Itineraries for Your Trip to Denver
1 Day in Denver For First Timers
When I think of Denver, two things come to mind: architecture and mountains. I visited frequently as a kid, staying in the beautiful old home of my aunt and uncle in historic Capitol Hill. Some of my fondest memories involve walking around and looking at the architectural beauty.
The other thing that stuck out was how close the Rocky Mountains seemed. I grew up in Portland, where mountains are part of the skyline, but not like Denver, where you need only look up to be reminded that magnificent nature is only a short drive away. You can experience the city and get out into the wild with just one day in Denver. Here’s how.
If you only have time for one thing, make it historic Larimer Square.
Denver's high altitude can dehydrate—don’t exert yourself too much on your first day or two, and drink plenty of water.
Start your day in Denver with a visit to the Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood, the oldest part of the city. Start at Union Station and go to Denver 16th Street Mall, a commercial strip with many great shops and restaurants. Then continue to Larimer Square and its surrounding Larimer Square District, a historic area known for its beautiful old buildings (where early pioneers first put down roots in Denver in the 1850s).
Denver gets a lot of afternoon sunshine, even in the cooler months of the year, making it a great time to get out and explore. While many people make a worthwhile jaunt to nearby Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, known for its hiking trails and stellar outdoor music venue, the city is close enough to Rocky Mountain National Park to make an afternoon visit a reality. Make sure to stop in Idaho Springs along the way for a stroll or a meal. This gateway community is well-known for its mining history.
After your jaunt out to the Rockies, return to Denver to visit the Capitol Hill neighborhood, an artsy area home to the Colorado State Capitol Building and the Molly Brown House Museum. It’s a great area to grab dinner and drinks—with many great restaurants specializing in cuisine from around the world. Some say this historic neighborhood is haunted, too, making it a popular spot for ghost tours.
