What's New

The latest and greatest in The Mile High City.

Denver is an outdoor city with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and plenty of urban adventures for all ages. Explore The Mile High City’s farm-to-table cuisine, local craft breweries and unique live music venues like the famous Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. Visit the Denver Art Museum with its famous Indigenous art and Western art collections, see the giant blue bear public art sculpture, shop at Cherry Creek or get an authentic western shirt at the iconic Rockmount Ranch Wear. Denver combines historic Victorian brick buildings in Larimer Square and LoDo (Lower Downtown) with the bold architecture of today, all within a laid-back, walkable city center.

Hotels | Culinary Scene | Museums & Attractions | Transportation

New & Notable Rankings

U.S. News & World Report releases an annual list of the country’s 100 Best Places To Live and Denver has held a spot in the top 15 for the past five years – based on affordability, job prospects and quality of life, among other categories.
TravelPulse named Denver one of the top “3 Best U.S. Destinations for 2022,” thanks to our metropolitan offerings – from dining to cultural experiences – as well as our 300 annual days of sunshine and proximity to the Rocky Mountains.
After undergoing a $175 million renovation/addition project, the Denver Art Museum was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s “Best New Museums in the World: 2022 Hot List” in May 2022.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre – the world’s only naturally formed, acoustically perfect venue – was the top-grossing, most attended concert venue of any size, anywhere in the world for 2021, according to Billboard Magazine.
In July 2022, Denver made two USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards lists: No. 5 on the Best Arts District (Art District on Santa Fe) and No. 6 for Best City for Street Art.
Travel Awaits readers voted Denver International Airport their favorite U.S. airport and the Denver Botanic Gardens as the No. 6 best in the U.S. Denver also ranked eighth for most-pet friendly city in the nation.
Denver was named the No. 6 and No. 7 best bike city in American by AnytimeEstimate.com and Lawnstarter.com, respectively.
Harper’s BAZAAR proclaimed Denver among the “20 Best Places to Travel in 2021.”
Forbes named Denver one of the “top 10 cities best-positioned to recover from coronavirus.”
National Geographic included Denver in its list of “25 global destinations on the rise” in November 2020; and Denver is the only U.S. city included on National Geographic’s list of eight sustainable destinations for 2021 and beyond.
According to a 2020 study from the National Endowment for the Arts, Denver leads the nation in attendance rate at performing arts events and exhibitions.
AARP named Denver No. 4 on its list of “10 best U.S. Destinations for LGBTQ Families in 2021.”
In 2022, Booking.com ranked Colorado as the No. 4 best state for sustainable stays in the U.S. with nearly 10% of the state’s hotels listed as sustainable properties.

Hotels

The Slate Hotel opened May 2022. Stonebridge opened The Slate Hotel in the former Emily Griffith Opportunity School in May. The property, located next door to the Colorado Convention Center, will offer 251 rooms, meeting & event space and a signature bar and restaurant.

Thompson Denver by Hyatt opened February 2022. A 216-room boutique property located in Lower Downtown near Union Station featuring Chez Maggy, where Michelin starred chef Ludo Lefebvre uses local ingredients to create inspired French classics. There’s also a social lounge and in-house coffee shop with curated pastries and breakfasts to pair with your espresso.

Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver opened October 2021. Offering 264 rooms and 3,500 square feet of restaurant space in the heart of downtown Denver, Hyatt Centric features local art and murals, music curated by local Grammy Award winning artist Eric “Benny” bloom, and an on-site restaurant, Apple Blossom, run by local restaurateurs, Paul and Aileen Reilly. The hotel also features a spacious rooftop terrace, 24-hour modern fitness center with Peloton bikes and thoughtful, modern décor.

Catbird Hotel opened August 2021. The Catbird Hotel is a boutique property in the heart of Denver’s hip RiNo Arts District. Featuring 165 rooms, Catbird is an extended-stay hotel with adaptable, multi-functional spaces, home-away-from-home amenities and a rooftop bar and event space with some of the best views in the city.

The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa debuted a multi-million dollar renovation in July 2021. The Brown Palace announced the completion of its renovation of its historic Top of The Brown Suites including the eighth and ninth floors, and the three famed Presidential Suites – The Eisenhower, The Reagan and The Roosevelt – as well as Palace Arms, various meeting spaces and the Club Lounge.

Four Seasons Denver reopened following multi-million dollar renovation in June 2021. The renovation completely transformed the property with newly remodeled guest rooms, suites, meeting and event space, all public areas and on-site restaurant, American steakhouse and bar EDGE.

The Rally Hotel opened April 2021. The Rally Hotel in MacGregor Square is downtown Denver’s newest independent lifestyle hotel. The hotel features 182 guest rooms, including 29 suites, as well as a rooftop pool and deck, 21,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and an inspired local art collection. There are also three distinct dining and drink options: The Grandstand, The Rally Bar and The Original.

