Budget-Friendly Denver Explorer

Start in central Denver with downtown shopping and art museums before exploring Capitol Hill history and cycling along Cherry Creek.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy an affordable and classic breakfast at this popular downtown Denver diner.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Shopping

   Shop at the 16th Street Mall

   09:15 – 10:45

   Stroll down the pedestrian promenade to browse local shops, street vendors, and public plazas.

3. 11:00|12:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit the Denver Art Museum

   11:00 – 12:30

   Explore extensive collections of Indigenous American and modern art in the Golden Triangle district.

   • entryFree
4. 12:45|13:45
   

   Food

   Lunch at Sam's No. 3

   12:45 – 13:45

   Stop for hearty diner fare and classic Colorado green chile.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit the Molly Brown House Museum

   14:00 – 15:30

   Tour the historic Capitol Hill home of Titanic survivor Margaret Brown.

   • entryFree
6. 15:45|17:15
   

   Outdoor

   Bike along Cherry Creek Trail

   15:45 – 17:15

   Ride along the paved multi-use pathway that follows Cherry Creek through the city.

7. 17:30|19:15
   

   Shopping

   Shop and Dine at Larimer Square

   17:30 – 19:15

   Browse independent boutiques under string lights in Denver's oldest historic block.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

   19:30 – 20:30

   Grab budget-friendly wild game sausages and hot dogs in downtown Denver.

Head west into the mountains for mountain biking and Red Rocks before returning east for science exhibits and wildlife.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Lucile's Creole Cafe

   08:00 – 09:00

   Fuel up with affordable New Orleans style breakfast dishes and beignets.

2. 09:30|11:30
   

   Outdoor

   Go Mountain Biking in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

   09:30 – 11:30

   Ride mountain bike trails winding through pine forests and mountain meadows.

3. 11:45|13:00
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

   11:45 – 13:00

   Walk around the famous red sandstone rock formations and historic outdoor venue.

4. 13:15|14:15
   

   Food

   Lunch at Little Coyote

   13:15 – 14:15

   Dine on affordable casual lunch options near the foothills.

5. 14:45|16:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

   14:45 – 16:30

   Discover dinosaur fossils, space exhibits, and wildlife dioramas in City Park.

   • entryFree
6. 16:45|18:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Denver Botanic Gardens

   16:45 – 18:15

   Walk through themed outdoor gardens featuring native Rocky Mountain and international plants.

   • entryFree
7. 18:30|19:30
   

   Outdoor

   Hike the Rocky Mountain Arsenal

   18:30 – 19:30

   Trek along flat grassland trails to spot free-roaming bison and migratory birds.

8. 19:45|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Cherry Cricket

   19:45 – 21:00

   Eat award-winning burgers at an iconic, casual Cherry Creek neighborhood bar.

Combine morning prairie hikes with afternoon urban exploration along Denver's central shopping and trail corridors.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Denver Biscuit Company

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy giant biscuit sandwiches at a local favourite breakfast spot.

2. 09:30|11:00
   

   Outdoor

   Hike the Rocky Mountain Arsenal

   09:30 – 11:00

   Take a morning hike through the wildlife refuge looking for deer, raptors, and prairie dogs.

3. 11:15|12:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

   11:15 – 12:30

   Visit the gems and minerals hall and enjoy views of the skyline from the atrium.

   • entryFree
4. 12:45|13:45
   

   Food

   Lunch at Steuben's Uptown

   12:45 – 13:45

   Eat regional American comfort food in a retro diner setting.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Shopping

   Shop at the 16th Street Mall

   14:00 – 15:30

   Spend time browsing souvenirs and retail storefronts along the downtown mall.

6. 15:45|17:15
   

   Outdoor

   Bike along Cherry Creek Trail

   15:45 – 17:15

   Cycle through Denver's greenbelt corridors connecting downtown to parklands.

7. 17:30|19:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Denver Botanic Gardens

   17:30 – 19:00

   Relax near the lily ponds and tropical conservatory during late afternoon hours.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at My Brother's Bar

   19:30 – 20:30

   Try budget-friendly burgers at Denver's oldest continuously operating bar.

Focus on historic museums and downtown architecture before taking an late afternoon excursion to Red Rocks and Golden Gate Canyon.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Jelly Cafe

   08:00 – 09:00

   Order homemade donut bites and breakfast scrambles at a vibrant neighborhood spot.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit the Denver Art Museum

   09:15 – 10:45

   View rotating contemporary exhibitions and historic Western art collections.

   • entryFree
3. 11:00|12:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit the Molly Brown House Museum

   11:00 – 12:30

   Discover Victorian architecture and tales of early Denver wealth and activism.

