Share the article
Last updated
Want to spend your summer dining, exploring the outdoors and taking in some of the most breathtaking views in the world?
Then I have good news.
You can do all that (and more) without leaving the US
According to a tourism report at the city’s behest, 37.4 million domestic tourists visited Denver, Colorado, last year, and 20.5 million overnight visitors visited the city.
And because I enjoy poking around about fun facts, I’ll give you another one!
The top 5 cities sending visitors to Denver were Los Angeles, Albuquerque/Santa Fe New Mexico, New York City, Dallas Fort Worth and Houston.
So why join the crowds and visit Denver?
Food, fun and more food
Denver is a wonderfully walkable city with blue skies, more than 300 days of sunshine a year and a fascinating and rich history.
Larimer Square, the city’s oldest block, is home to characteristic 19th-century buildings. And the mansion that was once home to Titanic survivor, the infamous Molly Brown, has been converted into a fascinating museum.
In the background you can enjoy a breathtaking mountain landscape.
But where Denver really stands out from the crowd right now is its epic food scene. And if you live to eat (rather than eat to live), then that’s a good reason to visit the city.
In fact, in MayDenver was named the best American city for foodies. If you enjoy good food, the city has three Michelin-starred restaurants: Beckon, Brutø and Wolf’s Tailor. If you have the time (and a thick enough wallet!), they are all worth a try.
One of Colorado’s most unique game species, bison is an iconic Denver dish that you’ll find on menus across the city, no matter what type of cuisine they serve.
Think bison steaks, bison meatballs and even bison tacos!
When it’s time to wash it all down, Denver is also home to a number of world-class breweries.
You can take a beer trail through downtown Denver to sample as many local flavors as possible.
The Visit Denver website has created a handy downloadable map that allows beer lovers to find every spot. This card is free: you just have to pay for your own beer when you reach each brewery!
The gateway to the Rocky Mountains
More than a third of visitors to Denver use it as an access point to the Rocky Mountains.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a 60-mile drive from Denver, a journey that takes about an hour and a half if you travel by car.
If you only visit one national park this summer, it’s a good one! With 350 miles of trails, 147 lakes and 77 mountains over 10,000 feet, this is the best of American nature on an epic scale.
To enter Rocky Mountain National Park you need a ticket and advance reservations are required during certain hours of the day.
If you plan to visit the Rockies for one day during your vacationrip, then the tickets $15 per person on foot or $30 per private car (This ticket covers entry for all people in the car, so it is the most economical option if you are traveling with part of a group).
If you plan to visit the Rockies several times a day, it’s worth paying a little extra for a 7-day entry pass. These cost $20 per person or $35 per private car.
Denver’s top tourist attractions
Wondering what the other best things to do in Denver are?
Well, this time you don’t have to take my word for it!
The Denver Tourism Bureau crunched the numbers and found that the most visited attractions for tourists in Denver are:
- The Cherry Creek Mall and Neighborhood (great for a little retail therapy!)
- The Red Rocks Parks and Amphitheater
- The art diversion/art gallery neighborhood
- The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
- The Children’s Museum of Denver
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
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.
