Paradise Expert Adventure Guide to Denver

Denver has long been considered a bucket list destination for those who love adventure and action sports, whether you love fresh powder under your skis, a ripping descent on two wheels, thousands of thrilling rock climbing routes, or the pursuit of a monster carp in one of its many fly-fishing havens. But it’s also a welcoming spot for visitors who crave adventure of a different, non-adrenaline-fueled sort—specifically, great music, dining, and nightlife. 

Ahead, we’re highlighting some exciting activities you should add to your Denver itinerary, from challenging action sports that’ll test your limits to more relaxed outdoor experiences—all of which are perfect for capping off with a crisp Pacifico®. Prefer to see the city without breaking a sweat? We’ve got that part covered, too—you’ll find plenty of spots to enjoy a great meal, some live music, and some ice-cold Pacifico® along the way.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

Adventure Sports in Denver

Mountain Biking

If you’re seeking the thrill of two-wheeled adventure, Denver is a sure bet. Choose from cross-country or all-mountain riding, with plenty of great trails all less than a 30-minute drive from downtown Denver. Here are some of our recommended mountain biking trails around Denver:

• White Ranch: Located 30 minutes outside of Denver, these technical trails are geared toward advanced riders. Expect sandy and smooth trails with lots of embedded rocks and technical stretches.
• Green Mountain and Apex Park: Apex Trail and Enchanted Forest are two great advanced trails in Apex Park. Expect a challenging technical climb and a ripping technical descent.
• Buffalo Creek: Ideal for intermediate to advanced riders, with miles of singletrack. It connects to the neighboring Indian Creek trail system via the Colorado Trail. Enjoy mellow climbs and fun descents, plus the flexibility to have an all-day epic adventure or a shorter family-friendly outing.
• Green Mountain Loop: For intermediate riders, with mostly smooth singletrack and some fun climbs and descents.
• Dakota Ridge: This expert, technical trail is mostly smooth but offers rock features and side hits (and one of the best descents in the area).
• Colorado Trail: In addition to the smaller trail systems noted above, there’s also this popular option. Note that not all segments are mountain bike-friendly, but plenty of MTB adventures await on the 535-mile route.

Looking for mountain biking with an urban twist?

• Ruby Hill Mountain Bike Park: Located about 5 miles southwest of downtown Denver, this park offers a slopestyle course with downhill trails for beginners to advanced riders; looping pump tracks; a skills course; and a trail that outlines the entire park.
• Valmont Bike Park: With a rep as one of the top municipal bicycling facilities in the U.S., the 42-acre biking playground offers four miles of trails, 30-plus jumps, and other fun features, like bikeable staircases and a sandpit. It’s designed to suit bikers of all ages and abilities and is a great spot for families.

After powering through those punishing climbs and letting it fly on some ripping descents, take it easy with a frosty Pacifico® and some well-deserved carbs.

Rock Climbing

If you’ve been living under a rock instead of climbing it, here’s a PSA: Denver is home to some of the most exciting, challenging rock climbing the country has to offer. Let’s break down some of the can’t-miss climbing spots in and around Denver:

• North Table Mountain: This flat mesa has hosted outdoor enthusiasts for more than 200 years. It offers at least 13 established crags, with a mix of sport and traditional climbing experiences. There are shorter routes with well-maintained bolts; difficulty level ranges from class 1 to class 5, so there’s something for everyone.
• Clear Creek Canyon: Choose from 1,400 established routes, most of which are sport climbs. This area is known for the amazing grip provided by gneiss rock, a mineral-rich metamorphic rock, and it’s a great place to start if you’re transitioning from indoor climbing gyms to the real deal.
• Eldorado State Park: This is one of the most popular places to climb in the U.S., for good reason. Select from roughly 1,200 routes, mostly intermediate and advanced, with some reaching more than 700 feet high. There are a few options for sport climbing and beginners, but generally speaking, this spot is ideal for more experienced climbers.
• Three Sisters Park: Check out some 400-plus bouldering routes that’ll help you earn that end-of-day Pacifico. It’s close to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and a true Colorado landmark.
• The Flatirons: This spot offers literally thousands of multi-pitch route options, so do your research early to plan your climb and note any closures due to raptor nesting season. Here you’ll find what’s considered to be the best beginner climb in the world: the east face of the Third Flatiron.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Summer adventures are plentiful in Denver, but if you’re visiting during ski season, a whole new world of cold-weather fun opens up. After all, the Mile High City considers itself the world’s largest après ski town—a reputation well-earned, if you ask us. There are scores of ski resorts within a short drive from downtown Denver where you can downhill ski, cross-country ski, snowboard, snow tube, and more. These resorts are often some of the first in the country to open and among the last to close, thanks to Colorado’s generous average snowfall. With so many options available, the best move is to spend some time researching to find the ideal destination based on your skill level, activities offered, and price.

