The weather can be, well…interesting in Denver. Sometimes the winters are harsh, and other times, residents walk around in T-shirts and shorts in January. It can certainly snow in the spring in Denver, but there are also plenty of gorgeous days to get out and enjoy all that this amazing city has to offer. No matter the season, there is always something to do in Denver. Spring is unique in that the flowers and trees are beginning to bloom again, and everyone is looking forward to getting out into the great outdoors. Whether you are a resident or visiting the city, check out this list of the seven best spring activities and events in Denver.
Brewery Tours
There is nothing like sipping a beer with friends on a crisp spring evening. The days get longer, providing opportunities to enjoy beer gardens and explore various areas of Denver. There are many great breweries and distilleries in Denver. You can participate in wine tastings, cider tastings, whiskey tastings, and beer tastings. To make things easy on yourself, schedule a brewery tour.
Denver Microbrew Tour offers three regular tours, seasonal tours, and opportunities for private groups. During the tours, participants not only get to taste some amazing beer, but also get to learn about the city. The LoDo Craft Beer Tour takes the group on a 1.5-mile walk through the LoDo Historic District. Everyone gets to taste more than 10 beers at four stops while learning scandalous tidbits of Denver history. The RiNo Beer and Graffiti Tour allows participants to learn more about Denver’s street art scene while traveling one-mile through the RiNo Art District. This tour makes four stops, allowing everyone to taste more than 10 beers.
Bike Rides in Denver
Spring is a great time for a bike ride in Denver. It’s not too hot yet, and it’s fun to see the plants waking up from their winter slumber. There are many great trails that run through Denver, many residents even bike to work.
Cherry Creek Trail
Enjoy some shopping as you bike along the Cherry Creek Trail. Starting at Confluence Park, traveling through Cherry Creek State Park, around Cherry Creek Reservoir, and all the way to Franktown, this trail is 40 miles long. There are many opportunities to hop off the trail and enjoy a neighborhood park or shopping in the Cherry Creek neighborhood.
South Platte River Trail
The South Platte River Trail follows the South Platte River and spans over 36 miles from Chatfield State Park to Brighton. Through Denver, the trail is known as the Mary Carter Greenway Trail. Early Native Americans and settlers used this trail, so there is signage along the trail explaining the amazing history of the land.
High Line Canal
One of the longest urban trails in the country, the High Line Canal Trail runs for 71 miles. It also has a rich history, being built in 1883 to provide irrigation for the Denver region. This trail is partially paved and partially dirt. It starts near Chatfield State Park and ends south of Denver International Airport.
Bear Creek
Ride from Downtown Denver to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre on the Bear Creek Bike Trail. Follow Bear Creek for 12.5 miles to Morrison to the world renowned concert venue and park. Riding the trail is a great way to experience urban areas of the city and the natural beauty of Red Rocks.
Clear Creek
The Clear Creek Trail connects the South Platte River Trail to Golden. It is 18 miles lod and passes many interesting places, such as Lowell Ponds State Wildlife area, the Coors Brewery, and North Table Mountain Park. Golden is an interesting destination with a rich mining and pioneering history. It is also home to the Colorado School of Mines.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Spring is an amazing time to visit the Denver Botanic Gardens. Vibrant blooms are everywhere as you walk the grounds. If you are a Denver resident, get a jump on revamping your yard by taking advantage of the Spring Plant Sale. This event typically occurs in May. Also, watch the calendar for other educational opportunities and programs in the gardens.
If you just wish to visit the gardens, you can purchase tickets online in advance. No admission is required for the Freyer-Newman Center. You can also visit the Helen Fowler Library and the Copper Door Coffee Shop without paying general admission.
Colorado Rockies Game
Whether the Colorado Rockies have a winning record or not, it’s still fun to enjoy a spring day or evening at Coors Field. It’s nice to catch a ball game before it’s blazing hot. If you have never been to Coors Field, you are in for a treat. Built in 1995, it can seat just over 50,000 people. It’s location in downtown Denver allows for doing some shopping or grabbing a bite to eat before or after the game.
Because of the high altitude in Denver, this ballpark is known for the distance of fly balls. It’s a great place to see some far flying home runs. You can also grab some tasty food while watching the game. There are the traditional hot dogs, nachos, and burgers, but also BBQ, burritos, and salads in the ballpark.
