The Best Winter Activities in Denver
Chilling in the Mile High City
Denver is a city for all seasons, but it truly comes alive in the winter. Here’s how to enjoy all the best of the Mile High City this season.
The Rockies Beckon
Enjoy The Spectacular Skiing and Snowboarding
It’s only natural that our majestic neighbors, the Rocky Mountains would afford some of the best skiing and boarding in the northern hemisphere. Denver’s close proximity to these world-class ski areas makes us the ideal basecamp for strapping on your bindings and hitting the slopes. Regardless of your skill level or style, we’ve got just the descent for you. Don’t miss checking out Breckenridge, Vail, Copper Mountain and Winter Park during your visit.
Discover The Dairy Block
Every town has its coolest neighborhood. You know the one. A quirky, creative area full of art galleries, boutiques, coffee shops, performance venues, and nightlife. Here in Denver, it’s LoDo. And LoDo's own hippest area is known as The Dairy Block — once a producer of milk and cheese, and now a reliable purveyor of fun and good times. Our neighborhood cultural hub is home to fantastic restaurants, unbeatable shopping, fantastic pubs and taverns, and — of course — The Maven. You’ll find no end of great things to see and do all winter long by just stepping out our front door, picking a direction, and exploring. Eat, sip and explore your way through Dairy Block, with our “Taste of Dairy Block” experience.
View all upcoming LoDo events here.
Taste Denver's Food
Make no mistake: Denver loves to eat. Our burgeoning reputation as one of the best emerging food cultures in the country is both hard-earned and well-deserved. And what better way to warm up from the cold than to check out some of the city’s most exceptional eateries? No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it here. If you’re feeling hungry, head to Larimer Square, indulge in an igloo at Union Station, or relax in a cozy outdoor “living room”-style space at My Brother’s Bar. Of course, you definitely don’t want to miss tasty Southwest America and Baja Mexico bites that we’re cooking up at our own Kachina Cantina.
Explore Denver’s Art and Culture
If staying inside is more your speed, Denver has you covered there, too. Our local arts and culture scene are nothing short of world-class and afford locals and visitors alike a deep range of educational and experiential opportunities. Most are concentrated downtown, but a few that are very worth visiting are a bit off the beaten path. You’ll want to check out the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Art Museum, Molly Brown House, Denver Aquarium, Children’s Museum of Denver, and Denver’s new immersive exhibit Meow Wolf.
Head Out Hiking
Denver’s hiking is revered for a reason. It’s spectacular any time of year, but trekking the trails in the winter is an entirely singular experience. Many of the popular paths don’t see much in the way of snowfall, and those that do offer hikers an opportunity to make their way through fresh powder. There are countless places in and around the city to get out and enjoy the crisp winter scenery, so be sure to pack your boots. Some of the best winter hiking spots include Elk Meadow Park, Red Rocks Park, Castlewood Canyon State Park, and Rocky Mountain State Park.
Take a Brewery Tour
Denver is a classic “beer town” thanks to our exceptionally pure, mountain stream-fed local water supply. Some of the best breweries in the world have noticed and have made their homes here. The Mile High City and its surrounding communities are overflowing with exceptional brewpubs, microbreweries, and even a few “big guys” with national distribution. Be sure to check out the tours (and samples!) at places like Blue Moon Brewing Company, Denver Beer Co., Great Divide Brewing Company, and Black Shirt Brewing.
Festive Holiday Shopping
Discover the magic of Denver’s premier holiday markets, and start crossing names off of your shopping list! First, stop by the seasonal Cherry Creek Market, located inside Fillmore Plaza in Cherry Creek North. The market is open daily through Christmas Eve for the 2024 Season. Visitors can shop with dozens of hand-picked vendors, then head on over to the Mistletoe Lounge to kick back and enjoy refreshments with family and friends. A short trek away, the Dairy Block micro-district offers a one-stop shopping destination with an exciting mix of national brands and boutique stops. Our Dairy Block sister hotel at The Maven offers custom Denver-themed t-shirts from local purveyors Abstract Denver. And popping over to the McGregor Square entertainment complex, you’ll discover even more treasures — like Peek-A-Boo Toys (an iconic area destination for top-quality amusements), and Basecamp Market Station (Denver’s destination for premium outdoor accessories).