Have you been contemplating taking a long weekend away? If you adore nature sunshine, and eating and drinking your way through a city, you’re going to love spending 3 days in Denver.
Denver, Colorado, the city known as Mile High, serves as an entryway to the Rocky Mountains. However, it also thrives as a place filled with diverse neighborhoods and a booming culinary and drinking scene. Of course, spending time in nature is a wonderful way to pass your time, but the city also has much to see, eat and drink. Denver offers restaurants, bars, breweries, food markets, and cafes in quantities exceeding even the most demanding food connoisseur could ask for.
We have visited Denver a minimum of five times in the past few years because Alysha has kin in the vicinity, and I had a few work conferences in Denver. This past time, we spent a few weeks divided between Denver and Boulder, exploring and eating and drinking our way through Denver and the surrounding region.
In this guide, I`ll outline a complete 3 day itinerary for Denver. I`ll recommend sights to see, eateries to dine at, and cover basic logistics so you can craft an incredible long weekend in Denver without wondering how to spend your time or wasting valuable moments.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
Important note: This guide won`t take you outside Denver – There is so much to do there that leaving isn`t needed. Of course, if spending over 3 days in Denver, exploring Rocky Mountain National Park or Red Rocks would be great, but the city itself offers plenty to stay occupied.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Table of Contents
Where to Stay For 3 Days in Denver
If lodging has yet to be arranged, good fortune awaits. From several visits to Denver in recent years, a knowledgeable perspective can advise where to stay for an incredible experience.
The two best areas to lodge in Denver are RiNo (River North Art District), a hip and happening district to the east of Downtown Denver, and LoDo (Lower Downtown), which is perfectly situated between Downtown Denver and RiNo.
If you have a liking for trendy boutique hotels, you`ll truly enjoy the selections in RiNo and LoDo.
Want to Stay in a Stylish Hotel? Refer to our guide to the 10 Coolest Hotels in Denver regarding optimal lodging options.
Here are three superb boutique hotels worthy of consideration for your trip.
The Maven Hotel (LoDo): I`ve stayed at this hotel personally and can highly recommend it. Situated within the very same building as the Milk Market and featuring Huckleberry Coffee in the lobby, it`s excellently located and stroll-able to many nearby attractions.
The Ramble Hotel (RiNo): This Denver hotel offers an aesthetically pleasing stay for those seeking unique boutique accommodations while traveling. Styled after 17th century French salons, bold Prussian blue walls and large windows provide an airy atmosphere.
The Source Hotel (RiNo): This hotel emphasizes a clear yet pleasing design. Guests checking in are given an alcoholic drink! It is linked to the Market Halls which provide designer boutiques, vintage record stores, and restaurants serving nearly every type of cuisine. The highlight though is the rooftop hot tub and shallow end of the pool, perfect after exploring the area.
The Complete Guide to a Perfect Long Weekend in Denver
Now, onto the main attractions (plant-based, if that’s your thing) of how to spend your time in Denver.
Denver Itinerary Day 1: RiNo
RiNo refers to Denver’s River North Art District, an area full of food courts, hip art galleries, cool jazz bars, fine restaurants, bars and breweries. It’s urban stylish with its industrial revival buildings and is an area to see and be seen.
If you enjoy renovated warehouses with exposed brick and clean white spaces, this location is worth exploring.
With three full days ahead of you, here’s what I suggest you do on your Denver schedule for the first morning.
Morning
After a leisurely breakfast, head over to Crema Coffee House on Larimer Street for that caffeine-powered kickstart to your day. It’s a great place to start and grab breakfast, too, if you don’t want to make it yourself.
Now you’re ready to explore the three exceptional hipster food halls/markets of the area.
The Denver Central Market offers wonderful local food vendors selling a variety of items like ceviche to ice cream in an intriguing historic building.
Zeppelin Station is another of Denver’s trendy food halls that also features independent fashion and art creators. They also have the great Big Trouble Bar on the mezzanine. La Rola is a wonderful stop for lunch here, with its otherworldly Colombian cuisine that had us recalling our six weeks in Colombia. Certainly get an arepa (we got the plantain arepa and it was stuffed entirely with plantains) and a toston – a fried plantain topped with chicken, cheese, and a delicious spicy sauce.
At the Source Hotel Market Hall, located at thesourcehotel.com/markethall, visitors will discover cocktails, flowers, boutiques, coffee and much more spread across 45,000 square feet of historic marketplace buildings.
Take time wandering RiNO streets – some truly amazing street art hides in the tight alleyways connecting the main roads.
For instance, these incredible Star Wars murals in the alleyway between Blake and Walnut Streets near Improper City Brewing.
