Major city · United States
DenverDenver, Colorado
Give Denver 3 nights: one for downtown and LoDo, one for a Red Rocks or foothills day, one for a museum-and-neighbourhood day. Add a car only for the mountains.
Denver is the Mile-High City at 1,609 m, where the High Plains meet the Rockies about 19 km west of the State Capitol. It is a driving city with a compact, walkable core: Union Station, LoDo, the 16th Street corridor and the museums around Civic Center. Most visitors use it as a 2–3 night city stop before or after a Colorado road trip, not as a mountain base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug afternoon storms; Jan–Feb cold snaps
- Airports
- Denver (DEN) · Centennial (APA) · Rocky Mountain Metropolitan (BJC)
- Nights
- 3
About Denver
Denver is Colorado's capital and the largest city in the Rocky Mountain Region, sitting in a broad valley where the High Plains rise toward the mountains. It began in 1858 as a placer gold mining camp called the Cherry Creek Diggings. Its elevation of 5,280 feet gives it the Mile-High City nickname. The Rocky Mountains stand roughly 12 miles (19 km) west of the Colorado State Capitol. Within a 560-mile (900 km) radius, Denver is the most populous city, and it anchors a Front Range corridor of more than five million residents. The city keeps ties to its cowboy and mining past while supporting an arts and performing arts scene, outdoor festivals and distinct neighborhoods. It is generally a driving city, with sprawl and traffic among its everyday problems.
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
See
What is worth your time in Denver.
- Denver Union Station — A renovated rail hub with an on-site hotel, restaurants and bars, often cited as a model for station revivals.
- Colorado State Capitol — The Rocky Mountains rise about 12 miles (19 km) west of it, and the airport lies 18 miles (29 km) east-northeast of it.
Do
- Ride the RTD commuter rail A line between Denver International Airport and Union Station, a trip of about 37 minutes.
- Take the daily California Zephyr; westbound departures at 8:05AM offer the best Rocky Mountain views.
- Visit during the outdoor festival season the city hosts.
- Explore the city's distinct neighborhoods.
Customs
- Colorado keeps Mountain Standard Time (UTC-07) in winter and Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-06) in summer.
- The 105th Meridian West, the reference line for Mountain time, runs through Denver Union Station.
- Denver is generally a driving city, and traffic and pollution are part of daily life.
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Denver911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Denver, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyDowntown Denver is busy and generally safe in the day and early evening; the real risks are altitude…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 311 Denver Police non-emergency · 511 Colorado Road Conditions (CDOT)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDEN Denver International Airport (About 40 km (25 mi) northeast of downtown; RTD A Line commuter rail to Union Station, roughly 37 min.).DEN Denver International Airport (About 25 mi (40 km) northeast of downtown; RTD A Line commuter rail to Union Station, roughly 37 min.).
- Getting aroundDowntown is walkable and the free MallRide shuttle runs along 16th Street.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealDinner, mid-range restaurantBefore tax and an 18–22% tip.$25–45
- BeerCraft beer, brewery taproomPlus tip.$7–9
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Rideshare, 5 km (3.1 mi) downtownRideshare, 3.1 mi (5 km) downtownSurges during games and events.$12–20
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Art Museum, Clyfford Still)Some free days; check the official site.$15–30
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DEN Denver International Airport (About 40 km (25 mi) northeast of downtown; RTD A Line commuter rail to Union Station, roughly 37 min.) · APA Centennial Airport (General aviation, south metro off I-25.) · BJC Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (General aviation, Broomfield, off US-36.)DEN Denver International Airport (About 25 mi (40 km) northeast of downtown; RTD A Line commuter rail to Union Station, roughly 37 min.) · APA Centennial Airport (General aviation, south metro off I-25.) · BJC Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (General aviation, Broomfield, off US-36.)
Map of Denver
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Denver
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Englewood, Colorado · 10 km straight line
- Lakewood, Colorado · 11 km straight line
- Arvada · 11 km straight line
- Westminster, Colorado · 12 km straight line
- Littleton · 14 km straight line
- Aurora, Colorado · 15 km straight line
- Greenwood Village · 15 km straight line
- Thornton · 18 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Denver: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
5 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
5 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
5 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Downtown is walkable and the free MallRide shuttle runs along 16th Street. RTD light rail and commuter rail (including the A Line to DEN) cover the core and some suburbs; buses fill the gaps. Outside the centre, a car or rideshare is usually faster. Parking meters run to 22:00 on weekdays and are free on Sundays; downtown meters take cards.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Golden
goDoor to door: About 45 min
RTD W Line light rail to Golden, or 20–25 min by car on US-6/I-70
Coors Brewery tours, Clear Creek and the Colorado Railroad Museum; easy without a car.
