While Colorado summer is often defined by mountain adventures and camping trips, some of the season’s most memorable moments happen right in the city. Whether that’s striking up a conversation with a stranger, exploring how individuals are fostering community or turning an ordinary afternoon into something memorable. Consider this your unconventional guide to making the most out of summer in Denver.
1. Go on a treasure hunt
Did you know there’s an Instagram account that hides money in random places across Colorado? With the name @miraclemancash, this creator takes 10-second clips of a stack of cash, usually packaged and stickered with his logo and then a quick pan to hint at the location. The amount always changes, but people are still finding a way to uncover the hiding spots. If you come across a video that looks like it’s in your neighborhood, you might just luck out.
2. Talk to a grandma
When was the last time you talked with someone over the age of 65? A recent find while scrolling Instagram, the @grandmastand_denver is a delightfully purple stand made for those seeking to connect all over Denver. Made up a team of volunteer grandmas, the nationwide movement aims to connect with others through thought-provoking questions and community building. Be sure to keep up with its page to see where it’ll pop up next.
3. Go trash bag sledding
Except you’re the sled. You will also need some dish soap, rainy conditions and a grassy hill. Cut holes for your head and arms. Lather yourself up and send it down on your back or stomach.
4. Walk around Denver (literally)
Did you know a man from Maine created a 177-mile hiking loop around Denver? After noticing that Denver’s sprawling trail system could be connected through some clever rerouting, Michael Tormey drew on his time living abroad and England’s walking culture to create a more accessible experience. The creation became known as the Denver Orbital Trail. Split into 28 segments, you can complete any of them within one day without any heavy hiking gear unless you intend to do it all at once (which has been done before; this is Colorado after all). The current record holder is Theja Putta, who completed the loop in 2 days, 13 hours and 19 minutes.
5. Roll with the people
If traveling on two or eight wheels is your vibe, consider rolling with the Denver Cruiser Ride or Denver Urban Skate Troop. The cruisers meet on Thursdays and aren’t hard to miss, with large groups of riders showing up each week. Its meetups are posted in advance on Instagram, and you can join its email group here. DUST (Denver Urban Skate Troop) meets every Monday and Wednesday night around 6 to 7 p.m.. All levels are welcome, just make sure you’re on the correct route. See its Instagram for the latest on events.
6. Visit your local Little Free Library or Sidewalk Joy trinket box
If you’ve ever been walking in your neighborhood, chances are you’ve probably seen the cutest stands in people’s lawns filled with books (Little Free Library) or trinkets and treats of all kinds (Sidewalk Joy) where people exchange goods for free in the name of community. Free Little Library is a St. Paul-based non-profit with a mission to expand accessibility to reading and community building across the country. See the library map to find out where you can find one near you or how you can start a charter of your own. Sidewalk Joy rests on the same principle, except the options of what you can put inside are endless. From tiny art galleries to dog treats to painted rocks and trinkets, be sure to check out its map to find one near you.
7. Paddleboard at night
What’s better than paddleboarding during the day? You guessed it: paddle boarding at night under a full moon. Grab your friends, glow sticks and drift out into the night. Rocky Mountain Paddleboard has an event calendar so you can stay up to date at Cherry Creek Reservoir all summer.
8. Raw dog an everyday task
Say it’s your daily run, running errands or hot girl walking: no headphones, phone in airplane mode (or at least on dnd). Inspired by Kym Drapcho’s summer ins and outs.
9. Go on a color walk
Pick any color, see how many items you can find that match it and snap a pic. Now you have a cool new monochrome album. Invite your friends to make a rainbow or a primary color scheme. The options are endless.
10. Show off your outfit
Don’t let your fit stay hidden in the shadows. The world is your runway; might as well go and strut your stuff.
Read: Maximalism is Resistance: Why Denver Style Needs To Be Bolder
11. Throw a picnic party
Heavy emphasis on the “party” aspect. Specifically, a themed one. Make it fun and light-hearted. Everyone can dress in a fun way or bring something to exchange; the beauty lies in your own whimsy. Interesting themes include: everyone’s plus-one has to be a stranger, bring a piece of art to trade, dress like you have something to hide, bring anything but a cup to drink from, etc.
12. Volunteer for a trail clean up
From city organizations like Denver Parks & Recreation to individuals like Nelson Holland aka @fatblackandgettinit‘s High Line Canal Trail cleanup to Denver-based global initiatives like Clean Trails, there’s no shortage of options to keep Colorado beautiful this summer and beyond. You don’t have to join a movement to help; it’s as easy as picking up a piece of trash you see on the ground.
13. Watch a live stream
Find the nearest body of water to you and hang out for a bit. Flow state achieved.
14. Yoga beyond the studio
From the Gardens to the Rocks and coffee shop spaces, yoga can be found all over Denver and then some. Register for sunrise, afternoon and evening sessions at the Denver Botanic Gardens all the way until the end of the year. If you’ve never done Yoga on the Rocks, this is your sign. All you need is a mat, a water bottle, some SPF and a ticket, which you can get here. Stick around for brunch at Ship Rocke Grill. Some of your favorite coffee spots also go beyond the cup. Vivid Minds Cafe, off South Broadway, offers movement-inspired yoga classes, and Edgewater Public Market hosts rooftop slow-flow yoga.
15. Cowboy camp
Just you, the stars (and quite literally everything else). Always remember, leave no trace.
16. Create sidewalk chalk art
Connect with your inner child again and go scribble on the sidewalk. Bring your friends and make a party out of it. A chalk and flock if you will.
17. Help preserve Denver gardens
Volunteer with Denver Urban Garden (DUG) at any of its 200 gardens across the city with opportunities, from planting, general garden upkeep, workshop volunteering and more. Stay up to date with all of its opportunities here.
18. Grounding
The research may vary, but the vibes are undeniable. The how-to is simple: walk outside, put your bare feet in the grass and take some deep breaths.
19. Go to an outdoor movie/ concert
Trade the couch for a little “grounding” under the stars at an outdoor movie. Just like concerts, there is no shortage of outdoor films to screen this summer. Find free movies at Avanti every Thursday night, Sunset Cinema at Sculpture Park, Film on the Rocks, RiNo Movie Night, Monday night movies at Edgewater Public Market, Movies at McGregor, The 88 Drive-In and more. It’s no secret we have some of the best venues in the world and summer is the time to get out there and dance. Don’t miss out on the free Levitt Pavilion concert series, City Park Jazz, CROSSCURRENTS and Denver PorchFest, which is debuting this year.
Did you know our Events page is full of Cervantes’ shows that we tend to give away free tickets for? Cervantes’ hosts patio sets and you know we’re going to count that as an outdoor activity. Be sure to follow our Instagram to stay up to date on our giveaways.
Read: Andy Frasco Just Might Be Able To Save the World
20. Go to a food festival
Summer is the perfect time for food festivals, and you can get in your steps while eating delicious bites this season. Festivals like Top Taco, SURF Seafood Championship, The Big Eat, Chicken Fight and Denver Food & Wine are just a few to get your palate started. Filled with a wide array of local chefs, restaurants and food trucks, there’s something for everyone here.
21. Generate an original experience
AI chatbot question or niche internet trend? Either way, finding the whimsy in the everyday should be something we all practice. Say you trade your shoes for skates and combine that with riding a bike while singing “All Star” by Smash Mouth a cappella-style. Or be the first person to moonwalk down the entirety of Colfax while balancing a book on your head and listening to Elton John’s classic, “Rocket Man,” out of a Walkman on repeat. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, but you never know what creating intentional friction in your life could lead to.
