A city’s charm is not only in its food and drink scene, but in the way it can keep you having fun during the wee hours of the morning and the afternoon. Denver’s a great place to spend the day outdoors (when it’s not covered in snow) and we can attest to the amount of cultural sights, food places, and nature Denver’s got waiting for you to enjoy. We wanted to showcase the Mile High City’s charm through a 24-hour itinerary through the city so grab your car or your bike and enjoy 24 hours in Denver.
1. Hit up a cute cafe for a morning pick me up
Heading out for the day requires morning fuel and what better way to start the day than at Ink!Coffee? Solo cafe dates are always a good idea, and Ink!Coffee is a great spot to get your daily fix of caffeine. Not only are they a local roaster making signature drinks, but they’re also blending up smoothies and doing CBD offerings. Pair your morning joe with a breakfast sandwich or burrito.
Where: 1400 Jackson St, Denver, CO 80206
2. Browse a bookstore
After your solo coffee date, head over to Tattered Cover Bookstore to spend the morning in solitude. Nothing beats browsing a bookstore alone, and Tattered keeps up with all of the latest releases while also offering unique selects. Spend as long or as little as you want and walk away with one perfect selection or a stack of books under your arm. Just remember, you’ve got the whole rest of your day to enjoy.
Where: 2526 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
3. Take a stroll through Cheesman Park
Take a nice stroll–make sure to bundle up as its still pretty chill outside–and admire the beauty of Cheesman park in the winter. Take a nice hot chocolate with you as you stroll, maybe sit on a bench and read one of your new books, and enjoy the stunning marble architecture, greenery, and Mile High skyline in the distance.
Where: 1599 E 8th Ave
4. Grab lunch in Larimer Square
photo by steph_stallings via instagram
Now that you’re good and hungry, we recommend heading to Larimer Square to get lunch. Larimer Square is one of the prettiest, historical blocks in Denver for shopping and eating, and there are so many restaurants to choose from that it’s easy to pick a spot that’s not super busy or worse, filled with couples. We love spots like Rioja, but we’re pretty sure they’re doing some Valentine’s Day specials, so grab a seat somewhere a little more low-key, like Bao Brewhouse for Asian street food or Bubu to build your own bowl.
Where: 1430 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
5. Walk your lunch off by visiting a museum
Get your daily steps in by heading to one of Denver’s museums, and with so many to choose from, it might be hard to narrow down your pick. From the Denver Museum of Art, which is featuring many different exhibits that highlight abstract art, American female fashion, and American painters in France. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science will bring you back to earth and beyond with exhibits dedicated to the history of the guitar, a story of Earth’s return after the impact of the asteroid, Egyptian mummies, and adventure through Space. Then, there’s the Wings Over the Rockies Museum that explores aircrafts, space, and rockets with stunning exhibits and life-size models.
6. Support a local business with a little shopping
Small businesses need your help just as much now as they did in the past couple of years, so it’s a good idea to give back to the community. One of our favorite places to shop is Westwood Collective which often has local artisans and makers selling their goods and wares. There’s a great opportunity to enjoy handmade goods from local artisans, like Carbona Coffee and Ana Marina jewelry.
Where: 3742 Morrison Rd, Denver, CO 80219
7. Cap off the night at one of Denver’s best food halls for a bite
photo by werkcreative via instagram
Don’t know what to get or missed out on making reservations? Visit a food hall instead where you can bounce around between multiple food stalls, sampling Denver’s culinary genius in small portions. We recommend Zeppelin Station that has 5 unique food stalls, a coffee shop and a cocktail bar. Soy Pinoy is doing comfort Filipino food, La Rola has Colombian food like empanadas and more, and Nixtamos is doing delicious, handmade tacos. Stop for a cocktail at Service Well if you’d like who have fresh beer on tap and seasonal cocktails.
Where: 3501 Wazee St Suite #100, Denver, CO 80216
[featured image by denverartmuseum via instagram]