A Colorado sunset over East Colfax Avenue, June 28, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Denver sunsets are pretty incredible. The city's relatively low skyline leaves windows open to mountain views in the west, so that if you're at the right place at the right time, you can catch a display of reds, oranges, pinks, purples and yellows bloom over the Rockies as the sun sinks in the sky.
With the days getting shorter, it's getting harder and harder to catch the sunset. To help you squeeze in that last bit of light before it leaves for the day, we've put together a list of nearby sunset viewpoints, from restaurant rooftops to the city's hilliest parks.
Special thanks to reader Forrest H. for asking about best places to watch a sunset in Denver. If you have a question about Denver that you want us to look into, submit your question here! We might just make a story out of it.
Rooftop views
54thirty
This lounge sits at the top of the 20-floor Le Meridien hotel downtown, 1475 California St. Grab a co*cktail or an app, plop down on a couch and warm up by one of the bar's firepits as you watch the sun set over the mountains.
The Woods
This rooftop bar/restaurant at the top of the Source Hotel in RiNo, 3330 Brighton Blvd., offers some of the best views of the cityscape and the mountains. Stop for dinner or just grab a drink and let the magic unfold. There's even a hot tub for hotel guests!
El Five
Rooftop tapas! This Highlands spot offers massive windows and a rooftop patio, making for amazing, panoramic city views you can enjoy with your paella. El Five is at 2930 15th St.
Linger
If you "linger" long enough at this eatuary/former mortuary, 2030 W. 30th Ave., you can catch sunset views from its rooftop patio, which sells drinks out of a converted 1970s RV. The place is decorated with subtle nods to its macabre past, so if you don't mind watching the sun set while surrounded by reminders that the sun will one day set on you, this is a great spot!
Peaks Lounge
It's called *Peaks* Lounge for a reason. This downtown co*cktail lounge, 650 15th St., on the roof of the Hyatt Regency hotel offers sweeping views of both the city and the Rockies, making for a great place to watch the sunset.
The Denver Art Museum
Now that the Martin Building, 100 W. 14th Pkwy., is open, art lovers once again have access to some of the city's best sunset-viewing real estate: the DAM's rooftop terrace. It offers views of the Capitol and the mountains, and while high rises keep cropping up in Golden Triangle, these views are still largely unimpeded.
Public viewpoints
City Park
Park at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., and head to the lawn on the museum's West side. You'll catch some great sunset views of the skyline.
Cranmer Park
This hilltop park, 4510 E. First Ave., is basically a big open field, making for a great place to watch the sun set over the mountains, or to catch fireworks in the summer months.
Inspiration Point Park
This park, 4901 Sheridan Blvd., is a great place to go for a jog or a stroll. The trails lead to an overlook, which offers great mountain/sunset views.
Sloan's Lake Park
Take a stroll around the lake to catch views of the sun setting over the water. The park is at 1700 N. Sheridan Blvd.
The Pavilion at Cheesman Park
There's something special about the sun's glow shining through the pavilion columns. Climb the steps for elevated, perfectly framed views of the sunset. The Pavilion is at 1900 E. 11th Ave.
Jackass Hill Park, Littleton
Don't let the name scare you off. This park, at South Prince Street and West Jackson Road, is worth the longer drive into Littleton. Its open field offers panoramic views of the mountains, and if you visit in the summer, the meadow is full of sunflowers.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
These open grasslands and wetlands make for unobstructed mountain views and are also home to hundreds of species of wildlife, so you can share your sunset experience with prairie dogs, bison and coyotes. The refuge is at 6550 Gateway Rd., Commerce City.
City of Kunming Park
This South Denver hilltop park, 200 E. Harvard Ave., offers stunning views of the mountains. Grab a picnic blanket and some friends and head over to watch the sunset.
Did we miss somewhere? Let us know: [emailprotected].
