My husband was presenting at a conference in Denver, and since I had never been to Colorado, I immediately asked, “When do we leave?” It was the perfect excuse to visit, especially since my college roommate and her family still live in the area. In fact, a lot of our college friends or colleagues have lived in the Denver area at some point, so we asked for their recommendations and planned our trip! Here are our top five picks for the Denver area!
Hotel: Springhill Suites Marriott Denver West/Golden
We enjoyed our stay at the SpringHill Suites Marriott Denver West/Golden. Before the conference, we tacked on a few extra days to explore more of Colorado’s mountains and hiking trails. This location made it easy to visit Garden of the Gods, the Boulder area, and Rocky Mountain National Park without having to drive through the Denver metro area.
We also loved that the hotel was next to a shopping center with a Target, making it easy to pick up any essentials for the week. The nearby town of Golden was another highlight, with great shopping, museums, and plenty to explore.
The hotel offered a complimentary continental breakfast, spacious and clean rooms, and a convenient location for us. We highly recommend making this your home base for your Colorado adventures!
Activity: Denver Botanic Gardens
I love visiting botanical gardens, so I was very excited to check out Denver Botanic Gardens. It did not disappoint! Since it’s located in the heart of the city, I expected it to be on the smaller side, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. There were so many different gardens to explore!
As an East Coaster, it was especially fun to see landscapes that are so different from what we have back home, like the beautiful alpine garden. I visited in late April, so many areas were between peak blooms, but the gardens were still stunning thanks to the flowers that were blooming and the thoughtfully curated art installations throughout the grounds.
Both the indoor conservatories and the outdoor gardens were beautiful. It truly felt like you had escaped the city for a few hours. I also grabbed lunch while I was there, and it was delicious. If you’re looking for a peaceful place to take a walk and enjoy nature, this is a must-visit.
Best Hike: Emerald Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park
Take the trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. It is well worth the two-hour drive to spend a day exploring one of the most iconic national parks.
We visited in April, which meant there was still a significant snowpack on the ground, and it even snowed (we also had graupel!) during our visit. Before entering the park, we stopped at Scots Sporting Goods to pick up crampons, which made hiking the snow and ice covered trails much safer. We were so grateful we had them! Without the crampons, we likely would not have been able to complete this hike.
One of the perks of visiting in April is that you don’t need a timed-entry reservation, which made planning much easier. During our hike, we stopped to admire Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. Aside from trekking through the snow and ice, the hike wasn’t especially difficult. The mountain views, peaceful scenery, and crisp, fresh air made every step worthwhile.
Museum: Mines Museum of Earth Sciences
This is a little off the beaten path, but if you enjoy rocks and minerals, it is so worth the stop. This museum is located at the Colorado School of Mines. It is free to visit, and they have a vast collection of rocks, minerals, gold, moon rocks, and even rocks that glow in the dark. We truly enjoyed our time there.
We also loved that, while we were there, they had a collection of rocks and minerals specifically from female geologists. We got our favorite souvenir here, too! A geode! They let you pick out a rock, crack it open, and take the geode home! We proudly have ours displayed on our TV stand.
Restaurant: Water Grill Denver
Located near Union Station, Water Grill is an excellent seafood restaurant with an upscale yet comfortable atmosphere.
The menu ranges from fresh oysters to fish and chips, making it easy for everyone to find something they’ll enjoy. They also offer an extensive wine list. I ordered the fish and chips, and the meal was delicious!
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a great dinner after exploring the city, Water Grill is worth adding to your itinerary.
Quick Denver Travel Tips
Before You Go: The Denver airport is quite a distance from Denver, and if you want to experience the mountains, a rental car for at least half your trip is a must. We rented from Sixt.
Best Season: I actually enjoyed visiting in late April, but I’d say mid-May would be a lovely time to visit.
Weather: April brought all four seasons the week we were there. We had snow at times, rain and storms, cold days, and mild days. Spring months will always be a transition where winter tries to hang on, while summer is fighting to take over. Meteorology Note: When traveling to an area you don’t know in the US. Always check the local National Weather Service Forecast for watches and warnings!
What to Pack: Going in spring? You need to be prepped for everything. Something we almost forgot, gloves or a winter hat!
Our Experience: We really enjoyed are days hiking and outside of Denver Metro.
Would We Go Back? Absolutely! We’d focus more out of downtown Denver and more into the mountains.
Photo Spot: Dream Lake Rocky Mountain National Park.
Have you been to the Denver area of Colorado? What are your top five favorites?
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