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When planning a spring break, it’s easy to be tempted by exotic choices like Mexico or the Caribbean.
But if you’re willing to sacrifice the beach, there are a lot of fantastic cities right on our doorstep here in the United States, great places to travel to in the spring.
One such, perhaps underestimated, city is Denver, Colo.
It may not be the first place you think of for domestic travel; however, it appears that its popularity is on a very strong upward curve.
A whopping 77.8 million passengers used Denver International Airport in 2023, and that’s not just a new all-time record but also an increase of 12.1% in 2022.
Statistics like these show how popular Denver is as a destination – so why should you consider visiting the ‘Mile-High City’ this spring?
It’s shoulder season
Denver’s two main shoulder seasons are fall and spring.
Between March and May you will find that the city has more pleasant temperatures than the extremes of summer and winter, and it should also be less crowded.
This can lead to cheaper hotels and other accommodation in the city – in the spring you can quite easily find a hotel in the price range of €125 to €150 per night, possibly even cheaper if you stay slightly outside the center.
And if you decide to do so, getting around is easy with Denver’s affordable and convenient public transportation.
There is a strong bus and light rail network, and tickets for both are conveniently available RTD app on your smartphone.
Cheap and easy to reach
Denver International Airport is home to two major US airlines, Frontier and United, so you can be assured there is virtually unlimited choice when it comes to flights.
A quick check-in with Skyscanner shows that you can get flights to Denver in the spring for an average price of about $50 one-way from US locations such as Atlanta, Kansas City, Dallas, Portland, Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami , and more.
Tasty temptations
It may not always get the recognition it deserves in this regard, but Denver is a great city for foodies.
And between March 1 and 10, the city will host its annual Denver Restaurant Week event with four specific price points to choose from: $25, $35, $45 or $55.
This means that you can enjoy a multi-course menu for a fixed price in one of the more than 200 participating restaurants. It’s a great way to fully explore the culinary scene here.
This year it will also be the 20the anniversary of the event, so expect some extra fanfare and maybe even some extra special offers.
City of art and culture
Sure, Denver is known as a great base camp for a winter vacation, but several parts of the city come alive in the spring when things warm up.
There will be plenty of music events, especially in May, such as the Five Points JazzFest and the Denver Day of Rock.
The Colfax Marathon and the popular Cinco de Mayo celebration will also take place that same month.
In between all those great events, fill some time with a visit to Denver’s excellent art scene. The Denver Art Museum just reopened one of its main buildings after renovations.
A haven for hikers
Denver’s location at the foot of the Rocky Mountains makes it the perfect base for some early-season hikes.
Rent a car and you can find great hiking trails all over the city in every direction, but did you know that the city itself is also great for walking?
There is an extensive regional trail system throughout Denver that can show you the city from a different angle and make hiking more accessible for everyone in your party.
Several good books have been written about urban walking in Denver, so do a quick internet search and see what you can find.
Family friendly
There are many great family-friendly attractions in Denver that make it ideal for a long weekend in the spring.
Examples include the Elitch Gardens theme and water park, the Denver Skate Park and the Lakeside Amusement Park.
You can even drive out of town and visit the famous Red Rocks Park and amphitheater.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
