Actually Cool Things You Can (Still) Do in Denver This Spring

Celebrate the spring right.

When the snow finally melts (well, most of it anyway), and the green leaves of aspen trees are once again fluttering in the breeze, you know spring has returned to Denver. And even though social distancing and mask wearing are still a thing—be safe, people—spring is one of the best times of the year to hit up everything the Mile High city has to offer. Want to day drink locally made booze in the Colorado sun? Oh, we’ve got that covered. Wanna get outside for a round of disc golf, or golf golf, or a park picnic sesh? The options are plentiful. Need to escape the real world and distract yourself by going on a quest for the best green chile in town? You’re in the right place. We dare you to knock everything off this list by 2022. Ready? Go.

Hop on an e-scooter

$
Various locations
Ah, yes. Many lament the scourge of the Limes and Birds and many, many other brands of rechargeable, shared scooters that now fill Denver’s sidewalks. There’s a lot of griping and moaning, and chances are the gripers and moaners haven’t jumped on one yet. Because they’re really fucking fun. And so cheap, too. Now that the city has decided you can ride in the bike lanes, you have little excuse to not try one out—besides, ya know, the possibility of going back home with a broken arm. Just tell everybody it was a snowboarding injury.

Go play a round of disc golf

Free - $
Various locations
The disc golf fervor is heavy in Colorado, probably because it’s one more way to get outside. Course options are plentiful, and most are free. Beginners should head to Arvada to play at Johnny Roberts, and if you’re more experienced, check out Adams Hollow in Brighton. Or go for the ultimate Colorado combo and pair your round of disc golf with craft beer at Dry Dock Brewery’s course. Beaver Ranch will cost you $12 a person for a day pass but you’ll get to romp around the hills and enjoy the views in Conifer. For the ultimate experience, make a reservation at the privately owned BuckSnort. Set near Pine, Colorado, it offers a real Rocky Mountain challenge with steep terrain, rock outcroppings, and what the Professional Disc Golf Association  calls “what may be the first and only Double-Reverse-Mando in the world.” Oh, and the views are pretty rad too. 

Shoot a round of traditional golf for super cheap

$
Various locations
If you prefer clubs over discs, you’re in the right place. The Front Range has some top notch courses if you’re ready to slim down your wallet, BUT you don’t have to. The City of Denver maintains eight courses where tee times start at just $10. Or, if you wanna practice your driving game, head to the old-school favorite Aqua Golf, where you can hit ball after ball into the water. Do you like your golf to be played with only one club and kitschy obstacles? Aqua Golf also has two 18 hole miniature golf courses for your putting pleasure.

Take yourself out to a ballgame

$
Coors Field
We all know what happened just before opening day in 2020… but this year, when the Rockies take the field for the first time this season on April 1, 2021, fans will be back in the stands. The team was recently approved to seat 12,500 people each game, so it may be a bit tougher than normal to score tickets, but nothing really beats sipping an ice cold Coors while watching the home team play.

Pack a picnic, grab some booze, and head to a park

Free - $
Various locations
With over 20,000 acres of urban and mountain greenscape, the parks offer the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway, peppered throughout town—Wash Park, Cheesman, and City Park are all popular spots for partying outdoors. All you need is a blanket, some snacks, and a few cans of beer (remember, no glass!) and you’ve got a classic Colorado experience covered.

Catch an unforgettable concert

Free - $$$
Various locations
There used to be multiple shows going on every night in Denver. And then, the music went quiet… But let’s not dwell on that because live music is back, baby. Smaller venues like Lost Lake, The Black Box, Cervantes, HQ, and Larimer Lounge have reopened and, sure, you’ve gotta mask up and tickets are limited, but it feels damn good to finally start getting our beloved Mile High music scene back. 

See spring flowers at the Denver Botanic Gardens

$
Cheeseman Park
In the middle of Denver sits a 24 acre oasis of plant life from around the world, and spring is the best time to visit this Mile High institution as new blooms make their seasonal debut. You can even bring a picnic making this prime day date material. Reserved ticket times are currently required and you can book up to two weeks out. 

Get the hell out of town for a day trip

$ - $$
Various locations
As much as there is to do in Denver itself, escaping to the Rockies is one of the best ways to spend your time and options for day trips are plentiful. Head up to nearby Boulder to check out some of the local shops on the Pearl Street Mall, spend a weekend in Steamboat Springs (and don’t skip a visit to Strawberry Park Hot Springs), or head south to Colorado Springs for a drive up to the summit of Pikes Peak. 

Explore our amazing street art scene

Free

RiNo and the Santa Fe Arts District

Over the past few years, Denver’s streets have become a whole lot more colorful thanks to a slew of new works by street artists, especially in these two neighborhoods. All you need is some free time to wander to find eye-catching examples painted everywhere from alleys and underpasses to the outsides of prominent businesses. If you’re looking for a socially distant friendly outdoor activity, these two districts are like open-air museums for modern art, just waiting to be (safely) explored. 