Clayton Members Club and Hotel opened April 2021. The first of its kind, Clayton Members Club & Hotel is a 63-room boutique hotel with 5,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space, and convenient access to some of the city’s best shopping, dining and more in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood. In addition to three public culinary outlets – Five Nines, Of A Kind and OAK Market – guests have access to the physical and experiential amenities of Clayton Members Club. Designed to cultivate connection and creativity, these include a members’ restaurant, fitness amenities, social spaces, lounges and co-working areas, a rooftop restaurant and pool, and member events.

Sheraton Denver Downtown unveiled $80 million transformation in February 2021. The Sheraton Denver Downtown became the first property in the brand’s portfolio to reveal the transformation of its guest experience. The full-scale renovation of its guest rooms, lobby, public and meeting spaces also features new signature elements, including a re-imagined lobby, a community workspace and flexible workspaces.

Culinary Scene

Denver has seen explosive growth in dining options, with new collaborative local marketplaces and food halls, chef-driven restaurants, brew-houses and hyper-local fine dining springing up in a series of neighborhoods. More than 260 restaurants opened in Denver in 2021, an impressive number given the ongoing pandemic and subsequent restaurant industry challenges. Plus, Caroline Glover, chef and co-owner of Annette in the Stanley Marketplace, became Denver's latest James Beard Award winner in June 2022! Glover was named the Best Chef in the Mountain Region.

Toro Latin Kitchen + Lounge – The latest Denver spot from chef and restaurateur, Richard Sandoval, features pan-Latin cuisine coupled with Asian flavors. Private tequila lockers and a dedicated ceviche bar round out the experience.

Benzina – Housed in a former muffler shop, Benzina features Neapolitan-style pizza and high-style, retro-cool aesthetics. Helmed by Brian Lockwood, a Boulder native with a resumé that includes the French Laundry and Eleven Madison Park, Benzina has quickly become a neighborhood favorite.

A5 – Renowned Denver chef Max Mackissock opened his newest concept in the former Wazee Supper Club space, an iconic downtown location. The steakhouse pulls from international influences while focusing on the highest quality ingredients.

Apple Blossom – The latest hotspot from beloved Denver restaurateurs Paul and Aileen Reilly (of Beast + Bottle, Coperta) is located in the new Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver. Featuring locally sourced, hyper-seasonal American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Greenwich – An homage to Greenwich Village in New York City, this new-American style restaurant serves dinner family-style in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood.

Yumcha – Veteran Denver chef, Lon Symensma, and his longtime colleague, opened YumCha, a modern take on traditional dim sum parlors and noodle shops featuring old favorites from his other restaurant concepts as well as new ideas.

Cantina Loca – Dana Rodriguez, chef and owner of RiNo’s Work & Class and Super Mega Bien, has opened Cantina Local, which serves Mexican wines, locally brewed tepache and pulque, and her own agave spirits line alongside innovative, Mexican-inspired snacks.

Redeemer Pizza – Redeemer, from the owners of Dio Mio restaurant in RiNo, has quickly become a favorite of Denver chefs and residents alike. They mill their own flour, naturally ferment their dough and serve their pizza from a slice window or in their dining room.

Marketplaces and food halls – Over the past seven years, Denver has embraced the food hall and gourmet market trend, bringing several local makers and artisans together and providing a taste of everything Denver has to offer under one roof. There are now nearly ten market halls that offer drinking, dining, shopping – and sometimes even hotel rooms – all under one roof, including The Source Hotel + Market Hall; Denver Central Market; Zeppelin Station; Stanley Marketplace; Avanti F&B; Denver Milk Market; Dairy Block; Grange Hall; The Golden Mill and more.

Denver's beer scene – Denver brews more beer than any other American city and is home to Coors Brewery – the largest single brewing site in the world. More than 200 unique beers are produced and served every day in Denver. There are now more than 70 breweries in Denver, more than 150 in the metro area and nearly 400 throughout the state. To showcase new and iconic Denver breweries, VISIT DENVER creates an annual Denver Beer Trail. The 2021-22 edition features 40 must-try local breweries, both new and well-loved, from beer producers around the Denver area.

Museums & Attractions

Larimer Square - Denver’s most historic block has undergone a renaissance of its own over the past few years. Several new retail businesses and restaurants opened on the block, including a flora design studio, vintage clothing shop and tattoo parlor, as well as a Chinese street food spot, fried chicken shop, an ice cream parlor and a year-round farmers market. Additionally, Larimer Square will remain closed to vehicle traffic for the foreseeable future, allowing restaurants space for extended patios and visitors the ability to enjoy drinking, dining and shopping throughout the square.

Mission Ballroom - The newest venue on Denver’s roster is the Mission Ballroom, which opened in late-summer 2019 in the RiNo Arts District, one of Denver’s hippest neighborhoods. The state-of-the-art, 4,000-person venue boasted a world-class concert schedule in its first year with performances from The Lumineers, Bob Dylan, Maggie Rogers, Steve Miller Band and more – adding to Denver’s reputation as a top destination for live music. Its seating emulates the stadium-style of Red Rocks, and the entire venue is decked out with murals by local artists to reflect the vibe of the neighborhood.