   • entryFree
4. 12:45|13:45
   

   Food

   Lunch at Buckhorn Exchange

   12:45 – 13:45

   Sample historic steakhouse fare at Denver's oldest restaurant.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Shopping

   Shop and Dine at Larimer Square

   14:00 – 15:30

   Explore Victorian-era brick buildings filled with artisan shops and cafes.

6. 16:00|17:30
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

   16:00 – 17:30

   Hike the Trading Post Trail looping around giant monoliths.

7. 17:45|19:15
   

   Outdoor

   Go Mountain Biking in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

   17:45 – 19:15

   Enjoy late afternoon trail riding with scenic views across the Front Range.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Tocabe, An American Indian Eatery

   19:30 – 20:30

   Taste budget-friendly Indian tacos and bison bowls at a local fast-casual spot.

Spend the day outdoor cycling, exploring gardens and science exhibits, and finishing with retail options downtown.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Onefold

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy affordable duck fat fried rice and breakfast burritos.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Outdoor

   Bike along Cherry Creek Trail

   09:15 – 10:45

   Take a morning cycle past urban parks and public art installations.

3. 11:00|12:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Denver Botanic Gardens

   11:00 – 12:30

   Examine alpine flora and drought-tolerant West Coast garden designs.

   • entryFree
4. 12:45|13:45
   

   Food

   Lunch at La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal

   12:45 – 13:45

   Enjoy inexpensive, traditional Mexican pozole and tacos.

5. 14:00|15:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

   14:00 – 15:45

   Learn about Egyptian mummies and Colorado ecology in interactive halls.

   • entryFree
6. 16:00|17:30
   

   Outdoor

   Hike the Rocky Mountain Arsenal

   16:00 – 17:30

   Walk surrounding boardwalks around Lake Mary to observe local waterfowl.

7. 17:45|19:15
   

   Shopping

   Shop at the 16th Street Mall

   17:45 – 19:15

   Catch evening street performers while browsing retail stores.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Illegal Pete's Lodo

   19:30 – 20:30

   Get quick, low-cost burritos and mission-style Mexican food downtown.

Ride state park singletracks in the morning before spending the afternoon among central museums and historic shopping streets.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Syrup Downtown

   08:00 – 09:00

   Try handcrafted syrups, pancakes, and breakfast classics.

2. 09:30|11:15
   

   Outdoor

   Go Mountain Biking in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

   09:30 – 11:15

   Tackle challenging mountain bike loops along mountain ridges.

3. 11:30|12:30
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

   11:30 – 12:30

   Walk up the amphitheatre stairs for sweeping views of the Denver basin.

4. 12:45|13:45
   

   Food

   Lunch at D'Corazon Mexican Restaurant

   12:45 – 13:45

   Eat authentic and affordable Mexican lunches in LoDo.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit the Molly Brown House Museum

   14:00 – 15:30

   Learn about the preservation movement that saved historic Denver landmarks.

   • entryFree
6. 15:45|17:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit the Denver Art Museum

   15:45 – 17:15

   Browse design exhibits inside the Hamilton Building's distinctive architecture.

   • entryFree
7. 17:30|19:15
   

   Shopping

   Shop and Dine at Larimer Square

   17:30 – 19:15

   Browse fashion, specialty gifts, and outdoor apparel shops.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Crown Burger

   19:30 – 20:30

   Stop at a classic budget drive-thru diner for pastrami burgers and fries.

Conclude your trip with prairie hikes, garden walks, cycling, science exhibits, and souvenir shopping in downtown Denver.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at The Delectable Egg

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy affordable omelettes and skillets in downtown Denver.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Outdoor

   Hike the Rocky Mountain Arsenal

   09:15 – 10:45

   Enjoy a final peaceful prairie hike admiring views of the distant mountains.

3. 11:00|12:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Denver Botanic Gardens

   11:00 – 12:30

   Stroll through peaceful Japanese gardens and Mordecai Children's Garden.

   • entryFree
4. 12:45|13:45
   

   Food

   Lunch at Denver Central Market

   12:45 – 13:45

   Choose from various affordable food stalls inside a bustling RiNo market hall.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Outdoor

   Bike along Cherry Creek Trail

   14:00 – 15:30

   Enjoy a leisurely afternoon ride along the tree-lined creek path.

6. 15:45|17:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Explore the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

   15:45 – 17:15

   Revisit favorite wildlife exhibits and space science displays.

   • entryFree
7. 17:30|19:15
   

   Shopping

   Shop at the 16th Street Mall

   17:30 – 19:15

   Pick up final Colorado gifts and souvenirs along the pedestrian strip.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Pete's Kitchen

   19:30 – 20:30

   End the trip with affordable Greek and American diner specialties on Colfax Avenue.