Denver’s best things to do, see, and eat before heading to a Broncos game

Denver has one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL.

It’s also one of the best places to watch a game, even if you’re not a fan of the Denver Broncos. While Empower Field at Mile High Stadium may not have the history of old Mile High Stadium, the vibe remains the same, thanks to Broncos Country … albeit the South Stands are calmer nowadays.

Denver is also one of the best cities in the US, and, no, I don’t care if there’s bias in that. It’s the truth.

For those coming to the Mile High City for the first time, or even if you’re an experienced traveler, here are some of the best things to do, see, and eat before heading to a Denver Broncos game. If that wasn’t enough, we’ve thrown in how to get to the stadium, and the best things to do when you get there.

Let’s preface this section by saying that if you’re coming to the Mile High City for a Broncos game, you’ll want to make your trip as easy as possible. So, for the hotels, let’s aim for downtown Denver or LoDo (AKA Lower Downtown). Rates listed are as of mid-October, mid-week, so they will vary by date.

The oldest grand hotel in Denver, if you’re looking for history, the Oxford has it in spades. What makes this hotel a great choice, aside from the history, is the location. The Oxford Hotel is around a 1-minute walk to Union Station. For those going to a Broncos game, it means premium access to Mile High Stadium (see more on that below). But on top of all of that, you’re within walking distance to Larimer Square and the 16th Street Mall, which offer all sorts of restaurants and various activities. What makes the Oxford even better is the Cruise Room. It’s a circa-1920s speakeasy with fantastic classic drinks and a very cool vibe. Definitely worth checking out, even if you don’t stay at the Oxford on your trip.

From Google: “Denver’s oldest grand hotel, blending 1890s opulence with the iconic Art Deco Cruise Room martini bar.” Rates start at $214 per night.

Another classy, refined hotel offering direct access to the Denver theater district and the Colorado Convention Center. So you could swing a play at the Denver City for the Performing Arts, maybe an opera at the classic opera house, before going to the game. The 1911 Hotel Teatro is also right by the Denver Theater Light Rail station to help wth getting to the stadium on gameday. Located in the middle of Downtown Denver, you have walking access to the 16th Street Mall, and with it, restaurants.

As it says on Google, “Sophisticated historic landmark situated directly across from the theater district offering zero-fee pet policies and cozy elegance.“ Rates start at $129 per night.

This is one of the most distinctive-looking hotels in Denver, featuring biophilic design. The Populus Denver is also an eco-conscious boutique hotel just a 2-minute walk from Civic Center Park and the state capitol building. You’re also close to the Denver Art Museum. Further east in downtown Denver than the choices listed above, you still have access to the 16th Street Mall and the restaurants in the area. Unlike the other two, you’ll likely have to take an RTD bus west down the 16th Street Mall to get to the Light Rail Station for access to the stadium. Another option is a rideshare from this hotel.

From Google: “Sustainable dining, and corner suites overlooking Civic Center Park and the Capitol.” Rates start at $178 per night.

There is so much to do in and around Denver that you could spend a week in the Mile High City and not scratch the surface. The list already started with some things to do around the hotel recommendations, so here are some more popular and unique things to check out in Denver.

You can’t visit Denver without checking the concert list to see who is performing at Red Rocks. Obviously, this depends on the time of year, but everyone should have attending a concert at Red Rocks on their bucket list. Heck, even if there isn’t a concert at Red Rocks, you can still check out the venue during the day. You’ll have to use a rideshare option, unless you rent a car for your trip. There are no Light Rail stops at Red Rocks.

Made famous for surviving the sinking of the Titanic, the woman, popularly known as the Unsinkable Molly Brown and Heroine of the Titanic, rendered amazing service to survivors. Visiting the museum is worth the trip back in time for adults and kids. Based on the recommendations for where to stay, you’ll likely need to take a rideshare to the museum. You could get there on foot, but it would be a jaunt.

Buying tickets in advance is recommended; tickets start at $26.

This option is more for families with kids. If you’re looking for a world-class aquarium, like the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, the Downtown Aquarium won’t come close to that. But it’s worth exploring and spending a few hours seeing the aquatic life in downtown Denver. It’s quaint and worth the trip, as long as you keep an open mind.

If you’ve never experienced Meow Wolf, it’s a must-see experience. There is really nothing like it. It’s like walking into another planet on acid. We’ll leave it at that. Meow Wolf Denver is located right by Mile High, so it’s a great location. Tickets for the experience start at $38.

This is one of the coolest and most unique places in the Denver metro area. The Butterfly Pavilion is great for families and adults. It opened on July 15, 1995, and was the first stand-alone non-profit insect zoo in the United States.” Since the pavilion is located in Westminster, which is west of Denver, you’ll need to use a rideshare to get there. But it’s worth it for the unforgettable experience.

Best places to eat in Denver

Denver is home to some fantastic and unique restaurants that cover any and all palates. There are far more than can be included on this list, so feel free to search before your trip. But these restaurants are tried-and-true Colorado.

This just goes without saying, right? It’s like Red Rocks. You can’t have a Colorado list of places to eat without the Colorado restaurant. The pink building, famous for cliff divers and sopapillas, is now owned by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (creators of South Park). It’s back and taking reservations. I have not been there since the two bought Casa Bonita, but they promised to upgrade the food. I’m sure it’s better now, but that’s not why you go to Casa Bonita. It’s for the experience. Add it to your list, and you won’t regret it. You’ll need to get there via a rideshare unless you rent a car. It’s located on West Colfax.

This is another true Colorado eatery. Widely recognized as Denver’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, it was founded in 1893. Then it was a saloon known as The Rio Grande Exchange. Now, it’s a steakhouse that is way more than your average “steakhouse.” As it says on Google, “Where mounted game gaze on dishes of yak, ostrich, elk & Rocky Mountain oysters.” What’s great about the Buckhorn Exchange is that it’s right by a Light Rail station, so it’s easy access.

