🚗 Easy Getaways: Incredible Day Trips Within an Hour of Denver

Need a break from the city? Just an hour outside Denver, you’ll find historic mining towns, scenic hikes, and even a drive to the top of a 14,000-foot peak! 🎉

🚗Getaways Within an Hour of Denver

Hey Denver!

Need a break from the city? Just an hour outside Denver, you’ll find charming mountain towns, scenic drives, and outdoor adventures perfect for a quick escape. Whether you’re in the mood for historic mining towns, scenic hikes, or even a bit of gambling, these nearby spots offer something for everyone.

🚗 Quick Getaways: Best Day Trips from Denver

Just an hour from the city, you’ll find historic towns, scenic drives, and outdoor adventures perfect for a quick escape. Whether you’re into mining history, mountain hikes, or casino fun, there’s something for everyone!

🎰 Central City & Black Hawk – Colorado’s Casino Hotspot

Once known as the “Richest Square Mile on Earth”, these two historic mining towns have transformed into Colorado’s premier casino destinations. With over two dozen casinos featuring 10,000+ slot machines, poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps, there’s never a dull moment. Beyond the gaming scene, you can wander Victorian-era streets, explore abandoned gold mines, and even catch a world-class opera performance each summer at the Central City Opera House.

📍 Distance from Denver: ~45 minutes

🎭 Don’t Miss: The Central City Opera Festival (every summer)

🚂 Georgetown – A Step Back in Time

Nestled in a stunning mountain valley, Georgetown is one of Colorado’s most elegant historic towns, with over 200 preserved Victorian buildings. Take a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a breathtaking narrow-gauge train ride that crosses a 100-foot-high trestle on its way to Silver Plume. Explore historic homes, visit charming shops, and stroll the quaint Main Street, which has served as a backdrop in films starring Clint Eastwood and John Denver.

📍 Distance from Denver: ~50 minutes

🚆 Don’t Miss: The Georgetown Loop Railroad – a must for history buffs and train lovers!

🏔️ Echo Lake & Mount Blue Sky – Colorado’s Highest Paved Road

For an unforgettable scenic drive, Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway climbs nearly 9,000 feet from Denver, passing through five life zones before reaching the 14,264-foot summit. This is one of Colorado’s famous “fourteeners” (peaks above 14,000 feet) and one of only two in the U.S. that you can drive to the top!

On your way up, stop at Echo Lake, a pristine alpine lake offering hiking trails, fishing spots, and picnic areas. The Denver Botanic Gardens even maintains a wildflower trail near timberline, where you can experience the unique high-altitude ecosystem.

📍 Distance from Denver: ~1 hour

🚗 Pro Tip: The road is only open to the summit from Memorial Day to Labor Day due to snow.

⛰️ Boulder – Outdoor Adventures & Lively Downtown

Boulder isn’t just a college town—it’s a vibrant city where nature meets culture. Stroll through the iconic Pearl Street Mall, packed with shops, cafes, street performers, and people-watching galore. With over 200 miles of hiking trails, you can easily escape into nature at the foot of the Flatirons.

Looking for something unique? Stop by the National Center for Atmospheric Research to explore an interactive museum on weather and climate, or head to Eldorado Canyon State Park, one of the top technical climbing destinations in the country.

📍 Distance from Denver: ~40 minutes

🌟 Fun Fact: Boulder was once ranked the happiest city in America—and you’ll see why the moment you arrive!

Denver Trivia Time 🌟

What year did Denver International Airport open?

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Answer at the bottom of this issue!

🌆 Mile High Happenings & Weather ☀️❄️

📅  Today, March 19

☁️ Cloudy | High: 44°F | Low: 27°F | Wind: N 17 mph | 4% chance of precipitation

🆓  Free Events

♟️ Chess Night | 🕕 6:00 - 9:00 PM | 📍 Woods Boss Brewing

🎤 Open Mic Comedy | 🕣 8:30 PM - 1:30 AM | 📍 Wide Right

Punk Rock Trivia Night | 🕖 7:00 - 9:00 PM | 📍 Bowman’s Vinyl & Lounge 💰

Ticketed Events

🤠 Mile High Roundup | 🕘 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM | 📍 Mile High Spirits

🎸 Agnostic Front | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍 The Oriental Theater

🎶 Flyingfish | 🕗 8:00 PM | 📍 Larimer Lounge

😂 Good Session | 🕢 7:30 - 9:00 PM | 📍 Comedy Works Downtown

🎤 Post Sex Nachos | 🕘 9:00 PM | 📍 The Bluebird Theater

🎵 Strawberry Launch | 🕗 8:00 PM | 📍 Lost Lake Lounge

🎶 The Rubens | 🕗 8:00 PM | 📍 Globe Hall

🎷 The Zach Howarth Trio | 🕕 6:00 - 10:00 PM | 📍 Nocturne

🎤 Tatiana Eva-Marie & The Avalon Jazz Band | 🕖 7:00 - 8:30 PM | 📍 Dazzle

📅  Thursday, March 20

☁️ Cloudy | High: 60°F | Low: 34°F | Wind: SW 12 mph | 0% chance of precipitation

🆓 Free Events

🍸 New Spirit Release: Eleanor Gin | 🕒 3:00 - 9:00 PM | 📍 Spirit Hound Distillers

Trivia Night! | 🕡 6:30 - 8:30 PM | 📍 The Waldschänke

💰 Ticketed Events

🎶 Abby Posner | 🕗 8:00 PM | 📍 Swallow Hill Music

🎤 Mr. Kitty | 🕗 8:00 PM | 📍 The Bluebird Theater

🎶 Pert Near Sandstone | 🕗 8:00 PM | 📍 Globe Hall

😂 Salma Zaky | 🕢 7:30 - 9:00 PM | 📍 Denver Comedy Underground

🎬 The Chase | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍 The Oriental Theater

🎷 The Jack Dunlevie Trio | 🕕 6:00 - 10:00 PM | 📍 Nocturne

🎶 Teddy Beats | 🕗 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM | 📍 Your Mom’s House

Where are you heading this week? Tag us in your adventures! 🚀

🚀 Quick Getaway, Big Adventure

Denver’s backyard is packed with history, adventure, and stunning scenery. Whether you want to test your luck at the casinos, ride a historic train, or summit a 14,000-foot peak, these easy day trips have you covered. So, where are you headed next? Let us know! ⛰️🎟️

—The What’s Happenin’ Denver Team

Answer: 1995

Denver International Airport (DIA) officially opened on February 28, 1995.  The first flight to depart from the new airport was United Airlines Flight 1062 to Kansas City International Airport, and the first to arrive was United Airlines Flight 1474 from Colorado Springs Airport.  

Did you get it right? Stay tuned for more Denver trivia next week! 😉

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