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 and do. In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about a memorable summer vacation in Denver.

Below, we’ll share the best reasons for visiting Denver in the summer, including the pleasant weather and great outdoor activities. We’ll also explore the best things to do in Denver in the summer and answer common questions to help you plan your vacation.

Reasons for Visiting Denver in the Summer

A summer vacation in Denver means you can enjoy the following:

• Pleasant weather - Denver’s summer weather is ideal, 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 in Denver in the Summer

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

Attend a Local Event

One of the best things to do in Denver in the summer is attending a local event, where people get together to celebrate the season.

Popular summer events in Denver include:

• Denver BAZAAR - A shopping and drinking marketplace (every second Sunday from June through October)
• Denver Cherry Blossom Festival - A celebration of Japanese culture (June 22nd & 23rd, 2024)
• Cherry Creek Art Festival - A free festival with fun activities for everyone (July 5th - 7th, 2024)
• Bastille Day French Fest - A free, family-friendly French festival (July 12th - 14th, 2024) 
• Dragon Boat Festival - The largest dragon boat festival in the US (July 27th & 28th, 2024)

Watch a Game

Watching a sporting event is one of the most iconic activities for a summer vacation in 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.

The Colorado Rapids summer home games are on:

• June 15th and 22nd, 2024
• July 7th, 13th, and 20th, 2024
• September 14th and 21st, 2024 

The Colorado Rockies summer home games are on:

• June 3rd - 5th and 15th - 23rd, 2024
• July 1st - 7th and 19th - 24th, 2024
• August 6th - 11th and 26th - 31st, 2024
• September 1st, 13th - 18th, and 24th - 29th, 2024

Where to Stay for Your Summer Vacation in Denver

There are many hotels and Airbnbs throughout Denver to fit any style and budget.

Some of the best areas in Denver to stay when visiting Denver in the summer 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.