Quick Denver Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Sleep, & Have Fun in Mile High City

Denver packs a punch for travelers.

The Mile High City offers a unique range of appealing features, from its natural beauty to its young and independent outlook. It’s got a laidback-yet-hardworking reputation and is home to many distinct neighborhoods and communities.

In summary, it’s one of those Midwestern hotspots that seems to offer something for everyone.

While its main attraction is its natural wonders and proximity to the Rockies, there’s plenty to do without ever leaving Denver’s city limits.

Want to get more out of your Denver trip this time around? Take a load off with this handy Denver travel guide.

I’ve got the very best recommendations when it comes to finding great places to stay, popular eateries and bars, and memorable activities, from museums to tours.

Welcome to your total Denver travel guide.

Stay at these Denver hotels & rentals

Best hotels in Denver

Hotel Teatro

This classic Denver selection is known for its top-tier service and its stellar location. On top of its helpful, friendly staff and its downtown location, Hotel Teatro is also located inside a historic building, giving you a little glimpse into Denver’s rich past.

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Kimpton Hotel Monaco

This hotel offers a unique and elevated design, along with its highly rated on-site Panzano Italian Restaurant. Once again, guests get to enjoy the building’s historical appeal. Guests also rave about how quiet the grounds are.

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The Crawford Hotel

My final suggestion is located inside Union Station—one of the top attractions in the city. This hotel blends historic appeal, like the last two, but includes a few other cool amenities. You can enjoy Union Staton restaurants, for example, or wander the hotel’s three floors, each of which showcase a unique era in the city’s history.

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Explore more Denver hotels.

Best rentals in Denver

Historic carriage house

Often dubbed the No. 1 Airbnb in Denver, this gorgeous historic carriage house is located in one of the city’s coolest neighborhoods.

Not only can you get lost in the tiny details that make this Airbnb so charming, but you can easily get out and dive into the city’s most walkable and popular streets. It’s a win-win from just about every angle.

Book here

Loft in Denver

This downtown Denver loft lets you explore the city at your pace, giving you a quiet respite after a long day with its spacious and stylish open floor plan. It’s got all the basics covered, along with a few extras like its unique design and solid entertainment center.

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Platt Park Pearl

If you’re heading to the city with a larger group, consider staying at this bright and upgraded loft. I’m a huge fan of its freestanding tub and cool lofted beds, along with its flower-laden backyard. It’s yet another quiet stay for those who want a cozy retreat.

Book here

Explore more Airbnb rentals.

Eat at these Denver restaurants & bars

Best breweries: 14er Brewing Company & Sandlot Brewery

Explore more Denver breweries

Best eateries: Rioja & Happy Camper

Explore more Denver restaurants

Best bars: Ghost Donkey & The Abbey Tavern

Explore more Denver bars

Have fun at these Denver hotspots & go on these tours

Heading to Denver during Christmas? Check out these experiences and soak up the beautiful light displays.
Looking for the best things to do in Denver? Don’t miss these hotspots.
What about the best tours in Denver? I suggest looking at the top picks from TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide.

8 Hotels With a View of the Manhattan Skyline

Finding a good place to stay in New York City isn’t for the faint of heart.

New York City’s hustle starts even before you visit the city.

If you want to find a hotel that offers solid amenities and won’t break the bank, you need advice, some research skills, and plenty of patience.

That’s doubly true now that the city has changed the rules related to short-term rentals; platforms like Airbnb and VRB haven’t yet recalibrated since the change in policy.

What does that mean for your trip to NYC? You’re going to be shopping around primarily for hotels.

Unfortunately, most hotels aren’t nearly as affordable as vacation rentals. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, so long as you know which hotels are worth your money.

Along with location and amenities, you should be worried about getting a great view. For me, views are deceptively important. The bigger the city, the bigger the view should be.

Views will hold you over as you recover from a long day running around the city. If you’re too tired to go out, you can kick back with a drink in hand while you soak up the Manhattan skyline.

As one of the world’s most iconic urban landscapes, visitors around the city pay good money to visit cocktail lounges, restaurants, and other locations with views.

But if you play your cards right, you have them back at your hotel.

Looking for fantastic views of the Manhattan skyline? Start with these hotels. They’ve got top-tier views that let you get more out of your trip to New York City—even during your downtime.

Disclaimer: Visitors have two ways to see the Manhattan skyline, either from New Jersey or from Brooklyn and Queens. Both are great options, but I’m sticking to BK and Queens this time around.

