While it's impossible to see all that Denver has to offer in two days, this itinerary will show you some highlights with several options to make it your own. No matter where you go, there will be stunning views and fascinating cultural experiences, with links to help you start planning your next Mile High City adventure. 

Day 1

Day 2

 

Day 1

MORNING

Breakfast at Denver Union Station

Start your day right at Snooze an A.M. Eatery with a hearty menu of classic breakfast options like the Denver omelet. Oh yeah! You'll need the fuel for a big day ahead. If you're in a hurry or want some caffeine to go, swing by Pigtrain Coffee Co. While you're at Denver Union Station, take a moment to admire the renovated 1914 Beaux-Arts building. 

 

16th Street Pedestrian Promenade

The first day is a good day to walk around downtown, explore 16th Street and generally get your bearings. Start the day on 16th Street at Wazee Street. The mile-long pedestrian promenade is lined with outdoor cafes and retail shops. This is a great place to launch your first day of adventure. Free shuttles run the length of the mall, stopping at every intersection, making it easy to cover a lot of ground quickly.

 

LoDo (Lower Downtown)

Day or night, LoDo  is a must-see. By day, this historic 28-square-block area of restored Victorian buildings and renovated turn-of-the-century warehouses makes for an interesting study in architecture. By night, the restaurants, live music venues, sports bars and brewpubs that pack the area make LoDo the entertainment epicenter of Denver. No trip through LoDo would be complete without at least peeking through the gates of Coors Field  (2001 Blake St.) If baseball is a passion, taking in a tour or game is definitely in order. 

 

Confluence Park

You'll find soothing rapids where Cherry Creek and the South Platte River meet, with places to sit all around. On the western banks of the South Platte, there's the REI Denver Flagship Store in a giant red brick building that's worth seeing even if you don't need outdoor gear. Hop on the Denver Trolley and take a 30-minute scenic ride along the river, plus learn about the area's history.

 

Downtown Aquarium 

The Downtown Aquarium has more than 15,000 fish, mammals and plants. Snorkelers can swim with the fish, while there's also a shark cage experience and mermaid performances. You can also feed and pet stingrays.

 

Larimer Square

Denver's oldest block is also its most trendy. The shops and boutiques of Larimer Square carry the latest fashions from New York to Milan. Charming and elegant, gas lamps line the street as the mountain views remind you of what lured you here in the first place. With several restaurants and nightclubs, Larimer Square is a great place for dinner and to end your first day in Denver.

 

AFTERNOON

 

Lunch at Dairy Block

Head to Dairy Block, a walkable micro-district in LoDo that contains Denver Milk Market, a diverse mix of culinary concepts, and the Alley, a laid-back place to have a drink. After lunch, here are three great options depending on your interest. 

 

Choose Your Adventure

Arts & Culture

If you want to see modern art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver), just a few blocks away, has rotating galleries, ranging from quirky to thought-provoking. If you're a street mural fan, head to the nearby River North Art District (RiNo), where you'll see vivid street art around nearly every corner. The Golden Triangle Creative District, meanwhile, is the home of three world-class museums: Denver Art Museum, the Kirkland Institute of Fine & Decorative Art and the Clyfford Still Museum. You can take a 16th Street FreeRide shuttle bus most of the way there and see the core of downtown along the way.

 

History

Nearby Five Points is one of Denver's oldest and most diverse neighborhoods. The district was known as the "Harlem of the West" because it was a frequent stop for jazz greats. It's also a great place to learn about Black history at the Black American West Museum and the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. At the eastern end of 16th Street, you'll find fascinating history museums. Two standouts: the Molly Brown House Museum in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, which tells the story of the Titanic survivor, and History Colorado Center in the Golden Triangle Creative District, which illuminates the story of the Centennial State.

 

Pro Sports Experiences

With seven professional sports teams and three downtown stadiums, there's always something to see. While most games happen in the evenings, you can take tours, on most days, of Coors Field, home to the National Ballpark Museum, Empower Field at Mile High, home to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, and Ball Arena. Sports fans won't want to miss McGregor Square, with a 17,000-square-foot plaza and a stadium-sized LED screen. Catch a game at Tom’s Watch Bar.

 

Nature & Science

A short trip to City Park gives you a three-for-one: a gorgeous 330-acre green space, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, home to 2,500-plus animals, and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, renowned for its dinosaur artifacts and gems and minerals collection.

 

EVENING

 

Dinner on a Rooftop Patio

Denver is famous for its views. Have dinner on a rooftop patio or check out a must-try restaurant. 

 

Choose Your Adventure

Denver Performing Arts Complex

The Denver Performing Arts Complex is the cultural hub of the Mile High City, encompassing opera, theater, stage, dance and music. A variety of cultural enrichment awaits you. From symphony and orchestral arrangements, jazz, and musicals to performances by dance companies, theatrical extravaganzas, one-person shows, plays, stand-up comics and more. Most shows and performances require planning ahead and purchasing tickets before the day of the show.

