These are the best places to travel this summer

Denver

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
A park and city skyline in Denver.

©Erkan Gunes/EyeEm/Getty Images

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Denver

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

Denver has it all. Beautiful weather and beautiful people, good restaurants, even better bars, and a lively arts scene. Its also within hours of incredible wilderness.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Denver's Red Rocks venue in the foreground, exploits the full moon as the main event.

    Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

    Denver

    When the setting sun brings out a rich, orange glow from the rock formations and the band on stage launches into just the right tune, Red Rocks…

  • Denver, CO, USA - January 12th, 2016: A night time photo taken of Union Station and the Crawford Hotel in downtown Denver Colorado at the corner of 17th Street and Wynkoop Street.

    Union Station

    Denver

    Gorgeously restored, historic Union Station is Denver's main transportation hub, used by RTD light-rail lines, commuter buses and Amtrak. But it's way…

  • Hispanic family biking in Confluence Park near downtown Denver, Colorado, USA

    Confluence Park

    Denver

    Where Cherry Creek and South Platte River meet is the nexus and plexus of Denver's sunshine-loving culture. Thousands of outdoorsy Denverites flock here…

  • Denver Art Museum, Civic Center Cultural Complex, Denver, Colorado, United States of America, North America

    Denver Art Museum

    Denver

    The Denver Art Museum (DAM) is home to one of the largest Native American art collections in the USA, and puts on special multimedia exhibits that vary…

  • The new Clyfford Still Museum is set to open November 18, 2011. The entry of the museum on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post  (Photo By Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

    Clyfford Still Museum

    Denver

    Dedicated exclusively to the work and legacy of 20th-century American abstract expressionist Clyfford Still, this fascinating museum's collection includes…

  • DENVER, CO - June 23: Joy Park is separated into many areas that include sand, water and even a fort building area Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the Denver Children's Museum in Denver, Colorado. The one acre park opened behind the museum which includes a sand area, zip line and water play area for children and parents alike. (Photo By Brent Lewis/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

    Children’s Museum Denver Marisco Campus

    Denver

    This is one of the hottest tickets in town…well, at least for kids. Highlights include an enclosed three-story climbing structure (helmets provided), a…

  • Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver; Shutterstock ID 216746869; Your name (First / Last): Emma Sparks; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Best_in_the_US_POIs

    Colorado State Capitol

    Denver

    Sitting commandingly atop Capitol Hill, this stately neoclassical government building houses the Governor's Office, Senate and House of Representatives…

  • Japanese garden at Denver Botanic Gardens

    Denver Botanic Gardens

    Denver

    If you’re hankering for greenery, this 23-acre Rocky Mountain garden is the perfect place to lose yourself. Local flora mixes with relatives from faraway…

Advertisement

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Denver has great weather, top restaurants, even better bars and a lively arts and music scene.

Read article

Best Time to Visit

From fantastic restaurants to skiing all powder, Denver is a city filled with lots of things to do. Here are the best reasons to visit by season.

Read article

Things to Know

Make your trip to dazzling Denver even better with some local advice on everything you should know before you arrive.

Read article

Transportation

Getting around in Denver is easy in every season, whether you walk, bike, rent a car or take the light rail.

Read article

Free Things to Do

Denver is on a rocket rise, but so are the prices in Colorado's capital. The good news is there's plenty to see and do for free.

Read article

Best Neighborhoods

Denver’s wander-worthy neighborhoods are jam packed with personality, and each one is distinctly different. Here's how to explore a few.

Read article

Day Trips

Denver is a great jumping-off point for exploring other parts of Colorado. Here are the region's best day trips.

Read article

Money and Costs

A Mile High City vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some tips for visiting Denver on a budget.

Read article

Traveling with Kids

With a zoo, an aquarium, lots of parks and many interactive museums, it's not hard to keep children entertained on a visit to Denver.

Read article

LGBTIQ+ Travel

We’ve rounded up Colorado’s capital’s best queer-owned and -friendly bars, restaurants, shops, fitness studios, events and more.

Read article

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Denver

Advertisement