Have a Spring Picnic in Denver
Pack the picnic basket and get out of the house for a spring picnic in Denver. There are many great parks around town where you can bring a blanket, eat some food, play Frisbee or football, or let the kids play at the playground. Choose a smaller park near your house if you are a resident or head to one of the most popular parks in Denver.
Washington Park
Everyone knows that Washington Park is one of the best picnic spots in Denver. It spans 155 acres and includes two lakes. There is no shortage of lovely spots for a picnic. The park also includes tennis courts, a recreation area, and a playground. You can also enjoy boating and water activities.
Great Lawn Park
Great Lawn Park also offers a gorgeous lake view. In addition, enjoy a paved main walking path, playground, and a tranquil atmosphere.
Bear Creek Park
If you are looking for a little less manicured escape from the city, consider Bear Creek Park. There are some natural areas here, including tangled pathways, blooming shrubs, and a tranquil creek with waterfowl. This park may be popular, but because of the abundance of foliage, it’s easy to find a spot where you will feel alone to enjoy your picnic.
Farmers Markets
Grocery store produce can get a little old during the winter, so the emergence of farmers markets in the spring is a welcome sight. Many markets are available around Denver. Here are a few favorites.
Union Station Farmers Market
Serving as a hub in Denver in so many ways, Union Station is home to the Union Station Farmers Market, which operates on Saturdays from June into September. In addition to the fresh produce, honey, jams, and breads, guests can also enjoy live music and offerings from the restaurants and shops inside Union Station.
Central Park Farmers Market
Find an abundance of friendly vendors at the Central Park Farmers Market. Come out on Sundays from June through October to Founders Green in Central Park. A long list of vendors comes out every year for the market and live music is also available. Adults can enjoy whiskey and cider and kids enjoy splashing in the fountains that dot the park.
University Hills Farmers Market
Located at Colorado Blvd. and Amherst Ave., the University Hills Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays May through October. Enjoy easy access to this market and visit vendors who tend to come back year after year.
Arvada Farmers Market
Support local and regional farmers, vendors, and artists at the Arvada Farmers Market. This market takes place on weekends in the Olde Town Square and always brings the community together. Expect to find produce, bread, honey, cheeses, pastries, cakes, plants, pierogis, soaps, jewelry, and much more.
Westminster Farmers Market
Located at the northwest corner of 98th and Sheridan, the Westminster Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays beginning in May. Merchants at the market offer a variety of Colorado products. Offerings include garden fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, drinks, health and body products, and pet supplies.
Celebrate Spring Holidays in Denver
Spring is full of holidays and Denver offers many opportunities to enjoy them all.
St. Patrick’s Day
There are many events around Denver to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Denver hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the nation with an estimated 300,000 people attending every year. The parade starts at 19th and Wynkoop and then heads down Wynkoop to 17th and continues to Blake. In addition to the parade, there are also numerous bar crawls, running races, and Celtic music offerings.
Denver Easter Egg Hunts
Many Easter egg hunts are available all over Denver at churches and neighborhood parks. Here are a few of the most popular in town.
- Easter Egg Hunt at Northridge Park
- Zuma’s Easter Egg Hunt
- Easter Egg Hunt at River Church
- The Great Easter Eg Scavenger Hunt and Broomfield Plaza.
Celebrate Earth Day in Denver
You can make a personal commitment to planting trees or cleaning up a park on Earth Day. Another option is to celebrate at The Children’s Museum of Denver and participate in Party for Our Planet. During these celebrations, those in attendance can meet interesting animals, create art, and explore conservation. Many local organizations are present at the museum on these days offering insights and education.
Cinco de Mayo
Denver’s Cinco de Mayo Festival takes place each year at the beginning of May at Civic Center Park. There is always a parade, live music, dance performances, a low-rider car show, a Chihuahua race, and a taco eating contest. Of course, there are also a lot of options for delicious food. This is the biggest Cinco de Mayo festival in Colorado that has also been around the longest. Many look forward to it each year.
As the energy returns to Denver in the spring, don’t miss out on the many events and activities happening around the city. Reconnect with the outdoors after hibernating in your home and enjoy fresh produce and great times with friends. Denver is a special and unique city with new things popping up all the time. Check out all of these great things to do and keep your eyes and ears open for even more opportunities to enjoy Denver in the spring.