Afternoon
While you’re in RiNO, you should definitely do some exploring of the countless breweries, cideries and wineries in the area. This is an amazing place to go brewery hopping – there’s an almost unlimited selection of great places to grab beer, wine, cider, and more.
One of the top-rated breweries is Epic Brewing, which specializes in beers with high alcohol content packed full of flavor and with creative names like Lunar Transit, Escape to Colorado and Chasing Ghosts.
Another option is Odell Brewing Company, where patrons can enjoy beers from 16 taps in two bars, half of which are brewed in the 100-year-old building. They offer 4oz portions if one desires to sample varieties without requiring an afternoon rest.
Two other beer gardens that caught my attention as we wandered the streets were Our Mutual Friend, which has a highly colorful exterior and a cozy outdoor space to spend time, and Improper City, which boasts a sizable outdoor seating region.
For wine aficionados, you must go to Infinite Monkey Theorem. They actually produce wine in “the back alleys of Denver” and sell it in bottles and cans. Check their website for tastings, and don’t forget to try the cider. The dry-hopped Sauvignon Blanc was our favorite.
While a variety of exciting, unique places to stay exist in Madrid (you can read all about them in our guide to the best areas to stay in Madrid), two locations stand out for very different reasons.
It’s truly amazing, and it’s a great place to try cider for the first time. If you envision cider as the cloyingly sweet, syrupy beverages that are similar to carbonated fruit juice, then you’ll be stunned by Stem’s selection of ciders, from dry and effervescent like sparking wine, to semi-sweet, vibrant, fruity and even spicy!
Day 1: Evening
I recommend you stay in the area for dinner, and I have two amazing recommendations for you.
The initial would be Work & Class with its relaxed environment and Southern and Latin American menu. Delicious meals, attentive staff, and a great selection of drinks and cocktails. No reservations, but they have deals for cocktails while you wait. Get there early unless you’re planning on lingering for an hour or more.
Super Mega Bien is its neighboring restaurant across the street, and it’s arguably even better. Most of the menu draws inspiration from Mexican influences, and we really enjoyed the Cochinita Pibil (roasted pork that comes with rice, beans, and tortillas) and the shrimp curry soup. The desserts were quite outstanding too – the flourless chocolate cake and the flan – YUM. We basically rolled out of there back to our Airbnb.
Celiac note: Both locations clearly label menus and have knowledgeable staff. Around 95% of the options at Super Mega Bien are gluten free. However, neither has a dedicated fryer, so items like pupusas and fried plantains aren`t safe for people with Celiacs.
View all Airbnb accommodations in Chapinero here.
Denver Itinerary Day 2: Highlands and Downtown
Highlands and Downtown together showcase a harmonious blend of hip vibes and historic charm. This is where you`ll find Denver`s finest bookstore, theaters, food stalls, stately old homes, some of the best eateries and bars plus the South Platte River and lovely parks.
Day 2: Morning
After Day 1, you may want a later brunch, so let’s commence our second day with a later brunch.
But first, coffee.
The finest quality coffee in Denver, undoubtedly, can be found at Huckleberry Roasters, which operates two locations within Denver. One of the spots, their principal headquarters, is situated near to where you’ll be indulging in brunch, so head there to begin the day perfectly. Whether you’re seeking a crisp and clean single origin blend, or a smooth creamy latte, they have options to satisfy your tastes.
Head over to Root Down, which is my favorite restaurant in Denver. It has a nice atmosphere, friendly staff, is popular with locals, and offers a great menu alongside vegan and gluten-free options. I’d say brunch here is worth experiencing in Denver.
After enjoying brunch, explore some other popular areas in LoHi (that’s Lower Highlands).
Promoting health and popular trends, fermented Kombucha tea is worth seeking out, and there’s no better place than American Cultures. Here, they specialize in combining Kombucha with ice cream, verifying it’s a combination made in heaven! A vast selection of homemade Kombuchas are on tap, and the locally produced ice cream is from Scrumptious and Sweet Action. American Cultures is quite light and airy, a must-visit location. Unfortunately they`ve closed. So disappointing.
There are many individuals who enjoy tea, and Tetulia Tea Barcaters to all devotees of this ancient beverage. Procuring their tea from Northern Bangladesh (remarkable!), they offer organic, fresh and ethically produced options. The selection is extensive: iced teas, bubble teas, tea sodas – tea unlike anything you`ve experienced prior.
If you enjoy frozen treats (side note: who doesn’t?), Denver has a deal for you: Little Man Ice Cream. I would state it is the finest frozen treat in Denver, without a doubt. This is nostalgia in every scoop of each of its 20-something flavors. And for every scoop sold, they donate a “scoop” of essential food to the an individual in need. You get to eat frozen treats and feel good about doing it!
