tired of weekly Pizzeria Locale and Tap & Burger deliveries, consider thinking outside the (bento) box. Uchi Denver, from Austin’s James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, is the fourth restaurant under the Uchi banner, and thankfully for sushi lovers, it boasts a bold, Texas-sized menu to boot. The offerings are creative, innovative, and uncommon. So, even if you have a favorite sushi joint in the city, Uchi likely has something you’ve never tried.

Burger at My Brother's Bar in Denver, Colorado
Image used with permission by copyright holder

My Brother’s Bar

Sure, you’ve already been. But, My Brother’s Bar is still the perfect place to eat (again) for three reasons: It has historic cachet as the oldest bar in Denver (honestly, Kerouac drank here), it serves some of the city’s best burgers, and it has two winter-ready outdoor patios available.

Green Chile at Adobe Denver
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Adobe Denver

If you’ve spent more than 5 minutes in Denver, you know that green chile is tied with overstuffed breakfast burritos as the city’s comfort food. You probably already have a favorite. But why not spend a little time considering a new one? Check out the New Mexico-style green chile at Adobe Denver and savor the SoCal-influenced, masa-thickened variety at North County, or opt for pure, unadulterated chile verde (just like abuelita used to make) at El Taco or La Fiesta.

Snooze eatery Denver, Colorado pancakes
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Snooze AM Eatery

Located in Denver’s historic Union Station, this breakfast and brunch spot stands out with its delicious pancakes and French toast. If you’re a fan, you can create a pancake flight and try them all. Be sure to book ahead of time so you don’t miss out on a boozy brunch.

Denver, Colorado.
Nick Hilden / The Manual

What to do

There are a bunch of things to do in Denver in the outdoors. Check out all those al fresco Denver bucket-list experiences that all the tourists talk about but you’ve yet to see for yourself. If heading into the mountains for a week isn’t in the cards right now, check out these great things to do a little closer to home.

Ice Castles in Dillon, Colorado
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Go play in the snow (and ice)

Playing in the snow doesn’t have to involve skiing or snowboarding. You can still find that “zipping down the mountain” experience without strapping things to your feet. Head to Ruby Hill for a free sledding experience (perfect for family and date nights) or go tubing at Fraser Tubing Hill near Winter Park. For something altogether different, Ice Castles has returned to Dillon. This one-of-a-kind installation uses hundreds of thousands of hand-gathered icicles to create frozen sculptures, tunnels, slides, fountains, and of course, castles. They’re all lit by LED, so it’s best to visit at night. For something a little closer to home, head to Evergreen Lake, where you’ll find Colorado’s most picture-perfect ice skating rink.

Taps at Bruz Beers in Denver, Colorado
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Complete your Denver brewery hop

The number of breweries in metro Denver is dizzying. The actual total is north of 75 and closer to 100 if you take into account neighboring cities. There’s hardly been a better time to grab a flight at the few (or dozen) you’ve yet to visit. Start building your wish list here if you haven’t already. The best part is that many breweries like Seedstock are set up with cold-weather-friendly outdoor patios. If you’re partial to (or also enjoy) liquor, wine, and cider, you can always make checklists for those as well. Many of the city’s distilleries, wineries, and cideries are set up for al fresco tasting if you want to try all the flavors.

Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Colorado.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Explore Denver (and beyond) like a tourist

Locals in every city are quick to pooh-pooh the tourist attractions in their hometown, but those attractions are popular and “touristy” for a reason. If you’ve never explored Denver’s most famous spots, now’s the perfect time to put on your tourist hat and try to see the city for the “first” time.

Garden of the Gods is an easy first pick, and that’s exactly why we’re including it. It is the answer to the question “What is Denver known for?” Even among the long list of Colorado’s natural wonders, this Colorado Springs attraction ranks near the top. Explore its more than 1,300 acres of sandstone formations with a hike, by bike, or on horseback. The park is situated at the base of Pikes Peak — arguably the state’s most famous 14er (that would be a mountain that rises higher than 14,000 feet in elevation) — and the one that inspired the poem America the Beautiful. Round out your visit with a drive to the snowy summit, where you’ll find some of the state’s best views.

While you’re at it, take in the views at Red Rocks, too. It’s an incredible destination. Plan a midweek visit if possible, where you can enjoy a leisurely hike around its beautiful sandstone formations, and take in the stunning views without the crowds.

Meow Wolf Convergence Station.
Nick Hilden / The Manual

Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station

The art and event group Meow Wolf has constructed psychedelic, otherworldly art, installations in a handful of cities across the U.S. in recent years, and Convergence Station is a must-see among them. It’s kind of impossible to describe. In an extreme nutshell, you make your way through an ever-changing landscape of elaborate alien infrastructure. If that sounds awesome, it’s because it is.

Union Station Denver, Colorado
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Union Station

Lastly, check out Union Station for indoor things to see and do. The stunning, century-old Beaux-Arts architecture makes this a worthy destination in its own right. But, it’s also become something of a foodie destination with everything from authentic Italian eats at Tavernetta to farm-to-table cuisine at Mercantile to cocktails at Terminal Bar located inside the station’s historic ticketing office. Plus, the collection of local retailers like Tattered Cover Book Store makes this a spot worth lingering at well past dinnertime.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
This is how strong the U.S. passport really is
THe U.S. passport may have slipped in the rankings, but it's still pretty strong
A person holding up their passport in an airport.

Which countries you could get into with your U.S. passport used to be something you never had to worry about. If you had a passport from the U.S., it seemed like almost no country was off limits, and you wouldn't need to double-check your travel plans. But beginning in 2014, the U.S. passport started to lose some of its star power. Here's where the Henley Index (which ranks passport strength) dropped the U.S. passport on their latest updated list.

Why passport strength matters

Read more
TSA is about to demand Real ID for most travel, and 32% of Americans don’t even know how to get one: Report
Spoiler: You need to contact the DMV
A suitcase open at home being packed with travel documents nearby

Navigating the airport can be a daunting experience, especially when it comes to ensuring you have the necessary documents. For international flights, keeping up with your passport is crucial, but for domestic flights, simply having your standard-issue driver's license will suffice — though not for much longer. Starting May 7, 2025, passengers will be required to have a Real ID in order to fly in the United States. The problem? Many Americans have no clue how to obtain one.

What is a Real ID?
Real ID is a government-issued identification card or driver's license that meets enhanced security standards established by the Real ID Act, required for domestic air travel and access to federal facilities. A Real ID can be identified by a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of a driver's license, driver's permit, or identification card. Beginning May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can only accept a driver's license or identification card that meets these standards. 

Read more
From 4×4 Jeeps to exotic sports cars, Turo is where to score your next rental car
Skip the traditional rental car counter on your next vacation, and find a car you actually want to drive
Toyota 4Runner Turo car rental parked on a dirt road in Utah.

Most travelers don't like renting a car. But it's a necessary evil to be able to get around while we're on vacation, visiting family halfway across the country, or needing a way to get from the conference to the hotel and back again on our latest work trip. Whatever the reason, the process is rarely fun. It's tedious, time-consuming, and usually involves a lot of legalese-laden paperwork most of us never read or understand. Something about not taking the car to Mexico or driving it into the ocean, I think?

Some big-name rental agencies caught onto this recently. Years ago, Hertz began offering special Hertz Collection vehicles, like its Premium Collection (which includes BMW convertibles, Infiniti sedans, and Mercedes SUVs) and the Adrenaline Collection (full of supercharged Mustangs and Camaros). But those are only available at limited airports, and the rental process is still a hassle and very expensive. Unless you're renting a fancy car for your wedding or another special occasion, the cost is probably a factor.

Read more