Boulder
goDoor to door: About 1 h
US-36 by car, or RTD FF routes from Union Station area
Pearl Street Mall and Chautauqua trails; a full day if you hike.
Rocky Mountain National Park
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Car via US-36 and US-34 to Estes Park
Timed-entry permits are used in peak season; check the park site before you go.
Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
I-25 south by car, or Bustang from Union Station
Doable as a long day by car; two nights is better with Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car via I-70 and C-470, about 30 min; rideshare works for shows
Trails and the amphitheatre are free on non-show days; check the events calendar before driving out.
Brighton
skipDoor to door: About 30 min
I-76 northeast by car, or RTD routes
Suburban; only worth it for a specific event or the wildlife refuge.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
LoDo and Union Station
Walkable to the ballpark, bars and the A Line to the airport; the easiest base without a car. Priciest.
Downtown CBD and 16th Street
Business hotels, close to the Colorado Convention Center and the free MallRide shuttle.
Capitol Hill and Cheesman Park
Quieter, older housing stock, cafés and bars on Colfax; 20–30 min walk or a short rideshare to downtown.
RiNo (River North)
Breweries, murals and food halls in converted warehouses; light rail and rideshare, few hotels.
Cherry Creek
Shopping and restaurants, upscale and car-friendly; 10–15 min drive from downtown.
Airport area (Gateway Park, Peña Blvd)
Only for early flights or one-night layovers; 30–40 min from downtown by train or car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130–200 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 3 nights × US$190 | US$570 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$140 | US$840 |
| RTD A Line, DEN to Union Station, one way2 × US$11 · check | US$21 |
| RTD day pass2 × US$6 · check | US$12 |
| Rideshare, downtown to Cherry Creek1 × US$18 | US$18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$150 |
| Trip total≈ US$275 per person per day, bed included | US$1,651 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Prices are shown before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Craft beer, brewery taproomPlus tip. | $7–9 |
| Lunch, casual counter spot | $12–18 |
| Dinner, mid-range restaurantBefore tax and an 18–22% tip. | $25–45 |
| RTD local fare | $3 |
| Rideshare, 5 km downtownSurges during games and events. | $12–20 |
| Museum entry (Art Museum, Clyfford Still)Some free days; check the official site. | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Elevation: 1,609 m. Take the first day easy, drink more water than usual and go easy on alcohol.
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August; plan mountain hikes for the morning and be below treeline by early afternoon.
- Winter swings hard: snow and 15 °C (59 °F) sunshine can fall in the same week. Pack layers, not one heavy coat.Winter swings hard: snow and 59 °F (15 °C) sunshine can fall in the same week. Pack layers, not one heavy coat.
- Toll roads (E-470, Northwest Parkway, I-70 express lanes) are cashless or cash-only in places; check how your rental car bills tolls before you drive them.
- Crossing the double white lines out of an express lane can bring a fine of up to $250.
- Parking tickets are issued fast: $25, or $50 if unpaid after two weeks.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Denver Police non-emergency
- 311
- Colorado Road Conditions (CDOT)
- 511
Pocket card
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DenverDenver, Colorado
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Denver Police non-emergency311
- Road conditions (CDOT)511
Embassy
Most countries keep consulates or embassies in Washington, DC; check your own country's list for a Denver consulate before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DEN → Union Station, RTD A Line: about $10.50, roughly 37 min (check)
- Rideshare DEN → downtown: $45–65, 35–50 min depending on traffic
- RTD day pass: about $6 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the train station? — Where is the train station?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- The check, please — The check, please
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- I need help — I need help
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Denver. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug afternoon storms; Jan–Feb cold snaps · month by month →
- 3 airports and 6 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DEN: A Line last departures, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Union Station and LoDo, 16th Street and Civic Center, RiNo, Cherry Creek.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still, Red Rocks, Botanic Gardens) and eat pages with last orders.
- Mountain-day fixtures: I-70 traffic windows, timed-entry checks, storm cutoffs.
Sources
- officialVISIT DENVER — official tourism site
- officialCity and County of Denver
- officialRTD Denver — fares, A Line and schedules
- officialDenver International Airport (DEN)
- officialDenver Union Station
- officialAmtrak — California Zephyr
- officialColorado Department of Transportation — travel map and road conditions
- secondaryWikivoyage: Denver, revision 5330719 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Denver
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