Not everyone has a week to spend in Denver; in fact, many visitors hurry off to the mountains for skiing, mountain biking, climbing and hiking. For those of you fortunate enough to have a free day in Denver, or better still, are attending a week-long conference in the Mile High City, there is no reason to not get out and explore the local Denver scene. Here are our favourite ways to do just that.
Every first Friday of the month, the art studios in the River North (RiNo) and Santa Fe art districts open their doors to allow visitors to rub elbows with local artists and see what’s new and hot in Denver’s art scene. They don’t stop there though; art is on the walls at almost every restaurant and store in the neighbourhood. Check their websites for maps of who is participating in each ‘hood.
#localsknow tip: To explore RiNo with us, join our daily tour of the best of the district’s art and food scene.
Taming the RiNo
Dive into the trendiest open-air art districts of Colorado as you go behind the scenes to meet some local RiNo artists in their private workshops.
We are a super sporty community, and let’s face it: hotel gyms are not always well equipped, and sometimes it’s just easier to work out in a group.
The November Project is like working out with 20 to 30 of your best friends. Every Wednesday and Friday, you can find this group of lovable, early-morning fitness fanatics working out in refreshing and new ways. Expect a full body workout AND a hug, and to leave with a huge smile.
Workouts and hugs are all free — expect to make a new friend here.
Get your rock climbing on. There’s almost always someone at Movement who needs to partner up for a belay.
With drop-ins on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you’ll have a chance to hone your skills, get a workout, and meet some locals at Dive Volleyball.
Rather watch sports than play sports? Denver’s got you covered. | Photo by Denver Urban Adventures
With the Broncos, Avalanche, Nuggets, Rapids and Rockies in town, there is almost always a professional sporting event you can attend. Check their websites for schedules and tickets.
#localsknow tip: If the Rockies are playing in town, check to see if it’s a fireworks game; if so, head to the roof of nearby Avanti for spectacular views and great food and drink.
At the Denver Botanical Gardens, the tree frogs and bonsai trees are my favourite part of the gardens, but you never know what you’ll find here. Two years in a row they had a blooming corpse flower, which takes 7 to 20 years to bloom and lasts only 48 hours.
#localsknow tip: If you happen to be here during the holiday season, the Botanical Gardens stay open late and staff go all-out decorating the park. Definitely a fun experience.
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is a wonderful place to see plays, musicals, cabaret and even improv. Grab a friend and check it out.
It’s worth a quick internet search or better yet, a stroll down to 16th and Larimer to see what’s going on. On any given weekend, you can find a festival or other celebration in full swing.
Plan your museum days right and you’ll see the exhibits (like this chocolate one) for free | Photo by Denver Urban Adventures
Denver museums have a slew of no-cost, open door days where you can walk right in and see what all the fuss is about without reaching for your wallet. It is a great perk and I highly recommend taking advantage of it. Keep in mind these days are popular — so show up early to beat the rush. The participating museums are:
Hopefully you now have a great reason to schedule an extra day in Denver. Yet to be convinced? Don’t worry, this is not an all-inclusive list; take a peek at our ever-growing collection of Denver tours where we visit the best that Denver has to offer and give you a peek behind the curtain to see what a day in the life of a local looks like. Enjoy Denver; we’re glad you’re here!
