You can explore its natural beauty when you go hiking on its mountains. There are some good bike paths and parks in the city as well. Before you embark on a tour of Denver, you’d like to know more about its climate. So, let’s see how the four seasons are in this part of Colorado.

1. Spring

Denver enjoys its spring season from April to May. This is the time when the spring breakers have left and the sunbathers haven’t arrived yet. You’ll see lesser crowds in various parts of the city. This is the right time to get around in Colorado’s capital and explore its popular attractions. The climate would be extremely pleasant during this season, but it also brings the possibility of a snowstorm.

You’ll have many fun events happening across the city during this time of the year. The restaurants and bars also host massive parties that often reach the streets. If you don’t wish to join the revelry, make sure you stay away from the downtown. They can get crowded during weekends owing to the events and parades.

2. Summer

Summer arrives in the city in June and lasts until August. A regular afternoon rain brings some respite when the day gets hot. It also makes the evening perfect for going to a concert at Red Rocks. During summers, the crowds get bigger. However, you’ll have plenty of choices in outdoor activities.

You’ll see all the food and fashion trucks come together at the Civic Center. Over 20 farmers’ markets host the festive and weekly street fairs in the city. The art and music fairs add to the excitement in the parks. Summer is also an ideal time to embark on a hiking trip to the mountains.

3. Fall

The fall season begins in September and lasts until November. You’ll experience the best climate in Denver during fall. Temperatures remain consistent throughout the day and the atmosphere is dry. Spend every second under the sky if you can in this season.

This is one of the best times of the year to head to the parks and mountains. You can also go on bike rides through the city and stop at some breweries for refreshments. Taking a drive to the high country would also be a good idea. It allows you to witness the aspens change to gold.

4. Winter

Winter from December to March would be the right time to head to the mountains for skiing. The room rates in hotels will drop a bit, but the weather is quite unpredictable. There are days when the temperature shows 75 degrees and the very next day there’ll be snow.

Spring break in March brings in massive crowds, especially to the mountains. The airport gets busy as people arrive to enjoy spring break in Denver. Winter is the time when theater-goers throng the performance venues. They host everything from Broadway shows and operas to ballets and comedies.

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This is where RTD buses and trains come across as the cost-effective options. The bus system of RTD is the city’s primary choice in public transportation. However, you can also use RTD’s light rail system to get to your desired spot in the city.

The fare zones

Light rail and bus service is included in the local fare service. Another service included in local fare service are local services to the airport. Call-n-Ride service for individuals having mobility problems also comes under the local fare service. Bus and rail service covering a larger portion of Denver’s metroplex are included in the regional service. It also has expanded routes to the airport.

There are four fare zones under the RTD, namely A, B, C, and airport. If you choose to travel in one or two of these zones, it will be considered a local fare. The regional fare applies if you choose to travel in three zones. If you start or end your trip in the Airport zone, it will be considered as an airport fare.

Bus lines

There are many individual routes and miles of bus lines in Denver’s RTD. The bus system is the city’s primary means of public transport. It is also the best way to reach your desired destination in the city.

Rail system

You must use the train system of Denver if you’ll be covering a lot of ground. The city’s rail system includes the Commuter Rail and Light Rail. They’re the first train system of the city and help you get from one neighborhood to the other easily. The rail systems in Denver currently cover 13 district rail lines and 113 miles of rail. Let’s take a look at the two options of the city’s rail system:

1. RTD Light Rail

The Light Rail is a great option to get through multiple neighborhoods quickly. Although it’s more confined compared to Commuter Rail system, the service runs through many parts of the Denver metroplex. Multiple lines of this service stop frequently throughout Denver.

2. RTD Commuter Rail

When compared to the Light Rail routes, you’ll find the routes on the Commuter Rail system typically longer. They also stop less frequently. The RTD Commuter Rail is similar to the Light Rail, but has different routes and trains.

Fares and passes

You can use day passes for multiple rides and they’re valid on RTD for one service day. The monthly pass would be useful if you plan on using the services of RTD frequently during an extended stay. Also included in an all day and monthly pass is the service to the airport. If you’re using a ticket book, you’ll need to pay a small upgrade fee. You can transfer passes between the bus and rail services.

Discount in fares of RTD are available for those over 65 years of age. Children aged 6 to 19 and individuals with disabilities are also eligible for discounted fares. Active military personnel with proper identification and children under 5 can use RTD service free of charge.

