Denver, Colorado Hotels and City Guide

Denver - Travel Tips

When to Go
Seasons

Anytime is a great time to travel to Denver. The glorious mountains provide prime skiing in winter and great hiking in the summer. And shopping and great dining are year round pursuits in the Mile High City. Another huge advantage of visiting this city: the sun. Denver enjoys an astonishing 300 days of sun annually. Spring is beautiful but often gets off to a late start. It is not unusual for snowstorms to visit Denver in March. When spring has sprung, though, you will find pleasant temperatures, lots of sun, bright budding trees and flowers. If you want to visit Denver in Spring, don’t plan on going in March. That is the city’s snowiest month. April and May are better bets.

Summer brings yet more sunshine and temperatures that hit the 80s. It is not unusual to find 100 degree days in July. During this month, it is often hot with rains in the afternoon. In mid-August, the temperature lowers and visitors enjoy cool, crisp air. Summer is a great time to experience Denver’s amazing outdoor life. Hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, visiting one of the city’s great festivals, or window shopping along 16th Street are perfect pastimes in summer.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love Denver in the fall. The temperature has climbed back down, bringing dazzling blue skies. A treat is the fall foliage that turns Denver into a riot of colors. A great time to view the natural beauty in the mountains is the second or third week in September. The leaves are at their peak in early October. But don’t wait too long to see the leaves: October usually brings Denver’s first snowfall. Or do wait, and experience some of the best skiing in the world.

Winter in Denver is beautiful and gives you a perfect chance to bundle up, sit in front of a fire, and sip hot cocoa after a long day of skiing. Cold temperatures, white snow, and bright blue skies produce dazzling vistas throughout the mountains. You may be in luck and experience the “Chinook” phenomenon. Air flows over the western mountains, down the eastern faces, warms, and raises the temperature of the surrounding area. You can go from heavy parkas and hats to a light sweat-shirt. But don’t put away the jackets and hats – Chinook only lasts a few days.

Denver may be cold, but the skiing is world class. Resorts like Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Winter Park, and a bit further, Aspen, make this a premier location for anyone who loves hitting the slopes.

Value for Sightseeing Money

Denver is ranked as the 8th most expensive city in the United States to live in. But does that mean you cannot visit Denver on a budget? Not at all. There are many inexpensive or even free events and attractions that will give you an incredible experience and a vacation you will never forget.

If you are travelling to Denver, chances are that you want to experience the great outdoors. You can visit Denver’s parks for free. With over 200 to choose from, you will have ample opportunity to hike, walk, bike, picnic, and spend time in the Mile High City’s sun. There are more than 850 miles of bike paths that afford some of the best views in the west.
Shoppers will appreciate giving their wallets a rest when they take the 16th Street Trolley. 16th Street offers a mile-long shopping district that features shops, restaurants, and entertaining street performers. You can ride the trolley for free to get around 16th Street, see the sights, and take a break.

Denver hosts annual festivals and cultural events. The Cinco de May Celebrate Culture Festival, for instance, is held from May 2-4 and is free of charge. A fun-filled time for the family that celebrates the city’s Hispanic community. Art lovers will love the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, held in June, and December’s Parade of Lights through Downtown. These are fun, exciting, and free.

There is a lot to do in Denver, and luckily, you don’t need a lot of money to do many of them. Visit Denver’s year-round event calendar to get a sense of what the city has to offer and which ones are free or inexpensive.

Events

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo
January
Denver Coliseum
4600 Humboldt Street
888.551.5004
Website: http://www.nationalwestern.com/

Denver Restaurant Week
February
200 Denver Restaurants
Website: http://www.denver.org/

Annual RootsFest
March
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street
303.777.1003
Website: http://www.swallowhillmusic.org/festivals/RootsFest09/RootsFest09.htm

Doors Open Denver
April
Headquarters in Union Station, LoDo
Website: www.denvergov.org/DoorsOpenDenver

Cinco de Mayo Celebrate Culture Fest
May
Civic Center Park
Broadway and Colfax Avenue
Website: http://www.cincodemayodenver.com/

Colorado Renaissance Festival
June
409-F South Wilcox Street
Castle Rock
Website: http://www.coloradorenaissance.com/

