Planning a weekend trip to Denver, Colorado? We recently had a girls weekend in Denver, and it’s the perfect weekend getaway for families, couples and friends alike. Denver is nestled against the Rocky Mountains and is filled with outdoor adventures, a fun downtown area, great restaurants, culture and more. The large airport in Denver also makes it an ideal hub to connect with people from across the US. And that’s exactly what we did when meeting up for our recent trip.
Keep reading for where to stay, places to eat and things to do in Denver for a weekend getaway. We’ve included some fun Denver bachelorette party ideas as well!
Full disclosure, we received a partially hosted stay and media rate in exchange for our Maven Hotel review. As always, all opinions are gladly our own!
Where to Stay in Denver: Maven Hotel
If you only have a weekend in Denver, downtown is the best area to stay in Denver for a weekend getaway. One of the best hotels in Denver in terms of location and amenities is The Maven Hotel in Denver’s LoDo district. It’s one of the most unique hotels in Denver, Colorado, and it feels like you’re walking into a work of art when you enter the lobby. Every detail is so well thought out from the art on the walls to the doors, furniture and decor. The Maven is located within the Dairy Block, and it’s conveniently connected to the Milk Market food hall.
The rooms at the Maven are just as beautiful as the rest of the hotel. We stayed in an Innovator Suite 2 Queen Room and it’s perfect for a weekend with friends. In addition to the sleeping area, it includes a table and kitchenette as well as a living area. The bathroom is huge (and beautiful) with a double sink vanity, separate shower and the biggest bathtub I’ve ever seen. It’s great for getting ready for a girls night out and would also be the perfect when planning where to stay for a Denver, Colorado bachelorette party.
Each floor of the hotel also has fun swinging chairs outside of the elevator that you have to try out at least once!
Things to Do at Maven Beyond the Hotel
The Maven Hotel is so much more than just a hotel. While it’s totally family friendly, the fun atmosphere makes the Maven the perfect location for a weekend getaway in Denver with friends. There’s live music at the Maven on Thursday nights, and you can enjoy a drink from anywhere in the lobby. If you’re staying at the Maven Hotel, you also get a free drink nightly plus and discounts at Kachina Cantina and Poka Lola. The Alley at the Dairy Block is also a fun, artsy outdoor area. It has a winery, restaurants and art installations from floor to ceiling. The Maven hotel also offers an in-room private wine tasting that would be so fun while getting ready for a night out.
I joked when we got there that we really didn’t need to leave the hotel- but it’s true! It has everything you need in one spot and is one of the most unique Denver hotels. Cannot say enough good things about the Maven Hotel!
The Maven Hotel Denver is located at 1850 Wazee St, Denver, CO 80202.
Places to Eat in Denver (and Drink!)
There are so many great restaurants in Denver that it can be hard to know where to start with figuring out where to eat in Denver for a weekend. Denver has a great food and drink scene, with a mix of cuisines and specialty crafted cocktails and breweries. Below are several Denver restaurants we recommend from our weekend trip.
Snooze A.M. Eatery
For the absolute best breakfast in Denver, CO, Snooze cannot be missed on any Denver weekend trip. Snooze started in Denver and has rapidly grown for its consistently delicious breakfast menu and drinks. Our first Snooze experience was on a prior weekend in Boulder, CO, and after that first visit we knew we had to go back! Snooze is perfect for sharing, and we ordered the pancake trio (which I highly recommend.) We also got the Benny Duo and breakfast tacos to sample different items on the menu, and the Bloody Mary’s are among the best I’ve had.
Snooze is also one of several affordable restaurants in Denver, Colorado if you’re looking for dining options on a budget!
Brunch at Tupelo Honey Cafe
If you’re looking for another great place for brunch in Denver at Union Station, Tupelo Honey Cafe is a southern inspired restaurant with a seasonally changing menu. You can order brunch all day, and there’s so much to choose from. The restaurant is known for made from scratch biscuits, fried chicken and waffles and other southern foods like grits and collard greens. If you’re indecisive like me, the “Shoo Mercy” with sweet potato pancakes is a great way to sample the yummy foods at Tupelo Honey. (Just be sure to go very hungry!)
Tupelo Honey also has a great bar and restaurant area inside. Or you can opt for outdoor dining like we did, with views of the trains going by at Union Station.
Kachina Cantina
For authentic Mexican food in Denver in a bright and fun setting, Kachina Cantina is a great option. Kachina is also conveniently located right inside the Maven Hotel. It’s known for having a variety of tacos and fresh margaritas. We ordered the guacamole and fry bread at the recommendation of the hotel staff. Most of us ordered the taco trio as well, and there are several tasty options to choose from. I had the shrimp, fish and wagyu tacos and they were all perfectly cooked and super flavorful.
Be aware that a lot of food at Kachina can be super spicy. The cucumber jalapeno margarita is super fresh but a little too hot (even for me who loves spice!)
