Top Spots In Denver To Watch The Sunset
(credit: Cathy Harris)
Although a colorful sunset can come at any given moment, planning a dusk viewing can be romantic or inspirational. Whether you're looking to impress a date or sway a business client, there's nothing like a Rocky Mountain sunset to cap the end of a day and bring hope of an even better tomorrow. The Denver area shows off its diversity with a creative mixture of rooftop lounges and outdoor parks that offer something for everyone. With more than 300 days of sunshine, there are plenty of opportunities to plan drinks and dessert or a picnic at dusk.
Hyatt Regency Hotel Peaks Lounge
650 15th St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 436-1234
www.denverregency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/PeaksLounge
On the very top of the Denver Hyatt Regency Hotel is the lounge with spectacular views of the city. With huge panoramic windows set on top of the 27th floor, the Peaks Lounge is the ideal place to watch a Rocky Mountain sunset dissolve. The friendly staff will serve up innovative and delicious drinks with which to enjoy with friends or charm a date during all four seasons. The experience is well worth setting aside an entire evening to bring out-of-town visitors or impress customers here on business. The ambiance is sophisticated and the drinks are not cheap but guests will have a memorable night at this unique downtown Denver venue.
Related: Top Martini Bars in Denver
Denver Art Museum at night (Credit, Colleen Bement)
Denver Art Museum
100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 865-5000
www.denverartmuseum.org
Designed with the Rocky Mountain peaks in mind, this unique building in the heart of downtown belongs to the Denver Art Museum. Outside is a lovely patio from which to witness the beauty of a Colorado mountain sunset. On top of this artistic building, visitors can watch the sun fall behind the downtown area, sink below the mountains and see the glimmer of the city lights come alive. Inside offers the diversity of various art periods and a wide variety of cultures. The upcoming fall event, Passport to Paris, opens October 27. The exhibit focuses on French art from the late 1600s to early 1900s. There is something for everyone including classes and programs designed to encourage future artists and painters to embrace their creativity. Hopefully someone will even paint a sunset.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science (Credit, Colleen Bement)
Anschutz Family Sky Terrace
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2001 Colorado Blvd
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 370-6000
www.dmns.org
Soaking up the beauty of City Park and downtown Denver from the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace is an ideal way to spend an evening. Many visitors come to one of the most amazing nature and science museums in the country and never explore the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace. They miss out on one of the most incredible views in Denver. Hovering over City Park's beauty, this terrace gazes out at spectacular buildings, panoramic views and, best of all, a Rocky Mountain sunset. Be sure to set aside plenty of time to take in all that the museum has to offer. It has an IMAX Theater and a planetarium to delight the senses, and activities for all ages. Every third Thursday, the museum hosts the Science Lounge which, mixed with cocktails and socializing, prove that science can be fun.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts (Credit, Colleen Bement)
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
950 13th St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 893-4100
www.denvercenter.org
There is culture, beauty and fun inside and out of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Plan ahead for enough time to grab a cocktail, walk outside on the terrace and soak up the splendor of a Rocky Mountain sunset. Just like the dimming of the lights before a performance, the sun will set and make way for the evening's excitement. This amazing downtown venue offers the opportunity to witness the colors of the sunset before the curtain goes up for the night's entertainment. Upcoming plays and events this fall and winter season include not-to-miss performances such as "The Book of Mormon," "A Christmas Carol" and "Mannheim Steamroller Christmas."
North Table Mountain
Golden, CO
(303) 384-8000
www.cityofgolden.net
Getting There: From U.S. 6 in Golden, head east on 19th Street. Continue east approximately 10 blocks on 19th Street until it ends at Belvedere Street. Park on the road. The trail begins on the south side of Belvedere between 18th and 19th.
What better place to witness a Rocky Mountain sunset than seeing it up close and personal? The North Table Mountain hiking area is the ideal place at dusk to get touch with nature. With an elevation of only 6,335 feet, there is often a good chance of gorgeous weather in which to enjoy the sunset. Known for its unusual look of a top made of basaltic rock formed by lava flows, a visit to Table Mountain at dusk is just the ticket to watch a beautiful sunset. Sitting above the unique and fun city of Golden, this popular cliff attracts hikers, rock climbers and nature enthusiasts who want to explore the mesa hundreds of feet above the town.
Colleen Bement is a freelance writer covering all things Denver. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