Looking for affordable rentals, instead? Start here.
What about the coolest tours in the city? Go here.

Best Brooklyn hotels with a view of the Manhattan skyline

Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, Downtown Brooklyn

This five-star selection is the dreamiest option for visitors who want total views of the Manhattan Skyline—and the Brooklyn Bridge.

It’s a five-star selection, so be prepared to fork over thousands. That being said, there are multiple high-level amenities that make this worth the price tag for those who can splurge. As in, a stylish rooftop pool and an on-site restaurant with panoramic views.

Book here

The Box House Hotel, Greenpoint

This trendy hotel is located in the hyper-cool neighborhood of Greenpoint, putting right you into Brooklyn’s hippest streets.

Along with art-filled rooms and suites, guests also have access to a rooftop with stunning panoramic views of the Manhattan Skyline. Some rooms also have views, so be sure to ask for one when booking.

And if you want my opinion, Greenpoint and Long Island City (below, in Queens) are the best places for that view.

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The William Vale Hotel

If you’ve visited Brooklyn over the last decade, you’ve probably heard someone talking about the William Vale Hotel. It’s one of the starkest impressions in the Williamsburg skyline, commanding attention thanks to its modern, brutalist structure.

Inside is a luxury hotel—and it’s got great views. Once again, be sure to request rooms that showcase the Manhattan skyline, as not all have them. Or head to the rooftop bar and lounge to have a drink while soaking up the sunset.

(I’ve been up there before—it’s absolutely worth a visit, even if you don’t stay at the William Vale.)

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The Hoxton

This is another Williamsburg selection, which puts you smack in the center of Brooklyn’s most famous neighborhood. The Hoxton is a seamless extension of the world you’ll find outside its doors.

It’s trendy, hyper-chic, and fresh in all the right ways. Once again, request rooms with a view of the skyline or pick a time to soak up the views at the on-site restaurant and bars.

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Arlo Williamsburg

I’m rounding off my Brooklyn suggestions with another five-star hotel. The Arlo Williamsburg goes above and beyond to showcase its Manhattan skyline views, including from its suites, rooftop pool, lounge, and terraces. It’s not quite as chic as Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, in my opinion, but I think it leverages its views in a more consistent and commanding way.

Book here

Best Queens hotels with a view of the Manhattan skyline

Boro Hotel

Long Island City (in Queens) gives you the best of many worlds. It’s a transportation hub that can take you into Manhattan, Brooklyn, and deeper into Queens and Long Island.

That means you’ll be paying less to lodge in Long Island City without being stranded far away from the action. On top of that, Boro Hotel offers beautiful views of the skyline straight from many of its rooms—and its layout is designed to maximize the vistas.

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LIC hotel

LIC takes its name from Long Island City, the same neighborhood discussed above. Again, it’s not central, but it won’t take you long to get where you want to go from here.

The LIC Hotel is a more basic three-star selection that lets you comfortably relax and recharge after a long day. Though it doesn’t look like many rooms have a skyline view, there’s a massive rooftop where you can hang out and soak up the sights.

Book here

Ravel Hotel Trademark Collection

This sleek and modern hotel offers all the necessary amenities that visitors need—with some extra flash and panache. Its bathrooms are particularly beautiful for anyone who enjoys high design.

Once more, request a room that features the Manhattan Skyline. That’s particularly important here as it doesn’t look like there’s a rooftop where you can kick back to soak up the views.

Book here

Stop Thinking & Start Traveling With One-Click Trips

Tis the season for travel trend reports.

From Booking to Expedia, the travel world is abuzz with next year’s potential.

Which trends will actually take off? Which ideas will fall flat?

It’s too soon to tell—but that hasn’t stopped passionate travelers from trying to get ahead of the game.

One of the more interesting predictions from Expedia is the rise of one-click trips. These are travel experiences purchased from social media influencers and correlates to Expedia’s new Travel Shops endeavor.

As per the report, “According to Expedia’s Unpack ’25 data, 49% of travelers asked say they’ve previously wanted to book an entire trip they’ve seen on social media, from flights and activities to restaurants and car rental.”

That’s where Expedia’s new Travel Shops comes in.

Travel Shops make it easy for you to shop around for drool-worthy experiences, stays, and more around the world. And you can purchase them with a single click of the mouse—it’s really that easy.

But I want to dig a little deeper into this concept.

