Denver Diaries: Kicking Off My Solo Adventure in the Mile-High City Part I

Union Station

Colorado is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and endless outdoor activities. Denver, the state's vibrant capital, overlooks the majestic Rocky Mountains and offers a plethora of exciting things to do. As a Florida girl and beach lover, Denver was never high on my list of cities to visit. But when I found a round-trip ticket on Frontier Airlines for just $118, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. So, off to Denver I went!

It had been a few years since I last traveled solo. Recently, my adventures have been with friends and my other half. However, this time, my partner couldn't join me, and my friends weren’t interested. I refused to let this opportunity slip by, so I decided to embark on this journey alone. There's no time like the present, right? You all know I love to maximize my time on vacation, and as a solo traveler, I meticulously planned my itinerary to ensure I was never bored.

Day 1: Hitting the Ground Running

I arrived in Denver around 4 PM, eager to dive into my adventure. If you're not familiar with Denver International Airport, it's a long trek through the terminals, which felt like a hike in itself. As I walked, I could already feel the difference in the thinner atmosphere—walking through the airport left me surprisingly out of breath!

I took a 27-minute ride on the RTD (Denver’s rail system) from the airport to Union Station in downtown Denver. From there, I hopped into an Uber and headed to Hostel Fish, a cozy hostel located in the heart of downtown Denver, just two blocks from Rockies Stadium. It had been nearly a decade since I last stayed in a hostel, but I chose this option for its affordability and the opportunity to meet fellow travelers. Most people staying there were doing exactly what I was—exploring solo and eager to make new connections.

Check-in at Hostel Fish was a breeze since I had paid in advance. I simply filled out some paperwork, received my key card, and headed to my room. I was in a female-only dorm with five bunks. After getting settled, I quickly changed and headed out to explore Denver's Final Friday event at Larimer Square.

During the summer months, Larimer Square hosts a free event called Final Friday, featuring live music and entertainment. The atmosphere was electric, giving me a taste of what it’s like to live in Denver. People were chatting and enjoying meals with friends and family, and at Tamayo, a lively Mariachi band was performing heartfelt ballads, inviting patrons to dance along. 

After soaking in the Final Friday vibes, I was ready for a bar crawl in the RiNo (River North Art) District, an artsy neighborhood filled with vibrant restaurants, bars, street murals, art studios, and galleries. I love doing bar crawls on solo trips because they’re a fantastic way to explore the city, meet new people, and maybe even score some free drinks. Of course, since I was alone, I planned to take it easy on the alcohol (safety first!), especially because the high altitude amplifies its effects.

The bar crawl began at Beacon, a unique blend of immersive art and a lively bar scene. Upon arrival, my super-friendly guide informed me that I was the only one who showed up. I had two options: 1) Get a refund—boring, since I was really looking forward to the crawl; or 2) Relocate to another bar crawl happening in a different part of town—YES! That’s more like it! I chose the latter, and my guide whisked me off to the LoDo (Lower Downtown) neighborhood to join another crawl.

By the time I arrived, the group was already on their second bar, and everyone was socializing and having a blast. The crawl included over 40 people, divided into teams for some Olympic-themed bar games. I was placed on Team France, which was already in third place. My team consisted of six people from Denver and various parts of the U.S., all friendly and eager to connect. We played games like cornhole, flip cup, and beer pong (don’t worry, the cups only had water!). 

The final stop was at Mile High Spirits, a small-batch distillery and bar. Here, we learned that Team France finished in third place—not too shabby, considering there were five other teams! I mingled a bit more at Mile High Spirits before heading back to Hostel Fish for the night

As I settled in for the night at Hostel Fish, I couldn't help but feel excited about what the next few days in Denver would bring. Day 1 had already exceeded my expectations, from the vibrant energy of Larimer Square to the unexpected fun of the bar crawl. But this was just the beginning. Tomorrow, I’m diving deeper into the Mile-High City, ready to explore more of its unique charm and hidden gems. Stay tuned for the next chapter of my Denver Diaries, where the adventure continues!