Denver's Best Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions

Also known as the Mile High City Denver is a vibrant destination that blends sophisticated urban life with gorgeous natural surroundings. From luxury hotels to trendy bars, world-class restaurants, and a great range of attractions, Denver has something to offer for every type of traveler.

So if you are headed here on business, a short weekend couples getaway, or even a fun-filled family vacation, this guide will help you discover the best that Denver has to offer.

Denver's Best Hotels

Denver has a great range of accommodations and hotel types suitable for every kind of traveler. Whether you're looking for a luxurious getaway with a relaxing on-site spa in a building full of historical charm, or a contemporary pet-friendly stay, jam-packed with all the amenities a business traveler could ask for, you're guaranteed to find the perfect place in this wonderful city.

Catbird Hotel, North Denver, Denver

Situated in North Denver, on the edge of the River North Art District (RiNo), Catbird Hotel is Located mere steps away from 38th - Blake Station, providing excellent access to Denver City center. Its RiNo location makes this an excellent choice of accommodation for anyone interested in art, thanks to the multiple galleries murals, and artworks located in the area.

Catbird Hotel boasts a great range of excellent on-site amenities including a comfortable, modern lounge space, on-site fitness center, bar, terrace, and American Restaurant.

Despite the hotel's small size, many of the clean, modern guest rooms and suites maximize the space by elevating the bed onto a platform with plenty of storage space in the pull-out wardrobes below. They also have plenty of room options available which include excellent amenities, including a sitting area and small kitchenette.

Renaissance by Marriott, Downtown, Denver

Located just a short distance from Ellie Caulkins Opera House and Colorado Convention Center in the downtown area of Denver City Center, Renaissance by Marriott holds one of the best locations in the city. With plenty of things to see and do right on the doorstep, it's a perfect place to stay if you're visiting for a short trip.

Boasting a sophisticated and luxurious on-site restaurant, "Range", a convenient "Illy" cafe, and the outstanding "Teller Bar", there's a great range of on-site establishments where you can indulge in some of the best food and drink Denver has to offer without even needing to leave the building! Guests are also welcome to make use of the fitness center, and a business center is also available for bookings.

Free wifi access is available for guests and every room includes a great range of amenities including coffee-making facilities, air-conditioning, a refrigerator, a comfortable sitting area, flat-screen cable TV, and a desk.

Hyatt Regency Denver, Downtown, Denver

Also known as Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, this outstanding Hyatt Hotel is located adjacent to the famous Colorado Convention Center making it the perfect place to stay if this is on your bucket list for your trip.

The hotel itself has a great range of on-site facilities including an indoor swimming pool and hot tub, free Wi-Fi, a Business center, a co-working area, and a gym. There is also a selection of on-site establishments that are well worth a visit including the outstanding Peaks 27th Floor Lounge, a luxurious cocktail bar offering sweeping views of downtown Denver and the surrounding mountains; Assembly Hall Bar & Market, a contemporary spot for a quick pick me up or evening glass of wine after dinner; and Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps, the wonderful onsite restaurant serving up contemporary Colorado cuisine at both the buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch.

The contemporary comfortable rooms all include coffee-making facilities and cable TV, with some boasting breathtaking mountain views!

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Downtown, Denver

Just a short 10-minute drive from Denver Zoo and a five-minute drive from Coors Field the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa is an excellent location for anyone looking for accommodation near a range of great activities in the downtown area of Denver.

The hotel boasts luxurious decor throughout, and a great range of on-site amenities, including a relaxing spa, fitness center, and salon.  There is also a great range of onsite restaurants and bars including the Palace Arms, featuring elevated decor, and locally sourced, farm-fresh dining and hand-crafted cocktails; Ellyngton's, the upscale brunch restaurant; Ship Tavern, a vintage pub serving up American classics, deserts and drinks in a lively atmosphere with live music and sports screenings; and the sophisticated Churchill Bar, Devner's iconic, full-service cigar lounge.

All guest rooms are just as elegant as one would expect, with plush white linens, a flat-screen cable TV, and an iPod docking station.

