25 Best Things to Do in Denver Alone: Solo Female Travel & Digital Nomad Guide

Let me start off by saying, I freakin’ love Colorado. I daydream about moving there all the time. The mountains, the rafting, the collection of cute hiking outfits I would have…

I lived there for about 3 months as a digital nomad, and it was superb. And if you’re doing the same, or simply planning a solo trip, I’ve got a list of things to do in Denver alone for ya.

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Trippy…

Offbeat and Unusual Things to Do in Denver Alone

Trip Out at Meow Wolf

Or at least feel that way. Meow Wolf Convergence Station is a surreal, interactive psychedelic art exhibit, and there are two main options for seeing it:

-Wander around and take it all in.

-Do the Q Pass (wander around but with extra insight into the exhibit’s story)

For first-timers, I recommend just walking around and taking in what you can, and it’s a lot to take in. If something catches your eye, pause and stare awhile, and try to imagine what was going through the artist’s head for extra fun.

You’ll want to carve out at least a couple of hours for Meow Wolf, and you still won’t see everything. But you’ll want to come back to see what you missed the first time.

All decked out for Halloween…or maybe those are permanent fixtures. I don’t know.

Visit the International Church of Cannabis

400 S Logan Street, Denver

This was a really fun experience! You get a laser light show, and you can lie on your back in a church pew to watch it.

You’ll also get many fun photo ops. Oh, and no uh, partaking is allowed inside. It’s family-friendly.

See? I told you it was fun!

You can join the church (yes, it’s an actual church!), in which case I believe you can partake during church ceremonies if that’s your thing.

Check out poetry open mic night at Mercury Cafe

2199 California St, Denver

The Mercury Cafe frequently hosts poetry open mics, and it’s always a treat. You can simply listen to others read and feel inspired or try your hand at going on stage. I did not go on stage (though I have done stand-up comedy!), but I had a great time.

It’s the perfect atmosphere, the drinks are delicious, and to me, this kind of thing fuels my soul. I love hearing other people be creative. Many of the poets shared deeply personal poetry, and I can see how it would be therapeutic.

Cool vibe, no?

Even if you don’t go to poetry open mic, this place has a great vibe and would be fun to visit any time. They also host poetry slams and dance nights!

Sing your heart out at the Brutal Poodle

On Tuesdays, this spot has heavy metal karaoke, and you can go scream or sing out all your frustrations (or just listen to other people get their frustrations out). Regardless of whether or not you go for karaoke, this is a cool dive bar with a dog and heavy metal theme!

Check out the Murals in RiNo

If you’re an art lover, you’ll want to head to RiNo (River North Art District) and check out the murals! Here’s a handy map.

The Heisenberg drink at 1 Up

Get Nostalgic at 1 Up

1925 Blake Street, Denver

This is a fun arcade bar with skee-ball and all the old arcade games you grew up with. Cool drink selection too, and they have pickle shots.

Best Solo Hikes near Denver

Nowww we’re talkin’! While you won’t find much hiking in Denver proper, it’s not far. Here are just a few options:

Rocky Mountain National Park

You have to go to RMNP. Even if you’re not a hiker, you can drive through it and see wildlife and beautiful nature.

What to know:
If you’re visiting between May and October, you need reservations. Get them here.
The hikes here are not dog-friendly.
Parking is available, but it fills up fast. An alternative is the hiker shuttle in Estes Park.

St. Mary’s Glacier

St. Mary, CO

Located about an hour away from Denver near Idaho Springs, this hike is short, steep, and gorgeous. Plus, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can turn it into a thirteener and continue on up to James Peak, which is amazing!

What to know:
There’s a small parking lot, and it costs $20 to park there. Well worth it for the views. You mayyy be able to find cheaper, or cheap as free, parking if you’re willing to do a bit of walking, but don’t quote me. No matter what you do, beware of “no parking” or “residents only” signs.
It’s dog-friendly!

I literally cried when I saw this view…

Reynolds Ranch County Park

Conifer, CO

This was my first “real” hike in Denver. There are many hiking trails to choose from there. I did Eagle’s View Loop, and let me tell you, when I got to the overlook, I actually wept from how beautiful it was…

This park is dog-friendly and has designated off-leash spots.

