As the weather warms up, the city of Denver is welcoming everything from new world-class accommodations to an inaugural festival which celebrates the great outdoors, and expanding on its burgeoning culinary scene. Below are nine new reasons to visit the Colorado capital this summer.
Say Hello to the Outside Festival
Adventure is part of Colorado’s DNA and 2024 welcomes the inaugural Outside Festival, which will take place in downtown Denver from 1-2 June 2024. With the intention of making the outdoors more accessible and exclusive, this new event is a one-of-a-kind celebration of everything outdoors. The festival is designed for beginners and experts alike, with experiences appealing to climbers, hikers, cyclists and skiers, all whilst having a soundtrack from headliners including Thundercat and Say She She.
Celebrate 10 years of rejuvenation at Denver Union Station
The 10th anniversary of the revitalisation of Denver’s Union Station will bring an exciting 2024 remodel of The Crawford Hotel. Inspired by the journey of the past decade, The Crawford Hotel is working on the remodel of 112 luxe guest rooms that will continue to exude timeless elegance and vintage charm. The award-winning hotel will also elevate the guest arrival experience with the creation of a guest lobby with private elevator access to guest floors. Denver Union Station’s Great Hall, Cooper Lounge, and event space will also be reinvigorated with new furniture, light fixtures, and more.
Aer Lingus launches new route between Dublin and Denver
Next month, Aer Lingus will launch new nonstop flights between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Dublin Airport (DUB) beginning 17 May 2024. This will be the first-ever service by Aer Lingus to Denver. Aer Lingus will become the 24th airline to serve DEN and will operate four days per week, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flight will connect Irish travellers to the creative city and act as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains.
Accommodations
Populus (Opens Summer 2024)
The first carbon positive hotel in the U.S, Populus is set to open in Summer 2024 in Denver. A 13-story hotel boasting 265 rooms, complete with a rooftop restaurant and bar, designed to create a new architectural landmark for the city, the property will be a significant milestone for the future of eco-conscious travel. With sustainability at its core, developers Urban Village are committed to planting 5,000 acres of forest trees to offset its expected carbon footprint, and sequester more carbon than its combined embodied and operational footprint throughout its lifecycle. Offering unobstructed views of the mountains, city skyline, and Civic Center Park, it will also feature a distinctive Aspen tree-inspired design by architecture and urban design practice Studio Gang.
Urban Cowboy (Summer TBC)
Located in the heart of Denver, Urban Cowboy is a western-inspired boutique hotel housed in an historic Queen Anne-style Gilded Era Mansion. 16 uniquely designed suites can be found in the George Schleier Mansion, which is situated in the heart of the Capitol Hill neighbourhood. The three floors of maximalist detailing cultivate a vibrant Western ambiance, reminiscent of ’70s colour schemes. Urban Cowboy’s distinctive design elements include standalone clawfoot tubs in the guestrooms, bespoke patterned wallpapers, and curated objects sourced from various locales in Colorado, complemented by abundant wood, brass, and tufted leather accents. Guests and visitors can relax in the ‘out back’, located in an old carriage house – equal parts local watering hole and cocktail lover’s paradise.
Cuisine
Mile High Asian Food Week (28 April – 4 May)
Mile High Asian Food Week is returning for its second year with a week-long celebration of Colorado’s growing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander culinary scene. Elevating and supporting authentic food businesses and inspiring a wider community, foodies can experience firsthand the delicacies and delicious talent of the AANHPI community. Special discounts, secret menu items and speciality menus will be available throughout the week.
Debut of Xiquita (Spring 2024)
This spring, 2024 James Beard Semifinalist Erasmo Casiano debuts Xiquita, a México City-style restaurant in Denver, rooted in the ancient traditions of corn masa and nixtamalization. Chef Casino found the inspiration for Xiquita, a play on the Spanish word meaning “little one”, from his father’s endearing name for his mother, Chiquita Linda or ‘little beauty’. With a focus on indigenous ingredients, the upscale Mexican restaurant is a must visit for every foodie.
Church and Union Denver (June 2024)
Church and Union Denver will serve New American cuisine in a casual yet refined atmosphere, with Top Chef alumni Jamie Lynch and chef Adam Hodgson heading up the new offering. Opening in June, the restaurant’s menu and decor will be specific to Denver with seasonally changing dishes crafted around local ingredients.
Taste the flavours at Laws Whiskey House (now open)
Laws Whiskey House is the newest, state-of-the-art tasting room in Denver. The branch is dependent on two family-owned farms – the Cody’s in the San Luis Valley and the Ohnmacht in Colorado’s eastern plains. Its terroir-driven whiskey requires the thin air, hot days and cool nights of the Rocky Mountain region to achieve their deep flavour. Travellers can book a general distillery tour to get educated further.
