Denver On a Budget
Denver, Colorado
The city's climate is temperate and sunny days are common. There are four distinct seasons. During the winter months snowstorms are common but temperatures are usually warmer than the New England region of the United States. Spring is pleasant, although snow can occur well into April. Summer begins in June and temperatures rise quickly. Highs during the summer months can reach the high 80's or mid 90's. Fall begins in early September and temperatures drop rapidly.
Sights
Denver is really a collection of nice neighborhoods, many of which are fun to explore on their own. The city has many parks and green space, and being outside is an essential part of a trip to Denver. Popular museums in the city include the Byers-Evans House Museum, the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Black American West Museum, the Chamberlin Observatory, and Molly Brown House Museum. Popular parks around town include City Park, the Denver Zoo, the Denver Botanic Gardens, Washington Park, Cheesman Park, and Confluence Park. A visit to the Denver State Capitol is also enjoyable. Make sure you take in most or all of these sites if you have 3 days in Denver.Neighborhoods
Older, more historic neighborhoods in Denver include Washington Park, Platt Park, Highlands, West Highlands, Congress Park, and City Park West. Other neighborhoods near downtown include Capitol Hill, Uptown, Cheesman Park, South Broadway, and Baker.If you're hoping to do some shopping there are several areas you can check out including the 16th Street Mall, the Cherry Creek Shopping District, the Lower Downtown area, Larimer Square, and Colfax Avenue.
Activities
Denver really is a city for outdoor enthusiasts. There are plenty of parks, hiking trails, and outdoor areas in town and just outside of the city that are worth exploring. There are also a handful of amusement parks and sporting events that you can attend.There are festivals in town almost year around so check out a schedule before you visit to see what's going on. While festivals are most common during the summer months, events occur in the winter months as well that are well worth a trip.
If you're looking for cultural activities, or if the weather isn't great, then there are some shows or concerts you can enjoy. Check out the Colorado Ballet, the Colorado Symphony, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Opera Colorado.
Food and Dining
Restaurants are abundant and food is generally quite good in Denver. There are a variety of local specialties with Green Chili being a favorite. It's a brown, thick sauce that is made with pork and Pueblo green chilies. It can be served with almost anything including chorizo, eggs, or tamales. Other local dishes often include ingredients such as angus beef, buffalo, cutthroat trout and Rocky Mountain oysters. Some restaurants may even have rattlesnake on the menu.Mexican restaurants are ubiquitous around town and usually one of the more affordable options. You can really find cuisine from all over the world with Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese all available.
Transportation
You'll likely want access to a car when you're visiting Denver. Much of the appeal of this city comes from getting out and exploring the nearby natural settings, most of which are not accessible by public transportation.There is a public transportation system in town which includes buses and a light rail, both of which are reliable but are feeling the strain of the city's growing population. The light rail system connects the downtown area to the south central and southeast suburbs. Buses make up the most significant part of public transit in the city. Even so, it is inefficient to rely solely on public transit during your time in Denver.
Another option is the explore the city with a bike. There's an elaborate network of bike trails which allow you to have a unique perspective on this bustling city. There is a strong cycling culture in the city and there are many bike lanes around town. The main trails run along Cherry Creek and the Platte.
