Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Denver?

Q: Is one day enough time in Denver?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the park-filled city of Denver, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to hit the ski slopes, take a hike, soak up the big city atmosphere, and grab some drinks at a bar. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Denver?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Denver, Colorado? Most people spend two to three days in Denver during their visit. After all, the park-filled city will let you hit the ski slopes, take a hike, soak up the big city atmosphere, and grab some drinks at a bar.

For many travelers, Denver serves as an arrival or departure point for their national park and Rocky Mountain trips. The city is relatively large and sprawling with a handful of museums that you can visit. The city also offers access to several of the ski resorts that are nearby.

Do you have one or two days to visit Denver? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Denver?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the park-filled city of Denver, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to hit the ski slopes, take a hike, soak up the big city atmosphere, and grab some drinks at a bar. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Denver

Perhaps the most famous spot in Denver is Red Rocks Park, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.

A few tour suggestions include:

Denver Cocktail Tour: A Local's Guide To Denver’s Nightlife ($121)
Wild West Pub Crawl in Golden ($65)

The public transit in Denver is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Denver?

Denver isn't a particularly popular city for tourists, despite having some sights and attractions worth seeing. A weekend is probably not enough. You'd feel rushed to see the main attractions of Denver such as the great snow skiing along with the terrific hiking. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more than just a 2 day trip. Most travelers schedule two to three days to fully experience this city. Nevertheless, if a weekend is all you can spare, we have some suggestions for your weekend getaway to Denver below.

Denver, Colorado

How to spend 2 days in Denver

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Denver will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Snow skiing is the main attraction here in winter, so make sure you spend at least a day on the slopes. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.