A Perfect Weekend Trip to Denver, Colorado: The Best Itinerary

How to Have a Memorable Weekend Trip to Denver

Named one of the best travel destinations in the world, it’s easy to have an incredible weekend trip to Denver. In this article, we’ll share the perfect Denver weekend itinerary.

You’ll find everything you need to know about a Denver weekend trip, including the best activities and restaurants, hidden gems, where to stay, and more. We’ll also answer common questions about visiting Denver.

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway to Denver, a vacation with family or friends, or a solo trip, you’re in the right place.

Is Denver, CO, worth visiting?

Denver is worth visiting if you enjoy art, culture, music, food, and nature. It’s also an exciting destination for beer lovers, history buffs, and sports fans. 

Denver’s four seasons each have their own vibe, with different scenery, events, and activities, so it’s a unique place to visit all year round.

Is a weekend in Denver enough?

Three days is ideal for a weekend trip to Denver. It gives you time to explore the best activities and get a good feel for the city. With that said, there’s so much to see and do that you’ll likely want to plan another trip.

What to Do for Your Weekend Trip to Denver, Colorado

Get the best 3-day Denver itinerary, where you can enjoy local craft beer, delicious food, picture-perfect nature, a relaxing spa day, and sightseeing.

We’ll also share other activities so you can craft your ideal Denver getaway.

Denver Weekend Trip: Day 1

Enjoy local craft beer and dinner.

Spend your first day in Denver wandering around on a scooter or bike. Since you’re just arriving, feel free to take it easy and explore as little or as much as you’d like. You can go by foot or rent a bike or scooter to get around in style.

We recommend the following stops for your self-guided tour:

• Cherry Creek North - a residential district with a vibrant shopping and dining scene 
• Four Mile Historic Park - a local history museum and park
• Washington Park - a large urban park with two lakes, flower gardens, and paved trails

Denver is also known for its vibrant beer scene. And having a cold drink is the perfect way to relax after a travel day. The beer trail showcases many of the top breweries in Denver. A few of our favorites include Great Divide Brewing Co, Wynkoop Brewing Company, Left Hand, and Cerveceria Colorado.

If you’re interested in checking out a local winery, The Infinite Monkey Theorem is one of our top picks.

When it’s time for dinner, you can grab great food from the breweries or check out these locations:

• Uchi: an elegant sushi restaurant with non-traditional Japanese fare
• Cart Drivers: a unique pizza spot with incredible wood-fired pizza, oysters, and cocktails
• Mister Oso: a hip, cozy place serving creative tacos and fun drinks

Denver Weekend Trip: Day 2

Explore nature, then relax at the spa.

Spend your second day in Denver exploring our beautiful nature, and then unwinding at an award-winning day spa. 

Denver offers easy access to nature, and there are many natural sights around the city and nearby. In fact, the picturesque scenery in the Denver area is some of the best in the country.

Here are some of the best outdoor locations in Denver or nearby:

• Denver Botanic Gardens: one of the most diverse botanic gardens in the United States
• Red Rocks Park: most known for its iconic amphitheatre but also has hiking trails that take you past magical red rock formations
• Sloan’s Lake Park: Denver’s second-largest park with biking and walking paths, a large lake, and grassy areas

If you’re interested in taking a quick day trip, Rocky Mountain National Park is an hour and a half from Denver. It’s one of the highest national parks in the nation and boasts about sixty mountain peaks with unmatched views.

After spending your day outdoors, Oakwell Beer Spa is the perfect place to relax.  At Oakwell, you can enjoy a cozy taproom oasis with delicious beverages and rejuvenating beer-inspired spa treatments.

Book your spa day here.

Denver Weekend Trip: Day 3

Go sightseeing around the city.

Finish your weekend trip to Denver with a tour of the city.

There are so many unique areas to go sightseeing, all of which offer fun activities, trendy shopping, and dining.
These are some of our favorite areas in Denver for sightseeing:

• River North Art District (RiNo): a stylish neighborhood with art galleries, cocktail lounges, cute cafes, and wall art
• Lower Downtown (LoDo): a bustling neighborhood known for modern dining and shopping and the popular Union Station
• Larimer Square: a historic district within LoDo with unique shops, bars, and restaurants

Local tip: You can park in each of these areas or take a taxi, then easily explore on foot.

Other Things to Do in Denver

Whether you’re staying more than 3 days in Denver or you’re looking for other things to do, here are some of our go-tos and hidden gems:

• The Denver Central Market: a food hall and gourmet marketplace with local vendors offering food, drinks, and goods
• History Colorado Center: an interactive museum dedicated to local history
• Civic Center Park: a green space surrounded by iconic sites, including the State Capitol and the Denver Art Museum
• Comedy Works Downtown: a stand-up comedy club
• Coors Field: a downtown Denver baseball stadium and home to the Colorado Rockies
• Adams Mystery Playhouse: a unique dinner theater

Where to Stay in Denver

During your weekend trip to Denver, there are many accommodations to choose from, including hotels and Airbnbs.

Popular areas to stay in are:

• Five Points or RiNo: a lively neighborhood with so much to see and do
• Cherry Creek: an upscale area with many places to shop and dine
• Union Station or LoDo: a bustling location with endless activities
• Capitol Hill: a quiet residential neighborhood close to downtown Denver

For a cozy stay that doesn’t feel like a hotel, check out Halcyon Hotel. This unique hotel has comfortably luxurious rooms and a rooftop pool deck surrounded by city views. The Halcyon Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Cherry Creek’s shopping district, with many things to see and do nearby.

The Crawford Hotel is also conveniently located in downtown Denver, right above the iconic Union Station. We love this hotel because it's a fun place to shop, eat, and drink. Not only are there shops and restaurants at Denver Union Station, but there are plenty of local attractions within walking distance.

How to Get Around Denver

With ample transportation options, it’s easy to get around Denver.

Driving

If you’re taking a road trip to Denver and have your car, you can drive throughout the city. Many places you’ll explore are easy to park, and then get around on foot. 

You can also rent a car in Denver. There are car rental options throughout the city and at the Denver International Airport.

Taxi and Rideshare

Denver Yellow Cab is the best taxi option in Denver. You can also use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, which are readily available.

Bicycle

While Denver is fairly spread out, there are popular areas that are more condensed and easy to explore by bicycle. For example, RiNo and LoDo are located near each other, offer plenty to see and do for 3 days in Denver, and are bike-friendly.

Lyft and Lime are popular bike-share services. They also offer scooters.

Public Transportation

If you prefer to use public transportation, Denver’s light rail or bus will take you around the city. You can also take the light rail to and from the airport.

The Perfect Weekend Trip to Denver: Final Thoughts

We hope you found this article helpful and are excited for a memorable weekend in Denver. Denver has so much to offer, and it’s difficult to go wrong with anything you do. Check out this three-day sample itinerary to plan a memorable weekend in Denver. If you want to try something new, check out Denver's most unique spa. Book your spa day at Oakwell to relax—the Colorado way.