Daniels Gate Park

Castle Pines, CO

This is the best place to catch a sunset near Denver, and it’s dog-friendly!

More like Garden of the Dogs…

Garden of the Gods

Colorado Springs, CO

About an hour and a half away from Denver, you can feel like you’re in a different world at Garden of the Gods. It’s beautiful and an absolute must-visit. You could easily spend an entire day there, and as you can see from the photo, it’s dog-friendly!

Mt. Galbraith

Golden, CO.

Located nearby Golden, this hiking area is dog-friendly and has incredible views! It’s only 4.2 miles round-trip, so if you’re looking for a great hike that isn’t too long and has a good payoff, this is your spot.

Nature that isn’t just hiking

Sloan’s Lake

1700 Sheridan Blvd, Denver

This is the largest body of water in Denver! Go paddle boarding, have a picnic, or enjoy the sunset.

Cheesman Park

1599 E 8th Ave, Denver

Gorgeous park right in Denver! Enjoy this green space with mountain views and access to the Denver Botanic Gardens.

All ready to raft!

Go Whitewater Rafting

There are many places go to rafting within easy driving distance of Denver. I did this one, and it was so fun! It was the perfect combination of thrilling adventure and beautiful views of the Royal Gorge. I felt safe, even though it was only my second time rafting. I was a bit nervous, but the guides put me at ease and helped my raft mates and me get into a groove with the paddling.

Classics

Go see a show at Red Rocks

18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO

This is no ordinary concert venue. Pro tip: leave with PLENTY of extra time because it is quite the haul from the parking lot up to the Red Rocks. Plus most of the seating is General Admission, so you’ll want to get there early to stake out your spot. If you’re solo, bring a blanket to save your spot while you get snacks (and bundle up with because it gets chilly at night)!

If you don’t see a show at Red Rocks, there are plenty of other things you can do there. There are hiking trails and activities such as yoga–check their events calendar!

Molly Brown House

1340 Pennsylvania St. Denver

See where the “unsinkable” Molly Brown lived. She was a fascinating woman, and her house is preserved almost exactly as she left it. I thoroughly enjoyed this tour.

Not pictured: the fall. And the pity they took on me because I lasted less than a second. The bull operator let me go again for free.

Get country at Grizzly Rose

5450 Lincoln St, Denver, CO

If you’re in kind of a Texas mood, here’s your spot. They have a mechanical bull and a fun atmosphere. Plus, they offer two-step lessons! No partner needed–you rotate.

Union Station all decked out for the holidays

Check out Union Station

1701 Wynkoop St, Denver

Gorgeous spot for shopping, eating, or just looking around.

Where to Eat and Drink in Denver

Solo dining in Denver? I’ve got you covered! These are places I enjoyed and never felt out of place as a solo diner.

Colorado Campfire

400 East 19th Ave. Denver

Sip a Mallow on the Graham at Colorado Campfire. They even toast the marshmallow for you!,

Mr. Oso

103 S Ogden St.Denver

Try the delicious Mexican-Asian fusion at Mr. Oso. Living in Wash Park, this was a go-to spot for me. I highly recommend the birria and queso.

Wild Corgi Pub

1223 E 13th Ave, Denver

I mean, who could resist a pub with a corgi theme? Great food and drinks, and there’s poker, if that’s your thing.

Steuben’s

523 E 17th Ave, Denver

Craving some good old-fashioned greasy diner food? The gravy cheese fries here are divine! Don’t forget the boozy milkshake.

Voodoo Doughnut

Various locations

My rule of thumb: see Voodoo Doughnuts, eat Voodoo Doughnuts. Yum, yum

Stanley marketplace

501 Dallas St, Aurora

I loved this place so much that I had to go a few times during my three-month stay in Colorado. Located in nearby Aurora, you can get your fill of shops, food, and treats. Denver Biscuit Company is to die for!

Day Trips from Denver

Need a change of scenery? I’ve got you covered:

Boulder. About 30 miles from Denver, Boulder has a charming downtown with cute shops and cool murals. I highly recommend strolling down Pearl Street.

