A Denver Staycation Guide: Where to Stay & What to Do

One of the best and most convenient ways to enjoy time away is planning a vacation in your own city. Below, we’ll share planning tips for a Denver staycation, including the best places to stay and fun activities.

Whether you’re planning a staycation for your family, by yourself, or with a partner or friends, there are many unique ways to enjoy your time in Denver. Get planning tips if you want to book a hotel for your staycation and discover fun activities – whether you’re staycationing at home or a hotel. 

Where to Stay for a Denver Staycation

If you’re hoping to stay away from home for your staycation, the following accommodations are ideal. We’ll also share a few places to stay if you want to escape the city without going far.

Whether you’re looking for an upscale or family-friendly hotel, an all-inclusive resort, or a cabin in the mountains, there’s something for everyone – even your pets!

The Crawford Hotel

Location: Downtown Denver

Best for: An elegant accommodation close to the action

Rooms: Suites, lofts, and rooms for up to 4 guests

Pet-friendly: Pets up to 60 pounds with a $50 pet fee

The Crawford Hotel is a stylish, upscale accommodation in the heart of downtown. It’s located at the top of Denver’s Union Station, a historic train station where you can eat, drink, and shop.

If you’re looking for an elegant hotel for a romantic getaway or a staycation with friends, the Crawford Hotel is perfect. It’s also great for singles as it’s close to many fun things to see and do, including events, local sports, breweries, and restaurants.

Halcyon

Location: Cherry Creek North, Denver

Best for: A unique, homey hotel with a lot of amenities

Rooms: Rooms and suites for up to 10 guests

Pet policy: Pets up to 70 pounds with a $150 pet fee

Halcyon is a modern hotel with a homey atmosphere in the trendy Cherry Creek neighborhood. It’s the ideal place to stay for a fun and relaxing Denver staycation. There are multiple amenities, including a restaurant, gym, and rooftop pool and bar. There are also many shops and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.

Halcyon has many rooms, with options for singles, couples, friends, and families. Each room offers stunning city views, and some have balconies and soaking tubs.

The Source

Location: River North Art District (RiNo), Denver

Best for: A relaxed atmosphere and a stunning interior

Rooms: Rooms and suites for up to 4 guests

Pet policy: Pets up to 75 pounds with a $45 pet fee

The Source is a beautifully renovated boutique hotel that prioritizes stylish comfort inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese design.

This is a great spot for a fun Denver staycation, as there’s a lot to enjoy in the artsy, walkable RiNo area, including shops, murals, breweries, and restaurants. The Source also has an on-site rooftop where you can enjoy small bites, more than 20 beers on tap, and stunning mountain views and restaurants, including one of our favorite brunch spots, Safta.

Gaylord Rockies Resort

Location: Aurora, Colorado

Best for: An all-inclusive experience

Rooms: Rooms and suites for up to 6 guests

Pet policy:  Pets up to 75 pounds; contact for pricing info

Gaylord Rockies Resort is one of the best places to stay if you want to escape the city without going too far. It’s located just east of Denver in Aurora and has everything you need for an all-inclusive getaway.

There’s a water park, five unique restaurants, a luxury spa, and a fitness center. Whether you’re planning a family staycation in Denver or a relaxing getaway with friends or your significant other, Gaylord Rockies Resort is a great option!

Colorado Bear Creek Cabins

Location: Evergreen, Colorado 

Best for: A peaceful mountain getaway

Cabins: Cabin homes for up to six guests 

Pet policy:  All pets are welcome with a $50 pet fee

Colorado Bear Creek Cabins are about half an hour southwest of Denver, ideal for a mountain getaway without going too far from the city. This is one of the best places in Colorado for a family, friends, or romantic weekend away.

The cabins are nestled in the Rocky Mountains along Bear Creek, offering the perfect space to relax and enjoy nature. Downtown Evergreen is just a mile away, where you can explore galleries, shops, restaurants, breweries, and wineries. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities, you can fish, paddleboard, ice skate, and walk around Evergreen Lake.

Things to do For a Denver Staycation

As a local, you know there are many fun and unique things to do in Denver, including trying local food and beer, relaxing at the spa, and spending time outdoors. Whether you’re booking an accommodation or planning a staycation at home but want to get out and enjoy the best of Denver, these are some of our favorite bucket list activities!

Denver Food Tours

Enjoy Denver’s delicious food and drink scene and a unique experience with Denver Food Tours. There are various tour options, including a Downtown Food Tour, Cocktail Tasting Hour, and a Denver Wine Walk. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at award-winning local restaurants and bars and learn about local history and architecture along the way.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

Take advantage of your time off and enjoy a live show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre or explore the park’s trails. As one of the most unique things to do in Colorado, playing tourist and visiting Red Rocks is the perfect staycation activity.

Oakwell Beer Spa

What better way to enjoy your staycation than by treating yourself to a relaxing spa day? Oakwell Beer Spa is one of Denver’s most unique, award-winning spas where you can enjoy Beer Bath Hydrotherapy, Infrared Sauna, and a Zero Gravity Massage. There’s also a self-serve taproom with locally brewed craft beer, wine, tea, cider, or kombucha.

Locally-Brewed Craft Beer

Enjoy the local beer scene at some of Denver’s best breweries, including Crooked Stave, Cerveceria Colorado, and Novel Strand Brewing Company. For a self-guided tour, you can walk around one of Denver’s popular areas, like Downtown or RiNo, to visit breweries. You can also book a guided walking tour with Denver Microbrew Tour to visit some of the best spots and learn about the local beer scene. 

Art Galleries

Check out local art galleries to enjoy the art scene and a relaxing experience during your Denver staycation. RiNo, the Art District on Santa Fe, and the Golden Triangle in the Capitol Hill area are some of our favorite walkable areas for exploring galleries. 

Outdoor Activities

One of the best ways to unwind during a staycation is by spending time in nature, and Denver has no shortage of outdoor activities. Get away from the hustle and appreciate the outdoors at the Denver Botanic Gardens, City Park, or Coors Field or Empower Field at Mile High for a sports game.

Staycation in Denver: Conclusion

Planning a vacation without traveling far is a great way to unwind and enjoy your own city! We hope you found this article helpful and are excited to enjoy your Denver staycation. 

If you hope to unwind during your staycation, book an appointment at Oakwell Beer Spa. We offer various packages and experiences for your perfect spa day!