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It is home to many beautiful parks, which include the Civic Center Park, City Park, and Washington Park. Today, Denver is one of the most popular cities to live in the United States. While getting around in the city, you’ll come across many fascinating attractions. Here we’ve listed some of them:

1. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater

This is one of the most famous attractions worth exploring if you’re in Denver. If you don’t have a car, you can take a shuttle to reach Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. This venue attracts a lot of music buffs every season and hosts live music events. You can also consider visiting the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. It will help you know more about the greatest musicians of Colorado.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is located about 15 miles from the city center. However, the commute will be worth the effort. The name of this place comes from the red sandstone rock formations that form the walls of the amphitheater.

2. Denver Botanic Gardens

Spread across a vast area of 23 acres, the Denver Botanic Gardens is located close to Cheeseman Park. It places a greater focus on the native plants and practices that are sustainable and environmentally responsible. You’ll find a variety of plants here that are from different parts of the world. The Denver Botanic Gardens was first laid out in the mid-20th century.

Consisting of 43 individual gardens, it is one of the country’s largest botanical gardens. Among the highlights are Marnie’s Pavilion, which has orchids, waterfalls, and ferns. You’ll also love exploring the Japanese Garden and Boettcher Memorial Conservatory.

3. Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Among the top cultural attractions in this city is the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. In this museum, you’ll get to see the most fabulous exhibits. They include the remains of animals from the Ice Age and the imposing skeletons of dinosaurs.

You’ll also be delighted to see the collection of minerals that have come from the Coors family. Don’t miss one of Colorado’s largest gold nuggets during your visit to this museum. Also worth checking out is an IMAX theater and a Planetarium.

4. Denver Zoo

Denver Zoo was opened in the late 19th century. Owing to its rich history of conservation, it’s still considered one of Denver’s most popular attractions. This zoo has enclosures that have been created according to the needs of different species. One of the interesting things to see here are the stingrays, which can be found in the Stingray Cove.

The Toyota Elephant Passage will give you the chance to witness the African animals. If you wish to get closer to two wonderful Amur Tigers from Siberia, visit The EDGE. The Harmony Hill Bear Habitat in this zoo is home to the Grizzly Bear.

5. United States Mint

This is where the currency of the United States is created. The United States Mint is also the place for storing a part of the country’s gold reserves. You can get to this building once you go beyond the City and County Building. A free guided tour of the facility will allow you to learn the process of creating money. Souvenirs, commemorative coins, games and other items are available for sale at the on-site gift shop.

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Besides, the city also experiences a pleasant climate for most part of the year. This gives you another reason to try some exciting adventures in the city’s most enchanting places. Here are some of the activities you’d like to enjoy in Denver:

1. Hiking and mountain biking

Some of the terrain in Red Rocks Park is rough. So, if you plan to go hiking in the park, don’t forget to bring your hiking shoes. You must also be prepared for a sudden change in weather, which can occur at times. The Trading Post Trail stretches to 1.4 miles and goes winding through amazing rock formations. It also passes through a natural meadow and valleys.

If you wish to indulge in mountain biking, take the Red Rocks Trail. It begins at the Lower North Lot. The trail also splits into two segments. One goes north and connects to Matthews Park in Jefferson County. The other goes eastwards and connects to the Dakota Ridge Trail.

2. Driving up the 14,000-foot Mount Evans

The Mount Evans road opens only in October. It is opened from the Friday before Memorial Day through the first weekend. After Labor Day, the road closes at the Summit Lake. Mount Evans has North America’s highest paved auto road. It goes all the way to the 14,260-foot summit.

The view that you see from the summit covers the entire Front Range. You can enjoy a wildflower hike by stopping at M. Walter Pesman Trail. This will be your chance to see the rare flowers. You’ll also get to witness the bristlecone pine trees that date back 1,500 years.

3. Zip Lining

You’ll get to zoom above Clear Creek located in Idaho Springs with a canopy zip-line tour. It takes you to a height of up to 65 feet and allows you to witness some stunning sights. There are tour operators that provide do-it-all packages. With these packages, you can traverse the granite cliffs or roll down the mountain inside a giant ball. Towards the end of the adventures, you can also enjoy rafting on Clear Creek.

4. Watching the wild animals

Located at a distance of about 30 miles from Denver is The Wild Animal Sanctuary. It is a rescue and educational facility spread over 720 acres. You’ll be able to see over 350 rescued animals in action here. You can watch wolves, lions, and other carnivorous animals in their natural habitats.

This is one of the only places in the United States where you can do this. You’ll get to witness these incredible sights from an elevated walkway called ‘Mile Into the Wild’.

5. Taking a hot air balloon ride

This is the only way to truly see the Rocky Mountains. You can take a hot air balloon ride to enjoy breathtaking views of the majestic Rockies. As you soar high above the Front Range, you’ll get to see some of the awe-inspiring sights.

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