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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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:
Make the most of your Denver summer getaway with answers to common questions below.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Expect warm, sunny days with low humidity and comfortable evenings. Highs typically reach the 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit, with lows in the 50s to low 60s—ideal for outdoor festivals, patio dining, and quick getaways to the nearby mountains.
Afternoon temperatures often rise into the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit, with occasional days hitting 100. July is usually the hottest month. Low humidity, cooler evenings, and brief afternoon thunderstorms help moderate the heat.
Denver averages about one 100-degree day per year, though it varies—some years have none, while others see several during heat waves.
See a concert or hike at Red Rocks, stroll the Denver Botanic Gardens, relax in City Park or Washington Park, explore Union Station and the 16th Street Mall, visit the Denver Art Museum, catch a Rockies game at Coors Field, sample craft breweries, enjoy water parks like Elitch Gardens, and take easy day trips to Golden or Boulder for hiking and river activities.
Bring breathable layers for warm days and cool nights, a light rain jacket for brief afternoon storms, sunscreen, a brimmed hat, sunglasses, lip balm, a reusable water bottle, and comfortable walking shoes or light hikers; casual attire suits most restaurants and breweries.
At about 5,280 feet, stay well hydrated, limit alcohol and intense exercise the first day, use electrolytes, and wear sunscreen due to stronger UV. If you feel headache or fatigue, rest and hydrate; seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
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Enjoy delicious craft beers from Lariat Lodge Brewing Company while you relax at Oakwell Beer Spa this August.
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