Go do anything at Red Rocks

Free - $$$
Morrison
Yes, what you’ve heard is true: It’s the best place to see music in the known galaxy. 2020 brought us a summer without shows at this epic venue but with a full schedule posted for 2021, it’s looking like a real possibility that we’ll get shows on the Rocks back this year, so if you get the chance to score tickets, just do it. But even if you can’t catch a live show, this iconic landmark is totally worth the visit for the view alone. There are also hiking trails where you can explore these sandstone formations beyond the stage.

Take a dip at Indian Hot Springs

$
Idaho Springs
A quick 30-minute drive from town, this small mountain town is the closest spot to enjoy a nice long soak in the waters from a natural hot spring—which feels especially amazing on a cold day. Reservations for all day sessions (available Monday - Thursday for $18) or hour long passes (available Friday - Sunday for $20) must be booked online in advance. If you score one, you’ll enter the jungle-like dome where a pool with an average temperature of 90 to 100 awaits. And when you’re done, you can make a pit stop at Tommyknocker Brewery for beer and a bite on their outdoor patio before heading back to town.

Hike a nearby state park

$
Various locations
With 41 State Parks in Colorado, including many close to the Denver area, it’s incredibly easy to get outside and spend some socially distant time in nature. Roxborough near Littleton has over 4,000 acres to explore that include forests, red rock formations, meadows where you can see the spring wildflowers blooming, and the historic Waterhouse Homestead—as well as birds, mule deer, and fox. Cherry Creek, Chatfield, and Castlewood Canyon are also great, nearby options for hiking and biking trails.

Sample local eats at a food hall

$ - $$
Various locations
Holy hell are there a lot of food halls in Denver now, and most are open and filled with culinary delights. Avanti, an OG of the movement, boasts an impressive lineup of rotating concepts. Denver Central Market not only has prepared foods from their vendors, but also great items to take home and cook including meats, cheeses, and other provisions. Milk Market currently has 10 venues open from restaurateur Frank Bonnano serving everything from pasta and pizza to burgers and salads. Stanley Marketplace is not only home to eateries like Annette and Rosenberg’s, but also has shopping. And there’s Zeppelin Station! And The Source! And Tributary Food Hall in Golden! And Junction Food & Drink! And... you get the point.

Go brewery hopping

$$

Various locations

The sheer number of Denver breweries can be a bit daunting, but with extra time on your hands, this is the perfect chance to explore as many options as you can. Many breweries are still offering to-go options along with outdoor patios for sipping in person... Scan our roundup of the best breweries to check out now for good options to start with, from newer additions to the classics. Some, like Ratio and Breckenridge Brewery, have also added home delivery to the mix to make it even easier to sip local.Go distillery, winery, and cidery hopping

$$

Five Points

Sure, beer gets most of the attention when it comes to boozy beverages, but the Mile High is also packed with plenty of locally made non-beer options that are absolutely worthy of your attention... Some must-trys: Bigsby’s Folly and Infinite Monkey Theorem for a wine fix, Stem Ciders for bright, dry hard ciders, and The Block Distilling Company for vodka and gin made right in the neighborhood along with to-go cocktails.

Find your favorite bowl of Denver's most popular dish

$

Various locations

Everyone who’s spent a significant amount of time in Denver has a favorite spot for green chile. Everyone. But even if you’re loyal to a certain bowl of this pork-studded regional go-to, there are countless options to try. Pretty much any restaurant with even a slightly Mexican or Latin slant will have a version so start sampling ASAP. Some must-visits on your green chile adventure? El Taco de Mexico, Uno Mas, and North County. Bonus: These spots are all offering to-go.

Crush a breakfast burrito

$

Various locations

If you’ve accomplished the task of eating green chile on its own, it’s time to take it up a notch. Perhaps no dish is more uniquely Denver than a breakfast burrito with green chile piled in or atop it. And there are a ton of options to satisfy your quarantine hungover urges—bonus, these babies are made for the to-go life. Santiago’s handhelds are ubiquitous, while at El Taco de Mexico (yeah, we mention the spot a couple of times, you need to go) when they ask if you want it smothered and with onions and salsa, your answers should be a resounding “yes” and “yes.” They’re also a brunch go-to at spots like Bacon Social House and Sam’s No. 3.

Do Union Station... differently

$$ - $$$
Union Station
If you’ve done even a minimal amount of research on Denver, you’ve probably read that the capital’s historic train station has been renovated and stuffed to the gills with awesome stuff to do. And it’s true! Plus, indoor seating is back and their patios offer some of the best seats for spring dining. Tuck into the petite Iberian Ultreia for a gin & tonic as large as your head, head out the back of the station to Tavernetta for fresh pasta, or grab a pancake flight for brunch at Snooze. 

Go to My Brother’s Bar

$

Highland

Pretty simple instructions, right? Just go. They’ve got two winter-ready outdoor patios open for dine-in so you can  satisfy your craving for a Johnny Burger and a cocktail at Denver’s oldest bar where Kerouac used to imbibe.