(Newswire.net — December 21, 2020) —
Denver is a beautiful place with so much to do. Not only can you find awesome paid attractions, but there are plenty of things available for free. For those that haven’t visited Denver before or been to a bigger city, it can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. To help try and calm those feelings, we put together a list of 12 things you should know before visiting Denver. Keep these in mind as you plan your trip and remember them when you get to your destination!
Higher Elevation
Denver is 5,280 feet above sea level, which can lead to things like altitude sickness, headaches, dizziness, and tiredness. To help with this, there are some medications on the market that are created specifically for these things. It might not be a big change to those that live in areas that are high altitude, but many people haven’t been to an area with an altitude that high. To help prepare yourself for this altitude, try and make sure you talk with our doctor and try to find a place where you can slowly increase your altitude. You’ll also want to make sure you drink plenty of water and eat regularly.
Colorado Craft Brew
If you’re planning a trip to Denver and looking for a traditional beer, you probably won’t find one. Some places might have various Coors products on tap, but most will only have craft beers that were crafted in Colorado. Not only are the locals very proud of these beers, but they can get a little defensive if you have anything bad to say. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a new craft beer, you might love the options they have. Since they are all crafted in Colorado, you could even visit some of the breweries that craft your newfound favorite.
Mostly Dog-Friendly
Something that surprises a large number of people is the fact that Denver pretty much considers dogs to be close to humans. You’ll have a hard time finding an area that isn’t dog-friendly and even if they have a sign saying so, most people will still bring their dogs. You’ll have a hard time trying to convince the locals of anything different, so you might as well get used to the idea before going. This is also great news for those that will be taking their dog with them because it means you’ll be able to bring them with you to more places.
Fire Bans
Since Colorado has times where the weather is very dry, there will probably be fire bans put into place during specific months. This is to help ensure that there aren’t any wildfires or fires that get too out of control. It can put a damper on any camping plans, but you’ll have to face a hefty fine and possible jail time if you’re caught having a fire during these months. The best thing to do is either call the city or look on the city’s website to see whether or not there’s a fire ban in place.
Casual Dress
In Denver, pretty much everyone dresses casually unless it’s someone who works in an office or business setting. For the locals, getting fancy means putting on some nice jeans and a flannel. This is great for those that don’t really like dressing up because they can meet the clothing trends without being uncomfortable. The best part about this is that you can wear an outfit on casual outings and keep it on to have a nice dinner. With that said, though, there’s nothing that says you can’t dress fancier and some places might require a certain dress code.
Expensive
This won’t be a big issue for those that live in more expensive cities, but the cost of things can catch a lot of people off-guard. Not only are food items more expensive, but so is everything else. This is especially true for areas that are mostly targeted towards out-of-towners and tourists. With this being the case, you’ll want to make sure you look up any prices before going and have plenty of cash on you. If you only have so much cash in your wallet, you can stop at any of the thousands of ATMs to pull more money.
Local Slang
Similar to pretty much any other place, the locals in Denver have certain slang words and phrases. This might throw tourists for a loop because they know many of the same things by different names. If this is something you’re nervous about, try and do some research before going and get accustomed to the local talk. Keep in mind, people from different parts of the city will have different slang terms than people from different areas. This isn’t something you absolutely have to do, but it can make your visit or vacation more relaxing and enjoyable.
Heavy Traffic
Another important thing to know about Denver is that there’s a lot of heavy traffic. Even though the city isn’t as big as others, it’s full of people and cars. This includes the freeway, as well as local roads. With this being the case, it’s important to consider how far you’ll have to drive to get to certain areas. You’ll also want to look up the common traffic conditions on the days and times you’ll be going, which will let you know if you need to give yourself extra time. For example, if you’ll be traveling on a Tuesday at 3 pm, you’ll want to try and find information telling you how traffic usually is at this time.
Higher Speed Limits
To those that are visiting from areas with fewer people, the speed in Denver might come as a big shock. Even in construction areas, you’ll see signs that tell you to not go above 75. With this being the case, you’ll want to make sure you’re going with the flow of traffic because the locals won’t slow down. To make sure you avoid any confrontations or unnecessary altercations, you want to make sure you’re going the same speed as everyone else. It’s also a good idea to look up the traffic laws of the area.
Denver International Airport
People flying into Denver will be landing at the Denver International Airport. Since this is such a busy area, it can be hard to find parking at ParkDIA if the lots are full. There are a few different lots that have different costs. For example, the West or East garage will be $5 an hour or $35 a day for valet parking or $17 per day if you aren’t using the valet. You could also park at the Mt. Elbert Lot or the Pikes Peak Lot for $8. If you decide to stay off-site, you can find various garages around the airport that run about $7 per day. Make sure you look at this information beforehand and plan for the unexpected!
Nature Attractions
Not only is Denver an absolutely beautiful place, but the state has stunning natural attractions. Not only can you go hiking on several different trails, but you can do things like rock climbing, skiing, and tubing. You never know what you might come across, so make sure you have plenty of water and a full camera battery with you on your adventure.
Wild Weather Patterns
The final thing you should know before traveling to Denver is the fact that the state has unpredictable and sometimes wild weather patterns. You might have hot temperatures one day and a snowstorm the next. As a result, make sure you pack different types of clothing in your bag. It’s better to be over-prepared and not need it than to be under-prepared and have to run all over to buy what you need.
Hopefully, these things have helped with any uncertain feelings you might’ve been having about your trip. Not only can they help you know what to expect, but they can also help you remember the important things about the city. If you don’t still feel like you’re ready or know enough, do some more research and use that information along with these. The most important thing is to have fun, enjoy your trip, and make some amazing memories.