Day Trips from Denver. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Boulder – Mountain Town Charm

Approximately 30-45 minutes from Denver. A community known for its outdoor access and pedestrian mall.

Spend half to a full day. Walk Pearl Street Mall, then hike Flatiron trails at Chautauqua Park. Easily go by car or RTD bus.

Boulder Highlights

Pearl Street Mall for shopping and dining.
Chautauqua Park: Flatiron hiking routes.
RTD bus available for transit from Denver.
Half-day or full-day visits are popular.

More Day Trip Choices

Venture out to discover more of Colorado's charm and natural wonders beyond Denver.

Golden – Historic Mining & Views

A quick 20-30 minute journey. Explore a city with brewing history and mountain vistas.

Golden Experiences

Coors Brewery Tour is a popular activity.
Lookout Mountain with Buffalo Bill's Grave.
Clear Creek for water-based fun.

Colorado Springs – Peaks & Red Rocks

Roughly 60 minutes's drive south. Home to iconic natural landmarks and military history.

Springs Main Attractions

Pikes Peak, known as "America's Mountain."
Garden of the Gods Park with dramatic formations.
U.S. Air Force Academy campus.

Trip Planning Considerations

Organized Tour Advantages

Logistics and transportation arranged.
Guidance from local experts.
Less flexible on itinerary.
Set time limits at each stop.

Independent Travel Perks

Personalized route and spontaneous stops.
Cost-effective for groups with a rental car.
Requires self-planning and navigation.
Parking location research.

Day Trip Timeframes

Estes Park/RMNP:Full day or longer
Georgetown:Part of the day
Golden:Half day
Boulder:Half to full day

Colorado Springs:Full day
Central City/Black Hawk:Part of the day
Leadville:Full day
Mount Evans Scenic Byway:A half-day

Traveler's Insight

For Rocky Mountain National Park visits during peak season (late May to mid-October), check the park's website for timed entry requirements. Reserve these early.

Natural Escapes

Colorado's natural splendor shines in areas surrounding Denver. Plan a day trip for immersion in mountains, forests, and unique geological formations.

National & State Parks

Rocky Mountain National Park, Staunton State Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Eldorado Canyon State Park, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

Scenic Drives

Mount Evans Scenic Byway (seasonal), Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, Garden of the Gods for dramatic red sandstones.

Seasonal Wonders

Fall foliage (Mid-Sept to Mid-Oct) for golden aspens. Elk rut in Estes Park during autumn.

Mountain Exploration

The Front Range of the Rocky Mountains is easily accessible. Countless trails plus lookout points await your discovery.

Activities and Areas

Hiking, scenic drives, and winter sports.
Drive into the foothills for rural escapes.
Lakes and reservoirs for boating activities plus fishing.

Reservoir Recreation

Cherry Creek State Park and Chatfield State Park both house large reservoirs. These spots are ideal for aquatic activities.

Water Activities

Boating on the expansive waters.
Seasonal swimming areas for refreshing dips.
Fishing for various species.

Rural & Cultural Excursions

Central Urban AND Black Hawk:Historic mining towns, casinos.

Leadville:Highest incorporated city, mining history.

Evergreen & Idaho Springs:Mountain life and local charm.

East of Denver:Agricultural plains, farming heritage.

Shrine of St. Anne (Arvada):Local Catholic pilgrimage site.

Mother Cabrini Shrine (Golden):Beautiful Catholic shrine, views.

Multi-Day Trip Ideas

Winter sports resorts (Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge) for multi-day snow sports.
Southern Colorado to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.
Western Slope to Grand Junction (wine region) or Glenwood Springs (hot springs).
Extend travel to Utah (Moab for National Parks), New Mexico (Santa Fe, Taos), or Wyoming (Grand Teton, Yellowstone).
Amtrak's California Zephyr train travel is an option to Utah and California.

Outdoor Adventures

Denver's setting near the Rocky Mountains presents opportunities for outdoor activities. Immerse yourself in the region's natural beauty. For booking activities, visit GetYourGuide.

Hiking & Trekking

Trails suit various fitness levels, from easy city parks to strenuous mountain ascents.

Trail Suggestions

Easy: City Park, Red Rock formationss Park, Garden of the Gods.
Moderate: Staunton State Park, Golden Gate Canyon.
Strenuous: Rocky Mountain National Park (reservations needed).