Mercantile Dining & Provision
If you’re looking for an amazing farm-to-table restaurant in Denver, Mercantile Dining & Provision at Union Station is such a great option. Mercantile has a range of items with several pasta specialties, and every item is super flavorful and perfectly crafted. We opted for the bread service and spiced carrots to start, and the carrots were the best I’ve ever had. We shared the gnocchi and mussels as well as a pasta dish with lamb. Both were both amazing, but the gnocchi was definitely a favorite. While the portions are on the small side, it left room for dessert after. There’s also a great wine list at Mercantile, with a combination of mid-range and pricier options.
While we opted for outdoor dining at Mercantile, the main restaurant has an upscale yet cozy ambiance. It’s the perfect spot for a date night or dinner with friends.
Denver Milk Market at Dairy Block
There are a few food halls in Denver, and the Milk Market in LoDo is one of the most popular ones. It’s a great option for a casual meal or night out and includes a variety of restaurants. We frequented Huckleberry Coffee Roasters for coffee in the morning and tried out a few other food options as well. Some popular options for lunch or dinner at Milk Market include pasta, fried chicken, burgers and more. Dairy Block Denver also has a few specialty clothing boutiques and other shops to browse through while you’re grabbing food.
Prost
We were looking for a Denver brewery with outdoor seating and came across Prost on our way back from hiking at Red Rocks. Prost is a German brewery in Denver with a great outdoor biergarten in the Highland neighborhood of Denver. There’s a huge beer menu at Prost Denver and I tried the Kolsch. (Not my usual go-to beer but it always reminds me of Cologne, Germany!) My friends had the spiked seltzer and it was naturally flavored without being overly carbonated. For a snack/ light lunch we had the cheese and meat board along with the pastrami loaded fries. Both gave us a great taste of German foods at Prost.
If you’re looking for places to day drink in Denver, Happy Camper is another option in the same area. It’s a fun and trendy pizza place in Denver with a camping party theme. (It would be perfect for a Denver bachelorette party.)
Poka Lola Social Club
The Poka Lola is an intimate cocktail bar located inside the lobby at The Maven. While we weren’t frequenting bars or clubs on this particular trip, Poka Lola was the perfect lounge in Denver without being crowded. The cocktails at Poka Lola Denver are super unique, and I had a yummy drink called “The North Remembers” that included an interesting combination of flavors like banana infused rum and chocolate chai tea. We also had a burger there after a late flight into Denver, and it was SO good.
Blanchard Family Wines
Looking for wineries in Denver, Colorado? Blanchard Family Wines is one of the only downtown wineries in Denver. It’s located in the Alley of the Dairy Block, close to many nearby restaurants in downtown Denver. The Blanchard winery has a variety of wines from white to red, and it also specializes in dessert pairings. We tried the cake pop and wine pairing and also sampled some of the seasonal macarons. The winery also has ample indoor seating as well as outdoor seating with heaters.
You can also find more wineries near Denver here.
Unique Things to Do in Denver for a Weekend
If you’re planning a Denver girls trip, there are so many fun things to do in Denver. It’s the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure- something we always look for in a girls weekend trip. In addition to so many great restaurants and places to grab a drink in Denver, we managed to find time for hiking, art and more. Below are the highlights of Denver things to do on a weekend getaway.
Hiking in Denver at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Prior to our trip, we searched for some of the best hiking in Denver. We wanted a trail that was fairly easy to get to (and to hike!) There are so many places to go hiking in Denver, Colorado, but Red Rocks is definitely one of the most unique.
Most people know Red Rocks for the amphitheater, which is pretty amazing in itself. There’s so much to do at Red Rocks though besides the amphitheater. Red Rocks Park is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains and is known for the huge sandstone rock formations that are reddish in color. The park is part of the Denver Mountain Parks system and contains a handful of trails which are great if you’re looking for easy hikes near Denver, CO. We did the Trading Post Loop. It’s a fairly easy 1.4 mile loop that takes you around several of the rock formations. (There are a few steep gradients but overall it’s pretty painless even if you’re not a big hiker!)
If you’re not lucky enough to be at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a concert, you can still walk up to the amphitheater. This naturally formed amphitheater is beautiful, and with the steep walk it’s almost a hike in itself. On a clear day, you can also see views of the Denver skyline past the amphitheater’s stage.
More Info on Visiting Red Rocks in Denver
Parking at Red Rocks is free, and you can park at the Trading Post for easy access to both the amphitheater and Trading Post Loop. The Trading Post also contains the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and restrooms in addition to a gift shop.
Red Rocks is located in Morrison, CO just 15 miles from Denver. You can get to Red Rocks from Boulder by renting a car or taking Lyft or Uber. (We opted to rent a car and it was very easy to drive there and park. There’s a Hertz car rental location in Downtown Denver that’s walkable from the hotel.)
Since the Denver weather is such a wild card, hiking in Denver in November can mean wearing anything from shorts to snow pants. Be sure to check the weather leading up to your trip so you’re prepared.
Meow Wolf Denver Convergence Station
It’s almost too hard to put into words the experience that is Meow Wolf. This wild and crazy immersive art venue in Denver transports you to another world into “Convergence Station” from the minute you take the elevators from the lobby. The experience has a sci-fi theme with different works of art, hidden passages and interactive exhibits throughout. The best way to experience Meow Wolf is with no agenda and just to let the different pathways guide you.
