Determine how you will get to Denver. Plane fares to Denver range from $140 to $290 round trip. Denver's location is also conducive to driving, which may take more time but save you money. Consider Greyhound bus service and Amtrak train service as well.
Arrange for the care of your home while you are gone. Determine who will care for your pets and plants. Make arrangements for the post office to hold your mail or a neighbor to pick it up while you travel. Give someone your emergency numbers should a problem arise in your absence.
Plan for the weather and your sightseeing choices when packing. Average summer temperatures in Denver are about 70 degrees in May and the high 80s in August, but without much humidity. Evening low temperatures can hit the low 40s to 60s. Pack for comfort while walking. Most activities in Denver don't require formal wear.
Try to stay near as many of the sites you want to see as possible. Denver's many hotels range from $80 at discount chains to $200 or more for luxury accommodations. Include lodging costs, along with transportation and meal costs, in your budget. Reserve rooms and keep receipts handy.
Get maps of the city and determine what you will see and how you will get there. Take a shuttle from the airport to downtown. Once there, you can use the bus system, but car may be the best way to get around. You'll find car rental agencies at the airport and throughout the city. If you stay downtown, you may not want to rent a car because most attractions are within walking distance.
Spend time in downtown Denver. This area boasts the 16th Street Mall (a lovely pedestrian place full of shops and cafes), many art galleries and shops, the Children's Museum of Denver, historical venues and museums and Six Flags Elitch Gardens (an amusement park).
Visit the east side of Denver, home to the Denver Zoo and Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum.
Head to the west metro town of Morrison to see the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, one of the most beautiful combinations of natural and man-made wonders in the country.
Indulge the sports fanatic in you. Denver boasts many professional sports teams and venues. The Colorado Rockies baseball team plays all summer long at Invesco field, which is also home to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. The Grand Prix of Denver, combining international car racing and a street festival, takes place the second week of August. Denver also offers access to many golf courses and whitewater rafting.
Choose from city tours of various topics in Denver. Trolley tours ride along the Platte River in a classic streetcar. Floating tours take you in a punt (like a gondola boat) down Cherry Creek. Self-guided audio tours of downtown Denver and guided walking tours bring you up close and personal with this beautiful city.
Explore the Colorado countryside, where you'll find many tours and things to see within a short driving distance of downtown Denver. The Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Fort Collins and the Coors Brewery in Golden are great destinations for the beer fan in your family. History buffs will enjoy Buffalo Bill's Museum and Grave in Golden and the town of Cripple Creek. Nature lovers should visit the Garden of the Gods Park and Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs or the Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs.
