Spring in Denver: what to do since winter basically didn’t show up

Denver spring is a little chaotic in the best way. One day it’s patio weather, the next day it’s snowing sideways and everyone acts surprised — like we haven’t all lived here long enough to know better. This year, winter’s been unseasonably warm, which means spring activities are showing up early. Consider this your permission slip to get outside, be mildly smug about it and still keep a jacket in the car.

Here are some great things to do in the Denver area in spring — whether you want sunshine, culture, sports or that specific Colorado hobby of hiking in shorts while carrying a puffer.

Claim a patio like it’s your full-time job

When the weather warms up, Denver does what it does: immediately migrates to outdoor dining. Rooftop bars and patios in LoHi and the RiNo Arts District fill up fast, especially on those early spring weekends when everyone’s acting like it’s July.

Pro tip: Go earlier in the day if you hate waiting, or embrace the wait and pretend you’re “just strolling the neighborhood.”

Hit Red Rocks — even if you’re not going to a concert (yet)

Red Rocks Amphitheatre isn’t just for summer shows and people who really love live music. Spring is perfect for:

• Hiking the Trading Post Trail during the day
• Getting a workout on the stairs (free, scenic and humbling)

And yes, early-season concerts start popping up, so keep an eye on the calendar if you want to be outdoors with thousands of your closest strangers.

Go see the blooms before everyone else does

If spring had an official aesthetic, it would be the Denver Botanic Gardens. This is the time for tulips and cherry blossoms, especially in the Japanese Garden, which basically looks like it was designed for your camera roll.

It’s also one of the best spring outings because it feels like you “did something,” but you’re mostly just walking slowly and admiring plants. A+ pacing.

Sports season is back (and so are your opinions)

Spring in Denver means baseball is back at Coors Field. Catch a Colorado Rockies game for the sunshine, the skyline views and the extremely committed hope that this could be the year.

And if you like your sports with a side of stress, spring is also playoff season:

• NBA: Denver Nuggets
• NHL: Colorado Avalanche

Watch at the arena or post up somewhere with TVs and snacks and pretend you understand every strategic decision.

Hike for wildflowers and accidental wildlife sightings

Warm winter = things start blooming early, which is great if you’re into wildflowers or just want a hike that looks like it belongs on a postcard.

A couple of solid spring picks:

• Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge: Great for wildlife spotting without driving deep into the mountains.
• Lookout Mountain and nearby foothills: Ideal for spring hikes and early wildflower hunting.

Bring layers. Bring water. Try not to act shocked when a “quick hike” turns into a full personality shift.

Do the festivals thing (even if you ‘don’t usually do crowds’)

Denver spring is stacked with events, and you can absolutely pick the ones that match your energy level.

Highlights include:

• Denver Chalk Art Festival
• Five Points Jazz Festival

Even if you only stay for an hour, you still get to say you “checked it out.”

Spring skiing: Yes, you can do both

One of the more unfair things about Colorado is that Denver can be warming up while the mountains are still in full spring-ski mode. Take a day trip for:

• Spring skiing
• Snowshoeing

It’s the rare season where you can get sun on a patio in the city and still find snow in the high country. (Just don’t forget sunscreen. Spring sun is sneaky.)

Free (or cheap) spring fun that doesn’t feel like settling

If you’re trying to keep it low-key — financially or emotionally — spring is still loaded with good options:

• Check out free days at the Denver Art Museum
• Stroll or picnic at city parks like Washington Park

Sometimes the best spring plan is “walk around somewhere pretty and then get coffee.” Denver is built for that.

Spring survival tips (because this is still Denver)

• Expect rapid weather changes. March can absolutely snow. May is usually sunny and warm, but “usually” is doing a lot of work there.
• Dress in layers. The classic move is sunglasses + a jacket you can carry.
• Plan flexible outings. Outdoor plans are great — just have a backup in case Denver decides to Denver.

Spring in the Denver area is basically an early-start bonus round: patios open up, the parks come alive, Red Rocks becomes everyone’s gym and the mountains still have snow. Take advantage while it lasts — because summer will be here in five minutes.