Colorado is filled with implausible cities to go to. From Colorado Springs to Grand Junction, you’ll discover lots to maintain you entertained throughout the state. However, Denver undoubtedly takes the cake. As the capital of Colorado, Denver has the most effective sights and actions for each kind of trip. If you might be searching for issues to do in Denver, maintain studying, as a result of this journey information shares the most effective museums and actions from downtown Denver to the Rocky Mountains.
Top Things to Do in Denver
If you might be flying into Denver, e book an airport switch to downtown Denver to take the effort out of arrivals. The greatest means to get round Colorado to see locations like Rocky Mountain National Park is to lease a automobile. You can evaluate automobile rental costs right here.
Denver sights are plentiful, so we’ve compiled an entire information to assist you choose the most effective issues to do in Denver. Denver’s big character makes it stand shoulders. (actually) above Colorado’s different cities. Located precisely 5280 ft above sea stage, the Mile High City lives up to the hype. You can stroll previous swanky boutique shops in Downtown Denver, e book a tasting session at one of many metropolis’s craft breweries, or discover a few of the Denver museums. Plus, in order for you to escape to nature in some unspecified time in the future, the Rocky Mountains are simply an hour and a half’s drive away.
1. Colorado State Capitol
The State Capitol is the middle of Colorado’s political historical past and energy. Located on the prime of Capitol Hill, the Colorado State Capitol can be stunning to have a look at. The structure is designed to mimic the State Capitol in Washington DC, and the constructing is reduce from eye-catching white granite.
As a elaborate end, a gold dome was added to the constructing in 1908 to commemorate the gold rush. Interestingly, the State Capitol steps are additionally engraved with Denver’s elevation – (One Mile Above Sea Level) creating the nickname ‘mile-high city’ because the thirteenth step is a mile above sea stage.
Visitors can picnic exterior and admire the constructing’s exterior or you may head inside for a guided tour. Check the web site for particulars.
2. sixteenth Street Mall – Denver’s Vibrant Heartbeat
Located in the center of downtown Denver, the sixteenth Street Mall is a 1.2-mile-long pedestrian promenade lined with a myriad of retailers, eating places, and leisure venues. Designed by famend architect I.M. Pei, the mall’s distinctive granite pathway, harking back to a diamondback rattlesnake sample, beckons guests to stroll and benefit from the metropolis’s power.
One of the standout options of the sixteenth Street Mall is the free shuttle bus, which traverses the size of the mall, making it straightforward for guests to hop on and off to do some procuring and eating. See particulars right here.
As the solar units, the mall comes alive with avenue performers showcasing Denver’s vibrant arts scene, from musicians and magicians to painters and poets.
With its shut proximity to Denver’s key sights just like the Denver Art Museum, Coors Field, and the historic LoDo (Lower Downtown) district, the sixteenth Street Mall serves as an ideal beginning or ending level for any Denver journey. Whether you’re trying to indulge in some retail remedy, savor native delicacies, or just soak in the town’s environment, the sixteenth Street Mall is a must-visit when in Denver, Colorado.
3. Walk round Larimer Square
From sixteenth Street Mall, Larimer Square is straightforward to get to. The sq. district has a great deal of historical past and is a superb place to take a strolling tour or snap some cool photographs. In current years, the district has been revamped with unbiased indie outlets, bars, and eating places.
Whether you need to buy groceries and eating or buy some Denver souvenirs, Larimer Square has a implausible environment. If you take pleasure in metropolis walks, this district is the right place to spend an hour or two. Or e book this meals tour of downtown Denver that permits you to pattern meals from 5 of the town’s greatest eating places.
Larimar Square is linked to Downtown Denver by Larimer Street, which is lined with bars and eating places. We counsel strolling again to downtown by way of Larimer Street.
4. Craft Beer and Street Art Tours
Denver is usually referred to because the “Napa Valley of Beer.” With over 150 breweries in the metropolitan space, the town boasts one of many largest concentrations of craft breweries in the United States. A craft beer tour is not going to solely enable you to pattern a various array of brews but additionally present insights into the brewing course of, the evolution of Denver’s beer scene, and the fervour and creativity behind every pint.
Combining a beer tour with a avenue artwork tour is an effective way to immerse in Denver tradition. As you stroll from one venue to one other, you may savor the flavors of Denver’s craft beers whereas soaking in the visuals of its city masterpieces. This pairing captures the essence of the town’s revolutionary and inventive spirit.
The metropolis’s avenue artwork, significantly in neighborhoods like RiNo (River North Art District), are adorned with putting murals and graffiti that remodel city partitions into canvases. This Tour combines the 2 completely.