Beyond the scope of Expedia’s Travel Shops, what other sorts of one-click experiences are travelers interested in? Given one of Expedia’s biggest predictions is the rise of all-inclusive hotel bookings, I’m going to categorize these two trends together.

One-click trips and all-inclusive resorts have one thing in common: They pass the responsibility of planning and/or booking trips off to someone else.

While that probably sounds obvious, this is brand-new territory for the travel world—and a departure from the previous realm of travel agencies.

Why one-click trips?

Travelers are seeking out one-click trips because they let them purchase what they’ve seen on social media and similar platforms. Consider it the ultimate commoditization of a travel experience, letting travelers shop around to put together their dream trip.

At their most basic, a one-click trip might only involve one experience. For example, a travel influencer might post about their favorite stay in the Maldives, which their follower then books.

Though technically a one-click purchase, it also segues into the future of one-click trips.

And some one-click trips are a lot more elaborate, designed to lift the responsibility of travel planning while promising an unforgettable trip. As travelers seek out more curated and unique experiences, they’re opting for comprehensive and yet customizable one-click trips.

My favorite one-click travel opportunities

One-click trips and experiences come in all shapes and sizes. Here are some of my favorites that I think you should keep an eye on in 2025 and beyond.

Travel shops from Expedia. This is a novel idea that I haven’t seen elsewhere. On their Shops page, you can peruse various influencers, from Condé Nast editors to Latinx entrepreneurs. Shop, buy, travel, repeat. (I’d go straight to Life With A Land Cloud, if I were you.)
Pack Up + Go. This mystery travel group has been on my radar for a while. They’ve got a winning formula and a great, easy-to-navigate platform. While their main focus is offering one-click mystery trips, you can also customize them as you see fit. Best of all, they offer 24-hour support channels, which give travelers pure peace of mind.
Black Tomato. This exclusive and ultra-lux travel company lets you seek out curated trips based on the occasion, your interests, or specific destinations. Though Black Tomato is similar to a modern travel agency, it’s at the forefront of cutting-edge destinations. Greenland, anyone? What about Malawi? Qatar? Singapore? You name it, they’ve already got your one-click trip planned.
Few & Far. Similar to Black Tomato, Few & Far specializes in luxury experiences around the world. But this travel company offers more meaningful forays into the world’s wildest corners—and it goes above and beyond to not just preserve but actively replenish these landscapes and communities. This one-click company gives you a stamp of social and environmental approval.
Tripmasters. It’s not the prettiest website and its tours aren’t necessarily cutting-edge—but Tripmasters has been around for a long time for a reason. If you’re new to travel and are looking for a seamless one-click travel experience, start here.

Big Parades, Small Cities: Top 5 Thanksgiving Parades Outside Major Cities

When you picture a major Thanksgiving parade, what comes to mind?

I’d wager most Americans imagine New York City’s famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s up there in terms of our most beloved holiday celebrations, alongside Fourth of July fireworks displays and Christmas festivals.

But that doesn’t mean it’s Macy’s or nothing on Thanksgiving day.

In fact, there are a handful of other major celebrations that take place across the country. Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and Detroit are also high on the list for those who enjoy Thanksgiving fanfare.

But what about the US’s smaller cities?

After all, the US’s smaller cities and quaint towns are full of charm—a type of charm that comes alive during the holiday season. If heading to a parade in a big city is out of the question, then consider penciling in a trip to one of the cities listed below.

Best Thanksgiving parades in small cities

Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade

Charlotte, North Carolina
First launched in 1947

I love that this festivity is scheduled the day before Thanksgiving—meaning it won’t interrupt your holiday plans.

This fantastic parade includes over 100,000 attendees who hug the roadsides to watch massive floats pass by, along with marching bands and other displays. It’s estimated that another two million viewers instead watch from their sofas.

Stamford Downtown Parade

Stamford, Connecticut
First launched in 1994

Similar to North Carolina’s big parade, this Thanksgiving festivity isn’t held on the big day. Stamford’s Thanksgiving parade is scheduled for the Sunday before Thanksgiving, which lets people from around the tri-state area join in.

Usually, more than 100,000 guests show up. Along with the standard float fare, Stamford’s parade includes dancing groups, local celebrities, and plenty of live music. If you can’t make Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, this is a close second.

Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s

Orlando, Florida
First launched in 2017

This unique and new Thanksgiving parade is part of Universal’s ongoing holiday celebrations. There’s no big day to see the event. Instead, Thanksgiving parades run daily like many other themed festivities.

