How to Spend 24 Hours in Denver

I’m excited to share my recommendations on how to spend 24 hours in Denver. The so-called Mile High City offers great food, drinks, coffee, history, shopping, outdoor activities, and more options. In this post, I will share my suggestions for where to stay, eat and drink, stay active, and finally how to deal with the altitude.

Disclosure: Some of the links within this post are affiliate links. This means, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you make a purchase. For more information, click here.

Where to stay

Since I traveled solo to Colorado, staying somewhere that felt not only safe but welcoming was hugely important to me. A co-worker who lived in the area suggested staying in the Cherry Creek area. This area offers excellent shopping and plenty of cute shops if you are looking for some retail therapy during your stay.

I stayed at the Moxy in Cherry Creek and it was quite welcoming. During the daytime, you can find business travelers working from the lobby/bar area. Come nighttime, you can grab a drink at the hotel bar before heading out. The bartender was super kind and made a delicious drink before recommending a couple of cocktail bars and coffee spots for the rest of my quick trip.

While the room was on the smaller side, I was only there for a short time and was traveling solo. Something to consider if you are traveling with other people. The Moxy had a nice gym which was complete with all of the essentials.

If you want a more urban vibe, consider staying in downtown Denver. I stayed at the Westin Denver Downtown for a separate work meeting. It is quite walkable and if you are into craft beer, you can check out the Denver Beer Trail. Denver boasts over 150 taphouses and brewpubs! If you are a beer lover, this is certainly something to check out. For me, finding a nice cocktail bar was more my speed, I’ll discuss some options for wine and cocktails below!

How to Stay Active

Since this was my first time in Colorado, I was adamant about getting out and about in the mountains. Again, I was traveling solo so rather than hike alone, I booked a hike with a small group. I highly recommend hiring a guide, especially if you are hiking alone, are a beginner, or are visiting during the winter months.

How to Spend 24 Hours in Denver - Astonished Abroad — Enjoying the beautiful outdoors in Colorado

This particular hike was a short 4-mile out and back with a low elevation gain of around 600 feet. Our guide gave us the option of a more moderate hike or something a bit more strenuous. Since we had some first-timers, the group opted for this easy hike.

Despite the fact this was labeled as an easy hike, the views were beautiful and I was still able to get some exercise in. While there are tons of group fitness options throughout Denver, I would take advantage of the outdoors when visiting Colorado.

Dealing with Altitude

Denver is called the Mile High City because it sits 5,280 feet above sea level! This means that the air is thinner and since Denver is very dry, this can make it harder to breathe for some people.

Firstly, you’ll want to ensure you are staying hydrated before you arrive and throughout your trip. Our guide also recommended bringing a form of electrolyte with us such as a sports drink or water add-in.

On that note, physical activity can sometimes feel more strenuous due to the elevation. Listen to your body and take your time, if you need to slow down or cut short your morning jog, don’t beat yourself up about it.

While I didn’t notice any symptoms or experience trouble related to the altitude, it is worth mentioning so that you can have a healthy and enjoyable time. Of course, be sure to check with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

Where to Eat/Drink

Now for arguably my favorite topic, where to eat and drink! After a day of exploring the surrounding mountains, I was ready to find some delicious food. I also was super excited to find some good coffee and luckily, I did just that.

For coffee, I found Aviano Coffee which was within walking distance of my hotel in Cherry Creek. They offer pastries which were made off-site and an adorable cafe where I was able to get a bit of work done before heading out for the day.

In talking to some locals throughout my visit, several people recommended Hudson Hill which offers coffee and then turns into a cocktail bar later in the day. While I can’t personally recommend it, it will be on my list for my next visit.

Next, I had an early lunch following my hike. This so-called “well-care marketplace” offers coffee and a great menu including cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and other organically sourced healthy dishes. I had the “not another avocado toast” and a latte and both were quite good.

For dinner, I opted for Japanese at Uchi and I couldn’t have been more satisfied with this choice. Everything was super fresh and the dishes were super unique. Food aside, the Uchi G&T was delicious and refreshing. Uchi features a great happy hour if you are looking for quality food at a more affordable price point.

After dinner, it was time for a nightcap. I headed to Salita which is yet another spot for coffee and cocktails. Salita is a new spot that is part of the Bonanno Concepts group. It is housed in a reformed hot chicken spot and is now a chic cocktail bar with creative offerings. Try the Sicilian 75 for a fun twist on a French 75 which was a mix of gin, citrus, pistachio, and of course, prosecco!

Additional Restaurant/Bar Recommendations

Water Grill: seafood-heavy menu and delicious cocktails
54thirty Rooftop: roof bar with beautiful views of the city and mountains
Foraged: upscale sushi and amazing cocktails, recommend letting the waiter order for you so you can get all the good stuff!

Getting Around

Since Denver is so spread out, walking to some of the locations discussed in this post will be tough. While I utilized Uber during my trip, you could also consider renting a car. Street or garage parking is readily available in most areas that I visited. I had no trouble finding an Uber at any time of day during my visit.