car hire denver
From ski season to opera season, Denver doesn't disappoint. Pick up your rental car and hit the Rocky road. Book car hire denver now
the 60-second guide to denver
in its own head
"We're the thinking man's city, the jewel in America's cultural and political crowns."
but more realistically
Hosting the annual Democratic National Convention does give Denver a touch of sophistication, and also means services and food places are pretty special, but the city's proximity to the breathtaking Rocky Mountains gives it lots of bonus points for nature too.
the vibe
Outdoorsy. Denverites are so keen on their sport, singletons have swapped speed dating for ski dating. Can you really pull in salopettes?
the natives
With mountains on their doorstep and blessed with generally sunny weather, it's no wonder Denverites have a reputation as sporty sorts, taking off for weekends of skiing, hiking and kayaking.
the weather
The average temperature in Denver is 10°C, with monsoon season starting mid-July. Summer hits a pleasant 31°C so there's bikini potential.
the local speciality
Tuck into a fortifying Denver omelette, filled with diced ham, onions, and green peppers, sometimes with a cheesy coat on.
the celebrity
Kelsey Grammer and Gloria Estefan have both been spotted hitting the slopes at the nearby Vail ski resort.
did you know?
Denver is nicknamed the Mile-High City because its official elevation is exactly one mile, or 1,609m (5,280ft) above sea level.
they say
"Denver was apparently just recently rated the most liveable city in America by someone who knows." - Courtney Taylor-Taylor of The Dandy Warhols
5 to see in town...
- 1. Botanic Gardens
- 2. Children's Museum
- 3. Colorado History Museum
- 4. Denver Art Museum
- 5. Elitch Gardens
'Dinosaurs rock', says the Denver Botanical Gardens, and they do. There are also rare Mexican butterflies, plants and flowers, from aquatic to tropical and a peaceful Japanese garden to feast your eyes on.
where to park?
There's free parking located just across from the entrance.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Botanic Gardens
- 2. Children's Museum
- 3. Colorado History Museum
- 4. Denver Art Museum
- 5. Elitch Gardens
Let the little tykes tire themselves out roaming around this play-ducational funfest, complete with its own kid-size supermarket.
where to park?
There is a visitors' car park at the museum.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Botanic Gardens
- 2. Children's Museum
- 3. Colorado History Museum
- 4. Denver Art Museum
- 5. Elitch Gardens
A comprehensive and frankly excellent journey through all the bits of American frontier history that didn't make it into the movies. Get the lowdown on fur trapping, buffalo hunts and the early pioneers. And it's free.
where to park?
You'll find parking at the Cultural Center Parking Garage at 12th Avenue and Broadway.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Botanic Gardens
- 2. Children's Museum
- 3. Colorado History Museum
- 4. Denver Art Museum
- 5. Elitch Gardens
Two vast architectural beasts doff their cap to Denver's cultural pride. Prized among the exhibits is the collection of American Indian art, from prehistoric times to the present.
where to park?
Either park at the garage at 12th Avenue and Broadway for $1 per hour or use metered parking.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Botanic Gardens
- 2. Children's Museum
- 3. Colorado History Museum
- 4. Denver Art Museum
- 5. Elitch Gardens
Done the museums? Channel your inner child at this 70-acre amusement and water park. Shake up your bones on Chaos - a ride that promises 'random three-dimensional rocking'. Fun.
where to park?
There's a free visitors' car park.
and 4 to drive to...
A veritable skiing paradise, good for mixed-ability groups with ski schoolers and thrill seekers well catered for. There is also a kick-ass après-ski scene.
how to get there?
You can reach Vail from Denver in just over an hour and a half. Follow the I-70 W toward Grand Junction, then take exit 176, following signs for the resort.
and 4 to drive to...
With some of the best snow and slopes around, not to mention three beauty spas and warm cookies waiting for you on your return, this is the skiing high life.
how to get there?
The drive from Denver takes just over two hours. Follow the I-70 W toward Grand Junction, take exit 169 for US-6 and join Village Road, following signs for Beaver Creek.
and 4 to drive to...
3000 acres of award-winning terrain, offering all sorts of snow-based antics, including skiing, ice skating and night-time snowbike excursions.
how to get there?
Follow the I-70 W toward Grand Junction, take exit 232 to merge onto US-40 W toward Empire Granby and turn left at Winter Park Drive. The journey will take around an hour and a half.
and 4 to drive to...
The gold-mining gun-toting hero of the Wild West, aka William F. Cody, asked to be buried atop Lookout Mountain, giving visitors to his grave more to see than a mouldy old headstone.
how to get there?
It's only a half-hour drive from Denver, following the I-70 W toward Grand Junction and taking exit 256 towards Lookout Mountain.
ask a denver cabbie!
Local taxi driver Jack Kaufman on car hire in Denver: "To avoid drive-time jams tune into Radio KOA Denver (850AM), as it has 24-hour traffic news on the hour and half hour. If you mind your own business, drive carefully, keep your mouth shut and your fingers on your wheel, road rage won't be a problem!"