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When planning a spring getaway, it’s easy to be tempted by exotic choices such as Mexico or the Caribbean.
But, if you’re willing to sacrifice the beach, there are a host of amazing cities right on our doorstep here in the United States that are amazing places to travel to in the spring.
One such, perhaps underrated, city is Denver, Colorado.
It might not be the first place you’d think of for domestic travel; however, it seems like its popularity is on a very strong upward curve.
An impressive 77.8 million passengers used Denver International Airport in 2023, which is not only a new all-time record but also a 12.1% increase in 2022.
Stats like this show just how popular Denver is as a destination – so why should you consider visiting the ‘Mile-High City’ this Spring?
It’s Shoulder Season
Denver’s two main shoulder seasons are in the fall and in the spring.
Between March and May, you will find the city has more comfortable temperatures compared to the extremes of summer and winter, and it should also be less crowded.
This can lead to cheaper hotels and other accommodations in the city – you can fairly easily find a hotel in the $125 to $150 per night price bracket during the spring, possibly even cheaper if you stay a little outside the center.
And if you do decide to do that, you can easily get around on Denver’s affordable and convenient public transport.
There’s a strong bus and light rail network, and you can get tickets for each on a handy RTD app on your smartphone.
Cheap And Easy To Get To
Denver International Airport is home to two major U.S. airlines, Frontier and United, so you can be assured there is almost limitless choice when it comes to flights.
A brief check-in with Skyscanner shows that you can get flights to Denver for an average price of about $50 one-way in the spring from American locations such as Atlanta, Kansas City, Dallas, Portland, Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, and more.
Tasty Temptations
It might not always get the recognition it deserves on this count, but Denver is a great city for food lovers.
And between 1-10 March, the city will run its annual Denver Restaurant Week event with four specific price points to choose from: $25, $35, $45, or $55.
This means you can enjoy a multi-course meal at one of over 200 participating restaurants for a set price – it’s a great way to fully explore the food scene here.
This year will also be the 20th anniversary of the event, so expect some extra fanfare and maybe even some extra special offers.
City Of Art And Culture
Of course, Denver is well-known as a great base camp for a winter holiday, but different parts of the city come to life in the spring as things start to warm up.
In May, in particular, a host of music events will take place, such as the Five Points JazzFest and the Denver Day of Rock.
That same month will also host the Colfax Marathon and the popular Cinco de Mayo celebration.
In between all those great events, you can fill the time by checking out Denver’s excellent art scene – Denver Art Museum just re-opened one of its main buildings after renovations.
A Haven For Hikers
Denver’s location at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains makes it the perfect place to base yourself for some early-season hiking.
Hire a car, and you can find amazing trails all around the city in every direction, but did you know that the city itself is also great to hike?
There is an extensive regional trail system throughout Denver that can show you the city from a different angle and make hiking more accessible to everyone in your traveling party.
Several good books have been written about urban hiking in Denver, so take a quick search on the internet and see what you can find.
Family Friendly
There are many great family-friendly attractions in Denver that make it ideal for a long weekend in Spring.
Examples include Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park, Denver Skatepark, and Lakeside Amusement Park.
You could even drive out of the city and visit the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.