Berkeley
Berkeley is a hip, thriving neighborhood that oozes personality and culture. This hot spot boasts two large lakes surrounded by parks, Berkeley Lake Park and Rocky Mountain Lake Park - perfect for strolling, picnics, or soaking in mountain views and the city skyline. Downtown Denver is a short 15-minute car ride away.
You will notice that Berkeley is an ideal jumping-off point for exploring Denver, Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, ski country, mountain towns, Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, and much more. One of the perks of staying here is the easy access to grocery stores and local eats.
If you are headed Downtown, get oriented at Union Station, which has been reimagined as a cultural hub with cafes, art, and shopping. From Union Station, Coors Field is within walking distance to the North, while Ball Arena (Nuggets and Avalanche) is to the South. Trendy Larimer Street is also nearby. You can catch a light rail train at Union Station to get to Empower Field at Mile High. The 16th Street Mall offers a free shuttle, which is the best way to get to the Denver Performing Arts Center as well as the State Capitol and Denver Mint.
Further East, it’s a short Uber ride to City Park, Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Botanical Gardens, and other attractions. The new Meow Wolf art experience is worth checking out, as are the Denver Aquarium and Elitch Gardens. All three are near Empower Field and the REI Flagship store.
Here for a concert? Red Rocks is a mere 20 minutes away by car. You may want to check out this area regardless of your itinerary – it’s a unique place, and its gateway town of Morrison is charming. Link up an easygoing riverside hike at Lair O’ The Bear or an afternoon paddle boarding or skating in Evergreen to make a day of it. Further south, you’ll find Roxborough State Park (40 minutes) for more hiking trails. One of Colorado’s main draws is Rocky Mountain National Park, which makes for a great day trip. Drive 1.5 hours through a dramatic canyon for a day of hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing.
Depending on your destination, skiing is 1-3 hours away. Locals head to Echo Mountain, Eldora (near Boulder), or Loveland (near Georgetown) for a more low-key experience. We’re also within a few hours of Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and other snowy delights. There is a Nordic center near Breck if you want to try out cross-country skiing, and the summer months are a great time to rent a kayak to explore Dillon Reservoir.
In short, this is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the best of Denver and the Rockies! It’s impossible to see everything in one visit, so we look forward to hosting you again after you fall in love with Mile High Life!
