Denver, Colorado
Denver is a bright, open, easy city to travel alone. It sits a mile above sea level where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, with a skyline that frames a wall of snowy peaks on clear days. Downtown is flat, the sun shines most days of the year, and a train runs from the airport to the heart of the city.
Traveling solo here works because the city is built for outdoors and for eating well in small groups. Union Station, the food halls, the breweries, and the neighborhood parks all welcome a single guest, and the mountains are an easy day trip.
Read through once before you go. Day One covers Union Station, Larimer Square, the Capitol and its Mile High steps, and the Denver Art Museum. Day Two visits Red Rocks and the RiNo arts district. Section 03 is the new-for-2027 feature on the Mile High steps. The altitude and sun are strong, so drink water, wear sunscreen, and take it slowly on the first day.
“Union Station, the food halls, the breweries, and the neighborhood parks all welcome a single guest.”
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A Mile High, Three Times
Denver's elevation is exactly one mile, 5,280 feet, but surveyors disagreed on where. The 13th step on the Capitol's west side was the original marker, and later surveys placed new markers on the 15th step in 1969 and on the 18th step in 2003.
The original marker was cut into the 13th step in the early 1900s. Later surveys, using more precise tools, found slightly different elevations, and each was marked on a new step. The Capitol itself is clad in Colorado granite and topped with a gold-leaf dome.
The steps are on the west side of the Capitol, facing Broadway. Look for the brass markers on the three steps. Free tours of the building run on weekdays, and the observation deck is open when staffing allows. Check hours and security rules before you go.
Weekday mornings are the quietest. The light on the golden dome is best at midday on clear days, and the views from the steps stretch to the Rockies.
Where to Eat in Denver
Prices are typical per person, excluding drinks and tip.
Know Your Neighborhoods
Is Denver Safe?
Generally safe for travelers, with standard city awareness. Union Station, LoDo, Cherry Creek, and the park areas are busy and well-lit. The 16th Street Mall and some blocks east of downtown can feel rough at night.
Panhandling and petty theft can occur near downtown transit stops. Decline politely and keep valuables out of sight. Never leave belongings in a parked car.
Denver Health Medical Center and UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital are the main hospitals. Altitude can cause headaches, so drink water and rest. Carry travel insurance.
Share your plan with someone back home and keep your phone charged. In the mountains, check weather and road conditions, and tell someone where you are going.
When to Go
Getting Around
Downtown is flat and compact, and light rail and buses reach most neighborhoods. A car helps for Red Rocks and the mountains.
Allow extra time for Red Rocks on concert nights, and check parking and shuttle options in advance.
Good to Know
Plan around the altitude. Drink water, limit alcohol the first day, and use sunscreen.
Colorado sun is strong, even in winter. Wear a hat and sunscreen.
Check concert calendars at Red Rocks; the park may close to visitors on show days.
Weather can change quickly. Carry a light jacket, especially in spring and fall.
Tip 18–20% in restaurants. Sales tax is added at the register.
Cannabis is legal for adults but not in public places or in cars.