48 Hours in Denver: A Weekend Itinerary That Actually Works

Denver is the most reliable weekend trip from California. The flight is about two and a half hours, nonstop options run from nearly every California airport, and the city delivers regardless of the season. Here's how to make the most of 48 hours.

Friday night: arrive and settle in

If you catch a 6 PM flight from LAX or SFO, you'll land around 9:30 PM Mountain Time. Head to your hotel (we recommend staying in LoDo or RiNo for walkability), drop your bags, and grab a late dinner.

If you're hungry, hit up a spot on Larimer Square. Most kitchens stay open until 10 or 11 PM. If you're more in the mood for a drink, the rooftop bars along Platte Street have mountain views even at night. Keep it chill. Tomorrow is the main event.

Saturday morning: coffee and exploration

Start at a local coffee shop. Corvus, Huckleberry, or Sweet Bloom are all worth seeking out. Denver's specialty coffee scene is legitimately one of the best in the country.

After coffee, you have a choice. If you want outdoors, drive 30 minutes to Red Rocks Park (not the amphitheater, the free hiking trails around it). The Trading Post Trail is an easy loop with incredible rock formations. If you'd rather stay in the city, walk the RiNo Art District and check out the murals and galleries. It's also home to Denver Central Market, which is a great spot for a late breakfast or early lunch.

Saturday afternoon: beer and food

Denver has more breweries per capita than almost any city in the country. RiNo alone has a dozen within walking distance. Ratio Beerworks, Our Mutual Friend, and Epic Brewing are all solid picks. Most have outdoor patios that are perfect when the weather cooperates.

For lunch or a late afternoon bite, try a green chile smothered burrito. It's a Denver staple and you'll find it everywhere. Santiago's is the local favorite for a no-frills version. For something more upscale, the restaurants along Platte Street and in the Dairy Block area are consistently good.

Saturday evening: dinner and nightlife

Book dinner somewhere in LoDo or Larimer Square. Guard and Grace for steak, Mercantile for farm-to-table, or Hop Alley for creative Chinese. Reservations recommended for Saturday night but you can often walk into bar seating.

After dinner, the options depend on your vibe. Live music at Nocturne Jazz for something mellow. The rooftop at 54thirty for cocktails with views. Or just walk the streets around Union Station, which stays lively until late.

Sunday morning: one more thing

Sleep in a bit, then pick one last activity. The Denver Art Museum is free on the first Saturday of the month (but any day is worth it). The Botanic Gardens are beautiful in spring and summer. Or just grab brunch at Snooze or Steuben's and enjoy the morning.

Head to the airport by early afternoon. A 3 or 4 PM flight gets you back to California by 5 or 6 PM local time, with the whole evening to decompress before Monday.

What it costs

A weekend in Denver typically runs $400 to $700 per person including flights and hotel. Nonstop flights from California range from $100 to $250 round trip depending on the carrier and timing. Hotels in LoDo and RiNo average $120 to $200 per night. Check our Denver weekend packages for current pricing.