Short on time (or budget) to check out one of the big-name resorts? Not to worry—within Denver proper, there are two easy ways to get your fill of snowy adventure: 

• Ruby Hill Rail Yard: The only urban snowsports terrain park in the U.S., Ruby Hill is free to enjoy and offers 13 boxes, rails, and other features. 
• City Park: Take advantage of the 2,500 natural acres available in City Park for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more.

Whether you head to the mountains or keep it local, the options are plentiful. Once you’ve conquered the slopes and shredded the gnar, grab your buddies and a case of Pacifico® beer and enjoy the après ski vibes.

Action-Packed Activities in Denver

Skate Parks

With roughly 70 skate parks in the Denver metro area, it’s nothing short of a skater’s paradise. Here are a couple to check out if you’re in the mood for some ollies and alley-oops against a sweeping mountain backdrop.

• Downtown Denver Skatepark: The biggest skate park in Colorado, it boasts 60,000 square feet of skateable terrain.
• Ulysses Skate Park in Golden: Head here if you’re in the mood for rails, ledges, quarter pipes, banks, an eight-foot bowl, and more against stunning mountain views.
• Railbender Skate Park in Parker: A street skater’s paradise, Railbender’s amenities include a 36,000-square-foot illuminated skate park with street skating and transition features, plus two beginner bowls. 
• William McKinley Carson Park & Skate Park in Greenwood Village: This unique spot offers two parks in one: a moderate bowl system and an Olympic-level flow/street-style section.
• Arvada Skate Park in Arvada: This 40,000-square-foot oasis for skaters is the third largest skate park in the country. It’s well-lit and offers plenty of bowls, ledges, and stairs tucked into a sleek design.

Whitewater Rafting

If you prefer your thrills to be more on the wet and wild side, you’re in the right place: Some of Colorado’s best whitewater rafting is just 30 minutes from Denver. Clear Creek passes through the nearby historic town of Idaho Springs and offers lots of opportunities to float, kayak, and raft rapids that range from class III to V. Consider this your invitation to get out of the city and cool down with an afternoon on the water. Opt for a half-day or full-day excursion with AVA Rafting & Zipline for a low-stress means of getting out on the water. Pro tip: Pack a cooler with ice and a case of Pacifico® to enjoy with friends as the perfect end to a day of thrill-chasing.

Ziplining and Via Ferrata

Zipline and Via Ferrata courses are a unique way to experience Colorado’s awe-inspiring mountain landscape. Via Ferrata—Italian for “iron path”—refers to mountain routes that are equipped with ladders, cables, and bridges to make them more accessible. Since the ladders and cables are built directly into a cliff face, Via Ferrata doesn’t require as much technical knowledge as traditional climbing, but is equally likely to get your heart pounding.

Ready to climb, rappel, and traverse sky-high bridges to get your adrenaline fix? Here are some tour operators to explore:

• Via Ferrata with AVA Tours: Head to the Idaho Springs outpost to experience the Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata on a half- or full-day guided excursion.
• Ziplining with AVA Tours: At the Idaho Springs location, take your pick from half-day zipline adventures or a full-day experience that combines ziplining with rafting, rock climbing, or Via Ferrata. 
• Denver Adventures: Experience six thrilling ziplines ranging from 850 feet to nearly 2,000 feet long while reaching speeds up to 60 mph and heights of roughly 250 feet above the ground.
• The EDGE Ziplines & Adventures: Take in the epic views of Colorado’s landscape while you cruise along 10 different ziplines and hit top speeds of 50 mph.
• Colorado Adventure Center: This one-stop shop for outdoor adventures offers rafting, ziplining, and a SkyTrek ropes course so you can chase thrills on the ground and in the air.

UTV & Off-Road Tours

When it comes to any outdoor adventure, getting dirty is half the fun, right? That’s where UTV tours come in. Channel your inner rally racer and see the rugged side of the Rockies on an off-road trip that’s nothing short of epic, especially when you wrap up the journey with a chilled Pacifico. Some operators to consider:

• Grand Adventures and MAD Adventures: Book the Continental Divide Tour for a guided experience on a side-by-side UTV that takes you through Arapahoe National Forest on a 15-mile ride up to the Continental Divide and Corona Pass, reaching nearly 12,000 feet in elevation. Expect awe-inspiring panoramic views of the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountains, and Fraser Valley.
• Great Outdoors Adventures: Choose from two destinations—Lake George and Westcreek—for UTV rides across varied terrain with water crossings, incredible views, and dude ranch vibes.
• AVA Tours: Operating out of Kremmling—just under two hours from Denver—this outfitter puts you at the heart of nearly 20,000 acres of stunning mountain terrain. Choose from two UTV types and two-hour, half-day, or full-day rentals. 