Afternoon
After all this eating and drinking, you’d better engage in a little exercise!
So begin a self-guided stroll from LoHi (where you’ve just enjoyed ice cream) to Union Station in Denver. There are three places you should stop by on this itinerary through the city to find more eats and drinks to fuel your exercise.
Germans appreciate and are familiar with their beer, and Prost Brewing takes German beer very seriously. They source ingredients from Germany and follow traditional lagering brewing methods – they do not make beer, they create bier. Whatever style you like to try, they have it.
Continuing the beer theme, the Denver Beer Co offers artisanal beer of the highest quality. Small batches are carefully crafted, beautifully packaged. The taproom is a very cool space and has a spacious outdoor patio for nice weather. ( Gluten free note: They only serve beer, so you won’t find any wine or cider to drink. It’s still a worthwhile spot, and we spent a few hours on their outdoor patio. I can personally attest to the quality of their water – it’s excellent. But my friends also enjoyed their beer.)
Denver is home to numerous parks, but none surpass Confluence Park on the banks of the South Platte and Cherry Creek. It’s a great locale to stroll, watch kayakers and obtain wonderful views of downtown Denver. Downtown Aquarium is also nearby.
When you arrive at Union Station, there are three spots worth visiting nearby.
If you`ve read my guides to 3 days in Seattle or 3 days in Portland, then you might already know how much we ENJOY independent bookshops.The Tattered Cover is considered the top bookstore in Denver, allowing you to browse its shelves for both recent and second-hand books. It has supplied the readers of Denver for nearly 50 years and has become an establishment.
Check pricing, availability, and read additional reviews here
To prepare you for your return journey, stop in at Terminal Barlocated in what was once the ticket office of Union Station. Beautifully restored and historically accurate, a wonderful place to drink craft beers, enjoy a glass of wine, or sip a cocktail.
Day 2: Evening
It’s back to LoHi for dinner and drinks! There’s only one choice for you to consider this time: Avanti Food & Beverage.
Head to their spectacular rooftop for a pre-dinner beverage and dinner.
To eat, you have various choices between seven different restaurants there. Since numerous of my readers and I are gluten free, I highly recommend Quiero Arepas, an establishment that is completely gluten free selling arepas. Get the queso arepa – stuffed with sweet plantains and fresh mozerella cheese – and the fried plantains topped with cheese and spicy sauce. It’s so tasty, we went back twice on our last trip.
Denver Itinerary Day 3: A Little of Everything
You’ve got a busy day ahead for the last day of your 3 days in Denver, so you’ll need a good breakfast!
Morning
A new spot I enjoyed on our last trip to Denver is River and Roads Coffee. It`s east of RiNo, north of City Park, in a neighborhood I`m not entirely sure of the name for. But that doesn`t matter – you ought to start your last day there.
They are completely gluten free, but you wouldn’t know unless I told you going in. They have all sorts of baked goods, great coffee, and a full breakfast and lunch menu. The outside patio is a nice place to relax in the sun as you recover from the food coma you’re about to sink into.
But what should you order? You must get the Breakfast Fries. Alysha and I still dream about them. They begin with sweet potato fries (you can choose regular if preferred, but I never pass up sweet potato fries), coat them in cheese, then top with bacon, tomato, a spicy sauce, and two sous-vide eggs. YES. PLEASE.
The hollow pastries and sandwich made from biscuit were also delightful, but not ‘swerve-off-the-road-because-I’m-daydreaming-about-the-breakfast-potatoes’ great.
By now, it’s mid-morning, and you’re ready to explore. The city has lovely parks, so I suggest working up an appetite for lunch by discovering them! You have three options (or fit in more than one with an early start):
Head to City Park where not only are there two lakes, picnic areas and historical monuments, but you’ll also find Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science. There are a lot of walking trails to explore too – it`s worth doing a loop around the lake while you`re here.
Afternoon
For your last afternoon in Denver, I`ve got a bit of a choose your own adventure suggestion for you. There are three neat neighborhoods that are a little off the beaten path that are definitely worth your time. You should pick one (maybe two) to explore this evening, and save the rest for next time (because I guarantee you`re going to want to come back to Denver).
Among the top areas to explore would be Tennyson Street. Along Tennyson you`ll discover all kinds of small shops, bars, cafes, and eateries. During a past trip we opted to lodge in Berkeley Park and truly enjoyed it. BookBar is a great small bookstore. Downpours crafts exceptional coffee. And Vital Root (FRIED CAULIFLOWER) and Revelry Kitchen, situated next to one another, are great spots to dine. But those four locations only scratch the surface – go yourself and discover a favorite boutique or new bar.
