Denver LGBTQ+: 3-Day Weekend Itinerary

Day 2

No matter what time you awaken on Saturday morning - well, at least assuming it's still morning - make it a point to sample brunch at one of the many Denver establishments that’s renowned for this festive meal. In the funky Highland neighborhood, Root Down is a sure bet for fresh ingredients from local growers with high-level service and a hip, casual atmosphere. Nearer to downtown, Snooze is justly famous for its delicious sweet potato pancakes.

In the afternoon, you might plan a short trip just outside of town to get a sense of this beautiful area. It's just a 30-minute drive to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, in the foothills of the Rockies, just west of town. Here you can tour the stunning natural concert hall that has hosted countless superstar rock bands over the years or hike the park's gorgeous terrain.

Get your blood flowing with a bike ride around the enchanting Cherry Creek neighborhood. Or walk to your heart's content amid Cherry Creek's dozens of fine shops: upscale Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Cherry Creek North are two of Colorado's premier shopping destinations, with a mix of top national brands and independent stores.

As the sun sets on Denver, you could remain in Cherry Creek and grab dinner at one of the neighborhood's fine restaurants, such as romantic Quality Italian, a modern take on the Italian-American steakhouse tradition, or Chef Nobu's Matsuhisa, the world's premier name in Japanese cuisine. If you're returning to downtown from an excursion to Red Rocks or Boulder, plan a special meal here. Consider one of the restaurants operated by James Beard Award-winning local chef Jennifer Jasinki such as Rioja, a long-acclaimed source of Mediterranean-influenced cooking, or Ultreia, the perfect patio destination for sangria and tapas.

Saturday night is a great time to check out Denver's most happening gay nightclub, the always-packed Tracks, a massive warehouse disco with two big dance floors, one spinning the latest house music, the other offering up classic '70s and '80s anthems, in River North Art District (RiNo), which also serves as a stop (38th and Blake Street) on the airport rail line, one stop away from the glorious Denver Union Station. RiNo is the hub for art studios, street murals and libations like Ratio Beerworks, served in an eclectic taproom, and even an urban winery with a rather crafty name, Bigsby's Folly Craft Winery. If you're looking for something laid back and unpretentious, check out Work & Class. Or treat yourself to one of Death & Co.'s legendary cocktails. 

This is also a good night to visit the city's artsy and diverse South Broadway neighborhood, which has a clutch of popular nightspots, including the Boyztown, Denver's hottest male revue, and Punch Bowl Social, a high-energy bar, bowling complex and modern diner.

Day 3

Start Sunday morning off just north of downtown in Lower Highland (LoHi), a very cool neighborhood whose star is rapidly rising, consider brunching at El Five, where you might enjoy the sprawling skyline while enjoy Spanish and Mediterranean twists on brunch favorites - the bottomless blood orange mimosas will put you in a relaxed mood, too. For terrific lunch options, check out Avanti Food & Beverage, a unique concept with a selection of mini-restaurants inside a revamped warehouse building, or Linger, featuring farm-to-table selections in what was once a mortuary. 

Sunday afternoons are a good time to explore some of the city's wonderful cultural diversions, or simply to curl up with a latte and read a book at the city's most famous bookstore, the Tattered Cover Book Store, located on East Colfax Avenue. The Tattered Cover has an extensive selection of books with LGBTQ+ interest.

Fans of the visual arts should allow time to explore the fantastic Denver Art Museum, a dramatic contemporary facility that stages thought-provoking exhibits and installations. Visit Meow Wolf Denver's Convergence Station for an immersive art experience that transports you into new dimensions of storytelling and creative exploration. If you're a devotee of theater, opera and music, see what's planned at the state-of-the-art Denver Center for the Performing Arts, which comprises several venues and hosts everything from touring Broadway shows to acclaimed opera at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.