Cherry Cricket — Downtown

If you love burgers, this restaurant is for you. Cherry Cricket has some of the best burgers in Denver, and it’s in a great location if you stay downtown (as we recommended). From Google, “Long-running hub with build-your-own burgers among other American staples & a large beer selection.”

As it says on the restaurant’s website, “the oldest bar in Denver, continuously serving fine beers and spirits since 1873.” Now it serves up great burgers to boot. Even better, the bar and eatery is located in downtown Denver. From Google, “Laid-back haunt with no sign serving up burgers & beers while classical music plays on the speakers.

You can’t go to a Broncos game and not check out Shanahan’s, the high-end steakhouse owned by former Super Bowl-winning Denver head coach Mike Shanahan. You could also go to Elway’s, named for and owned by Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, but for this, let’s go with Shanahan’s. One thing you could do is go to Elway’s Tap Room and Grill at DIA before your flight from Denver, and then you can experience both. Shanahan’s is located in the Denver Tech Center, so it’s nowhere near downtown Denver. You’ll need to get there via rideshare and make reservations to get a table. It’s also pricey, so this won’t be for everyone.

Empower Field at Mile High parking, rideshare, and transit options

The best and most effective way to get to Mile High is the RTD Light Rail. If you stay in LoDo, you can board at Union Station. From there, you’re at the stadium drop-off after one stop.

There is a bit of a walk from the stadium stop to Mile High, but it beats finding, fighting, and paying for parking. And since parking is limited to begin with, you’re bound to end up walking to the stadium anyway. The difference is that you won’t pay at least $20 to do so.

Standard fare on Light Rail is $2.75.

For those wanting to do rideshare, this is what it says on the stadium website:

The drop-off area is located at the NE corner of the stadium near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle.

Rideshare pickup area is located on the corner of 5th and Walnut St. at the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot, approximately a 15-minute walk east of the stadium.

In terms of parking, the stadium has limited on-site lots that require a permit.

From the stadium, about on-site parking:

There are approximately 6,500 parking spaces on-site at the stadium and 15,000 additional spaces in independent parking lots near the stadium area.

For Denver Broncos home games, spaces in on-site stadium lots are reserved solely for season ticket holders with pre-sold permits. A limited number of gameday spaces are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis in Lots A & C. Lot A has a carpool section (must have 4 people in your car to buy a space). Lot C is the early tailgating lot and typically sells out within the first hour of being open.

Based on experience, if you’re coming to Denver, use the Light Rail.

In fact, you can take the train from DIA to Union Station in downtown Denver, and then walk to your hotel, especially if it’s the Oxford, since it’s right across the street. Limit the stress and make it easy for yourself and family/friends.

Tailgating at Mile High Stadium

If you decide to rent a car and go through the rigmarole of tailgating, you’ll need to get a permit and pray you get a space. To best experience the tailgating at Mile High, walk around and explore the different and popular tailgates all around the stadium.

The fans are incredibly welcoming, and most have social media and/or sites to connect with them before showing up.

Perhaps the best tailgating experience is through the Broncos VIP Pre-Game Tailgate.

As it says on the page linked above:

Open three hours prior to kickoff for Broncos and opposing team fans, come watch the early games broadcast live.

The tailgate is located at the monument to the old Mile High Stadium grounds on the northwest side of the stadium.

All food and drinks are included in the price. It’s all-you-can-eat premium food stations, exclusively created by Food Network Celebrity Chef Aaron May. The menu looks amazing, by the way.

If that wasn’t enough, as the site says …

The Mile High Stadium Experience

Even if you don’t do the VIP tailgate, everyone should check out the Mile High Monument. It’s a nostalgic trip walking into the mini version of Old Mile High. So show up a few hours early before the rush hits. This is a popular destination.

After checking out the mini Mile High, walk south to the Ring of Fame Plaza, where you’ll find the 8-foot steel monuments in honor of each of the Broncos Ring of Fame inductees. Included in the Plaza is a statue of Hall of Fame owner Pat Bowlen. The Plaza is incredibly well done, but if you want to get your picture with your favorite player’s monument, you’ll need to do so quickly, as the Plaza fills up the closer you get to kickoff.

Because the Plaza is where the Broncos enter the stadium. About two hours before kickoff, you’ll see players arriving for the game. If you have kids and get a prime spot, some players stop for autographs. You can also take pictures or record a video. This is obviously a popular location.

As for getting into the stadium, gates open one hour before kickoff, and you’ll need to pass through security to enter.

As the stadium page says:

“Prior to entering stadium gates, all patrons will be subject to security screening, including metal detector screening and inspection of bags or other items carried in. Please plan on arriving at gates no later than 1 hour prior to the event start time to ensure you are in your seat on time. By tendering a ticket and entering the stadium, you consent to such searches and waive any related claims that you might have against the NFL, its member clubs, their affiliates, and stadium landlord, or their agents. If you elect not to consent to the searches, you will be denied entry into the stadium. The level of screening may be modified on an event-by-event basis at the discretion of Empower Field at Mile High management.”

The franchise has done a great job of providing a wide range of food and beverage options throughout the stadium, catering to just about any palate.

It’s also recommended to get to your seats at least 30 minutes prior to kickoff to see the Thunderstorm skydivers. Just as it sounds, four crazy people jump out of a plane and land on the Mile High turf. It’s a really cool experience.

From there, you’ll see Thunder gallop around the stadium and the introduction of the players.

The only thing left to do is bring the Rocky Mountain Thunder and yell “In-Com-Plete.”