Colorado Springs. At about an hour and a half away from Denver, you can hike through Garden of the Gods or try the Manitou Incline!

Idaho Springs. About an hour west of Denver is one of my favorite Colorado towns. Idaho Springs has a cute, quaint feel not unlike Estes Park, but without the overwhelming amount of tourists. It’s beautiful with many great hiking, dining, and shopping options. Bonus: it has hot springs!

Where to Stay in Denver

Wash (Washington) Park: This was my favorite area in Denver. Walkable with mountain views and a beautiful park. Not far from Cherry Creek Hike/Bike Path. It’s the perfect spot for digital nomads looking for a neighborhood feel with cute coffee shops and everyday conveniences.

River North Arts District (RiNo): Super cool eclectic neighborhood with galleries and murals.

Capitol Hill: Walkable and close to many top attractions.

FAQ: Solo Travel in Denver

Is Denver safe for solo travel? I would say yes. Like any place, use common sense and keep your head on a swivel. Use extra caution around Colfax Avenue. I never felt unsafe in Denver.

How do you get around in Denver? To get the full Denver experience, you’ll need a car. Denver is pretty spread out with no real central area. You won’t be able to “stay downtown” and walk to everything you want to see. Plus you’ll likely want to go to the mountains, which requires a car.

Where’s the closest hot springs to Denver? Idaho Springs

Hey, I thought Denver had mountains. What’s the deal? You can see the mountains from Denver, but “going to the mountains” is a separate activity. You can’t have it all, I guess.

Elgie enjoying a pup cup at Rush Bowls

Is Denver dog-friendly? Yes and no. Many of the hikes near Denver are dog-friendly. However, you can’t just bring your dog into a random coffee shop like you can in some towns I’ve visited. I was asked to leave Elgie outside several times. There are shops that welcome dogs, just not many.

When’s the best time to visit Denver? Though it depends on what you’re looking for, I’d say just about any time is good. To do the most hikes, it’s probably best to visit in summer or early fall. For fewer crowds, visit in spring or fall.

Why is Denver Great for Solo Travelers and Digital Nomads?

It’s the perfect balance of nature and city, not unlike Asheville. It has all the conveniences of city life, but pure nature and mountain solitude are not far away. Plus if you’re like me, you’ll know what your weekend plans are long before the weekend arrives–hiking. Duh.

What’s overrated in Denver?

16th Street Mall. It’s just a mall. Nothing to see here. Also a bit sketch in parts. Go if you must, but use caution.

Larimer Square. Unless I missed something, the main draw was the colorful flags. Not worth going out of the way for.

Lookout Mountain. There are so many better hiking options near Denver and Golden. This one is overrated, in my opinion. Unless you really want to see where Buffalo Bill was buried, you can skip it and go to Mt. Galbraith instead.

Other Things to KNow About Denver

I couldn’t find the pulse. Denver was unique because I couldn’t quite put my finger on the “pulse” of it. There were many pockets, so to speak, but I never felt like I got a grip on a main artery. For example, New Orleans has the French Quarter. Los Angeles has Hollywood. Denver has… Union Station? I don’t know.

I found it hard to make friends. If you’re a snowboarding, skiing ice climber, you probably won’t have a problem meeting people. But if you don’t fit that mold, the sense of community is lacking. Luckily as an introvert, I can deal, but if you’re craving friends you may have a hard time. I can imagine the dating scene is atrocious.

You may get some attitude from a few of the “natives”. Colorado has grown in population over recent years, and some of the natives are pissed about it. You may run into people who are unfriendly toward tourists. But it’s like, you can’t gatekeep a state, dude.

Beware of altitude sickness. If you’re not used to high altitude, it will take some getting used to. I never felt sick, but I noticed, for example, that exercise was more difficult. I got winded at the gym a lot more easily than usual. Definitely take your time on hikes and don’t over-exert yourself.

Final thoughts: Solo Travel in Denver

Denver is a fun town and is great to explore solo. It has easy access to mountains with all the creature comforts of the city. I would recommend it for solo travelers and digital nomads.

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