Are you in search of the perfect long weekend destination? Denver, Colorado is the perfect place for you. Many of the most popular attractions include downtown Denver, Garden of the Gods, Glen Eyrie Castle, Red Rock Amphitheater, Flat Irons in Boulder, the Rocky Mountain National Park, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

I recommend the DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Central Park. This was a beautiful hotel. Although the breakfast was not complimentary, I felt very safe at this location and enjoyed the large fireplace in the lobby. I also treated myself to an elk burger in the hotel’s restaurant. I would definitely stay here again!

Tip: I recommend visiting the Walmart near the hotel. We were able to find adorable Colorado shirts and hats with great quality for a quarter of the price.

Downtown Denver has a unique, hipster type charm. There are many places to take cool pictures, eat, shop, and engage in activities for the whole family.

Where to Eat: Smash Burger

This popular food chain is definitely worth a visit!

Union Station, in my opinion, is the best part of downtown. The architecture, vintage lights, and wooden benches inside make this stop a must see. There are also several shops – including an adorable flower shop. It’s quite enchanting!

Take in a football game in season for the whole family to enjoy! Or you can at least visit the beautiful stadium for many awesome pictures.

Such a beautiful stadium!

The Red Rock Amphitheater is one of the best things to do driving distance from Denver. The beauty does not dissppoint. The cost is free (including the parking). I do recommended shopping at this adorable Red Rocks Trading Post and allowing several hours to enjoy the grounds leisurely.

Note: If. you look closely, you will be able to see snow, which is a common experience in the month of May.

This building was so charming!

I was secretly afraid that I would find a snake in the little cave below. Also, I had to slide all the way down and it was not a good look. LOL

The Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs. The views throughout the city are magnificent, but I particularly loved the Garden of the Gods. This is also a free experience. I highly recommend stopping at the Visitor Center to get a beautiful view.

Tip 1: Make sure you get out and walk the grounds. The path is paved so that it is wheel chair accessible. But it is so beautiful! I recommend allowing half a day and to pack a picnic lunch if the weather permits.

Tip 2: Make sure to ride around the Garden of the Gods at least twice because the road will split into two paths. The first time, take the route to the left so that it loops you back to the entrance. On the second route, take the route to the right to make sure you get a chance to see Balanced Rock.

This drive was magnificant!

I was so excited to see a mule deer! They are so different than the ones I have at home. So cute!

This is where the second route starts. Make sure to take pictures of Balanced Rock.

Where to Eat: Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen

Although this is a chain restaurant, it is one of my favorites of all time. My favorite dishes include the Honey Butter croissants, Chicken Caesar Pasta salad, and the Smokehouse burger.

Less than a mile from Garden of the Gods, this castle is one of the biggest kept secrets in Colorado Springs. This castle serves as a wedding venue, conference center, and even hotel. Even if you are not able to stay here, I recommend walking the grounds or visiting the bookstore for free. This is truly a must see!

Boulder is one of those places that you will truly never want to leave, especially the Flat Irons at Boulder. Stop for pictures or walk up the trail for scenic views.

Tip 1: Enter “Chautauqua Park” in the GPS, not “Flat Irons.” We kept going in circles and couldn’t find a place to park. If you enter Chautauqua Park on the GPS instead, you will have easy, accessible parking free of charge.

Tip 2: Once you visit the Flat Irons, continue driving up the mountain on the road for some amazing views. (But beware, it’s not for the faint of heart for those afraid of heights).

This is the perfect spot for pictures!

Where to Eat: Pearl Street Mall (a really cute shopping center).

We left Denver and ventured through a small but adorable town called Lyons on our way to Rocky Mountain National Park. Unfortunately, due to the dense fog and lack of guard rails, we never made it to the entrance of the park. (We were so bummed!). Nonetheless, we greatly enjoyed this beautiful view on the outskirts of the park.

Tip: I recommend waiting to visit the park until June through September to avoid the risk of snow. I also recommend checking the weather the week of your visit to schedule the perfect park day accordingly so you don’t miss out like we did. But nonetheless, make sure to add the national park on your list.

Last minute, we decided to cross state lines into Wyoming’s capitol, Cheyenne. We had no idea what to expect!

If you’re wanting a flood of activities, this might not be the place for you. However, if you’re wanting to see vibrant green pastures, cattle, and oversized windmills, this could be the place for you.

Tip 1: Know what to expect. By this I mean, be prepared to not have signal or GPS. We found a random restaurant in the middle of nowhere and had to ask for directions. Thankfully, we were able to make it to the heart of Cheyenne, where the famous boot statues are located. I recommend visiting the Cheyenne Depot Museum and going in The Wrangler store.

Tip 2: Be prepared to not hear any sound. I mean – any sound. I remember stepping out of the vehicle at the restaurant located in the middle of nowhere. I think that was one of the only times in my life where I heard no noise – no birds singing, no cars driving, no wind, no noise from the restaurant, no people talking, no leaves blowing, no music. It was eery, but also tranquil.

Where to Eat: Bunkhouse Bar & Grill (1064 Happy Jack Road in Cheyenne)

Love these open fields!

Thank you for journeying with me through the beautiful neighboring towns of Denver. I greatly enjoyed this trip and consider Denver to be one of the best long weekend getaways. I hope these tips will make your trip more enjoyable!