Weekend Guide to Denver: Hikes, Food, and My First Colorado Trip
Denver was my first real western city on this 50-state journey, and honestly, it made a strong first impression.
I visited Denver during a late January into early February weekend for a quick two-day, one-night solo trip. It was my first time in Colorado, and the main goal was pretty simple: check off a new state, get outside, and experience a place I had been thinking about visiting for years.
I went in with an open mind. I did not have some major preconceived idea of what Denver was supposed to be. I just knew it was the Mile High City, I knew people talked about the altitude, and I knew Colorado was known for the outdoors.
As someone who loves hiking and tries to build most of my trips around being outside, Denver felt like a natural fit.
And after just one short weekend, I can say this: Denver is absolutely worth visiting, but I left wishing I had given myself more time.
First Impression of Denver
I flew into Denver International Airport on Frontier, and honestly, I had a great experience.
I know the internet loves to joke about Denver’s airport, especially the long walks, trains, and going down into what people call the “dungeon,” but I thought it was pretty easy to navigate. I was able to get food, find my way around, and get to my Uber without any real issues.
The airport does feel far from the city, but it did not feel difficult.
The best part was landing.
Seeing the snow sitting on the mountain tops from the plane was one of those moments that reminds you how beautiful flying really is. That first view immediately told me this trip was going to feel different from my recent trip to Atlanta. Atlanta had the Southern city energy. Denver felt like a place where the outdoors was going to define the whole experience.
Where I Stayed in Denver
I stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn in the Cherry Creek area, near Glendale, Colorado.
The hotel itself was great. The check-in experience was not anything special. Reception kind of seemed like they had somewhere better to be, but the room made up for it. It was clean, comfortable, and I had a mountain view, which was a nice way to start my first Colorado trip.
(I’m a Hilton loyalist, but that is a story for another post.)
The Cherry Creek and Glendale area felt like somewhere I would explore more if I had extra time. Since this trip was built around hiking and getting outside, I did not spend as much time in the neighborhood as I could have.
Would I stay there again? Yes.
But if your main goal is to visit Red Rocks, hike, or spend more time closer to the mountains, I would seriously consider staying in Golden or even Estes Park depending on your itinerary. For what I did, Cherry Creek worked fine, but next time I would probably stay closer to the mountains.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre Was the Highlight
After checking into the hotel, I made my way toward Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.
This ended up being the most memorable part of the entire trip.
Red Rocks is one of those places that is hard to fully understand until you are standing there. Yes, it is a famous concert venue, but it is also a park, a hiking area, a piece of music history, and one of the most unique outdoor spaces I have visited so far
The amphitheatre was built into the natural red sandstone formations just outside Denver near Morrison, Colorado. The City of Denver purchased the area in 1927, and construction of the amphitheatre as it exists today began in 1936. It was built with help from New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration workers and was formally dedicated in 1941. The venue is known for its natural acoustics, created by the massive rock formations around the stage and seating area.
That history made the place feel even more impressive.
You are not just looking at a concert venue. You are looking at a public project, a natural landmark, and a place where generations of people have gathered to hear music.
I could only imagine what it would feel like to hear someone like Stevie Nicks, U2, or The Eagles perform there. Standing in that amphitheatre, surrounded by red rock and open sky, it made sense why people talk about Red Rocks the way they do.
Hiking the Trading Post Trail
While I was at Red Rocks, I hiked the Trading Post Trail.
This was the moment where Colorado really clicked for me.
The trail was beautiful, and the views were 100% worth it. From parts of the trail, it felt like you could see all of Denver: the skyline, the airport, planes flying in and out, and cars looking tiny in the distance
That was the moment I thought, “This is why people come to Colorado.”
I love hiking, and I am realizing more and more that being outside is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy traveling. I do not want every trip to just be restaurants, hotels, and downtown areas. I want to actually experience the landscape of a place.
Denver gave me that immediately.
The Trading Post Trail was not just a hike. It gave me a real first impression of Colorado.