The second region you may explore would be the Capitol Hill area, where you’ll locate the Colorado Capitol Building and Civic Center Park. The whole Cultural Complex – which incorporates the Denver Art Museum and Denver Public Library – deserves a walkthrough (and a visit for museum aficionados, but we skipped it). Continue south down Broadway and you’ll encounter two excellent coffee shops – Amethyst Coffee farther along, and Copper Door Coffee Roasters. The latter is in a fascinating little complex that features Board Game Republic, which would be a nice spot to spend an afternoon drinking and playing board games with companions.
The last area, which presents an authentic wildcard, is heading farther south down to the locale of Platt Park. The attraction that prompted the journey down here was Quiero Arepas, which has an autonomous restaurant located here. But I became fond of Steam Espresso Bar during the visit. Corvus Coffee Roasters offers another great coffee stop, while Que Bueno Suerte serves as a worthwhile destination for happy hour and quality Mexican cuisine. The entire S Pearl Street stretch contains all kinds of charming boutiques and places to dine and drink, making an afternoon spent here worthwhile.
Evening
For the evening meal on your third night, I recommend exploring The Denver Milk Market, one of Denver’s excellent food markets housing both eateries and take-away options. The head chef is Frank Bonanno, an author and award-winning cook who has published recipes.
He oversees a remarkably diverse array of dining establishments all focused on quality, and aiming to instill one sentiment in their patrons – happiness! The perfect way to wrap up your last day in Denver.
Got more Time?
There you have it. And we didn’t leave the city even once! If you have more time than a weekend in Denver, its surroundings offer so much more. With some extra days, make time for…
This Denver Graffiti Walking Tour provides two hours exploring astonishing street artwork. You’ll learn how the art form has developed and its impact.
Venture on a culinary excursion around downtown Denver. Get behind the scenes at some of the finest eateries Denver has to offer.
Denver is home to numerous top sports teams, like the Colorado Rockies and the Denver Broncos, and attending a game is a great way to add to your Denver itinerary.
Red Rocks is nearby and hosts some world-class performances, you should try and attend a show at this famous venue. And the hiking is fairly beneficial too!
Before visiting Berlin, I had only heard about one German coffee roasting company – Five Elephant Coffee.
Boulder, Colorado sits proximate to Denver and merits exploration, with its galleries, museums, planetarium, not to mention quality caffeine and dining.
Logistics for Planning a Trip to Denver
Before we get to the full itinerary, let’s talk logistics to set you up for an incredible trip.
First, A Little About the Mile High City
Denver, located in central Colorado, serves as the capital. The city lays within the South Platte River Valley, sandwiched between the High Plains to the east and the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains to the west. Given its positioning in the center of the lower 48 states and farther west than central, Denver has quite the western atmosphere.
Founded in 1858, when gold was discovered locally, the area remained popular because Denver became the supply center for the mines in the nearby Rockies. The railways arrived in the 1870s, and the city’s transformation began.
The prosperity of the city and inhabitants can be viewed through the lovely Victorian structures still adorning Denver, especially in the historic Larimer Square vicinity.
Today it thrives as a cool and relaxed city with a robust economy and growing populace.
300 days of sun a year does not hurt either! A fact that was a surprise to me when our Lyft driver casually dropped it, right before saying “do not move here though it sucks there is so much traffic and rent is crazy!”
My apologies, Mr. Ride-Share Driver, but as a San Francisco native, I can assure you rent is not QUITE so drastic.
And yes, it really is a mile high!
When is the Best Time to Visit Denver?
Spring and fall have to be favorites when the temperature is pleasant. In summer, it doesn’t get too warm – you’ll find highs in the upper 80s and low 90’s in July and August – but it’s a dry heat (I chuckle every time someone tells me this, but there is truth to it to some extent).
Winter brings cooler temperatures, yet the locale remains beautifully scenic during this season, so simply layer up and continue enjoying all it has to offer! (Additionally, far fewer tourists will be present.)
How to Get Around in Denver
From DIA (the Airport) to Downtown
Traveling from Denver International Airport to Denver is rather swift and straightfoward. A dedicated rail connects the airport to Denver Union Station in just over thirty minutes, and of course, taxis make the 23 mile journey as well.
Public Transportation Options in Denver
Similar to many modern cities, the transportation infrastructure is quite solid in Seattle. There exists a light rail system with 9 lines and 53 stations, buses, yellow cabs, as well as Uber and Lyft. But much of what you want to experience and do is likely within comfortable walking distance, and that’s what I’d do. It’s usually the ideal way to immerse yourself in any city, especially when the weather permits it.
I wouldn’t bother renting a vehicle unless you’re spending over 3 days in Denver and plan to head into the mountains. There really is no need.
I hope you have a wonderful time in Denver – and by following this 3 day Denver itinerary, I know you will!
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