Denver is a high-altitude city where urban culture meets easy access to the outdoors, making it perfect for a long weekend. Over three days, you can mix skyline views, standout neighborhoods, and mountain-adjacent adventures with a strong food and brewery scene.

Denver has a population of about 715,000 and is known as the Mile High City for its elevation. The city blends an outdoorsy lifestyle with pro sports teams, a booming craft beer scene, and historic-meets-modern architecture. Sunshine is common year-round, even in winter.

The best time to visit Denver is May through June and September through October, when temperatures are often in the 60s–80s and skies are clear. Summer is great for outdoor plans with cooler evenings, while winter trips shine for museums, dining, and nearby snow sports. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and ideal weather.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses since the sun is strong at altitude. Layers are essential because temperatures can swing quickly, especially in spring and fall. A reusable water bottle helps with staying hydrated in the dry climate.

Denver is easy to get around with a mix of walking, ride-shares, and light rail, especially in central areas. Renting a car is helpful if you plan to visit Red Rocks or head into the mountains. Downtown, RiNo, and LoDo work well for a mostly car-free stay.

Denver is an ideal 3-day weekend getaway thanks to its balance of city energy and outdoor access. You can explore art, food, and neighborhoods while still feeling close to nature. It’s a city that invites you to slow down, look west, and breathe a little deeper.