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Day 1 – Downtown & Denver Culture
Morning
Union Station – Start with coffee or breakfast in this beautifully restored historic train station.
Larimer Square – Stroll through Denver’s oldest block with boutique shops and restaurants.
Denver Art Museum – Known for its striking architecture and impressive Western & Indigenous art collections.
Afternoon
Colorado State Capitol – Climb to the dome for panoramic city views (and the “Mile High” marker).
16th Street Mall – Pedestrian-friendly shopping street with free shuttle buses.
Evening
LoDo (Lower Downtown) – Enjoy craft breweries (Denver has more than 150!) or dinner at a rooftop restaurant.
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Day 2 – Mountains & Nature (Short Trip from Denver)
Morning
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre – Just 30 minutes away, gorgeous red sandstone formations, hiking trails, and an iconic concert venue.
Lookout Mountain – For a sweeping view of the Rockies and a visit to Buffalo Bill’s Museum & Grave.
Afternoon
Golden, CO – Quaint small town with Coors Brewery tours, riverside walks, and shops.
Evening
Return to Denver and catch a sunset at City Park, with the skyline framed by mountains.
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Day 3 – Outdoor Adventure or Day Trip
Option A – Rocky Mountain National Park (Full Day)
About 1.5 hours from Denver. Drive the scenic Trail Ridge Road (seasonal, late May–Oct).
Hike short trails like Bear Lake or Alberta Falls.
Option B – Garden of the Gods & Colorado Springs
Dramatic red rock formations, then explore nearby Manitou Springs or Pikes Peak (drive or cog railway).
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Extra Tips
Altitude adjustment – Denver is a mile high, so hydrate and pace yourself on day 1.
Transport – A rental car gives you flexibility for Red Rocks, Golden, or Rocky Mountain NP.
Food – Try green chile (Colorado style), bison burgers, or craft beer pairings.
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If you like, I can make you a detailed hour-by-hour itinerary so the three days flow without backtracking. Would you prefer that?
Alright — here’s a 3-day hour-by-hour Denver itinerary that flows well, avoids unnecessary backtracking, and gives you a taste of city life, nature, and Colorado culture.
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Day 1 – Downtown Denver & City Culture
Morning
8:00 AM – Union Station → Coffee & pastry at Pigtrain Coffee Co. or breakfast at Snooze.
9:00 AM – Walk Larimer Square → Browse shops, snap photos of the canopy lights.
10:00 AM – Denver Art Museum → Spend 1.5 hrs exploring Western & Indigenous art.
Midday
11:45 AM – Colorado State Capitol → Free tours, stand on the Mile High marker, see skyline views.
12:30 PM – Lunch at Sam’s No. 3 (classic Denver diner) or Biker Jim’s (gourmet hot dogs).
Afternoon
2:00 PM – 16th Street Mall → Walk or take the free shuttle, check out local shops.
3:30 PM – Denver Museum of Nature & Science OR stroll City Park.
Evening
5:30 PM – Dinner in LoDo → Try Rioja (Mediterranean) or The Capital Grille (steakhouse).
7:30 PM – Nightlife → Craft beer at Wynkoop Brewing Co. or cocktails at The Cruise Room (historic speakeasy).
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Day 2 – Nature & Foothills Adventure
Morning
7:00 AM – Breakfast near hotel (quick start).
8:00 AM – Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre → Short hike like Trading Post Trail (~1.5 miles).
10:00 AM – Drive to Lookout Mountain → Visit Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave, enjoy panoramic views.
Midday
12:00 PM – Lunch in Golden → Woody’s Wood Fired Pizza or Bridgewater Grill by the river.
1:30 PM – Explore Golden → Walk Clear Creek Trail, optional Coors Brewery Tour (reserve ahead).
Afternoon
3:00 PM – Optional extra stop → Evergreen Lake for a short stroll or coffee with a mountain view.
4:30 PM – Return to Denver.
Evening
6:00 PM – Dinner in RiNo Arts District → Try The Source food hall or Hop Alley (modern Chinese).
8:00 PM – Art Walk & Bars → RiNo’s street art murals and live music venues.