5. Spend time alongside the South Platte River
If you might be searching for some outside actions in Denver, spend a day on the river. Whether you want swimming or kayaking, the South Platte River makes an excellent exercise vacation spot in Denver.
The part of the South Platte River Trail follows the river and is surrounded by lush greenery and riverside wildlife. If fishing sounds good, Overland Pond Park is a well-liked fishing spot which you can attain on the path. The path crosses over a little bit footbridge and reaches a serene pond the place you may chill out and forged away.
Further up the river, Denver Outdoor Adventure Company rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. You can at all times lease the water gear from them in the event you don’t have any. This means, you may discover the river from the water fairly than stroll the path.
6. Take an Ebiking Tour
Cycling across the river is a well-liked outside exercise, and considered one of our favourite methods to get across the metropolis is to take a biking tour. But as an alternative of working too exhausting, e book this E-bike tour to see the town’s highlights. Enjoy the pure fantastic thing about Denver with a pedal-assisted bike via Denver’s main sights and hidden gems. This is a superb tour for the entire household and you’ll even e book particular youngsters rides.
7. Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Red Rocks Amphitheater is extra than simply an iconic outside live performance venue—it’s a fusion of nature and tradition that leaves guests in awe. Famous for its outstanding pure acoustics set in opposition to a backdrop of purple rock formations, Red Rocks has hosted legendary live shows. But music is just the start.
During the summer season, the venue transforms for “Film on the Rocks”, an occasion that mixes dwell music with the screening of a preferred film and the amphitheater grounds often turn out to be an enormous outside yoga studio, drawing fans for “Yoga on the Rocks”. For up to date performances and occasions go to their web site.
Beyond the stage, the 738-acre Red Rocks Park has climbing and biking trails, and for these in the historical past of this storied place, the Red Rocks Visitor Center is residence to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, a Performers’ Hall of Fame gallery, and a charming movie that delves into the geological and musical historical past of Red Rocks.
Located simply 20 minutes from the town, it’s a must-see when visiting Denver.
8. Watch a present on the Denver Performing Arts Complex
The Denver Performing Arts Complex is a sight to behold and is unfold over twelve acres with ten completely different efficiency areas. The constructing has an overarching glass-domed roof, making a dramatic environment and giving night guests a shocking view of the evening sky.
Love an excellent present? We do too. The Denver Performing Arts Complex is the most effective place to watch a efficiency in Denver, be it opera or Broadway. The advanced is cut up into completely different venues, together with Ellie Caulkins Opera House, The Buell Theatre, and Boettcher Concert Hall.
You should purchase last-minute tickets to performances as properly however we’d advocate that you simply e book in advance in the event you really need to attend a efficiency. Check out what’s developing at their web site
9. Watch a baseball sport at Coors Field
One of probably the most enjoyable issues to do in Denver for sports activities followers is to watch a baseball sport at Coors Field. Coors Field is the house floor of the key league baseball workforce, The Colorado Rockies.
Most video games final for simply over three hours – supplying you with loads of likelihood to seize a beer, chill out, and benefit from the expertise. Be ready for passionate followers and a fiercely aggressive environment.
Admission tickets promote out quick in advance, so e book forward to keep away from disappointment. You are in spite of everything watching America’s favourite pastime. If you miss out on watching a sport, you need to no less than take a stadium tour. The grounds are spectacular to stroll round, and also you’ll get a behind-the-scenes have a look at the motion.
10. Explore the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum
No go to to the Mile High City can be full with out visiting Mile High Stadium. The Sports Hall of Fame Museum is in Mile High Stadium which can be the house floor of the Denver Broncos.
Those on a funds may even be happy to know that the museum is free to enter – so there is no such thing as a breaking your funds to expertise the Hall of Fame. The museum pays respects to all the best sportsmen and girls in Colorado’s historical past, with everlasting and momentary reveals to take in. From baseball star Bob Gebhard to swimmer Erin Popovich, you’ll notice simply what number of US sporting elites Colorado has had through the years.
11. Empower Field at Mile High Tour
A go to to the Sports Hall Museum is greatest mixed with a tour of the Mile High Stadium. You can e book the tour on-line in advance, though there could also be some last-minute spots accessible on the day.
Football followers will love attending a Broncos sport at Empower Field at Mile High. Even in the event you aren’t an NFL fan, you’ll have a thrill watching American Football at this gorgeous stadium. The big stadium has views of the Rocky Mountains and passionate followers, so e book some tickets in advance and be a part of the enjoyable!
