Best Things to Do in Denver on a Sunny Spring Day

When the snow melts and warmer temperatures pop up on your phone’s weather app, you know spring is just around the corner—and spring is Denver’s best season, in this writer’s opinion. 

With dozens of outdoor activities and events to choose from, don’t let spring slip away from you—take advantage of the warm air and sunny skies by taking a weekend to explore the best of Denver’s plein air adventures!

Here’s a roundup of the best things to do this spring in Denver:

Catch a Rockies game—and maybe even a fly ball—at Coors Field

With the Colorado Rockies’ home opener coming up on April 4, it’s time to break out your glove and baseball caps for a day of fun in the bleachers!

Now, we can’t guarantee that you’ll see good baseball—the Rockies finished at the bottom of their division last season—but we can guarantee that, with a ton of sunscreen and a Rockie Dog in hand, you’ll still have a fabulous time. Coors Field is one of our top 5 favorite places to watch sports in Denver, after all.

Make the most of the fifth of May

Feeling like a social butterfly this spring? Lose yourself in the crowds and join more than 300,000 people at Denver’s annual Cinco de Mayo celebration, home to diverse food vendors and unique merchandise that showcase Denver’s vibrant Mexican culture.

Find out more about this year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration here.

Explore Denver Botanic Gardens

A serene respite in the middle of the bustling city, Denver’s Botanic Gardens boasts 24 acres of gardens and collections of plants from all corners of the world. And with a student admission price of just $11.50 (bring your ID), it’s a cheap and cheerful way to enjoy a sunny day.

From the Gardens of the West section, where you’ll find a cactus and succulent display, to lush water gardens, where you can sit and watch the ducks bathe, the Botanic Gardens is a great place to lose yourself for a few hours.

Get your steps in at Red Rocks Amphitheatre 

Red Rocks is known as one of the coolest concert venues in the country—dare we say the world? But it’s also open during the day for people who want to stay active in a beautiful spot. Lace up your Nikes and hit those stone stairs!

Red Rocks also offers Yoga on the Rocks events if you’re around this summer—and the venue hosts tons of shows starting in April.

Cycle along the South Platte River Trail 

While we wouldn’t advise taking a dip in the South Platte River (seriously, don’t), biking along the banks is a great way to spend a spring day. The 35-mile trail runs from Chatfield State Park to the northern suburbs, passing through downtown Denver along the way. Looking to take your two wheels elsewhere? Denver has a whopping 850 miles of paved, off-street trails.

Don’t have a bike? Rent one from Confluence Kayaks or Mile High Bike Tours.

Walk it like you chalk it in the Golden Triangle neighborhood

Sidewalk chalk: it’s not just for kids. Watch 200+ chalk artists do their thing at the Denver Chalk Art Festival. The event takes place rain or shine—we prefer shine, obviously—with food and beverage vendors located along the festival site. You can even vote online for your favorite chalk artist in the “People’s Choice Awards” competition during the festival!

Find out more about the Denver Chalk Art Festival here.

Lace up your hiking shoes in the foothills

You don’t have to drive far from campus to scratch your nature itch. Take a leisurely 1.6-mile stroll along the Bear Creek Trail at Lair ’O The Bear Park in Idledale or challenge yourself with a 9.2-mile trek along the Bergen Peak Hike near Evergreen.

Here are more hikes within 30 minutes of Denver.

Round out spring by celebrating Juneteenth

With more than 200 vendors, plus free performances and block parties, Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival is the perfect way to ring in summer and commemorate the official end to the enslavement of Black people in the United States. The festival is located in the Five Points neighborhood and draws thousands of attendees every year. 

Learn more about the Juneteenth Music Festival here.