Janelle Monáe at Red Rocks

Visiting Denver to See Janelle Monáe at Red Rocks: What to Plan

1 Hour from Denver, Black in Denver, Events, Fun, Uncategorized, Visit Denver Michelle@SquareState
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If there is a venue that Janelle Monáe can absolutely shine and fans can have a phenomenal concert experience-Red Rocks is it. If you’re deciding whether or not to see Janelle Monae at Red Rocks-the answer is YES and this planning guide will help you plan your experience (especially if you’re coming in from out of town).

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Cowtown Denver

Get Your Tickets (Vivid Seats)

If you haven’t purchased your ticket-get your ticket(s) NOW. If you’re using a service such as Vivid Seats-I would recommend getting your ticket now and making sure to do the following:

  • Tip #1-Try to void purchasing your ticket the day of the event. Buy it earlier if possible. This will help you avoid technical issues. I’ve side-hustled at concerts and other events and the most issues seem to come up when people are purchasing tickets the day of the event and don’t double-check all of the steps that they need to take in order to receive their tickets. Typically this happens because they are in a hurry and forget a step and forget to read the best practices tips given by the ticket platform that they are using to buy their tickets. Don’t miss Janelle because of that.
  • Tip #2-Double-check all of directions given by Vivid Seats or other ticket platforms in order to receive your actual digital ticket. Refer to tip #1.
  • Tip#3-These days your ticket is likely going to be a QR code. If you don’t see a QR code-you’ve likely done something wrong or not completed the process.
  • Tip #4-If your phone’s screen is cracked it would be a good idea to print out your ticket.
  • Tip #5-For those of you going with a group of people make sure to do a quick Zoom meeting or group chat to make sure that everyone has their tickets and are ready to go. There’s nothing worse than having one person whose dealing with a ticket issue.

Book Your Flight (Booking)

Now that you’ve purchased your ticket for the concert-it’s time to book your flight. Having grown up in Denver and having flown out of Denver airports since I was a small child I have some tips.

  • Try to AVOID flying in the day of the concert-I can guarantee something is going to happen and you’re going to get delayed or will miss the concert. Also, you need to adjust to the altitude in Denver so I recommend arriving at least a day before the concert.
  • If you’re here for just a quick 72 hours to watch a concert in Denver, use the following personal bag if you plan on flying Frontier (DO NOT overstuff it and use the personal bag sizer when you get to the airport) I don’t want you having to pay $100 at the gate in order to board the plane because you overstuffed it.
  • Take the train from the airport to Denver’s Union Station (the last stop) in order to get to your hotel. I’ve suggested some places to stay below. By the way, the train is $10.50 and there are kiosks where you can purchase your ticket via card or cash. You could download the RTD Denver app and purchase the ticket online, but that might be too much for a quick trip. Your tickets may or may not be checked during the train ride.

Book Your Mountain Tour

If you’re wanting to visit the mountains but aren’t sure how to go about doing it and don’t want to deal with the logistics-book a tour. I’ve included a few tours below that I think you would enjoy. No visit to Denver is complete without adding a mountain experience.

Where to Stay

I’ve picked some great hotels and hostels to stay at while you’re in Denver. I’ve also thought about the best hotels for you to stay at if you’re a woman doing solo travel to Denver. Click on the hotels below and play with the map as well to see which hotel would be the best one for you to stay at.

Car Free or Do You Need a Car

If you’re hoping to visit Denver and would prefer going car-free I’ve included a link to a post that I wrote about car-free travel in Denver. I’m car free so I’ve shared some insights into where to stay and what to consider while you’re here. It’s absolutely possible to do if you would like to avoid driving in a new to you city.

If you would like to reserve a car make sure to use Discover Cars, a rental car comparison site that helps users save money on car rental services.

This is the front of Union Station-Not pictured is the flag pole where most tour companies meet their guests. This is also the last stop for the train that takes you to the airport. We refer to it as ‘The Train to the Plane” The RTD bus depot is located in this complex with an underground terminal and there is a light rail stop 2 blocks behind Union Station

What to Do

There’s a lot to do in Denver, but I often say that you “Experience Denver, Visit Philly“(I love both towns) listen to the following quick podcast episode that shares what I mean. Basically, I encourage you to book a cool event like the Janelle Monáe concert then add to it other fun things to do vs. trying to randomly roam around town.

Head’s up-a significant section of Denver’s 16th Street Mall is also under construction so head’s up! If you’re a Black visitor to Denver wondering what there is to do in Denver-check out the following post that I continue to add to (I get asked this question A LOT as a Black Denverite)

  • Get naked at Lake Steam Baths and enjoy a spa day. This spot has been open for over 50 years. Very affordable and you’ll feel great all day (think of a Korean Spa) Ladies days at the spa are on Mondays and Thursdays.
  • Explore the murals in the RINO/Five Points District
  • Go to the Drake concert the next day
  • Hang out in Confluence Park next to the downtown REI.
  • Shop at Cherry Creek Mall and eat in the Cherry Creek North district (across the street)

Where to Eat

While Denver isn’t a “food city” there is good food here. I’ve shared a list of places that I recommend and I’ve added a section of vegan places to eat too.

  • Onefold
    • Union Station location is the closer one if you’re staying near Union Station

Vegan Restaurants

  • Somebody People-This restaurant is a 12 minute drive from downtown Denver.

I’m keeping this list of places to eat pretty short and easy because I don’t want to overwhelm people.

Food Halls to Visit

Food halls are very popular in town. Eat at a food hall is great way to keep a group of people happy because they can pick what they’d like to eat from a variety of different local food concepts.

  • The Grange Food Hall-Has one of the best views of the entire Front Range and the Mountains (Greenwood Village area)
  • Denver Central Market–Located in the RINO/Five Points area and a cool area to explore with tons of murals, breweries and restaurants.
This is the front of Stanley Marketplace

What to Expect at Red Rocks

Red Rocks is at the base of the Rocky Mountains and is one of the most unique and beautiful venues to enjoy a concert. That said, there are some things that you should do to make sure you have a great experience.

  • CHECK THE WEATHER-Yes, I used all caps. Because it’s an outdoor venue, you must obsessively check the weather.
  • Lightning-Use your common sense. If there is lightning-you need to get out of there LOL! It’s that simple. The venue has gotten a lot of criticism for inclement weather policies. The super aggressive summer weather season is winding down and it’s my hope that things should be ok. But, it’s always good to be prepared.

How to Get to Red Rocks for the Concert

One of the most annoying things about attending a concert at Red Rocks is that there isn’t an inexpensive public transit option. If you’re visiting Denver and would prefer to go car-free the best way to get there is to book a concert bus service. I think they could be cheaper BUT they are a great way to meet other attendees, have someone KNOW THAT YOU’RE THERE-especially if you’re a solo traveler and leave the driving to someone else.

Have a Pleasurable Stay in Denver

I hope you have a great time in Denver and have an enjoyable concert. Hopefully this was helpful. Don’t forget to check out how to prepare for high altitude travel so that you can avoid getting altitude sickness.

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