Denver’s compact downtown is easy to explore on foot or via public transit. Get oriented as you admire the gleaming dome of the Colorado State Capitol building, stroll past Victorian mansions on Capitol Hill, stop for tea at the stately Brown Palace Hotel, or pick up Western-style souvenirs with a ride on the free 16th Street MallRide shuttle.

Explore two of Denver’s hottest historic neighborhoods, Lower Downtown (LoDo) and River North (RiNo), on a walking tour. Learn how a former industrial district transformed into a thriving arts scene and take a break for local beer at a craft brewery.

Gold Rush legends meet trendy nightlife in the city’s LoDo district. Check out the renovated Union Station for dinner and drinks in a historic train depot. For an evening chill, encounter the ghosts of Denver’s rollicking past—it started as a Wild West mining camp—on a haunted history pub crawl.

Get an early start to venture west of the city for a dose of mountain culture and scenery. Hike and test the natural acoustics at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, look for wildlife in Bear Creek Canyon, and visit Old West showman Buffalo Bill’s grave from atop Lookout Mountain. If you don’t have a car or prefer to focus on the views instead of the roads, guided day trips offer an easy escape.

Colorado’s mountain towns are known for their relaxed, homey atmosphere and mountain-view scenery. Stop for a gourmet coffee and walk around Evergreen Lake, check out Colorado counterculture in Boulder, or browse shops in downtown in Golden, home of Coors Brewery.

Maximize your time in the mountains with a sunset hike, watching the changing colors wash over the Front Range. Back in Denver, reward your efforts with a locally sourced meal from the ever-changing restaurant scenes of Uptown or Cherry Creek.