Discover the Charm of Denver, Colorado: A Travel Guide to the Mile High City's Hidden Gems | Denver Attractions, Things to Do, and Neighborhoods to Explore

I was invited to Denver for work. My company put me up in the Sonesta Simply Suites in West Denver. I’ve always known of Denver, of course, and have had mixed opinions of the city and of Colorado growing up; for no reason, in particular; I suppose I felt as though Colorado had a pretentious attitude about itself—the state came across to me as one that believed it to be better than other states. Colorado’s attitude bothered me. I didn’t like Colorado. I was put up in the Sonesta Simply Suites for several nights but wanted to come in early and explore the city.

Denver, Colorado (the Mile High City), was founded in 1858 during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and quickly grew into a thriving mining town—originally named Montana City, Denver was renamed Denver City three years later. Denver developed as an important center for the Underground Railroad, largely because of its location at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. A location that allowed Denver to be a natural hub for trade and commerce. Denver was as Old West as imaginable. Picture a frontier town but it was sprawling, muddy streets and wood boardwalks afront wood framed shacks that within a matter of a decade were replaced by small Victorians, a city that was built and rebuilt with each coming decade.

As the new small Victorian buildings began to replace the wood shacks and money moved to Denver City from the East and West coasts, Buffalo Bill, now living in Denver City, founded The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in the early 1880s. Featuring “real cowboys and real Indians, Pony Express riders, Mexican vaqueros, and a series of vignettes demonstrating a history of the West,” William Cody’s show ran for 30 years, and after a series of poor investments The Buffalo Bill Wild Show ended a few short months before William Cody’s death. Buffalo Bill’s final resting site is atop Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve which overlooks the city from the mountains to the west.

After an afternoon of visiting The Denver Aquarium, North Dinosaur Park, The Red Rocks Amphitheater (one of the most famous in the United States), Denver’s Union Station (at one point the tallest building in the west), and dinner in the famed, historic Larimer Square, I caught the sunset from Lookout Mountain, discovered a hidden cache of graffiti art on the ridge of a popular, hidden local viewing area (of the mountains to the west), and looked out over the city lights of Denver following the line of sight of West Colfax for as far as the eye can see. It was beautiful, the day allowed me to see Denver through new eyes and opened me up to appreciate the city in a new way. I was particularly taken with the art of Denver.

Denver’s art scene is eclectic, with numerous art galleries, museums, and street art murals. The Denver Art Museum, known for its impressive collection of Native American art and the building's unique design, is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. In addition, the River North Art District (RiNo) is a hotbed for contemporary art, showcasing the creativity of local artists, just a hop, a skip, and a jump from Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station. Meow Wolf is an art collective that started as a handful of artists in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and has since grown to house permanent installations in Santa Fe (The House of Eternal Return), Las Vegas, Nevada, (Omega Mart), Grapevine, Texas (The Real Unreal), and Denver’s Convergence Station. The collective’s installations are bizarre and remarkable, once you’ve seen one you do want to see them all.

While walking around the downtown area I began to develop an appreciation for Denver, one I thought would never come. F$&king Colorado, man. I wanted to dislike Denver. I wanted it to be a city of yuppie potheads and flat earthers, but the more I explored, at least the downtown area, the more I could picture myself there (not really, but in my imagination). The best way to get a feel for a place is by the cafés and coffee shops. I stopped into Huckleberry Roasters, Little Owl Coffee, and Pablo’s Coffee throughout my trip, people-watching, and eavesdropping; I recognized that these people were ordinary run-of-the-mill, down to [flat] earth genuine people, and although I was right about them, I was wrong to think they might be better than me.

One thing is certain, Denver is gorgeous, and not just the downtown area, but some of the older neighborhoods like Curtis Park, LoDo, Cherry Creek, and Highland; Denver’s proximity to the Rocky Mountains makes it an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise (similar to Salt Lake City in that way). In the summer, you can hike or bike on the scenic mountain trails or go whitewater rafting on the nearby rivers and skiing and snowboarding throughout the winter. All kidding aside, Denver, Colorado, is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States with a rich history, comprehensive lifestyle, vibrant nightlife, and a high-minded standard of living. It’s one of those rare cities the value of which is immeasurable. I have since been back to Colorado several times exploring Boulder, Colorado Springs, Durango, Pagosa Springs, Golden, Trinidad, and Pueblo, and all of Colorado so far has far surpassed my considerably low expectations (except Pueblo, don’t go to Pueblo, and honestly Pagosa Springs is a one-afternoon kind of place).

Ultimately, my journey to Denver taught me a valuable lesson: don’t judge a city (or a state) by its reputation. Denver, Colorado, is much more than its outdoorsy vibe and hipster Vail-adjacent persona. It’s a city with a rich history, a vibrant art scene, and a community of down-to-earth people who will make you feel welcome. And, yes, the Rocky Mountains are pretty great too. So, if you’re like me and have been skeptical of Denver, give the city a chance. You might find yourself falling in love with the Mile High City. And who knows, you might even discover a new favorite coffee shop or hiking trail somewhere along the way.