Summer Vacation in Denver: Top Tips for the Best Experience

Denver has been named the second best place to visit in Colorado. As a cultural hub and Colorado’s most populous city, there’s so much to see. In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about having a memorable summer vacation in Denver, including the reasons to visit and fun things to do. We'll also answer common questions to help you plan your vacation.

Is Denver worth visiting in the summer?

Denver is a great place to visit during summer because of it's pleasant weather, great outdoor activities, and fun summer events. It's also close to other cool destinations if you want to explore beyond Denver.

• Pleasant weather - Denver’s summer weather is incredible, with mostly sunny days. High temperatures are usually in the upper 80s, and low temperatures are generally in the upper 50s.
• Great outdoor activities - It’s easy to enjoy Denver’s nice summer weather and beautiful scenery with so many fun outdoor activities, like exploring local parks and strolling around trendy neighborhoods. There’s the perfect mix of adventure with outdoor sports and relaxation.
• Fun summer events - Denver has many summer events, including Farmers Markets, local festivals, and live music concerts.
• Close to other destinations - Although you can easily spend your entire vacation enjoying all that Denver has to offer, you can also take day trips. Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado Springs are some of our favorite nearby destinations.

Best Things to Do During Summer Vacation in Denver

There are so many fun things to do when visiting Denver in the summer, from exploring outdoors and relaxing at a beer spa to visiting the city's fun neighborhoods and going to a sporting event.

Enjoy Nature

Although Denver is a city, there’s no shortage of nature to enjoy. Whether you’re hanging out at a local park or taking in the city’s views from a rooftop bar, the opportunities are endless.

Some of our favorite outdoor places in Denver include:

• Confluence Park - Relax on a bench or walk around the park, catching views of Cherry Creek and Platt Park River. The park is conveniently located in Lower Downtown (LoDo), with many restaurants and breweries nearby.
• Cherry Creek Regional Trail System - Walk or bike along this 40-mile, mostly paved trail that’s tucked away from the city. You can stop along the way for a picnic or to explore popular neighborhoods just off the trail.
• Denver Botanic Gardens - Stroll through 23 acres of gardens with diverse plants. There are also events at the gardens, including the Summer Concert Series.
• 54thirty Rooftop - Enjoy drinks and small plates at this upscale rooftop bar, which offers picture-perfect city views. 
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Park - See a live outdoor concert or explore one of the most unique parks just outside of Denver.

Go Brewery Hopping

What better way to cool down during summer than with a cold beer? Denver’s beer scene is one of the best in the country, with over a hundred breweries in the metro area. We highly recommend brewery hopping to enjoy delicious craft beer and Denver’s lively atmosphere.
You can join a guided brewery tour with Denver Microbrew or lead your own tour along the Denver Beer Trail.

Some of our favorite Denver breweries include:

• Cerveceria Colorado - A Mexican-inspired brewery with regular events
• Wynkoop Brewing Company - Colorado’s first brewpub with great beer and food
• Novel Strand Brewing Company - A laid-back brewery with indoor and outdoor seating
• Diebolt Brewing - A fun local spot with French-inspired beers and regular food trucks

Relax at Oakwell Beer Spa

The best way to unwind during your summer vacation in Denver is relaxing at Oakwell Beer Spa, an award-winning, beer-inspired day spa.

Oakwell Beer Spa is a spa and taproom combined into one luxurious, tranquil space. You can enjoy local craft beer, wine, cider, tea, or kombucha in a cozy taproom. You can also treat yourself to unique spa services, including Beer Bath Hydrotherapy, Infrared Sauna, and a Zero Gravity Massage.

Book a spa day for two and enjoy a private Beer Therapy Room for a rejuvenating spa experience. You can also book a Garage Party if you need multiple rooms for a larger group.

Take a Street Art Tour

Enjoy Denver’s summer weather while exploring the city’s vibrant street art, from famous Denver murals to unique street art.

Some of the best places to see Denver murals and art are:

• Art District on Santa Fe: A quiet area with art walls, museums, and shops 
• Confluence Park: A peaceful, pet-friendly area in LoDo
• River North Art District (RiNo): A popular, trendy area with a lot to see and do
• Five Points: A laid-back neighborhood with a local feel
• Sunnyside: A charming neighborhood with a few cafes, restaurants, and breweries

Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo is an 80-acre nonprofit zoological garden with over 2,500 animals. Not only can you explore the zoo to see animals in their habits, but there are also many activities to enjoy during your summer vacation in Denver. The zoo has regular events, animals talks, snacks, and more. There's also a summer safari camp for kids throughout the summer.

Watch a Game

Watching a sporting event is one of the most iconic activities when visiting Denver. You can watch the Colorado Rapids play soccer at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park or the famous Colorado Rockies play baseball at Coors Field.

Have Fun at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park offers fun for children and adults. The park has over 50 rides, including roller coasters, water slides, and kid-friendly rides. There's also an arcade and lots of food options.

You can also attend events like kid-friendly interactive performances and fireworks for Memorial Day.

Take a Day Trip to Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is about an hour and a half from Denver and one of the most unique places in Colorado. Because of its natural history and beauty, the park is one of the few registered National Natural Landmarks in Colorado.

At Garden of the Gods, you can enjoy picture-perfect scenery with massive rock formations and diverse wildlife. It’s a great place to hike, with various well-marked trails for all levels. Pets are also welcome!

Where to Stay for Your Summer Vacation in Denver

No matter your budget or the kind of accommodation you're looking for, Denver has many hotels and Airbnbs to choose from.

Some of the best areas to stay in Denver include:

• Downtown, including LoDo - A lively area with so much to see and do and plenty of hotels, including The Crawford Hotel at the iconic Union Station
• Cherry Creek - A luxurious area surrounded by high-end shopping and hotels, including the popular Halcyon Hotel
• RiNo - A trendy, walkable area with many shops, restaurants, bars, and a few hotels and vacation rentals
• Capitol Hill - A quiet, historic neighborhood with several vacation rentals and various landmarks, including museums and parks
• Sunnyside - A quaint, charming neighborhood with several Airbnbs

Summer Vacation in Denver: FAQs

Make the most of your Denver summer getaway with answers to common questions below.

How many days is enough in Denver?

Two days is enough in Denver, but we recommend staying as long as you can to fully enjoy the city. While you can have a memorable weekend in Denver, staying up to a week or longer is worth it because there's so much to see and do.

How do you get around Denver?

You can get around Denver by car and public transportation. There are rideshare services, rentable scooters and bicycles, and many areas are easily walkable.

The most convenient way to get around Denver is by car. If you're flying into the city, you can rent a car at the airport. If you want to travel around Denver on a budget, you can use public transportation or stay in a walkable area with many activities like RiNo or LoDo.

Does Denver get hot in the summer?

Denver gets hot during the day in the summer, with high temperatures around the upper 80s. The humidity is low, so the warm temperatures are a dry heat. 

At night, the weather cools down, with low temperatures around the upper 50s.

Is July a good time to visit Denver?

July is a great time to visit Denver to enjoy fun local events, outdoor activities, and the warmest weather. It's also the busy season, so you'll experience the largest crowds during this time. Be sure to book your travel as far in advance as possible.

Is August a good time to visit Denver?

August is an excellent time to visit Denver, especially for the nice weather. Late August is best if you want to experience fewer crowds while still enjoying the summer season.

Summer Vacation in Denver: Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful and are excited to plan your summer getaway! Denver has amazing weather and many fun attractions and activities, making it one of the best places for a summer vacation.

Make time for relaxation during your vacation and book a spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa, where you can unwind and enjoy one of the most unique spa experiences.