The entire exhibit is 4 stories high, and some of the rooms are multiple stories with bright colors, lights and unique objects everywhere you look. In total there are over 70 different art installations and rooms at the Denver Meow Wolf location that were created with the help of talented Denver artists. Just some of the whacky installations include a huge Magnatile-like castle, a secret passage in a laundry room, an entire room made out of books and a multi-story cave-like room filled with weird creatures throughout.
If you’re looking for a more traditional art museum in Denver, the Denver Art Museum is another popular art venue.
Note: Timed tickets for Meow Wolf are required in advance and they do sell out. Masks are required for guests ages 4+.
Denver’s Union Station
Denver Union Station is a historic train station in the center of Downtown Denver. It serves as a hub for visitors and locals alike and is a great gathering space. The interior of the station is beautiful, and you can grab a coffee from Pig Train or get a drink at Terminal Bar. (We had the best boozy Irish Whiskey at Pig Train and highly recommend it!) We mostly visited for restaurants near Union Station Denver. There are also a few shops at Union Station. They include a small Tattered Cover Bookstore, Bloom and 5 Green Boxes for specialty gift items.
Denver Union Station tours are also available from the Crawford Hotel periodically. It’s a great way to learn about the history and architecture of Union Station and definitely on my list for the future.
The Christmas decorations at Union Station were also being put up when we were there the first weekend in November and it was so pretty! If you’re visiting Denver in November, the Denver Union Station Christmas decorations usually go up the first weekend in November.
Day Trip to Boulder, CO
If you’re looking for another fun and easy day trip from Denver, Boulder is a great town near Denver set against the mountains. We went on a prior girls weekend in Boulder and absolutely loved walking around town. In addition to shopping in Boulder, it has amazing art galleries, a great farmer’s market and awesome hiking. There is also no shortage of breweries, wineries and restaurants in Boulder, CO.
One of the main reasons Boulder day trips are popular are for the convenient hiking near Denver, Colorado. The Chautauqua Loop Trail is an easy 3.5 hike in the Flatirons of Boulder. It’s a great option if you want to experience the outdoors in Denver but aren’t with a group of experienced hikers.
Getting from Denver to Boulder is super easy and only about a 30 mile drive or Uber/ Lyft ride. You can also take the bus from Denver to Boulder. (There’s currently no light rail service from Boulder to Denver, but it’s supposedly in the works!) Schedules for the bus from Denver to Boulder can be found here.
If you have more time, Boulder also makes an awesome weekend getaway near Denver if you’re looking for something close and easy!
Shopping in Downtown Denver
We planned to do more shopping in Denver on our girls trip but ended up fitting lots of relaxation time instead. We did have a chance to check out the 16th Street Mall to check out the huge Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver. (Wild girls weekend, I know!) Other options for Downtown Denver shops include:
- Larimer Square for a number of boutique stores set within historic buildings
- Cherry Creek shopping center for brand name retail stores near downtown Denver
- South Broadway Shopping District in Denver for specialty shops and local goods plus Antique Row
- Shopping in Highlands Square for a mix of brand names and local boutiques in Northwest Denver
More Ideas for Things to do in Denver for a Weekend Getaway
These girls’ trips always go too fast, but as always I’m always thinking about the next trip! Below are more ideals for a girls weekend in Denver (or a trip with the family!)
- Get a facial at Alchemy Spa in Denver (we went here in Boulder and it was Ah-mazing!)
- Visit the Denver Botanic Gardens
- Catch a game at Coors Field (located 2 blocks from The Maven!)
- Check out the Denver Zoo or the aquarium in Denver
Getting Around Denver
Downtown Denver is a pretty walkable city, making it easy to get to tons of shops and restaurants in a short amount of time. There are also several neighborhoods around Denver, which are separated by a highway in some cases. (So while something may look close, be sure to check the map first in case it’s safer to take an Uber or Lyft!)
Uber and Lyft in Denver are both easily accessible and super convenient to use during a weekend in Denver. You can also find motorized scooters throughout the city, which are a fun and easy way to get around when the weather is nice.
The light rail in Denver is another popular and affordable option that’s a great option for getting from the Denver Airport to downtown. (Especially if you’re arriving during rush hour.) The light rail also connects downtown Denver to several neighboring towns as a great option for local commuters and visitors alike. Denver also has several bus routes around the city and surrounding suburbs.
Denver in November
One thing we found about the weather in Denver is that it can be so unpredictable. When we went to Boulder in June, we expected warm weather. Instead, we were greeted with temps down to the 40s and a wintery mix. The weather in November in Denver can be a total wild card too. We lucked on this recent trip with temperatures up to the 70s and sunny. If you’re wondering what to wear in Denver in November, layers are usually a safe bet. Be sure to also check the weather forecast right before your Denver trip since it can always change!
Have you visited in Denver before? I’d love to hear some of your must do things in Denver for the future!
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I live close to Denver and it is still nice to discover new places to visit and eat from other people’s experiences.
I’m so glad to hear that! We definitely lucked out with the weather in Denver that weekend, it was beautiful!