With so much to do in a city like Denver, it can feel almost impossible to accomplish everything in less than 24 hours, but we’re here to tell you that it is very much possible! In this one day in Denver guide, you’ll be able to pick and choose some of the best things to do in the city without feeling like you missed anything and maybe even take notes for your next trip in the Mile High City!
Now without further ado, let’s get into our 24 hours in Denver guide!
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Table of Contents
One Day Itinerary in Denver Quick Itinerary
If you are short on time, here’s a quick overview of how to spend one perfect day in Denver. All the details for each stop are below!
- Sunrise: Hiking at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- 10:00-1:00: Downtown Golden and Coors Factory Tour
- 1:30-2:30: Lunch at Union Station
- 3:00-7:00: Sports Game or Choose your Own Denver Activity
- 7:00-8:00 Dinner at EDGE Restaurant and Bar
- 8:00-?: Rooftop Bar
24 Hours in Denver Detailed Itinerary
Here’s the ultimate one day itinerary for Denver, CO with all the deets. From sunrise to sunset, get ready for an epic adventure!
Sunrise
Start your one-day trip in Denver off by hitting a Colorado classic — Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre! Even though this is a concert venue, that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy the natural beauty of the amphitheater and the surrounding area!
Note that it is about a 20-minute drive from the city, but it’s totally worth it!
Take in the beautiful sunrise views by checking out the two hiking trails that are in the area. The Trading Post Trail is a 1.4-mile loop that will take you around the trademark rock formations and The Red Rocks Trail can also connect with the Dakota Ridge Trail to the east. If you end up hiking these trails you just might see some prairie dogs, rabbits, red foxes, and deer!
Then make it to the top of the amphitheatre and you’ll find an amazing museum that features the history of the venue including all of the iconic artists who have performed there as well as how the venue came to be.
Morning
After you’re done exploring Red Rocks, head on over to the small charming town of Golden and check out all of the shops and cute restaurants they have.
If you book early enough in advance, you might even be able to snag a couple of tickets to the Coors Factory Tour — which is a 1.5-hour guided tour throughout the Coors Factory that goes over the history of the product and how the beer is made today. It’s hard to have a day in Denver without enjoying some beer!
Afternoon
Once you’ve got your fill of the outskirts of Denver city limits, head back downtown for a quick bite for lunch. If you’re looking to take a quick pit stop to admire some history and iconic scenery, definitely don’t skip out on checking out Union Station. Here, you will see the historic train station while you can grab a quick bite at one of the various eateries inside such as Stoic & Genuine and The Cooper Lounge.
After you’ve finished up your lunch, head on over to the Dairy Block to do some window shopping or enjoy some fun cocktails from a wide variety of establishments. Some standouts include Westbound & Down, Bruno, and Run for the Roses.
Evening
Once the sun starts to set it’s time to explore more what Denver has to offer! If you’re visiting during a particular sports season such as football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, definitely don’t hesitate to get tickets to a game. Ball Arena, Coors Field, and Empower Field are all within walking distance or a short Uber ride away from the heart of downtown and will surely make for a memorable trip.
If you’re looking for a great spot for dinner, try Rioja for great Mediterranean fare, but if you’re looking for a more upscale steak dinner that you won’t forget you can’t go wrong with EDGE Restaurant & Bar on 14th Street — order the grilled octopus appetizer if you’re a seafood fan!
Not interested in sports? Check out one of the other Denver activities below! The Botanic Gardens or Meow Wolf would be a fun way to spend a few hours!
Sunset/Nightlife
To end your evening you need to experience some mountain views to truly get the full Denver experience, and one of the best places to do that is at one of the many rooftop bars Denver has to offer!
54thirty Rooftop is one of Denver’s highest open rooftop bars that will give you some of the best views of the city and a collection of some pretty incredible handcrafted cocktails.
Another great rooftop bar is Los Chingones. This bar, located in the heart of RiNo, has a little bit of everything! From delicious tacos, to refreshing margs, and a large number of locally brewed beers.
If you’re looking for some more activities to end your Denver day on a high note, you have to check out Player One arcade for a taste of some good drinks and classic arcade games.
Other Things To Do in Denver
If you’re looking for some other fun attractions in Denver, put these on your 1 day in Denver itinerary! Feel free to switch up this 24-hour itinerary to best suit your needs and interests. There are SO many exciting things to do in Denver!
- Denver Botanic Gardens — A tranquil experience that features a wide variety of flora and fauna.
- Meow Wolf — An immersive art experience that involves a series of interactive rooms and unique art fixtures.
- Denver Art Museum — Located in the Civic Center of Denver, this museum is home to over 70,000 pieces of art. (Read my personal review here!)
