Denver used to be the city you flew through on your way to the mountains. Not anymore. The Mile High City has become a destination in its own right, with stylish hotels, a dining scene that now holds eight Michelin stars and the Rocky Mountains on the horizon at every turn. It is also the perfect first or last stop on a Colorado ski trip. Here is everything we would book for a luxurious weekend in Denver right now.

Where to Stay

Hotel Teatro

Our home base in Denver, housed in the historic 1911 Denver Tramway building in the heart of the Theatre District. It is elegant, intimate and steps from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, so it is perfect if you want to catch a show. Read about our stay in our Hotel Teatro spotlight.

The Crawford Hotel

There is something so romantic about sleeping inside a train station. The Crawford fills the upper floors of the beautifully restored Union Station, and you can head downstairs for cocktails at the Cooper Lounge overlooking the Great Hall.

Populus

Denver’s most talked-about new hotel is impossible to miss, with a striking white facade designed by Studio Gang to echo the bark of Colorado’s aspen trees. Do not skip a drink on the rooftop with views of the Rockies.

Four Seasons Hotel Denver

When you want polished, five-star service downtown, the Four Seasons never misses, and its spa and rooftop pool are an ideal reset after a day in the mountains.

Where to Eat

The Wolf’s Tailor

The first restaurant in Colorado to earn two Michelin stars. Chef Taylor Stark’s tasting menu is creative, deeply personal and worth planning your trip around.

Milpero

The newest Michelin star in Denver, awarded just this September. Book now before reservations get even harder to come by.

Alma Fonda Fina

Chef Johnny Curiel’s modern Mexican restaurant in Highland holds a Michelin star, and its sister spot next door, Mezcaleria Alma, earned its own star too.

Brutø

A Michelin-starred chef’s counter in LoDo with a menu built around Colorado ingredients and heirloom grains. It is intimate, fun and delicious.

Kizaki

Michelin-starred omakase that ranks among the best sushi in the country, not just in Denver.

The Nickel at Hotel Teatro

For a relaxed, polished brunch or lunch before exploring downtown.

Where to Grab Drinks

• Death and Co at The Ramble Hotel: The famed New York cocktail bar’s Denver outpost is set in a gorgeous, plant-filled lobby. Go for a nightcap.
• Cooper Lounge at Union Station: An elegant mezzanine bar overlooking the Great Hall. Order a glass of Champagne and people-watch.
• Populus rooftop: The best sunset views of the mountains in downtown Denver.
• Mezcaleria Alma: A Michelin-starred agave bar with more than 120 mezcals and tequilas. Ask the bartender to guide you.
• Williams and Graham: A cozy LoHi speakeasy hidden behind a bookshelf, with some of the best classic cocktails in the city.

Unique Denver Experiences

See a show at Red Rocks

A concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, set between giant red sandstone monoliths just outside the city, is one of the most magical experiences in the country. Even if you are not catching a show, it is worth the drive for the views.

Afternoon tea at The Brown Palace

This 1892 hotel’s stunning atrium lobby is the setting for Denver’s most famous afternoon tea. Reserve weeks in advance.

Shop Cherry Creek

Denver’s chicest neighborhood is home to luxury boutiques, gorgeous home stores and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Plan a long lunch in between.

Visit the Denver Art Museum

The Hamilton Building’s dramatic, angular architecture is a work of art on its own, and the collections inside are wonderful.

Escape to the mountains

Denver is the gateway to Colorado’s best ski towns. Head west to Aspen, or south to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. See our Aspen guide and our Broadmoor review.

Our Denver Tip Sheet

• Getting there: Denver International Airport is about 30 minutes from downtown, and the A Line train goes straight to Union Station.
• When to go: Denver gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Summer is concert season at Red Rocks, and winter is perfect for pairing a city stay with a ski trip.
• Book ahead: Reserve The Wolf’s Tailor, Milpero and Brown Palace tea as soon as your dates are set.
• Altitude: At a mile high, drink plenty of water, go easy on cocktails the first night and pack a rich moisturizer and lip balm.
• What to pack: Layers, a chic jacket for cool evenings, comfortable boots and one dressy look for dinner.

Have you been to Denver? Tell us your favorite spots in the comments!