The ‘Mile-High City,’ a go-to destination for modern explorers, hosts a mix of culture and adventure. Among endless restaurants, breweries, parks and hikes, our guide will help you cut right into the good stuff.

1. The city’s central area is broken up into several up-and-coming neighborhoods. There’s Uptown, Capitol Hill and the Golden Triangle, LoDo (Lower Downtown), Central Business District, and Cherry Street. Each has its own claim to fame, like shopping centers or historical monuments, but all are worth exploring.
2. For art and culture, look above central Denver to the River North Art District, or RiNo. Stylishly renovated industrial buildings dominate this recent addition to the Denver limelight. Prime nightlife alongside unique venues like The Source market hall kicked off the RiNo boom.
3. On the west side of Denver lays a treasure trove of parks and outdoor recreation areas, including the famous Red Rocks Park. Find an AirBnB or small hostel in western suburb Lakewood for a midpoint between outdoor adventures and the bustle of downtown.

1. It would be impossible to choose just one place, but if it comes down to it, the Denver Biscuit Co. is an icon that every tourist should try. With origins as a food truck now expanded to several locations, they specialize in southern-style breakfast featuring mostly — you guessed it — biscuits.
2. Lunchtime offers an equally full slate of options, so instead of a specific restaurant, we recommend a common staple that can be found across the city — green chile with pork. Another traditional menu item to look out for is a bison burger, which you can enjoy alongside Denver’s famous microbrews.
3. For dinner, try a little history with your meal by going to Buckhorn Exchange — the oldest restaurant in Denver — or Sam’s No. 3, a common list-maker that has evolved to become the last of a family-owned string of simple diner joints.

1. Though it may not get the recognition of Nashville or Austin, Denver is well-known for its live music scene. Hundreds of locations have regular performances, but for a truly Denver experience, check out the Ogden Theatre, Bluebird Theater, Summit, or Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
2. The area has plenty of history and culture for inquisitive types. The History Colorado Center, Denver Art Museum, SPACE Gallery, or the Denver Museum of Nature & Science should provide your fill of renaissance.
3. Dozens if not hundreds of breweries and tap houses, both big and small, call Denver home. Self-guided brewery tours explore the breweries of specific neighborhoods.

1. Nestled among the plateaus and foothills of the lower Rocky Mountains range, Denver is chock-full of parks and nature areas. The Denver Botanic Gardens, Centennial Gardens along the river, and the City Park are all within 10 minutes of central Denver.
2. For a rougher experience than city parks, the western edge of the Denver metro abuts near-directly into the Rocky Mountain National Park and adjacent National Forests. Hundreds of trailheads are accessible in less than an hour’s drive for hiking, camping and mountain biking galore.
3. The South Platte River winds its way through the heart of the city. A common fly fishing destination, it is also accessible for kayaking. Lakes are plentiful in Denver as well — try Sloan’s Lake Park or Cherry Creek State Park for two of the most centrally accessible options.

You can’t go wrong in this bastion of exploration, and whether getting your fix in museums or wilderness, don’t forget that it’s called ‘Mile-High City’ for a reason — a pair of STNGR EDGE shades is a necessity that close to the sun.