If you’ll be enjoying Universal during the broader holiday season, be sure to take advantage of the parade. It’s got a high production value that you’d expect from Universal.

America’s Hometown Celebration

Plymouth, Massachusetts
Launched in 1996

Want plenty of historical flare in your Thanksgiving parade? Plymouth puts on a fantastic parade, usually the weekend before the big holiday.

But this display isn’t about larger-than-life floats and balloons shaped like animals. It’s a much more faithful and historical interpretation of the day, which includes exhibits like the Portal to the Past historical village and Thanksgiving Dining at the Plymoth Patuxet Museums.

Ameren Thanks for Giving Parade

St. Louis, Missouri

Launched in 1984

This grand parade runs on the actual holiday—so be prepared to bring your stuffing with you. The St. Louis Thanksgiving closely resembles the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, albeit on a much smaller scale.

Arrive early to claim good spots, then be prepared for an unending line of floats, marching bands, balloon displays, and special appearances from infamous characters, from Santa Claus to Frosty the Snow Man.

Montana Rentals Perfect for Stargazing this Winter

Though one of the US’s least populous states, Montana is a popular choice for outdoorsy travelers.

It offers a wide range of adventurous possibilities, from snowshoeing during the depths of winter to kayaking down scenic rivers in summer.

It’s the kind of state that rugged and daring travelers return to year after year, regardless of the season.

That being said, not everyone knows that one of Montana’s best-kept natural wonders can only be seen when the sun sets. The Big Sky State, as it happens, is home to more Dark Sky sanctuaries than any other part of the lower 48.

And if you’re heading to Montana this winter with plans to soak up the scenery or ski down its slopes, then you should be bundling in a little bit of stargazing.

The best places to do it are in or near Glacier National Park and Medicine Rocks State Park.

If you’re heading to either area this winter, I recommend staying at one of the Montana rentals located below. I’ve divided my recommendations into two sections based on each Dark Sky sanctuary.

But before we dive in, let’s explore how you can get even more out of stargazing in Montana.

Get more out of stargazing in Montana

I recommend stopping in Helena where you can explore the Montana Learning Center. It’s home to a handful of exhibits, which include the basics of stargazing and astronomy for newcomers.

Best of all, there’s a 25” public telescope that makes it easy to peruse the skies and spot some of our galaxy’s most famous faces.

They also do things like throw ‘Star Parties’, which let the general public come and explore the skies with a little guided help during major astronomical events. There are also distinct adult and children’s programs for those looking to enroll in a course.

On top of the Montana Learning Center, I also suggest checking out Trail to the Stars. This interactive map lets you take a closer look at the best places to spot the stars from parks, campgrounds, and other areas.

For campers, it’s a fantastic resource that lets you create a star-centric camping itinerary. But if you’d rather stay indoors, I suggest doing so at one of the spots listed below.

Best Montana rentals near Glacier National Park

Treetop Cabin with a View

This beautiful A-Frame-style rental is part of the Treetops Glacier lodging site, which includes a few other rentals from the group. That being said, this selection has a highly remote feel—one that’s perfect for a romantic escape and stargazing alike.

Though the rental is fairly small, it has every lux feature a stargazer could hope for, including an outdoor soaking tub so they can bust out the telescope while relaxing after a long day.

Book here

Ten Mile Post

I love the quirky nature of this cabin, along with its wood features. Though the cabin has been around for a while, it’s newly updated with a cute design and quaint features, like the wood-burning fireplace.

There’s also plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors thanks to plenty of seating and a large fire pit. Though surrounded by tall trees, there’s a large clearing where you can gaze at the stars above.

Book here

Glacier hideaway

This highly remote hideaway gives you the best in outback travel and natural wonders. Not only are guests staying inside a stately log cabin, but they also have fantastic on-site amenities to enjoy, like the state-of-the-art hot tub.

Best of all, though you’ll be far off the beaten path, you won’t be far from Glacier National Park and its fantastic dark skies.

Book here

Inside GNP Lakefront Cabin

Want a rental that’s actually located inside national park grounds? This cabin offers breathtaking views of the mountains of Glacier National Park and Lake McDonald.

The historic property includes a beautiful wood-centric interior and a grand, cobbled fireplace. It’s cozy with a classic and slightly dated feel—but those stunning views are what drive interest in this rental.