- Twist & Shout Records — A great spot for any music lover that also has occasional live performers play.
- Lucky Strike Bowling — A bowling alley that offers a wide variety of food, drinks, and entertainment for a fun night out.
More Denver Restaurant Recommendations
If you’re someone who likes a lot of options when it comes to dining, don’t worry! We’ve gathered a few more places that might help you narrow down your decision-making process during your trip!
Breakfast
- Fox and Hen — Great atmosphere, food, and drinks
- Sams No. 3 — Considered “Denver’s Best Diner”, the menu is huge so you’re bound to find something you like!
- Happy Camper — They offer a great brunch menu and bottomless mimosas.
- Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar — On the pricier side, but you’ll definitely fall in love with their scratch-made Southern food.
Lunch
- Ikes Sandwiches — Ikes has over 800 sandwiches to choose from! Whether you’re a carnivore, vegetarian, or vegan, you’ll find your new favorite hero here!
- Illegal Pete’s — Dubbed as the home of the burrito, this is the perfect spot to grab a quick bite, and don’t forget to grab a side of their famous queso!
- Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill — This is another great place to stop if you’re looking for a laid-back spot to grab a bite. With a menu ranging from burgers to a seared ahi salad, you can’t go wrong. Plus, if you sit outside this is a great dog-friendly dining experience.
Dinner
- Tavernetta — In the mood for Italian? You can’t go wrong with this place. More of the upscale side your mouth will water when you see their incredible burrata, risotto, and expansive wine list.
- Senor Bear — This is a more contemporary spot that offers Pan-Latin seafood and small plates with refreshing cocktails.
- The Nickel — Voted Denver’s Best Hotel Restaurant, and for good reason! Enjoy unique dishes like the poached pear salad and the short rib burger.
Know Before You Go: How to Plan The Perfect One Day in Denver
Here are some quick tips to help you have the best time during your visit to Denver!
- Bring lotion and chapstick! This may seem like an odd choice, but with such a dry climate, you’re bound to get dry and chapped skin, which is no fun to deal with on vacation.
- Electrolytes. Even if you aren’t planning on scaling a mountain or skiing, you will definitely feel the effects of altitude sickness during your visit.
- Water bottle. In the same vain, be sure to bring a travel-friendly water bottle — you can never be too hydrated during a trip.
- Comfortable shoes. Denver isn’t known to be the fashion capital of the world, so don’t feel pressured to wear your most uncomfortable shoes. You’re going to be doing a lot of walking and it’s best to do so in shoes that don’t hurt your feet.
- Sunglasses. Even if it’s an overcast day in the summertime or you’re coming in the dead of winter, the sun still peaks out and is super bright so it never hurts to bring a pair of sunglasses to keep your eyes protected.
How to Get to Denver
Assuming you’re coming from the airport, you can get to Denver through a variety of ways. One way is through the airport rail line. For only $10 each way, you can use the A Line to get from the airport to downtown Denver. If you’re looking to Uber or Lyft from the airport it will cost you around ~$35-45 for the trip depending on when you call ride.
However, some of the stops on this Denver itinerary are a bit outside of the city, so a rental car may be the cheapest option.
Getting Around Denver
If you plan on staying in the heart of downtown, you probably don’t need to rent a car. You can either get to your destinations on foot or call an Uber for a small fee. If you plan on visiting the 16th Street Mall, there is a free hybrid vehicle service that goes up and down the 16-block tree-lined retail area.
Another unique way to get around town is on a Lime bike or scooter that you can usually use by installing the appropriate apps.
However, a rental car would make it easier to get to Red Rocks and Golden (as mentioned on this one-day Denver itinerary!)
Best Time to Visit Denver
It depends on what you plan on doing when you visit, are you a fan of the great outdoors? Sports? Entertainment? This will likely determine the time of year you plan on visiting. If you’re looking to beat the holiday crowd but still get some cooler weather, aim to visit in January-April. If you’re looking for more outdoor events and festivals (like at Red Rocks), try visiting in June-August.
Where to Stay in Denver
There are so many fun places to stay during your short time in Denver, here’s my top recs!
One Day in Denver Recap
As you can see, the Mile High City offers a lot to see and do for visitors! From the beauty of the great outdoors at Red Rocks to the historic charm of places like Union Station and great eats at places like Tavernetta. You can 1,000 percent spend longer than 24 hours in Denver, but if you are short on time and need to just check out the highlights we hope you can use this itinerary to create a clear path forward for a memorable trip.
If you’re looking for more Denver guides and you’re bringing someone special along, check out our Fun Denver Date Night Ideas. Or maybe you have a bit more time on your next trip, don’t miss our One Weekend in Denver guide.
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