Denver Art Museum - The museum completed a $150 million renovation and reopened to the public on October 24, 2021. New and revitalized spaces include the J. Landis and Sharon Martin Building (previously the North Building), the new Anna and John J. Sie Welcome Center, eight levels of art galleries and programming space, as well as new outdoor public spaces. The campus also features expanded guest services, new dining options, programming and events spaces.

Meow Wolf Denver - On September 17, 2021, Meow Wolf, the artist collective responsible for Santa Fe’s immersive art exhibit the House of Eternal Return, opened its permanent installation in Denver. Meow Wolf creates immersive and interactive art experiences that transports audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. The Denver venue features the work of 110 Colorado-based artists on four floors of colorful rooms, as well as a 450-person capacity music venue, café and retail space.

Denver Center for the Performing Arts/Denver Performing Arts Complex - The $36 million renovation of the 185,000-square-foot Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex at the Denver Performing Arts Complex (DPAC) was completed in late-2021. DPAC made the best of the quieter COVID times to advance this project, which includes a remodeled Space Theatre, backstage support areas and upgrades to the complex’s accessibility, public safety, health and convenience. Plus, Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) launched the return of the Broadway, Theatre Company, Cabaret, and Off-Center seasons featuring 30 shows in November 2021. Hamilton returned in February 2022 and still to come this year are Dear Evan Hansen, Moulin Rouge!, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, My Fair Lady and Mean Girls, among several other Broadway productions.

16^th Street Mall upgrades - Designed by the internationally renowned architectural firm I.M. Pei & Partners, the mile-long pedestrian 16^th Street Mall is undergoing a $149 million refresh. Originally debuted in 1982, the poly-chromatic granite pavers are now being repaired, transit lanes for the free MallRide shuttle are being moved to the center of each block and the sidewalks are being expanded for walking, café seating and other activities. The renovation will also replace and expand the existing tree canopy, creating a refreshing green space in the center of the city. The project is expected to be completed in 2024. Note: Although the mall is being revitalized, it's remaining open for business during the project.

McGregor Square - Adjacent to Coors Field, home of MLB’s Colorado Rockies, McGregor Square ushers in a new chapter of entertainment, food and business travel in Colorado's capital city. Spanning an entire block, the complex includes The Rally Hotel (which will also soon be home to the Colorado Rockies Hall of Fame), 12 restaurants and bars, 5 retail outlets, a food hall, and the newest outpost of beloved independent bookstore, Tattered Cover, all circling a 17,000-square-foot plaza complete with a stadium-sized LED screen.

City Skate at Skyline Park - Roll into summer at City Skate, downtown Denver's first-ever roller rink. Plus, with free mini golf, local food, beer and events throughout the summer, City Skate is where the good times roll.

Transportation News

As travel continues to rebound after the pandemic, Denver is poised to once again be one of the best domestic and international hubs in the country. Denver International Airport (DEN) now has nonstop flights from more than 200 domestic and international destinations. According to Airports Council International, DEN ranked as the third-busiest airport in the world in 2021, up from seventh in 2020.

In March 2022, United Airlines announced a second daily flight to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) beginning in May, marking the first time an airline has operated to one European destination twice per day on a year-round schedule.
In April, United added a daily direct flight to Munich (MUC), which compliments the carrier’s existing non-stop service to Frankfurt (FRA). In May 2022, Air France reinstated its non-stop flights to Paris-Charles De Gaulle (CDG). The flights operate Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

In December 2019, Denver International Airport (DEN) was ranked the No. 2 airport in the U.S. in the second annual Wall Street Journal airport rankings. The rankings scored the 20 largest U.S. airports in on-time reliability, value, convenience and more factors that matter most to travelers.
In the 2020 World Airport Awards, Denver ranked in the Top 10 for the following categories:

Best Airports with 60-70 million Passengers: ranked fifth, making DEN the highest-rated North American airport in the category
Best Airport Staff in North America: ranked fourth and second highest ranking U.S. airport in the category
Best Regional Airport in North America: ranked second
Best Airports in North America: ranked fourth
World’s Best Regional Airport: ranked seventh, one of only two U.S. airports on the list

Rocky Mountaineer Launches New Luxury Train Route from Denver, “Rockies to the Red Rocks”

Canadian luxury train operator brought its luxury journeys to Denver with a new route, Rockies to the Red Rocks in August 2021. The route takes passengers from Denver Union Station in the heart of downtown to Moab, Utah, with an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Custom vacation packages featuring tours, activities and stays in both destinations are available through the company’s website.

Winter Park Express Ski Train Returns for 2022 Season

After a mid-season postponement in 2020 and a year-long hiatus in 2021, the Amtrak Winter Park Express returned for the 2022 season and ran through early April. The ski train – which runs from Denver Union Station in the heart of downtown right to the base of the ski slopes – is the perfect way to make Denver the basecamp for experiencing Winter Park Resort’s many seasonal activities, from skiing and snowboarding to snowshoeing, tubing and more.