Colorado Shakespeare Festival
July
University of Colorado/Boulder
914 Broadway, Boulder
Website: http://www.coloradoshakes.org/

Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games
August
Highland Heritage Park
9651 South Quebec Street, Littleton
Website: http://www.scottishgames.org/

Annual Festival Italiano Food & Wine Festival
September
Belmar
405 South Teller Street, Lakewood
Website: http://www.belmarcolorado.com/sub/event/festival_italiano/

Denver Indigenous Film and Arts Festival
October
Starz FilmCenter
900 Auraria Parkway, Denver
Website: http://www.iiirm.org/

Denver Arts Week
November
Throughout Denver
303.571.9470
Website: http://denverartsweek.com/

Zoo Lights
December
Denver Zoo
2300 Steele Street
Website: http://www.denverzoo.org/zoolights/index.asp

Local Holidays

New Year's Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King's Birthday (third Monday in January)
Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February)
Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (first Monday in September)
Discoverers' Day (second Monday in October)
Veterans' Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving (last Thursday in November)
Christmas (December 25)

Local Customs & Language (including Tipping)
Customs
A brief handshake is appropriate when meeting new acquaintances or when greeting a business associate or contact. Listen to how others are introduced and refer to them according to their preferences. It is respectful and appropriate to introduce yourself with your first and last name. Mile High citizens take great pride in both their city and their health, so smoking is often seen as taboo in public. There is a Colorado-wide smoking ban in public places, including bars and restaurants, though you may find some restaurants or pubs with outdoor smoking areas. Always look for signs indicating if you are permitted to smoke, especially when in Denver’s parks. It is considered very impolite to smoke in front of children and other nonsmokers, in open-air markets, or at outdoor festivals.

Language: English is the official language of Denver. However, there are large Asian and Hispanic communities in which Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, and other languages are spoken widely.

Tipping: As with elsewhere in the United States, tipping is not mandatory, nor are tips usually included in the bill. If you are dining with a large party, a gratuity may be attached to your bill. In all other cases, you may decide whether or not to tip. American waitstaff, hotel staff, drivers, and other service-related workers often rely on tips to form a large portion of their income. So while tipping is voluntary, it is seen as customary. The following are standard tips, though if unsure, it is always better to tip a bit higher:

• Waiters and waitresses – 15 to 20 percent
• Counter service or buffet – 10 percent
• Delivery people - $1-2
• Taxi drivers – 15 percent
• Valets - $1-2
• Baggage handlers/bellhops - $1-2 for first bag, 50 cents for each additional bag
• Hairdressers - 15 percent
• Coat check - $1 if service is free
• Hotel housekeeping - $1-3 per day if you stay more than one night
• Room service waiters – 15 percent
• Concierge – a tip of $10 - $20 is appreciated if the concierge is especially helpful during your stay
• Tip jars. Many cafes, coffee shops, or informal eateries often have tip jars. Coins or $1-$2 is appreciated.

Security
For a city of its size, Denver is considered very safe. While this is true, visitors must always exercise caution and common sense. In any large city, it is a good idea to travel in well-lighted, public areas. At night, do not walk alone. If you are on secluded trails, take a cell phone or a few friends. Though tourists are not commonly accosted, it is always better to be cautious. Some cities have neighborhoods where tourists are warned not to go: Denver really has no off-limits areas, though some neighborhoods off Downtown may be better left unexplored at night. LoDo has an active nightlife and is generally safe even at night – though, again, even in safe cities, never walk alone at night.

There is a low rate of violent crime, but avoid keeping valuables in your car if possible. If you have to leave expensive items, like cameras, skis, or cash in your vehicle, keep them out of sight or in the locked trunk. If you can, keep them at the hotel or with you.

Disabled Travelers: Disabled travelers will find many accommodations in Denver’s businesses, transportation centers, and attractions. Visitors can call for information on accommodations for the Light Rail at 1.800.872.7245.

Tax Refunds: Foreign visitors to Denver will not be entitled to a tax refund on purchases made in the city. In fact, Louisiana is the only US state in which foreign nationals can claim a refund of sales tax.

Hotels in Denver, Colorado