Last updated on January 8th, 2024 at 10:44 am
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Summer in Colorado is one of my favorite seasons of the year! If you are planning to visit, this is a great time.
It can get pretty hot in Colorado during the summer, so I would recommend coming in the early or late summer, like May or September. However, if you end up coming in the middle of the summer, it’ll still be a great visit, just make sure to stay hydrated, find shade, or try to plan outdoor activities in the early morning or evening.
My favorite summer activities in Denver are:
Tubing
Tubing is a great way to cool down on a hot summer day! My favorite spot is Clear Creek in Golden (rent tubes here), but you can also tube in Boulder Creek and the Poudre River. Just make sure you check the conditions before you go to make sure it”s safe or try to stick to tubing in the later part of the summer.
Hiking
Likely one of the reasons you’re coming to Colorado is to explore the outdoors, so hiking should definitely be on your list! There are so many options, it’s hard to choose. If you are looking for something close to Denver, check out my list of great hikes within 40 minutes of the city. If you have more time, check out Rocky Mountain National Park, Hanging Lake, or one of the many hikes on my bucket list.
Grab a Cone
What kind of summer day would be complete without ice cream? Littleman Ice Cream is an absolute must, as it is my favorite ice cream in the city. However, if you want to decide for yourself, some of my other favorites are Sweet Action, Bonnie Brae, and High Point Creamery. Lines get really long in the summer, so be prepared to wait.
Visit Wash Park
I absolutely love Wash Park! In the middle of Denver, it attracts people from all walks of life. Stroll around the lakes, paddle board, play tennis, or just people watch.
Support the Home Team
Baseball games are a fun way to spend a summer night and the Rockies attract many fans. Check out some of the great bars around Coors Field after the game.
Grab a Late-night Snack
Summer nights mean longer days, which means it’s the perfect excuse to wander around Denver and grab some late night bites. If you’ve got the late night munchies head to Biker Jim’s (open till 3 am Friday/Saturday), SliceWorks (open till 2:30 am Friday/Saturday), or Sam’s No. 3 (open till midnight Friday/Saturday). All are good at normal hours as well!
Farmers’ Markets
There are many farmers’ markets throughout the Denver area that are worth checking out. Some of my favorites are in Golden (every Saturday from June 1 to October 5) and Cherry Creek (Saturday and Wednesdays, dates vary)!
Denver Art Museum
Get out of the heat and check out the Denver Art Museum. This is my favorite museum in Denver!
Sip Cocktails at My Favorite Summer Bars
I recently made a list of my favorite summer bars in Denver, most of which include great patios, sweeping views, and delicious drinks. You are going to want to check at least one of these out during the summer!
Friday Night Bazaar
Every Friday starting June 28th through September from 5 to 10 pm in RiNo, you can shop, eat, and drink to your heart’s content. Local food trucks, breweries, and shops will fill the street next to Stem Ciders for the Friday Night Bazaar.
Visit a Brewery
There are so many breweries in and around Denver, it’s incredible. If you’re in town, you can’t miss checking out at least one. I enjoy Denver Beer Company, Four Noses, Prost, New Terrain, Breckenridge, and the list goes on.
Brewery Tours
While just visiting the brewery is great, taking a brewery tour is even better! We did one at Avery Brewing Company in Boulder and it was so much fun. You learn so much more about the brewery process, which is really interesting for a foodie like me.
Day Trip to the Mountains
Denver is so close to the mountains, it is a waste if you don’t at least spend a couple hours exploring at a higher altitude. If hiking isn’t your thing, go visit one of the many adorable mountain towns. Estes Park is a great option: only an hour and a half away and right in the middle of Rocky Mountain National Park. Idaho Springs and Evergreen, both about 45 minutes away, are cute as well.
Enjoy a Great Meal at a Denver Restaurant
Take advantage of the Denver food scene. Check out my favorite restaurants in Denver that I will visit again and again.
Curl Up with a Book
Sometimes the best thing to do on a hot day is relax inside with a good book. Tattered Cover is a popular bookstore with multiple locations throughout Denver. Grab a cup of coffee and peruse through the many books.
Visit Union Station
Right in the heart of downtown, Union Station is a fun place to explore, with plenty of restaurants and bars to keep you busy. In the summer, the fountains in front of Union Station provide a great place to cool off or for kids to run around. They also have FREE shuffle board inside, just ask the bartenders at Terminal Bar for the pucks.
See a Concert at Red Rocks
Is this really a list about Denver without Red Rocks? One of the most iconic, and necessary, things to do in Denver is see a concert at Red Rocks. It is truly an amazing experience. If you can’t catch a show, at least go explore the amphitheater and the surrounding trails.
Explore the RiNo Art District
RiNo is the perfect summer hangout: stroll through the alley of street art, grab a bowl of guac on the patio at Los Chingones, get drinks at Death & Co., or visit Denver Central Market if you want to try a little bit of everything.
Go to a Drive-in Movie
If you’ve never been to a drive-in before, there’s no better time than now! There are a couple drive-ins around Denver, Denver Mart Drive-in and 88 Drive-in Theater. The Holiday Twin-Drive In is also in Fort Collins, which is a fun way to spend some time up north.
Explore Dairy Block
Once home to Windsor Dairy, Dairy Block has just recently sprung up in LoDo and is soon to be every local’s favorite hang out. From the sporadic music boxes to quotes and the light up sidewalk, this street has reminded me why I love Denver so much. If that’s not enough, the Denver Milk Market and Poko Lola Social Club provide great food and drinks.
Visit a Speakeasy
Every season is speakeasy season in my mind and since there are so many great ones in Denver, I can’t leave it off this list. If craft cocktails are your game, check out my list of speakeasies that you need to visit!
First and Final Friday art walks
Friday Art Walks are a big part of the creative culture in Denver. In any one of the many art districts in and around Denver, art galleries open their doors to the public, occasionally accompanied by food and music. Also check out the Final Friday Art Walk in the Golden Triangle Creative District.
Tour a Distillery
If beer doesn’t interest you, take a tour of one of the Colorado distilleries. Leopold Bros. really impressed me with their extremely sustainable production facility. They also distill over 20 spirits, including liqueurs made with real fruits. Tours are 20 dollars a person, but you get 10 dollars off if you purchase something in the tasting room (which you should) and you get quite a few tasters. There are a couple other distilleries around Denver that I have yet to check out.
Visit 16th street
While 16th street isn’t always my favorite place to be, it can be fun to visit if this is your first time in Denver. With many shops and restaurants, 16th Street will definitely entertain.
Visit Elitch Gardens
Check out the local amusement parks: Elitch Gardens Theme and Waterpark or Lakeside Amusement Park (the older, less expensive version of Elitch Gardens). Water World is also a great time and provides plenty of opportunities to cool off from the summer heat.
Shop My Essentials for Summer in Denver
Don’t brave the summer sun in Denver without these essentials. The high altitude increases the likelihood of sunburn, so cover up with a cute sun hat, sunglasses, and, of course, sunscreen (paid links).
Do you think that’s enough to keep you busy in Denver this summer? Have you done any of these things?
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Shelby, you just created my bucket list and inspired me to get out there and enjoy Colorado! Let’s get going soon!
I’ve never actually been to a speakeasy before, that sounds really cool! And I’m sure that my other half would be up for that distillery tour as well.
Both are really fun things to do in Denver!