15 Best Weekend Getaways from Denver (within a 3 hour flight)

15 Best Weekend Getaways from DenverJordan Hinsch

Denver residents are blessed to be in the heart of one of the world's best mountain ranges. The Rocky Mountains offer world-class hiking, skiing, and of course the most beautiful National Parks in the country. Denver is also situated near the entire west coast and is in short reach to popular cities to the east. Oh and for the most part, the flights are insanely inexpensive.

This article will focus on domestic destinations via airplane and car. Here are some weekend getaway ideas for locals in the Denver area within a 3 hour flight (with one bonus 4 hour destination). More importantly, these trips are all possible without having to request PTO (for you M-F 9-5'ers), it just depends what you want to do at your destination.

Bear in Mind: When travelling internationally as of June 14th, 2021, you're required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test upon return to the United States. This is on top of any restrictions in the country you are visiting. Since the rules are changing frequently, I'll leave that out. Instead, I'll include a link to the embassy site where you can find the latest information.

Miami, Florida (MIA, FLL) - 4 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Beaches, outdoors activities, clubs, restaurants, culture. As a current resident in Miami, this is at the top of the list of weekend trips from Denver! I just ask that you please please please venture out beyond Miami Beach.

When to go?

• Any time of the year, but best is October - February for perfect weather.

Who can fly you there?

• AA from DEN - See flight deals
• United from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals
• Spirit Airways from DEN- See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Miami
• See hotels in Miami Beach

Pro Tip:

• Visit the following neighborhoods to step away from the "typical Miami": Wynwood, Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Midtown, Edgewater.

Chicago, Illinois (ORD, MDW) - 2.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Food, bars, sports, rivers!

When to go?

• Summer

Who can fly you there?

• AA from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals
• United Airlines from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Chicago

Pro Tip:

• For bourbon enthusiasts, visit Untitled Supper Club on W Kinzie for an incredible speakeasy experience.

Kansas City, Missouri (MCI) - 1.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• BBQ! BBQ! BBQ!

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Kansas City

Pro Tip:

• Visit the Power & Light District for a unique nightlife experience & go to Arthur Bryant's for BBQ.

Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) - 2.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Music (not just country), endless bars, brewpubs, hot chicken.

When to go?

• Spring, Summer and Fall

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Nashville

Pro Tip:

• Stay in the Gulch or near printer's alley.

Moab, Utah (CNY) - Just over a 1 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Camping, Hiking, Sky Diving, Off-Roading, and anything else you can do in the outdoors.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Moab

Pro Tip:

• Do not sit around indoors!

New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY) - 2.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Jazz music, other music, culture, architecture, partying, passionate football fans.

When to go?

• Spring, Summer, Fall

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $200+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in New Orleans

Pro Tip:

• Check out Bourbon Street for a little bit, but don't get sucked in. It's absolutely disgusting. Chartres Street is better for those looking to maintain their cleanliness.

Seattle, Washington (SEA) - 3 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Whales, Olympic National Park, Mt. Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, gorgeous views, intelligent individuals, good breweries.

When to go?

• Summer (you can't really avoid the rain but you can pray)

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals
• Delta from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals
• Alaska from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Seattle

Pro Tip:

• Visit the REI flagship store. Wow.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC) - 1.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Bears, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, skiing, golfing, horseback riding, rustic boutique, hotels, cool people.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $300+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Jackson Hole

Pro Tip:

• Make sure you have time to visit both Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Jenny Lake is a must.

Telluride, Colorado (TEX) - 50 Minute Flight

Why go?

• Skiing, mountainous scenery, great hotels.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• Key Lime Air from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $300+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Telluride

Pro Tip:

• One of the best hospitality experiences I've ever had took place during my stay at Lumiere Hotel. 100% worth every penny.

Aspen, Colorado (ASE) - 50 Minute Flight

Why go?

• Skiing, great scenery, luxury.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $300+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Aspen

Pro Tip:

• It's very expensive, but worth a shot. 3.5 hour drive if you wish to save some $$.

Los Angeles, California (LAX, BUR, SNA, LGB, SBA, ONT) - 2.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Surfing, Hiking, Sports, City Life, Culture, Fame, Disneyland, Food.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals
• AA from DEN - See flight deals
• Delta from DEN - See flight deals
• Spirit from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Los Angeles

San Diego, California (SAN) - 2.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Surfing, Hiking, Zoo, Mountain Biking, Partying.

When to go?

• Year-round

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in San Diego

San Francisco, California (SFO, SJC, OAK) - 2.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Tours, Food, Silicon Valley, Golden Gate Bridge, Surfing

When to go?

• Summer

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in San Francisco

Monterrey, California (MRY) - 2.5 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Big Sur and the Pacific Coast

When to go?

• Summer

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $300+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Big Sur

Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS) - 2 Hour Flight

Why go?

• Gambling, Hoover Dam, Death Valley National Park, Valley of Fire State Park, Partying, more Gambling.

When to go?

• Year-Round

Who can fly you there?

• United from DEN - See flight deals
• Frontier from DEN - See flight deals
• Southwest from DEN - See flight deals
• Spirit from DEN - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

• Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

• See hotels in Las Vegas

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