Our favorite part about Denver is that it truly is a four-season city. There is a misconception about our winters, which are really not that cold and don’t compare at all to the snowy, frigid weather up in the mountains above the Mile High City (the Two-Mile High Cities, if you will). Spring and Fall are mellow, temperate, and beautiful just like in most cities. But Summers in Denver really take the cake: extended daylight gives you more time to explore the city and, while it can get a bit hot during the day, it’s a dry heat that is easily escapable in the shade and the evenings cool down nicely to encourage patio parties and lawn darts. We hope you utilize this list of our favorite summer activities in Denver to enjoy the season to the fullest!
Lavender Festival
The Lavender Festival at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms is a family-friendly festival that is well worth the $7 entry fee. The setting is amazing, especially in late July when the 2019 festival is slated to take place as all of the over 2,000 lavender plants are in bloom. This aromatic flora makes a perfect backdrop to a stage featuring local bands and a wide variety of food, art, and vendors selling lavender-themed and –derived artisanal products. Get out to the Lavender Festival and embrace the purple!
*Image courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens*
Pedal Hopper Denver
Summer days drift away, but those summer nights are something to remember! And there are no better memories than those made on a pedal pub with the best pilots in the business like those over at Pedal Hopper Denver. The bike bar combines all the best things about summertime in Denver: it’s an outdoor activity so you can enjoy that fine Colorado summer weather, participants get some exercise (the bikes are pedal-powered) and the staff at Pedal Hopper Denver can take you to the coolest brewery and distillery patios in our fair city. Get in touch with Pedal Hopper to schedule your private tour or jump onto one of their public tour offerings!
Film on The Rocks
Red Rocks Amphitheater is a world-class, world-famous venue located just a short 30-minute drive from downtown Denver. In addition to tasty concert offerings featuring nationally-touring acts, Red Rocks also has an amazing summer series showing fan favorite movies on stage at this legendary venue. Movies start at dusk, but be sure to show up a little early to see local live bands and comedians warm up the stage. Check the Film on the Rocks website to see a list of movies to be shown to find an epic Denver summer activity for you and your friends!
*Image courtesy of 303magazine.com*
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon Boat racing dates back over 2,000 years to ancient China and Taiwan. Come up to date with the modern Asian American community in Denver and witness Dragon Boat racers, performers and vendors descend on Sloan’s Lake in the heart of the Mile High City. The festival is celebrating its 19th year in this Year of the Pig according to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, and its staying power is evident in the sheer number of people who attend this event annually to sample amazing Asian cuisine, shop in the Asian Marketplace, and check out traditional and contemporary Asian artists and musicians.
*Image courtesy of villagerpublishing.com*
Colorado Rockies at Coors Field
Oh, baseball. The most American of all games. The perfect excuse to binge on nachos, cracker jacks, hot dogs, and beer without anyone, even your in-laws, batting an eye. And as far as Denver summer events go, catching a Rockies game at Coors Field is a great bet for the whole family. Depending on where you sit, you can get views of the Denver skyline or the tower Rocky Mountains to the West, and the stadium is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Denver and therefore quite close to amazing restaurants, bars, and shopping. Get your America on and take advantage of this summer activity that’s suitable for everyone in the family!
*Image courtesy of pbs.org*
Summer in Denver is not to be missed. There are tons of summer events and festivals that you can take advantage of in this ever-growing city and we hope that this list gets you started planning your next batch of Denver summer activities!