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Bear Mountain Views of Glacier Park

This rental also includes mountain views and a birds-eye of Lake McDonald. The panoramic views are absolutely worth writing home about—and you can enjoy them from the bed, couch, and more thanks to the great layout of this rental.

Just keep in mind that this unit is a guest house rather than a stand-alone.

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The Ridge at Glacier

This luxury cabin offers a curated yet rustic way to experience the stars outside Glacier National Park. The holiday home is designed with families in mind, offering plenty of space to hang out and outdoors to explore. The wrap-around balcony is especially perfect for spying on the stars at night.

Book here

Best Montana rentals near Medicine Rocks State Park

Meccage Ranch Guest House

This farm stay takes you right to the edge of Medicine Rocks State Park. The rental includes two bedrooms and a fairly basic design and layout.

The trade-off is the local experience, as you’ll get to rub elbows with the hosts and their friendly pups. I’m sure they also have a few tips about the best stargazing in the area.

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The Alberta

This lovely rental in Ekalaka offers plenty of bedrooms for larger groups that want a landing pad during their Montana adventures. But there’s also a large backyard that makes it easy to soak up those night sky views. Just be sure to follow the house rules—this is a historic home that will be restored and cared for in the coming years.

Book here

Inside 2025’s Most Surprising Travel Trend Predictions: Noc-Tourism, Megatrips, & More

Booking.com recently released its nine predictions for travel trends in 2025.

If their predictions are correct, travelers are going to be bucking traditions in the coming years.

According to Booking.com Senior Vice President Arjan Dijk, “In 2025, travelers will be using trips to transform themselves, their relationships and ultimately the world around them.”

Sounds like a pretty high charge for the bachelorette trips to Nashville of yore, but I think that’s the point—

Travel is changing rapidly.

Not just how we travel, but why we want to hit the road and what we expect out of the experience.

Think you can name a few of the biggest trends that could take off next year? Let’s explore the predictions from Booking.com.

Travel trend predictions for 2025

Star-bathing & Noctourism

Nocturism is travel that focuses on dark skies and cooler temperatures, including cool-cations. The ‘noc’ comes from ‘nocturnal’ and includes activities like stargazing.

The idea is that travelers are forgoing sunny and warm destinations in search of cooler climates and lower temperatures. As global daytime temperatures rise, this trend is sure to see more growth in the coming decades—not just in 2025.

Multigenerational travel

This just in: According to Booking.com, travelers and parents alike would rather funnel their savings toward multigenerational trips instead of passing down inheritance money. (My mind is officially blown.)

There’s a strong generational focus here, as the study from Booking has found that Baby Boomers are going to look to alleviate the cost of living crisis by funding some of next year’s family vacations.

Data-driven & AI-based travel

In case you’ve been missing out, AI is now slowly edging into the travel agent and travel planning industries. AI-powered tools are launching all across the travel world—including Booking.com’s new AI trip planner.

Deep revitalization

There’s a rising interest in retreats of all stripes, from outdoor adventures to wellness retreats to more spiritually-focused escapes.

Deep revitalization, according to the trend report, also covers more physical treatments, including red light therapy, cryogenics, and body vibration treatments.

In fact, 58% of the study’s participants said they would travel just to extend their lifespan and improve their well-being.

Thrifting internationally

It looks like a significant number of travelers are looking to bundle shopping into their trip. Most specifically, they want to thrift and find vintage steals while abroad.

While most are in it for the bargains, some are doing so with the hopes of launching boutiques in the United States. Plus, it’s environmentally friendlier to purchase second-hand clothes.

Vacation begins at the airport

A whole 43% of Gen Z participants in this study stated that airports influence where they fly on vacations. As air travel starts to become more inconvenient, travelers want even more out of their airport experience.

They want a wider array of facilities at the airport—and most airports will be more than willing to expand their offerings to capture more travelers.

Women push men to go on men’s-only vacations

I’ve saved my favorite trend for last—one that shocked me just as much as hearing Baby Boomers are spending inheritance cash on family vacations.

I’m talking about the rise of men’s-only vacations. Given the growing interest in women’s-only retreats, I’m not too flabbergasted. After all, why wouldn’t men be interested in similar adventures?

What got my attention here is that it seems to be women pushing their male partners to go on all-boys retreats. A whopping 56% of participants said they would be persuading their partner to organize and go on an all-guys trip.

Looks like 2025 will be a travel year for the #boys.