Denver is the Mile High City, literally sitting 5,280 feet above sea level, where the air is thin, dry, and smells of pine and hops. It is the gateway to the Rockies, a city where the mountains loom on the western horizon like a jagged purple wall, constantly beckoning you to skip work and go skiing or hiking. The sun shines here 300 days a year, a piercing, bright light that requires sunglasses even in January.
The vibe is aggressively casual. Fleece vests and hiking boots are acceptable business attire. It is a young, transient city, filled with transplants who moved here for the lifestyle. The beer culture is unrivaled; Denver arguably invented the modern craft microbrewery scene (shout out to the Mayor who was a brewer). You can’t throw a rock without hitting a taproom or a dispensary (cannabis is legal and normalized here).
But Denver is weirdly flat. It sits on the high plains next to the mountains, not in them. The downtown is a mix of Victorian brick (LoDo) and modern glass. Union Station has been transformed into the city’s living room, a stunning Beaux-Arts hall filled with bars and restaurants. The art scene is trippy (Meow Wolf) and the music scene is legendary, anchored by Red Rocks, the greatest outdoor venue on Earth.
Drink water. Seriously. The altitude and dryness will wreck you if you don’t. It’s a healthy, happy city where people work to live, and life happens outdoors.
The perfect plan for Denver:
Day 1 Agenda
Theme: The Station & The Ballpark
- Morning: Union Station. Have coffee at Mercantile inside the Great Hall. It’s stunning. Walk to Larimer Square (lights and flags).
- Afternoon: Coors Field / LoDo. Even if you hate baseball, the Rooftop bar at Coors Field offers great views ($3 tickets). Visit Tattered Cover Bookstore (independent legend).
- Evening: RiNo (River North). The art district. Murals everywhere. Beer at Ratio Beerworks or Odell. Dinner at Work & Class or Cart-Driver (oysters/pizza).
Day 2 Agenda
Theme: Red Rocks & Rocks
- Morning: Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Drive out (20 mins). You don’t need a concert ticket to visit in the day. Run the stairs. The geology is mind-blowing.
- Afternoon: Golden, CO. Visit the Coors Brewery (huge, industrial) or just walk the creek in this cowboy town. Lunch at Woody’s Pizza.
- Evening: Back to Denver. Highlands. See the giant Milk Can (Little Man Ice Cream) – get the Salted Oreo. Dinner at Linger (it used to be a mortuary, now serves global street food).
Day 3 Agenda
Theme: Art & Parks
- Morning: Denver Botanic Gardens. It’s an oasis. Or Meow Wolf (Convergence Station) for a psychedelic, interactive art experience (book ahead).
- Afternoon: City Park. Visit the Museum of Nature & Science. Great view of the skyline with mountains behind it.
- Evening: Capitol Hill. Visit Molly Brown House (Titanic survivor). Dinner on Colfax Ave (the longest street in America). Dive bar hopping.
Weather
Spring (April-May): Volatile. It can be 70°F one day and blizzard the next. Snow is heavy and wet.
Summer (June-Aug): Hot and dry. Highs 90°F. Evenings cool down fast. Pros: Hiking season.
Autumn (Sept-Oct): Best season. Aspens turn gold in the mountains. Highs 70°F. Crisp air.
Winter (Nov-March): Sunny but cold. Snow melts quickly in the city. Pros: Ski season is a 1.5-hour drive away.
Local Customs
1. Altitude Etiquette: One drink at 5,280 feet equals two at sea level. Pace yourself. Drink water.
2. Escalators: Stand right, walk left. Locals are active and impatient.
3. Cannabis: Legal to buy, ILLEGAL to smoke in public. Do not light up on the sidewalk. Hotel balconies are also usually no-go.
History & Culture
Founded as a gold rush camp in 1858, Denver was the wild west. It was a boomtown of saloons and gambling halls. When the gold dried up, it reinvented itself as a rail hub and cow town. In the late 20th century, an oil bust left it grim, but the opening of the airport (DIA) and legalization of marijuana revitalized it into a millennial magnet and tech hub.
Getting Around & Safety
Light Rail (RTD): The “Train to the Plane” (A Line) is excellent ($10). Connects Union Station to Airport.
B-Cycle: Bike shares are great for the flat city trails.
Car: You don’t need one for downtown, but you 100% need one to see the mountains/Red Rocks.
Info for Nomads
Very popular. Good lifestyle balance. But rent has spiked.
Workation Vibe
Speed: 200 Mbps+.
Cafes: Huckleberry Roasters (Sunnyside) – Bright, toast is amazing. Improper City (RiNo) – Massive patio, coffee by day, beer by night, food trucks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the altitude sickness real? +
Yes. You will get winded walking up stairs. You might get a headache. Drink 2x more water than usual. Avoid heavy alcohol on night 1.
Is it in the mountains? +
No. It is on the plains. The mountains are a 30-minute drive west. You can see them, but you aren’t in them.
Is weed everywhere? +
Dispensaries are common (green crosses). But you don’t smell it constantly in the business district. It’s regulated like alcohol.