12. See what’s on on the Pepsi Center
The Pepsi Center is an esteemed sporting and music occasion venue in Denver. You is likely to be watching the National Lacrosse League closing one evening and a rock live performance the subsequent. The middle presents a various and thrilling leisure schedule.
Check what occasions coincide together with your Denver journey forward of time, as most admission tickets promote out rapidly after being launched. Still, it’s value checking for last-minute availabilities in the event you’ve by chance left it late.
The Pepsi Center is comparatively central and simple to entry from downtown and Central Denver. It can be located proper subsequent to Elitch Gardens, which is an effective attraction mixture. If you need to make your journey to Denver much more memorable, we propose undoubtedly incorporating a Pepsi Center occasion into your itinerary.
Other leisure venues in Denver embrace the Denver Center for Performing Arts, The Bluebird Theatre which is a dwell music venue in Denver, and the Colorado Convention Center for occasions.
13. Spend a day at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
Who doesn’t love an excellent amusement park? Elitch Gardens is the one downtown theme park in the United States and is a superb time out.
The greatest amusement park in Colorado and has been working for over 130 years. The park encompasses a joined rollercoaster park and waterpark – excellent in summer season if you need to cool off after queueing for the massive rides.
In the adjoining waterpark, you’ll discover water slides galore. Whether you need a freefall thrill slide or a family-friendly lazy river, there are many trip decisions.
14. Visit the Molly Brown House Museum
Margaret ‘Molly’ Brown is a implausible determine in historical past. Molly famously survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 and was a tireless activist in the aftermath of the catastrophe. Molly helped row the lifeboat to security via the evening and, on her arrival in the US, elevating cash to assist help struggling survivors.
See her story via shows of artifacts, photographs, and paperwork. There are additionally a number of unique interviews which you can learn. An inspiring and emotional expertise, the Molly Brown House Museum is without doubt one of the most memorable issues to do in Denver. An enchanting humanitarian with an enormous story, Molly is considered one of Denver’s most attention-grabbing historic figures.
15. Unwind in City Park
Denver City Park is 330 acres in dimension and deserves no less than half a day in your itinerary. You’ll discover public tennis courts, working tracks, duck ponds, and a ship home. If you need the prospect to cherish some inner-city inexperienced house, City Park is a superb place to begin. It is the right place to sunbathe with a e book, get some train in, and simply chill out in nature.
The better part about City Park is that it’s situated simply east of Downtown Denver. The proximity to the Downtown space means which you can simply squeeze in a go to, and it matches in properly with visiting different fashionable sights. Denver Zoo can be situated in City Park and is straightforward to entry on foot or by public transport.
16. Wander via Denver Botanic Gardens
Fancy an expertise in nature however a bit nearer to Denver’s middle? Denver Botanic Gardens is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Denver to stand up shut to nature. At twenty-four acres in dimension, you’ll want no less than half a day to go to the Denver Botanic Gardens.
There is a mixture of outside and indoor areas, with a conservatory, pure meadow, and specialised areas like a standard Japanese backyard. The Botanic Gardens additionally runs seasonal occasions just like the Lavender Festival and music live shows in summer season. It is value checking the Botanic Gardens occasion schedule to see if any particular shows coincide together with your go to to Denver.
17. Visit the Denver Art Museum
Denver Art Museum is a must-visit for any artwork lover. The museum was established in 1893 and boasts an enormous assortment. You may see artwork reveals from the traditional Americas or the most recent, most trending up to date artwork. Denver’s Art Museum is aware of when to transfer with the instances and when to protect historic items.
The Art Museum could be visited if you are on the Colorado State Capitol as each are situated in the Civic Center. However, enable no less than two hours to go to the museum as it’s unfold throughout a number of buildings and flooring.
18. Colorado History on the History Colorado Center
History Colorado, beforehand often known as the Colorado Historical Society, was established in 1879. It is a museum devoted to the historical past and heritage of the state of Colorado. It’s an initiative of History Colorado, which is the state’s historic society and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
The museum options a wide range of reveals that inform the story of Colorado’s historical past, from its historic Native American inhabitants to its more moderen previous. The reveals are designed to be partaking and interactive, utilizing a mix of artifacts, multimedia shows, and hands-on actions. Topics lined embrace the state’s mining historical past, its function in the Old West, the influence of railroads, and extra.
Located in downtown Denver, making it simply accessible for each locals and vacationers. Its central location additionally means it’s shut to different cultural sights in the town.