Home2 Suites by Hilton, Downtown, Denver

With a convenient spot in Denver's central business district, Home2 Suites By Hilton sits right by the Colorado Convention Center, making it a great choice of location for anyone here on business, or for those looking to be right in the heart of downtown Denver.

At this pet-friendly hotel, guests can enjoy a continental buffet breakfast every morning, and make use of the shared lounge and on-site business center and meeting rooms. There is also free Wi-Fi, a bar, and a gym.

All rooms and suites are contemporary and welcoming, and feature a kitchenette, flat-screen TV with cable and streaming services, and a desk.

Denver's Best Restaurants

Denver's vibrant dining scene offers a great range of options, suitable for every type of traveler. From upscale farm-to-table dining to playful modern steak houses, and even some local, casual dining spots, this city has everything!

If you're looking for the best dining spots to include on your next trip to the city, here are some of the top choices!

Potager, Capitol Hill, Denver

If you're on the lookout for a restaurant that has stood the test of time then Potager is it! Situated just past downtown in Capitol Hill, this long-standing gem has been around since 1997, creating its menu around locally sourced ingredients long before farm-to-table cooking was a mainstream interest.

With a classy interior the dishes on offer at this establishment are truly the star of the show, indulge in some Maine halibut with spinach, rhubarb, and pea-shoot pistou; their famous wintertime cassoulet; or a mouth-watering beet-chèvre souffle with a lemon and honey vinaigrette.

Not only is Potager a truly outstanding restaurant, but it is also a fantastic wine bar! Pair your meal with one of their unique bottles, hand selected from sustainable wineries across the world, including local options from Colorado.

Alma Fonda Fina, Highland, Denver

With a name that is Spanish for 'Soul', this restaurant is Certainly what one may expect. Boasting laid-back contemporary earth-toned decor, outstanding service, and tantalizing Mexican dishes, guests can expect to enjoy food that is good for the soul at this chef-owned restaurant.

Indulge in some of the best dishes in the neighborhood at this establishment, such as pork shank with black bean puree and roasted habanero oil, or a scallop crudo in Serrano Ponzu and tomato butter.

If you'll all be in town for a short while be sure to try and snag one of the seats at the chef's counter for a truly memorable, upscale dining experience.

Tavernetta, Downtown, Denver

Situated on the Union Station platform in full view of the trains, this upscale, luxurious, Italian restaurant sets itself apart from the rest from the get-go!

With sleek, modern decor this restaurant lounge hybrid Offers outstanding seasonal menus, amazing service, and a truly great wine list. Should you be looking for a unique and popular restaurant for a special occasion during your time in Denver, then head on down to Tavernetta.

Choose from a broad selection of Italian dishes, whether you're in the mood to split a selection of antipasti over a bottle of Carte Noire, or indulge in an excellent New York strip cooked to perfection, the selection of options at Tavernetta is sure to please anyone who steps through their doors.

Odie B’s, Sunnyside, Denver

This casual establishment combines a sandwich shop with a bar and a coffee house, leading to a unique combination you can only find at Odie B's! Located in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Denver, it's well worth a visit if you're looking for a unique, late-lunchtime dining experience.

There is certainly more to their menu than meets the eye take the ham and cheese sandwich for example, order this, and you'll be delighted to find that the 'ham and cheese' in question combines pork belly sharp cheddar creamy collared greens pickled mustard seeds and apple on rich marble rye bread. 

A5 Steakhouse, Downtown, Denver

A5 Steakhouse certainly sets itself apart from the rest. Instead of a swanky, up-scale interior with neutral tones, it introduces itself as an outlier from the get go, simply from its design. With pops of bright color and cutting edge luxury throughout, you know you're in for a treat as soon as you step through the doors.

And if you were pleased by the surprising interior, you'll be happy to know that the menu brings just as much diversity. High quality cuts of beef are served alongside chutney-glazed racks of lamb and saag curry, Mexican style bay shrimp cocktails, and bacon and kimchi fried rice.

Be sure to visit during happy hour when you can dine on mouth watering burgers exquisite dips and great drinks at surprisingly low prices!

Denver's Best Attractions

Denver is home to a variety of attractions that cater well to the interests of all visitors. From exciting and diverse art galleries to great history museums, outstanding sports landmarks, and fun-filled days out, there's plenty to see and do here.

