Summer Vacation in Denver on a Budget

Are you visiting Denver on a budget? Cheap vacations in Denver can be great fun while still being budget-friendly. This is a summer travel guide to Denver for the budget-minded traveler.

Where to Stay

Hotel VQ
http://www.hotelvq.com/

Hotel VQ is an inexpensive hotel near downtown Denver. Weekend rates start at $89, and weekday rates may be as low as $79 per night for a King-size bed. Fun inexpensive add-ons like romantic champagne or an American breakfast can be booked when you reserve the room. The Hotel VQ is one of the best places to stay when visiting Denver on a budget because it has free parking for guests, free wireless internet, and offers a free shuttle bus that takes guests into downtown Denver. You can eat at the hotel restaurant, the Skybox Grill and Sports Bar, where you can gaze out at the Denver skyline or watch sports on multiple televisions.

Where to Eat

Pasquini's Pizzeria
http://www.pasquinis.com/index.php

Pasquini's Pizzeria is a very tasty place with inexpensive lunch deals, including a pizza deal for $5. Visit on Tuesday and the kids can eat for free. Check the website for extra coupons and specials that you might be able to take advantage of during your vacation. Pasquini's has several locations, including an uptown location at 17th and Humboldt. They also deliver.

My Brother's Bar
2376 15th St.

This little bar is a local favorite that serves tasty burgers as well as a good selection of beer and wine. You can even get food after midnight if you've been out on the town all evening. Prices are low and perfect for a cheap vacation in Denver. This is actually one of the oldest bars in Denver and the walls are covered in historical memorabilia, making it a perfect tourist stop.

What to Do

Lakeside Amusement Park

The big amusement park in Denver is Elitch Gardens, but if you're visiting Denver on a budget this summer, maybe you should check out the historic Lakeside Amusement Park instead. Lakeside first opened in 1908 and was declared the "Coney Island of the West." There are 40 rides to entertain you, including the famous Cyclone Coaster, which was recently listed as one of the top 10 roller coasters in the country. You can enjoy the fun of an amusement park on your summer trip to Denver without the crowds of Elitch Gardens, and enjoy a part of Denver's history at the same time.

General admission to Elitch Gardens is $39.99 per person, and plan on $10.00 for parking. General admission to Lakeside is $19.75 per person on the weekends, and only $13.75 per person on weekdays. Parking at Lakeside is free.

Rockies Game

Great tickets probably aren't going to fit into a cheap vacation in Denver, but tickets for the nosebleed section can be as low as $16 per person. Check the Rockies website for specials such as the Coca-Cola special, available for select games during the summer months, which includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 cokes and a parking pass for only $49. To beat the high cost of food at the baseball games, take some cash and buy peanuts and bottled water from the guys that sell them outside the stadium. Baseball games are a great activity for a budget summer vacation in Denver.

Cherry Creek Art Festival
http://www.cherryarts.org/RelId/33637/ISvars/default/Home.htm

If you happen to be traveling in Denver during the Cherry Creek Art Festival, it is a great way to experience the art and culture of the city. The festival is free to wander, though the art is generally expensive. Cherry Creek is one of Denver's posh shopping districts, and the art festival is a fun summer event. In addition to displays of local and national artists, you can enjoy live music and promotions from local businesses. Plan to walk a couple of blocks if you're parking in Cherry Creek, and look for parking on 4th street or at the Cherry Creek Mall.

The 2009 dates for the Cherry Creek Art Festival are July 3, 4 and 5.

Red Rocks Park
http://www.redrocksonline.com/pages/visiting/park_trails.html

Located just west of Denver, Red Rocks Park has a mile and a half of gorgeous trails where you can enjoy the natural beauty of Colorado. The park is free of charge, with free parking, and the visitors center is open from 5am to 11pm. Bring a picnic or have lunch at the Ship Rock Grille.