If you are visiting Denver for a weekend and only have time for one outdoor stop, Red Rocks should be high on your list.
Exploring Morrison, Colorado
After Red Rocks, I also got to drive through Morrison, Colorado.
It is a small, quiet town right near Red Rocks, and while it was calm when I passed through, I can imagine it being a completely different place during concert season or ski season.
It had that quaint mountain town feel. Since there are no major hotels right in town, it seems like more of an Airbnb or short-stay kind of place, especially for people trying to stay close to Red Rocks.
I did not spend a ton of time there, but it added to the feeling that Denver is not just about the city itself. A big part of the appeal is everything surrounding it.
That is why Denver feels like the Gateway to the Rockies.
Dinner at Sam’s No. 3 in Glendale
After Red Rocks, I headed back toward Glendale for dinner at Sam’s No. 3.
Sam’s No. 3 is a well-known Denver-area diner that has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I had seen the hype, so I wanted to try it for myself
I ordered a burger and a stack of pancakes for dessert, which is probably one of the most diner-style meals possible.
The atmosphere was quirky and local. The service was great, and I always appreciate when a restaurant feels connected to the place it is in instead of feeling like something you could find anywhere.
The food was honestly solid. I would probably give it a 7.5 to 8 out of 10.
I have a thing with Food Network restaurants where they do not always live up to how they are presented on TV, and this one was good, but I would still want to see more of Denver’s food scene before making a bigger judgment.
Would I recommend Sam’s No. 3? Yes, especially if you like classic diners and want something casual with local character.
Would I say it was the best food in Denver? I couldn’t say that.
The People in Denver Surprised Me
One thing that really stood out was how friendly people were.
From other hikers to Uber drivers to random people I came across, people did not hesitate to welcome me to town, recommend places, or suggest spots to hang out.
That warmth stuck with me.
Sometimes people think of western cities as outdoorsy but maybe a little more reserved. Denver did feel outdoorsy, but it also felt welcoming. People seemed proud of where they lived and happy to point a visitor in the right direction.
That matters.
When I travel, I am not just trying to check attractions off a list. I am trying to understand what a place feels like. In Denver, the people added a lot to that experience.
What I’d Recommend
If you are visiting Denver for a short weekend, I would make Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre a priority. Even if you are not there for a concert, the amphitheatre, the views, and the Trading Post Trail make it worth the trip. I would also give yourself more than one night if possible, because Denver feels like a city where the best parts are spread out between the city, the foothills, and the mountains.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
The biggest thing I would change is simple: I would stay longer.
Two days and one night was enough to get a taste of Denver, but not enough to fully experience it.
If I went back, I would probably stay closer to the mountains, maybe in Golden or Estes Park, depending on the trip. I would also make time for Rocky Mountain National Park, which I hate that I missed on this visit.
For someone planning a Denver weekend, I would recommend at least two nights if you can. One night works if you just want a quick introduction, but Denver deserves more than that.
I would also spend more time exploring the food scene and neighborhoods. Cherry Creek and Glendale seemed interesting, but I did not give myself enough time to really get into them.
Final Thoughts on Denver
Denver ranks well compared to the other cities I have visited so far on this 50-state journey.
It had its own personality. It felt western, outdoorsy, friendly, and full of places I did not have enough time to fully explore. It was also my first western city on this journey, and I am glad it was.
This trip showed me that I really love the American Southwest and western landscapes. You are definitely going to see more of that on this page.
If I had to describe Denver in one sentence, I would say:
Denver is a city that makes you want to get outside.
And for me, that is exactly the kind of place I want to keep visiting.
Follow My Journey!
I’m currently 23 states into my goal of visiting all 50 U.S. states, documenting the real experience along the way. Food, cities, hikes, hidden gems, and what’s actually worth your time.
Follow the journey on Instagram: @itsmikeonthemove
Currently: 23 out of 50 states complete. 🇺🇸
Great photos! Sounds like you had a good time.