Though Denver is called the “Mile High City,” you don’t need to literally be high to enjoy its benefits — but if that’s your thing, Colorado was one of the first two states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. People also flock to the city, which was named one of U.S. News & World Report’s top places to live in America, for its bustling restaurant and craft brewery scene (it’s home to the annual Great American Beer Festival), proximity to world-class ski resorts, and the buzzy arts district. Plus, you’d be surprised to discover it’s one of the sunniest cities in the U.S. with about 300 days of blue skies throughout the year and because it’s 5,280 feet above sea level, it basically has no humidity. Good things to do and good hair days? Count us in.
Where to Stay
The Source Hotel ($$)
Denver’s River North Art District (a.k.a. “RiNo” — pronounced “rhino”) is the city’s liveliest neighborhood as it’s the epicenter of culture, street art, breweries, and cool food halls. The 100-room Source Hotel sits amidst all the action as one of the only high rises in the area. Guests checking in feel right at home with a complimentary four-ounce sample of locally brewed beer, which gives you a preview of what’s available at the top-floor restaurant, Woods. The rooms are inspired by minimalist Scandinavian design (think: concrete floors, Baltic Woodward, high ceilings, and large windows). But despite the industrial aesthetic, it doesn’t forgo the comfortable luxuries like a free-standing Japanese tub, crisp linens, and panoramic views. In addition to Woods, the adjacent market hall is a go-to destination with 25 artisans from bakeries to pizzerias to barbecue. There’s also the stunning Safta restaurant on site from James Beard Award-winning chef Alon Shaya who brings his Israeli background to the restaurant’s mix of small and large plates meant for sharing. When you want to wind down, head to one of the hotel’s two rooftop plunge pools with gorgeous mountain views.
The Curtis ($$)
From the outside, it may look like a standard Hilton, but the inside doesn’t feel so much like a hotel as it is an experience. After playing a few board games in the lobby, head to the front desk and challenge the staff to a game of rock-paper-scissors for a potential free room upgrade. You’ll find a different theme on each of the floors that reference pop culture with funky knick-knacks and nostalgic tchotchkes to match — even the lobby and elevators are decorated. The “Mad About Music Floor,” for instance, features a Jimmy Buffett-inspired room with blue floor tiles and a huge Margaritaville mural. Guests who stay on the “Fun and Games Floor” will walk through a Pacman-themed hallway to get to their room. The 13th floor is for the brave of heart, as it’s inspired by horror films. Located right in the center of downtown Denver, you won’t need a car to get around to see tons of sites, plus the 16th Street Mall, Coors Field, and Denver Art Museum are a free 10-minute shuttle away. While there isn’t a pool on the premises, you can use the one at the sister Hilton property, the Embassy Suites Downtown Convention Center, just a block away.
The Ramble Hotel ($$$)
The Ramble Hotel takes inspiration from aristocratic hostess Madame Rambouillet’s French salons of the 17th century (Ramble is the hotel’s shortened version of her name). The lobby with a variety of seating areas for hanging out and lingering captures the spirit of the salons, which were a platform for creating a community through meaningful conversations. It actually isn’t much of your typical hotel lobby — when you walk in, instead of a typical front desk, you step inside the scene-y Death & Co bar (the first location outside of NYC). Each of the 50 rooms is decorated with a vintage feel and a stylish color palette of navy and brass accents. The windows actually open and the minibar is tastefully curated with prosciutto and cheese. It’s these small touches that make this a hotel perfect for people who normally hate staying at hotels.
Where to Eat and Drink
Root Down
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for this eatery, it’s a lifestyle. A few ways they prove their dedication to providing ethically sourced, healthy food? All the animal proteins they serve are human, pasture-raised, and use vegetarian feed. All the seafood is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, which means it’s ethically sourced. Plus, 20% of their seasonal herbs and veggies come from their very own 6,000 square foot garden. While you can’t go wrong with any of the dinner items, the brunch is worth the wait — almond pancakes, zucchini bread French toast, and the fried chicken with goat cheese biscuit are among favorites. Open from Tuesday to Saturday for dinner service and weekday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mercantile Dining & Provision
Thanks to its location in Union Station, this restaurant draws in local businessmen and tourists alike for quick, casual lunches during the day and more intimate dinners at night. James Beard Award-winning chef Alex Seidel brings his eclectic resume as a restaurateur, farmer, bakery owner, and more to the modern menu. The burger, seared scallops, and carbonara should all be on your radar. Mercantile also boasts one of the most comprehensive wine lists in town. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 pm.
Moods. Beats. Potions.
Be one of the first to welcome this new Black-owned eatery in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver. Here, chef Corey Smith (who hails from sister restaurant Mimosas) serves a Creole- and French-inspired menu. Think: crispy jerk chicken with basmati rice, charcuterie boards, and house-made jalapeno cornbread. After your meal, you’ll likely want to linger — there’s a cocktail lounge in addition to a patio. Open for dinner service Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Forget Me Not
This new, floral-inspired lounge (it actually used to be a flower shop) has a simple mission: Be a place to make memories. Beverage director Nicole Lebedevitch wanted to create a destination that was comfortable and sophisticated with accessible drinks (that range from $12-$14 per cocktail). The 40-person front patio is a major perk during our pandemic era to enjoy unique seasonal drinks with creative presentation. Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 3 p.m. to as late as 2 p.m., depending on the night.
What to Do
Denver Graffiti Tour
Your Instagram grid is about to get a lot more colorful during this two-hour walking tour. You’ll learn the stories behind the ever-changing street art, murals, and graffiti all over the RiNo neighborhood. The tour guides take you through plenty of examples of the cultural and political importance of certain pieces and how art affects everyday life. Make sure to book ahead as the tours are only available on weekends at 10 a.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens
This 24-acre oasis is great year-round — featuring diverse plants and flowers from all over the world in its 50 gardens. The facility has hosted popular touring exhibits like Dale Chihuly, Salvador Dali, and Yoshitomo Saito. There’s also a children’s garden, live concerts during the summer, a Christmas festival, and other events throughout the year. Open 9 a.m. to 5 or 8 p.m. (depending on the season) daily.
Denver Art Museum
With more than 70,000 featured pieces from world-famous artists like Vincent Van Gogh, the Denver Art Museum has something for everyone. It’s popular for its collection of Western American art as well as American Indian art and recently went through a huge renovation project to include new exhibition spaces, two new dining options, and a welcome center. To make art more accessible to kids and youth, admission is free for anyone under 18. There are also several free admission days to the general public throughout the year. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater
About half an hour west of downtown Denver, you’ll find Red Rocks, which is the only naturally-occurring acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world, according to Afar. On either side of the stage, you’ll see two 300-foot orange sandstone formations that seat 69 rows. During the day, get a workout by running up and down the stairs — Rocky Balboa style — or on weekends take a pro-led early morning yoga session on the rocks. At night, you can enjoy a musical performance under the stars. Whether you’re into opera or rock, you’ll find the experience magical. Admission and parking are free and you can make a full day out of it by hitting one of the nearby hiking trails. Open one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset on non-event days.
