It’s the dawn of a new year. The linger of the holidays is still in the air even as we transition into new starts and new plans for the upcoming 365 days. We want to make sure you use them wisely, so we’ve gathered a list just to get you started for the first week of the month. Eat your way through Denver, take a little road trip, or see a cultural performance or show to get your mind off your day-to-day and unwind a bit. With that being said, here’s 83 things to do in (and near) Denver this January.
1. Buy tickets to an enchanting classical concert at a venue bathed in Candlelight
If you haven’t already seen one of these enchanting concerts, now’s your chance. The series, Candlelight has a ton of new and exciting concerts to kick off the new year, from classical tributes to beautiful jazz performances, like an epic concert dedicated to Hans Zimmer at Kirk of the Highland to a romantic candlelight special with aerialist performers and a concert dedicated to some of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits and a one-night special on Friday the 13th dedicated to some spooky and memorable classics. There’s even a special $50 gift card you can get to gift someone with a beautiful and cultured evening.
2. Get a one-of-a-kind view of the Sistine Chapel right in your own backyard
A bit of Italy has landed in Denver with this epic immersive exhibition dedicated to one of history’s greatest artists. Michelangelos’ Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is a stunning, up-close and life-sized perspective of this amazing work that you can only see for a limited amount of time. Tickets start at $22.50.
3-13. Go on a getaway to one of Denver’s snowy cities
Skiing, snowboarding, restaurant dining with views of snowy mountain peaks? You can enjoy all this and more throughout Colorado’s snowy mountain towns. With the snow season fully upon us, we thought we’d give a little reminder of just how stunning Colorado is when it’s snowy at these 10 small and big ski resort cities.
14-24. Try out one of these healthy options around Denver
With the start of the year comes the beginning of New Year’s resolutions. This is your year, Denver, and if you want to kick off the year right, why not do a food tour of some of Denver’s best salad and sub spots, vegan, and smoothie options. Plus, Denver is the perfect place to have an amazing and healthy meal to energize you for a day of skiing, yoga, or hiking.
25-31. Rise and shine with a delicious, hearty breakfast sandwich
Head off for a hike in Denver but first, grab a delicious breakfast sandwich from one of these great spots in Denver. From cheesy, gooey croissant sandwiches to build-your-own-biscuit sandwiches, we’ve got a list of some of the most unique and well-loved brekkie sandwiches in the city.
32-38. Try out one of these unique yoga experiences
If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at yoga, why not try with one of these unique yoga experiences that are available at some of Denver’s unique venues. From Red Rocks Amphitheatre to the top of Espadin Hotel in LoHi to stand up paddle boarding, check out our guide for a complete list of where to begin your yogi journey.
39-46. Hit the slopes at one of these fun resorts that avoid I-70 traffic
I-70 is a finicky thing, and the journey to the mountains is sometimes bound to ruin your day before you even hit the slopes. While the 70 is the way to some of Denver’s most popular ski resorts, there’s still some other ski resorts that are awesome and avoid the 70 that you shouldn’t skimp on, like Eldora and Monarch.
47-54. Enjoy an aprés ski drink at one of these cozy resort restaurants
If you do manage to get over to Aspen or Telluride, then you can’t miss out on the ski resorts’ beautiful hotels and restaurants that offer some amazing American fare and cocktails. From A-Line cabins with panoramic views at The View in Telluride’s Mountain Lodge to cozy string-lit patios at WYLD at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch
55-62. Have a winter adventure in Colorado
You don’t have to ski or snowboard to get the full winter adventure in Colorado. Dog sledding, snowshoeing, and hot spring-ing are just some of the ways you can explore Colorado during the colder months, and our guide has the full scoop for you.
63-83. Enjoy a cozy evening on a heated patio
String lights, mountain views, and some of Denver’s amazing beer is all you need for an amazing al-fresco evening. Since Denver is in the works of adopting outdoor dining permanently, we put together a list of our top favorite spots to enjoy a meal al-fresco.