A Weather-Proof Denver Itinerary
Warm, sunny afternoons give way to comfortable evenings spent strolling city streets. Most days, the weather in Denver is a delight. Even so, there’s always a chance you’ll experience rain showers or chilly breezes during your visit. When the weather makes you want to cozy up inside, there are plenty of one-of-a-kind attractions and inviting spaces that turn a dreary Denver day into a special experience.
Conveniently located inside Denver Union Station, The Crawford Hotel provides easy, quick access to downtown Denver, plus numerous options for food and drink, shopping, and people watching — no umbrella or snow boots required.
Your Weather-Proof Itinerary At a Glance:
- Start cozy at Union Station with complimentary drip coffee at Pigtrain Coffee Co. and a browse at Tattered Cover
- Spend the morning indoors at a Denver museum — from the Denver Art Museum to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- Fuel up at lunch with deli sandwiches, comfort food, or Union Station favorites like Mercantile and Ultreia
- Shop your way through the afternoon at the 16th Street Mall, RiNo boutiques, or Twist & Shout Records
- Wrap up the night with a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, games at Punch Bowl Social, or a tasting at Stranahan’s
Starting The Day: Curl Up With Coffee (And a Great Read)
Start your morning with a complimentary drip coffee from Pigtrain Coffee Co., where hotel guests can enjoy a freshly brewed cup on the house during their stay. Named after the iconic trains that carry truck trailers on flatbed rail cars, Pigtrain brews 100% organic beans from locally-owned roaster Conscious Coffee. Add on an indulgent pastry by the award-winning Executive Pastry Chef and Chocolatier Kevin McCormick, and this cozy coffee shop experience becomes the perfect way to kickstart a busy day of exploring or a laidback lie-in.
As you sip, wander over to the Tattered Cover bookstore, also located inside Union Station. Since 1971, the Tattered Cover has been beloved by Denver residents and visitors alike, with four locations frequented by readers across the city. Guests at The Crawford receive a special discount at the Union Station location, which makes browsing the latest bestsellers and literary classics even more appealing.
Morning: Tour a Local Museum
For art lovers and solo travelers, the Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the American West, with 70,000 works on display. Just steps away from the DAM, the Clyfford Still Museum is a more intimate, contemplative museum that displays over 90% of the life’s work of Still, an abstract expressionist painter.
For families and curious travelers of all ages, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a must-visit. Check out dinosaurs, minerals and gems, a planetarium, and an exciting schedule of temporary exhibits. Plan to spend at least three hours taking it all in.
Lunch: Sandwiches, Saloons, and Station Fare
If discovering Denver’s museum scene has worked up your appetite, pop into Leven Deli Co. for the best sandwich of your trip: piled high with creative toppings and served on delicious, fresh house-baked bread. There’s also an on-site wine bar if you fancy a glass with lunch.
Closer to the shops of the 16th Street Mall, West Saloon & Kitchen is a charming, warm space in a beautifully preserved historic building — the ideal cozy place to wait out the occasional rain shower or frosty gust. Enjoy elevated comfort food with a welcoming, unhurried vibe.
Of course, Denver Union Station is home to some great eats, like the farm-to-table Mercantile, where seasonal menus feature locally sourced ingredients. The warm bread with cultured butter alone is worth a visit. And if you just can’t decide on a main course, Ultreia’s Spanish tapas are perfect for sharing and sampling many different dishes. The fun, lively atmosphere will make you forget all about the weather outside.
Afternoon: Go on a Treasure Hunt
Denver’s 16th Street Mall is easy to access from both The Crawford Hotel and the museum district. A free shuttle runs the full length of the 1.7-mile pedestrian promenade, so it’s easy to hop between stores.
For a unique retail experience, head to the River North neighborhood, locally known as RiNo — it’s packed with one-of-a-kind boutiques and galleries. Check out Three Arrows Gallery on Larimer Street, a beautifully curated shop that showcases exclusively local Colorado women artists.
Music lovers will want to plan a visit to Twist & Shout Records on Colfax, which offers an incredible selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, and DVDs — plus knowledgeable staff who are happy to help you find your new favorite album.
Evening: Let Us Entertain You
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is one of the country’s largest performing arts complexes, hosting Broadway tours in the Buell Theatre, opera performances, and brilliant local productions.
For a lighthearted vibe, Punch Bowl Social serves up craft cocktails and elevated comfort food alongside bowling, karaoke, vintage arcade games, and more under one roof.
Seeking a more relaxed evening activity? The Family Jones Spirit House offers cocktails and small plates in a relaxed environment — all with a touch of moxie.
Insider Tip: Prefer a night in? Our new in-room partnership with The Family Jones Spirits allows you to enjoy a drink without setting foot outside.
Plan Your Stay at The Crawford Hotel
No matter the weather, you’ll be warmly welcomed at The Crawford Hotel. Explore current offers to help you make the most of your stay, and rest easy knowing a fantastic assortment of shopping, dining, and services are also conveniently located within Union Station. And when you’re ready to explore the city, transit options are at your fingertips. Experiencing everything Denver has to offer couldn’t be easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
If it’s raining in Denver, it’s the perfect opportunity to check out some of the city’s museums, art galleries, shopping, and dining options. For guests at The Crawford Hotel, many amenities are located under one roof — and for those venturing out into the showers, transit is easily accessible from Denver’s Union Station.
If you’d like to get out and enjoy the snow in Denver, City Park or Washington Park are both great options for sledding, snowman building, and scenic wintry walks. Of course, curling up and staying cozy inside Denver Union Station is also a great option for staying warm!
Denver is home to museums for every taste and age range.
- For an ever-evolving rotation of exhibitions, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA Denver) is an innovative forum for exploring creative expression.
- The Denver Art Museum is a must-see, boasting more than 70,000 works. Each floor of the expansive space displays a different artistic movement.
- The Denver Museum of Nature & Science exhibits include dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, immersive films, and even after-dark programming.
- For families, the Children’s Museum is packed with interactive exhibits where kids can learn hands-on — and burn off some pent-up travel energy.
Denver Union Station is one of the best places to stay in Denver if you don’t have a car. From here, you can access Denver International Airport via the A Line train and connect to light rail, regional buses, and the free 16th Street Mall shuttle. The neighborhood is very walkable, and with The Crawford Hotel, dining, entertainment, and shopping located inside the station, you won’t have to venture out to have a great stay.
The neighborhood around Denver Union Station — Lower Downtown, known as LoDo — is great to explore on bad weather days, with easy access to the station’s shops and dining. Capitol Hill is a highly walkable area with plenty of bookstores and coffee shops to visit, while the Golden Triangle features the Denver Art Museum and other indoor attractions perfect for poor-weather days.