Denver, Colorado-3 day weekend things to do suggestions

[MDEER101]

Wife and I are going to be in Colorado in the Denver area in the next few weeks. Hoping you could recommend a few excursions that we could do.

Thanks

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Rms gear if you’re into bow hunting, Toms the goat when it comes to the trad world!

 

[justinspicher]

Things to do:
Elitch Gardens
Water World
Denver Zoo
Denver Aquarium
Museum of natural history
Cowboy hall of fame
Garden of the gods
Cheyenne mountain zoo
Rocky Mountain National park

More…..
Royal Gorge
Whitewater rafting
Zipline adventures
Cave of the winds
Fishing
Red rocks concert

 

[Ucsdryder]

Red rocks is worth a couple of hours

Saint Mary glacier is a tame hike with a glacier fed lake at the end of the trail.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Things to do:
Elitch Gardens
Water World
Denver Zoo
Denver Aquarium
Museum of natural history
Cowboy hall of fame
Garden of the gods
Cheyenne mountain zoo
Rocky Mountain National park

Denver zoo and aquarium suck.

Elitch is fun, my kids love it, but man where do those people come from. Not a spot for a couple of adults.

Cheyenne mtn zoo is legit but 1.5 hours south of Denver.

Nature and science museum is pretty neat and they have some cool life size mounts.

 

[justinspicher]

Denver sucks as a whole, but it is what it is. I don’t go there unless I have to and I leave as soon as I can.

 

[GunsAreFun]

Nothing in Denver I want to do, but if willing to drive for an excursion day: White water rafting, train tours, Garden of the Gods, Jeep/ATV tour or rentals.

 

[MDEER101]

Thanks for the suggestions, it looks like we are leaning to Garden of the gods, jeep tour and a horseback and lunch deal. ( horseback thing is her idea… lol!

 

[Ucsdryder]

Don’t overlook whitewater rafting. A little more exhilarating than riding around on a stinky old sway back nag plodding along in the heat.

 

[svivian]

Sit in traffic for hours… then wonder where the hell all these people come from.

 

[LostArra]

Listen to Warren Zevon?

 

[Coveyleader]

Sit in traffic for hours… then wonder where the hell all these people come from.

My salsa…….my salsa……….. my salsa!

 

[repins05]

I have been to Denver several times now. I haven't done much in Denver itself. However if you are ok with driving this is what I would recommend:

If timing is right there are several hot air balloon festivals. Surprisingly enjoyed it and was amazing to see the balloons inflate and lift off. I was reading this year that the balloons will be roped off from spectators? When I was there two years ago you could walk anywhere you wanted.

Royal Gorge Bridge

Rocky Mountain National Park (need to purchase an entry pass prior to entry the day before). I enjoy Bear Lake Road corridor. Do a short or long hike to some of the lakes. Take the Peak to Peak Highway back to Denver. Saw a giant bull moose and deer and elk driving back.

Golden and do the tourist eating and shopping thing. Coors Brewery tour.

Red Rocks. If you can catch a concert (probably going to be expensive) well worth it regardless of who is performing.

Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (was closed in July and not sure when it reopens)

Garden of the Gods

Bring a travel trout rod and hit a lake or river. I hammered a lake when I was there last month. 20 plus rainbows and tiger trout in the morning. Average size was 16"-18". My wife enjoyed watching me fish from a lakeside bench and also watched the sun come up. Only one other person was fishing on the opposite side of the lake. You can fish just about everywhere you go.

White water.....Train excursion.....hot air balloon ride......mountain bike....etc.

The two things I did do in Denver......

Crab and Shell Cajun Seafood (eat here every time I come to Denver). Seafood boil. One of the best and pretty affordable for what it is. Ice cream shop down the road which was pretty good.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Had 4 hours to waste before our flight last month. This is normally something that I would not do based on its location. It was free and enjoyed the drive. Saw one of the biggest Muley Bucks that I have ever seen. Still in velvet. Seeing that buck made the trip worth it just for that. Park has bison as well.

 

[Phaseolus]

Denver sucks as a whole, but it is what it is. I don’t go there unless I have to and I leave as soon as I can.

The Front Range Sucks, I don't cross The Great Divide unless I have to.

 

[MDEER101]

Never even thought about packing a fly ride! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Fowl Play]

Personally there is no way I would do Garden of the Gods over RMNP. Pick up a bear lake road pass day before, hike to Emerald lake early… drive old Fall River road, etc. Bring a rod excellent fishing in the park. Eat at Bird and Jim in Estes. Highly recommend the pheasant chowder.

 

[Mike Honch0]

Red rocks is worth a couple of hours

Saint Mary glacier is a tame hike with a glacier fed lake at the end of the trail.

+1 for Red rocks

 

[cnelk]

 

[Mike Honch0]

I can’t recommend anything in Denver but we went to Graden of the gods, Mount Evans, Royal gorge, and Red Rocks. Any one of those would be way better.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Dodge fentynl zombies, get your car broken into, count the used syringes in our city parks! We truly have endless vibrant, fun, family activities if I was you I would hang out in golden, Estes park, Morrison, boulder over Denver. Denver isn’t the mountains not even that close really,