Outdoor Activities in Denver

Hiking & Backpacking

Denver offers proximity to legitimate mountain hiking for the diehards, but don’t overlook the regional trail system. It encompasses hundreds of miles of trails that are suitable for all ages and abilities. In fact, the Denver metro area boasts a 41-mile trail system known as the 9 Creeks Loop, which circles the city’s core via the Sand Creek Greenway, High Line Canal, Cherry Creek Trail, and Platte River Trail. With that said, there are plenty of options for exhilarating hikes with amazing views and access to nature. One thing they all have in common? Each one is perfectly suited for ending with a cold Pacifico®.

Here are some recommendations for hikes to try in Denver:

• Choose the easy 3.5-mile Confluence Park loop trail that starts and ends downtown and takes you along the water and multiple landmarks.
• Try the 2.4-mile Lowry Park Loop to see native birds.
• Check out the 3.8-mile out-and-back near the Denver International Airport and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
• Choose from multiple options along Green Mountain Trail—you can’t go wrong with any.

Fishing & Fly Fishing

Denver is a fisherman’s playground, and while it’s easy enough to explore on your own, those with limited time to get the lay of the land (and the water) might be better served by a guided trip. Whichever you choose, bring a cooler bag with a couple of cans of Pacifico® on ice so you can make the most of a day by the water, even if the fish aren’t biting.

If you’re flying solo, be sure to check out the Colorado Fishing Atlas site from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, then head to a local fly shop to get some expert advice. Some popular Denver fishing spots to check out:

• Denver South Platte
• Clear Creek
• Bear Creek
• Upper South Platte River

If you want some expert guidance to boost your chances of landing the big one, try one of these guided trip operators:

• The Flyfisher in Denver
• 5280 Angler in Arvada
• Colorado Wilderness Rides & Guides in Boulder
• Front Range Anglers Fly Shop in Boulder

Music Scene in Denver

From hole-in-the-wall spots to historic movie theaters to postcard-worthy amphitheaters, Denver’s music venues leave practically nothing to be desired. For a great night of live tunes with a side of dancing (or moshing), head to the Union Station neighborhood in LoDo. Pro tip: A couple venues in this area have pizza shops in-house, which is perfect for pairing with some cold Pacifico®.

Around Larimer Square, you’ll find some of the best jazz in Denver; if you head to the River North Art District (RiNo for short), you’ll come across state-of-the-art performance spaces, under-the-radar spots serving up talented musicians and great BBQ, and Denver institutions that have launched local and national acts. 

If you’re the type of music lover who likes the setting as much as the sound, you’ll want to check out Capitol Hill, specifically East Colfax, for historic venues that host emerging and major touring artists and feature an eclectic mix of genres.

Dining & Nightlife in Denver

Best Neighborhoods for Dining

Choosing where to eat in Denver might be the hardest decision you’ll make during your trip—because there are simply so many great options, and only so many hours in an action-packed weekend. Here’s where to start to make sure you experience the best that Denver’s dining scene has to offer:

• LoDo, or Lower Downtown, for hotspot eateries, quality coffee, and great shopping; Larimer Square in particular
• Capitol Hill, specifically Colfax Avenue, for an abundance of upscale eateries and coffee shops 
• Golden Triangle for artisanal coffee and great food in the city’s cultural heart
• Wash Park (Washington Park for the newbies) for scores of restaurants, art galleries, and watering holes along South Pearl Street and Old South Gaylord
• Park Hill for the flourishing food scene that offers everything from nouveau American to gourmet Italian fare

Wherever you end up, make sure to try the state’s signature dish—green chili—and pair it with an ice-cold Pacifico® to balance the heat.

Best Neighborhoods for Nightlife

After you’ve recharged from a day of adrenaline-fueled activities and outdoor adventures, the nightlife scene in Denver presents an entirely different world to explore. Here are a few neighborhoods to check out:

• RiNo, or the River North Art District, is full of street art, galleries, and art studios, as well as warehouses and factory buildings that double as music venues and restaurants. Go on the first Friday of every month for art openings and live music from under-the-radar artists.
• City Park, aptly named after Denver’s biggest green space, is known for the array of throwback dive bars on Colfax Avenue that offer live music. Pop over to 17th Avenue in the adjacent Uptown neighborhood for more bar and restaurant options.
• LoHi (part of the Highlands) has a well-earned reputation for cutting-edge eateries and bars, galleries, boutiques, and more.

As you take in Denver’s vibrant nightlife scene, look for Pacifico® on the menu and cap off another epic night in the Mile High City with your favorite frosty beer.