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Day 3 – Full-Day Mountain Escape
Option A – Rocky Mountain National Park (Best if you love hiking & scenery)
6:00 AM – Breakfast & early departure.
7:30 AM – Arrive Estes Park → Quick coffee stop.
8:00 AM – Enter Rocky Mountain NP → Drive Trail Ridge Road (if open), stop at Many Parks Curve and Rainbow Curve.
10:00 AM – Hike Bear Lake Loop (easy, 0.6 mi) or Alberta Falls (moderate, 1.6 mi).
12:30 PM – Picnic lunch in the park.
2:00 PM – More scenic stops or wildlife viewing (elk, marmots).
5:00 PM – Head back to Denver.
7:00 PM – Dinner at Root Down (farm-to-table) or Guard and Grace (modern steakhouse).
Option B – Garden of the Gods & Colorado Springs (Closer & less hiking)
7:00 AM – Depart Denver.
9:00 AM – Garden of the Gods → Walk the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail for best views.
11:00 AM – Drive up Pikes Peak (or take Cog Railway from Manitou Springs).
1:30 PM – Lunch in Manitou Springs → Quaint cafes & art shops.
3:30 PM – U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel (stunning architecture).
5:00 PM – Drive back to Denver.
7:00 PM – Farewell dinner at a rooftop spot like 54thirty Rooftop for sunset.
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If you want, I can also make you a printable, color-coded itinerary sheet so you can carry it on your trip and check off activities as you go. That way, it’s easy to follow without re-reading all this text.
Do you want me to prepare that printable version?
For this 3-day Denver + day trips plan, you’ll want a location that:
Keeps you close to downtown attractions (Day 1)
Has easy highway access to I-70 west (Red Rocks, Golden, Rocky Mountain NP) and I-25 south (Colorado Springs) for Days 2 & 3
Offers walkability to restaurants and evening spots so you don’t have to drive at night after long sightseeing days
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Best Areas to Stay
1. LoDo (Lower Downtown) – Best All-Around Choice
Why: Walking distance to Union Station, Larimer Square, 16th Street Mall, museums, and nightlife. Quick access to I-70 & I-25 for day trips.
Vibe: Historic brick warehouses, trendy restaurants, breweries.
Example Hotels:
The Crawford Hotel (inside Union Station) – Elegant, super convenient.
The Oxford Hotel – Historic luxury with charm.
Hotel Indigo Denver – Modern, mid-range, near Union Station.
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2. Downtown / Central Business District – Budget-Friendly but Central
Why: Still walkable to Day 1 sights, often a bit cheaper than LoDo.
Vibe: Business hotels, some high-rise views, quieter at night.
Example Hotels:
Hyatt Place Denver Downtown – Indoor pool, breakfast included.
Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown – Good value, easy walking access.
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3. RiNo (River North Arts District) – Cool & Artsy
Why: Perfect if you want evening food halls, breweries, and murals right outside your door.
Vibe: Industrial-chic, colorful, creative.
Example Hotels:
The Ramble Hotel – Boutique, stylish, great lobby bar.
Catbird Hotel – Quirky rooms with kitchenettes, rooftop lounge.
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4. Cherry Creek – Upscale & Relaxed
Why: High-end shopping, quieter nights, easy drive to highways.
Vibe: Safe, polished, suburban feel but still close to downtown.
Example Hotels:
Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek – Luxury with rooftop pool.
Moxy Denver Cherry Creek – Trendy and fun, more affordable than Halcyon.
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💡 My Pick for Your Itinerary:
If you want the easiest base for both city exploring and mountain day trips, I’d recommend LoDo — you’ll be right in the heart of Day 1’s activities and only a few minutes from the freeway for Day 2 & 3 adventures.
If you’d like, I can make you a map with hotel locations + routes to each day’s destinations so you can visualize travel times and plan your mornings better. Would you like me to prepare that?
Here’s your interactive Denver trip map with:
Recommended hotel areas (blue house icons)
Key attractions for all 3 days (green stars)
Day 2 route example in orange
📍 Open the Denver Trip Map
You can zoom in/out, click markers for names, and use it on your phone for navigation.
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