19. Relax on the Denver Public Library
Speaking of academic issues to do in Denver, the Denver Public Library is a superb rainy-day exercise. The library is situated in Downtown Denver, so it’s simply accessed on foot from most different sights.
The library has over two million objects in its assortment, together with an impressively expansive part on Western History and Genealogy. You can browse the cabinets and curl up with a e book on the cozy seating..You can verify the official web site to see if the occasion schedule has something that sparks your curiosity.
As a prime tip, the Denver Public Library has a library card that offers you free entry to a lot of Denver’s museums. If you might be staying in Denver for some time, you might want to join a library card as a way to borrow books and entry free sights. Museums included are: The Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Firefighters Museum, Wings Over the Rockies and extra.
20. Visit the Wings and Over The Rockies Air and Space Museum
Budding astronauts or house fans, pay attention up. The museum is constructed on the previous Lowry Air Force Base, which served the USA till 1994. The previous base serves a brand new function, educating guests on US house historical past, plane, and the astronaut life-style.
Visitors can view actual plane up shut, enter the digital actuality lounge for a simulator expertise, and take in implausible everlasting and momentary exhibitions. The museum has an excellent steadiness of kinetic, auditory, and visible studying alternatives – which retains each customer engaged, regardless of their studying desire.
21. Clyfford Still Museum – A Deep Dive into Abstract Expressionism in Denver
The Clyfford Still Museum is one other attention-grabbing museum to go to in Denver showcasing the legacy of one of many twentieth century’s most vital artists Clyfford Still. Clyfford Still was a pioneering determine in the Abstract Expressionist motion identified for his large-scale, highly effective work which might be characterised by huge fields of coloration and jagged varieties. The museum is a novel establishment because it homes an astounding 95% of Still’s lifetime output, making it an unparalleled useful resource for understanding the breadth and evolution of his work.
Opened in 2011, the museum’s structure, designed by Brad Cloepfil, enhances the artwork inside. The museum is situated in the center of Denver’s Cultural District.
22. Explore Washington Park
One of the most effective issues to do in Denver is to chill out in one of many metropolis’s parks, and Washington Park is the most effective of the most effective.
Visitors can take pleasure in a powerful vary of leisure services. From tennis courts to lakes and rollerblading, the park has numerous outside actions to maintain you entertained free of charge. The park is over 165 acres in dimension so you may simply spend a day right here.
23. Visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature Science explores all the pieces associated to nature and science, together with well being sciences and outer house. For a thought-provoking and academic time out, the museum is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Denver with youngsters.
The Denver Museum of Nature Science has a combination of momentary and everlasting exhibitions – you would end up viewing a wildlife exhibit one minute after which Egyptian mummies the subsequent. Highlights embrace the Egyptian Mummies, Expedition Health, and Prehistoric Life exhibitions. Watching a movie on the Imax or visiting the Planetarium can be a spotlight of any museum journey and an effective way to visualize the data you’ve discovered.
24. Visit the Denver Firefighters Museum
If you need one of the vital uncommon academic issues to do in Denver, This museum is one to your itinerary. Denver Firefighters Museum is obsessed with documenting and celebrating Denver’s firefighting historical past and selling fireplace security. You’ll discover pictures, artifacts, and necessary historic paperwork on show throughout the museum. The museum can be located in the previous Denver firehouse, which was constructed in 1909.
24. Visit Stanley Marketplace
Stanley Marketplace really began up as a beer corridor enterprise. However, years later, it has turn out to be a lot, way more. You’ll discover over fifty distributors underneath the lined market – promoting all the pieces from food and drinks to handicraft merchandise. The market even runs occasions like film nights and yoga periods.
Gone are the goals of a beer corridor; Stanley Marketplace is a thriving group spot. To embrace Denver and its group, Stanley Marketplace is a superb place to begin. If you like an excellent market, visiting Stanley Marketplace is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Denver. It was voted Denver Metro’s Best Food Hall.
25. Play a spherical of Virtual Golf
Indoor Golf Bars have taken over Denver and South Broadway is Denver’s first indoor golf course and the indoor golf scene continues to develop in Denver. Sure, you would enterprise out to Predator Ridge, one of many metropolis’s different customary golf programs – however the place is the enjoyable in that? South Broadway is a enjoyable, novel means to take pleasure in some golf whereas on vacation in Denver.
The membership makes use of Trackman simulator expertise to emulate an actual sport. Plus, you may play nearly on programs worldwide, together with St Andrews. While you play, you may seize a cocktail or beer from the bar.