No matter your interest Denver's attractions are sure to impress everyone who visits so if you're looking for your next memorable experience in the Mile High City be sure to check out what's on offer.

Empower Field at Mile High, Sun Valley, Denver

If you're a fan of football then be sure to spend some time at Empower Field at Mile High. This amazing stadium sits more than 5000 feet above sea level and has a capacity of over 76,000, providing great views of both the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains to all NFL fans who visit.

As with most stadiums, ticket prices vary by game and availability so be sure to book well in advance if you're hoping to catch a game, especially if you're looking to see the Denver Broncos playing on their home turf!

Should you be an NFL super fan, you can even enjoy a guided tour of the stadium led by one of the highly knowledgeable employees from the onsite Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum, which is included as a stop on the tour. During this 1.5-hour guided visit, you can also see the visiting team's locker rooms, the network television production compound, and some of the onsite TV and radio broadcasting facilities.

Molly Brown House Museum, Downtown, Denver

Fans of the movie 'Titanic' may not be aware that you can actually visit the house of the real person behind one of the film's most famous characters. Previously home to the unsinkable Margaret "Molly" Brown (played by Kathy Bates in the film 'Titanic'), this building has since been turned into a museum to shed some light on Denver's history and the life of one of its most historically famous residents.

Visitors can explore the museum on their own, however, a guided tour is much more educational and we recommend taking the time to learn about the museum this way to hear everything there is to know about the house's renovations and multiple artifacts.

History buffs can visit this unique example of Victorian life and design that currently sits nestled amongst the contemporary architecture in Capitol Hill to learn not only about the house but also about Margaret Brown's experience aboard the Titanic, her role in the women's suffrage movement, as well as her contribution to Colorado's mining industry.

Downtown Aquarium, Downtown, Denver

This AZA-accredited aquarium in Downtown Denver is a must-visit for anyone traveling with their family or who simply loves animals! Home to over 500 species of land animals and sea creatures, guests can enjoy a great range of exhibits, including a flash flood simulation room (be careful, you might get wet!), a Stingray Reef touch tank, 4D theater, a shark cage experience, scuba and snorkel experiences, and a variety of animal encounters.

There's also plenty for kids to enjoy if you're in town for a longer stay, including an overnight stay to a five-day summer camp. Don't worry if you only have the day to spend there though, as kids can enjoy various day programs including "Marine Biologist for a Day", where they can encounter deep sea creatures and other aquatic species, or, if they're not a huge fan of the water, "Zoologist for a Day", where they can learn to handle and train animals that live on land.

There is even an on-site restaurant where you can sit at one of the tables around a 50,000-gallon aquarium containing over 100 species.

Elitch Gardens, Downtown, Denver

Originally an actual garden and zoological park since its opening in 1890, Elitch Gardens has since been transformed into a family-friendly wonderland. Home to a great range of entertainment, water park, and a theme park, a day out at Elitch Gardens is every adrenaline-seekers thrilling day out, right in the heart of the city!

Enjoy a great range of rides, coasters, and water slides, or lay back and relax on some of the more gentle attractions, including the smaller rides or lazy river. If you're looking for something super unusual, you can even catch one of the "Dive-in Movies" over at the waterpark's wave pool!

Be sure to check season times if you're planning on heading here though, as the park closes after the summer season, re-opening again for seasonal events such as Fright Fest during the fall and Luminova Holidays (boasting gorgeous light displays), during the winter.

Denver Art Museum, Capitol Hill, Denver

Situated in the Capitol Hill area of downtown Denver, this outstanding Art Museum is home to over 70,000 works by various famous artists from across the globe including Winslow Homer and Vincent Van Gogh.

Anyone interested in art and art history will be happy to spend a full day here exploring the various exhibitions across the two buildings this museum is housed. From pre-Columbian artifacts to contemporary Sculptures and paintings, Visitors can enjoy a huge range of artwork from different places and time periods.

Rated highly amongst guests for its diverse collections (and interactive exhibits that kept children engaged), Denver Art Museum is a must visit for many people!