I was raised in Denver. Here are 10 things tourists should know before they visit the Mile High City.

Leah CharneyNov 30, 2022, 16:43 IST

I grew up in Denver and have lived here for most of my life.Leah Charney

I've lived in Denver most of my life and have seen many tourists arrive here with misconceptions.
Some of them over-imbibe and ignore the altitude, which can leave them dehydrated and feeling ill.

As a Denver local, I see many tourists arrive with misconceptions about Colorado's capital city.

I grew up in Denver and have spent the majority of my life in the capital city.Leah Charney

The Rockies are visible from Denver, but they're still a short distance away.Leah Charney

The weather in Denver can be unpredictable, so pack layers.Leah Charney

Bringing sturdy, durable shoes to Denver is very important.Leah Charney

Even if you don't feel thirsty, drink plenty of water.Leah Charney

If you're drinking alcohol in Denver, pace yourself and drink a glass of water between every beverage.Leah Charney

My skin gets very dry in Denver, so I make sure to have plenty of moisturizers.Leah Charney

The airport is outside of the city, and I recommend taking public transportation to get there.Leah Charney

The downtown area is about 40 minutes away from the airport, and I recommend taking the shuttle.Leah Charney

I enjoyed breakfast from Stowaway Kitchen.Leah Charney

There are plenty of activities in Denver besides skiing and snowboarding, such as kayaking.Leah Charney

Many of the dispensaries in Colorado are cash-only.Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images