Water Sports

Lakes and rivers offer kayaking, paddleboarding, and whitewater rafting for all skill sets.

Aquatic Fun

Kayaking/Paddleboarding: Sloan's Lake, Cherry Creek Reservoir.
Whitewater Rafting: Clear Creek (near Golden) for day trips.
Arkansas River for longer, more intense rafting (seasonal).

Adventure Sports

Seek thrills with cliff scaling, bouldering, or zip-lining adventures.

High-Adrenaline Choices

Rock Climbing/Bouldering: Indoor gyms and outdoor spots near Golden/Boulder.
Zip-lining: Mountain locations provide scenic rides (day trip).
Cycling: Extensive multi-use trails for road cycling (Cherry Creek Trail).

Wildlife & Cycling

Encounter local fauna or explore numerous cycling and mountain biking paths.

Encounters & Rides

Wildlife: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (bison, deer).
Bird Watching: Many city parks during migration season.
Mountain Biking: Trails in Golden (North Table Mountain) for all levels.

Cultural Immersion

Denver's cultural environment has a wealth of ways to engage with local art, music, and traditions. Find immersion in the city's creative spirit.

Workshops & Classes

Art workshops at Denver Art Museum or RiNo Art District. Cooking classes including local ingredients. Introductory music/dance classes.

Performances & Events

Denver Performing Arts Complex for Broadway, Symphony, Ballet. Jazz clubs in Five Points. First Friday Art Walks in RiNo/Santa Fe.

Festivals

Denver Arts Festival (spring), Cherry Creek Creative Festival (summer), Denver Beer Fest (fall), National Western Stock Show (winter). Diverse community festivals.

Local Tip: Red Rocks

For an unique Denver experience, check the Red Rocks Amphitheatre schedule. Even without major concerts, park visits are often free. Explore the stunning venue.

Entertainment & Nightlife

Denver's entertainment and nightlife scene offers various options for evening enjoyment.

Denver's Evening Scene

Live Music

Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Morrison) for major concerts. Ogden, Bluebird, Gothic, Mission Ballspace for touring acts. Larimer Lounge, Hi-Dive for local bands. Dazzle Denver for jazz.

Theater & Performance

Denver Performing Arts Complex for Broadway tours, local theater, comedy, classical performances. Various smaller independent theaters also perform.

Nightclubs & Bars

LoDo and RiNo districts host nightclubs and dance venues. Bar districts include LoDo (breweries, sports bars), RiNo (craft breweries), Highlands (cocktail bars), South Broadway (dive bars).

Late-Night Entertainment

Most Denver bars and clubs nearby 1 AM or 2 AM.
Late-night dining options are present, especially downtown.
Arrange for after-hours snacks or meals.
Verify individual venue closing times.
Public transport schedules may alter late at night.
Ride-share services are generally available.

Shopping & Markets

Seasonal farmers' markets (May-October) offer local produce and artisan goods.
RiNo Art District: galleries, studios, unique local art and crafts.
Santa Fe Arts District: focuses on local artists and galleries.
Larimer Square: independent boutiques for unique fashion, gifts, handcrafted items.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center for high-end department stores and luxury labels.
Cherry Creek North: upscale boutiques, art galleries, jewelry stores.

Souvenir & Ethical Shopping

Souvenir Ideas

Colorado-themed apparel, local craft beer, lavender products, honey, specialty foods, art from local galleries, outdoor/mountain-related items.

Ethical Guidelines

Support local artisans, seek "Made in Colorado" products, find fair-trade certified items, inquire about ethical sourcing. For sustainable outdoor gear, consider Patagonia. For reusable items, Package Free Shop has options.

Shipping Purchases

USPS, FedEx, and UPS are options. International visitors watch home country customs regulations and duty limits. Keep all receipts.

Relaxation & Wellness

Denver has opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation. Spas, natural hot springs, and health and wellness activities are available. The Oxford Club, Spa & Salon and The Ritz-Carlton Spa offer luxury services. Day trips to Indian Hot Springs (Idaho Springs) are popular. Hot Sulphur Springs and Glenwood Hot Springs involve longer drives. Numerous yoga studios and public swimming pools are present. Cherry Creek State Park has a season-based swimming beach.

Day Trips from Denver