 

Meow Wolf Denver

Meow Wolf Denver's  Convergence Station is an otherworldly immersive art experience where you get to experience alien worlds. On top of that, it's open late in the evenings, so you save this indoor experience for later in the day.

 

Day 2

MORNING 

Have Breakfast at a Local's Favorite Diner or Donut Shop

Whether you're craving fancy toast or a genuine Cajun breakfast, check out these great breakfast spots.

 

Choose Your Adventure

 

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Aside from being a geological wonder 70 million years in the making, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison, about 20 minutes from Denver, is one of the world's most famous concert sites and a must-see for any music enthusiast. If you didn't happen to snag evening concert tickets, head here first thing in the morning to see the sun rise over the plains. Trails surrounding the concert venue and a spectacular view of the plains make it a perfect place for moderately challenging hikes. 

 

Dinosaur Ridge

This natural landmark, also located near Morrison, features famous Jurassic dinosaur bones, such as Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus, discovered in 1877, and Cretaceous dinosaur footprints. Stop by the Visitor Center for a guided tour. Dinosaur Ridge is open year-round.

 

Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave

William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody epitomized the Old West. After leaving his boyhood home in Leavenworth, Kansas at age 11, he went on to become a cattle herder, worked on a wagon train, mined for gold, rode in the Pony Express, scouted for the Army, and traveled the world with Buffalo Bill's Wild West shows. Upon his request, he was buried atop Lookout Mountain in 1917. The Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave opened in 1921 and offers a look into life in the Old West. It contains exhibits on Buffalo Bill's life, the Wild West shows, Indian artifacts, including Sitting Bull's bows and arrows, Western art and firearms.

 

AFTERNOON

Have Lunch in Golden

You could spend all day in Golden with its Wild West spirit and museums. But to give you a taste, literally, stop for lunch at the Nomad Taqueria & Beer Garden , the Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse or The Golden Mill.

 

Choose Your Adventure

 

Denver Botanic Gardens/Cheesman Park

Back in the city, Denver Botanic Gardens is a 23-acre oasis in the middle of the city that has 45 different gardens, as well as one of the nation's top 10 conservatories. Next to the gardens, Cheesman Park offers incredible vistas stretching from the Cheesman Memorial Pavilion to the Front Range. It's a great way to watch the sun set. Cheesman Park also has a fascinating haunted history. 

 

Sloan’s Lake/Edgewater

Located on Denver’s western edge, Sloan’s Lake Park is home to its largest body of water, offering a refreshing escape within city limits. Spanning 290 acres, the park is a favorite for both locals and visitors thanks to its scenic lake and mountain views. A 2.6-mile paved path wraps around the lake. It's a particularly spectacular place to watch the sun set over the Front Range. Kick back at Odell Brewing Sloan's Lake Brewhouse & Pizzeria or Joyride Brewing, both with great views and rooftop patios. Edgewater Public Market, across the street from the lake, is a food hall with many dining options.

 

Washington Park/Pearl Street

It's one of Denver's most popular spots year-round. Washington Park  (nicknamed "Wash Park" by locals) features two lakes (boat rentals are available), flower gardens, innovative playgrounds and countless areas for outdoor recreation. Nearby is South Pearl Street with galleries, wine and cocktail bars, specialty shops, boutique and high-end clothing stores and some of Denver's best local dining. Visit Historic South Gaylord Street, where you can experience local restaurants, galleries and shops.

 

EVENING

Dinner in a Vibrant Denver Neighborhood

Some of the best restaurants in the city are located in these two distinctive neighborhoods, which have totally different vibes. 

 

RiNo (High-Energy)

RiNo is an exceptionally creative corner of the city "where art is made." It's an interesting blend of urban charm and unique industrial revival, where historic warehouses and factories now house the coolest restaurants, breweries, shops and art galleries. Nocturne, a jazz supper club, is a longtime favorite that will transport you the minute you walk in the door. Safta Restaurant offers exceptional Israeli food from James Beard Award-winning chef Alon Shaya. And then there's Michelin-starred Beckon. For something more budget-friendly, check out the Denver Central Market or The Source Hotel & Market Hall. As for nightlife, Larimer Lounge has an outdoor patio and is known for featuring rising indie and DJ performers. There's really too much to mention here. Check out our RiNo neighborhood guide for more.

 

LoHi (Laid-Back)

Lower Highland, just across the Millennium Bridge from LoDo, is a great place to walk with a mix of old and ultra-modern architecture and lush gardens. Some of the most popular restaurants in Denver are located here, like El Five and Linger, both with great views of the city, and the Michelin-starred Alma Fonda Fina. One spot you absolutely can't miss is Little Man Ice Cream, serving up a huge menu of changing flavors from a giant milk can. It's worth the short hike up the hill from downtown, and don't be intimidated by the long line. It's worth the wait when you make it to the windows and try some samples. Learn more in our Highland neighborhood guide.