13 Reasons to Visit the Mile High City this Autumn

World renowned for its arts and culture, tasty food offerings and exciting events, as well as being the gateway to the diverse national park’s of Colorado, Denver is high above the rest (literally, it’s one mile above sea level). From new world-class hotel openings to unforgettable events and exhibitions, there’s more than enough reason to visit the Mile High City this autumn.

New Hotel Openings 

Stay sustainability at Populus (Opening October – date TBC)

The first carbon positive hotel in the US, Populus is set to open this autumn in Denver. A 13-story hotel boasting 265 rooms, complete with a rooftop restaurant and bar, has been designed to create a new architectural landmark for the city and 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, Populus will also feature a distinctive Aspen tree-inspired design by architecture and urban design practice, Studio Gang.

Channel your inner cowboy at Urban Cowboy (Opening autumn – date TBC)

Located in the heart of Denver in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood, Urban Cowboy is a western-inspired boutique hotel housed in a historic Queen Anne-style Gilded Era Mansion. 16 uniquely designed suites can be found in the George Schleier Mansion, with three floors of maximalist detailing cultivating 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.

Exciting Events 

Taste the flavours of Colorado at Denver Food + Wine Festival (4-7 September)

A gastronomic extravaganza awaits at the Denver Food + Wine Festival, a multi-day celebration of culinary excellence presented by the Colorado Restaurant Foundation and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The festival will feature the best of the state’s culinary community, the finest wines and spirits, educational tasting seminars, and the signature Grand Tasting.

Devour a Stein at Denver Oktoberfest (20-22 and 27-29 September)

A two-weekend festival that has been a Downtown Denver staple since 1969, Denver Oktoberfest returns to the Ballpark District in September. With keg bowling and stein hoisting, the event will be filled with live music with everything from singalongs to a late night silent disco. Not to mention the chicken-dance along and Log Dog Derby.

Spot the street art at Denver Walls (3-5 October)

The RiNo Art District is set to host DENVER WALLS as part of the globally renowned WORLD WIDE WALLS in October. This weekend promises incredible murals, engaging events, and a vibrant community spirit. Spearheaded by Denver-based artist Ally Grimm, the festival aims to create impactful growth for Denver’s arts community through activation, education and innovation, bringing together internationally renowned and local artists  to create a global collection of public art in Denver.

Visit the brewers at Great American Beer Festival (10-12 October)

Raise toast to the Great American Beer Festival, the nation’s premier beer event since 1982. Presenting the largest collection of US beer ever served in a public tasting event, the festival brings together the brewers, diverse beers and consumers that make the state the world’s greatest brewing nation. With over 100 breweries in the Denver metropolitan area, the city is the perfect host for the speciality festival.

Celebrate creativity at Denver Arts Week (1-10 November)

The annual Denver Arts Week celebrates creativity with vibrant art districts, museum exhibitions, outdoor sculptures, performing arts, plus film and literary events. Attendees can also purchase art to take home, ensuring something to inspire every art lover.

See the stars at the Denver Film Festival (1-10 November)

The Denver Film Festival, one of the nation’s pioneering film festivals since 1978, returns for its 47th year. This premier event in Denver showcases a diverse array of thought-provoking, innovative films from around the globe, celebrating the art of cinema annually.

 Must Visit Exhibitions 

Discover fossils at Denver Museum of Nature and Science (Now on display)

In 2022, three young boys set out on a hike and discovered more than they bargained for. Creating history and preserving it, they made a grand scientific discovery of a rare juvenile tyrannosaurus rex fossil. The fossil is now on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and scientists will slowly work to unveil the fossil and piece together the history of the artefact in years to come.

Shadow and Light: Patrick Marold – Denver Botanic Gardens (Until 5 January 2025)

Taking place at Denver Botanic Gardens, ‘Shadow and Light: Patrick Marold’ invites visitors into a mesmerising world where the dynamic interplay of light and shadow is on full display. This site-specific installation, designed exclusively for Denver Botanic Gardens, offers an immersive sculptural experience that marries the poetry of space with the magic of luminosity. With each visit, the exhibition transforms, highlighting the shifting moods of light throughout the day and across seasons.

Migrants, a Tale of Two Hearts – Museo de las Américas (10 October 2024 – 26 January 2025) 

At Museo de las Américas, the premier Latin American art museum in Denver, ‘Migrants, a Tale of Two Hearts’ delves into the profound journey of migrants to the US, capturing the internal and external transformations they undergo. This powerful exhibit explores the emotional and physical experiences of immigrants striving for a better life, offering an intimate look at their courageous stories.

Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak – Denver Art Museum (13 October 2024 – 17 February 2025)

A popular name amongst children and adults alike, ‘Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak’ opens at the Denver Art Museum from 13 October. Featuring over 400 artworks spanning a 65-year-long career, ‘Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak’ is a definite way to experience and celebrate the life and work of Maurice Sendak.

Language Without Words: Works by Ashley Eliza Williams – Denver Botanic Gardens (22 December 2024 – 13 April 2025)

‘Language Without Words: Works by Ashley Eliza Williams’ at Denver Botanic Gardens invites guests to embark on a journey into a realm inhabited by sunlight, stones, weather, and the intricate tapestries woven by tiny organisms. Through her paintings and sculptures, Ashley Eliza Williams offers a fresh perspective, inviting viewers to reconsider the natural world through the eyes of its non-human inhabitants. This exhibition presents a unique opportunity to discover new ways of interacting with nature and each other, encouraging contemplation of life from a perspective beyond human experience.

For more information, please visit: www.denver.org.