26. Meow Wolf Convergence Station
Following the success of their set up in Santa Fe, Meow Wolf expanded to different places together with the “Convergence Station” in Denver.
“Convergence Station” is analogous in spirit to Meow Wolf’s earlier works however is exclusive in its design, story, and interactivity. Without giving an excessive amount of away, guests to “Convergence Station” can count on a multisensory expertise as they discover numerous rooms and environments, every with its personal narrative and creative fashion. The expertise is designed to be immersive, permitting guests to contact, transfer, and work together with most of the reveals.
If you’re planning a go to or simply curious, it’s value noting that Meow Wolf installations have a tendency to evolve and alter over time, with new rooms, tales, and interactive components being added or modified. This retains the expertise recent for repeat guests and ensures that there’s at all times one thing new to uncover.
27. Families Will Love the Children’s Museum
The Denver Children’s Museum is designed to educate and encourage little minds with the catchphrase ‘kid-powered learning’. No adults are allowed in the Children’s Museum until accompanied by a baby (and vice versa). The environment is designed to be wholly kid-friendly and prioritizes peer social instances and fascinating academic alternatives.
You’ll discover an artwork studio, journey forest, fireplace station, and lots of extra reveals inside. The kids’s museum presents small world, discovery, outside, and inventive reveals to meet all of the visiting kids’s academic wants.
28. Take a day journey to the Rocky Mountains
A visit to Colorado wouldn’t be full and not using a day journey to the Rocky Mountains. The Rockies are simply an hour and a half drive from Denver, and also you’ll have views of the distant mountain vary from most areas of the town.
Aside from filling your lungs with scrumptious Rockies air, there are a great deal of issues to do in the mountains. The Rockies are identified for his or her climbing trails and lookout factors. If you like a problem, Lookout Mountain is a superb peak to scale and is lesser-known, so a quieter hike. You are rewarded with expansive views over the National Park on the summit, and, hopefully, you need to have the summit to your self.
This day tour from Denver takes you from the streets of Mile High City to Rocky Mountain National Park. You’ll take pleasure in a day in historic cities, alpine passes and trying to find wildlife.
29. Rocky Mountain National Park
Truth be informed, the greatest hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park are in all probability all of them. That’s as a result of it doesn’t matter what a part of Rocky Mountain National Park you journey, you’re handled to 360 levels value of gorgeous views. If you’ve acquired a specific affinity for sure nature hike options like waterfalls or wildlife recognizing then maybe you’ll respect some hikes greater than others.
However, in the event you love all that the good open air can supply then Rocky Mountain National Park trails delivers in spades. Whether it’s the famed Twin Sisters close to Estes Park or pleasant Bear Lake, you may take it as straightforward as you need or head up into the tundra area for an actual journey.
Hiking fans ought to allocate no less than two days to expertise the National Park’s climbing trails. While there are many climbing trails in Colorado, the Rockies actually take the win for outside actions and scenic climbing.
30. Tour the Mount Evans Scenic Byway
The highest paved street in North America is the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, often known as the Mount Evans Highway. This street climbs Mount Evans in the Rocky Mountains and reaches an elevation of 14,130 ft (4,307 meters) above sea stage at its summit.
The route begins at Idaho Springs and covers twenty-eight miles to attain Mount Evan in the Rockies. You’ll cross alpine meadows and lakes comparable to Echo Lake Park. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like marmots and mountain goats, as you’ll be slicing via a few of Colorado’s most well-populated animal territories.
You should purchase a scenic byway tour or drive the route your self. If you may, we’d advocate renting a automobile as a way to select your personal stops. Red Rocks Park, Walter Pesman Alpine Garden, and Buffalo Bill’s Grave are the most effective stops. But, truthfully, you’ll be pulling over repeatedly to cease, respect, and {photograph} views.
It’s value noting that due to its elevation and mountain location, the street could be topic to extreme climate situations and is mostly solely open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
How to get to Denver?
The greatest means to get to Denver is to fly, as Denver International Airport is conveniently situated in the town’s outer suburbs.
While Denver International Airport runs flights worldwide, it additionally has home providers. You can attain Denver from most main US cities, together with Los Angeles, Austin, and even Honolulu. Flying is probably the most handy means to get to Denver in case you are touring from overseas, out of state, and even simply from the opposite facet of Colorado.
Of course, you might want to street journey your means to Denver. In this case, we’d advocate stopping off in smaller cities like Canon City and cities like Grand Lake. You might even e book an in a single day cabin keep earlier than hitting the town life.
Getting round Denver
Getting round Denver is straightforward. As a vacationer, the entire enjoyable issues to do in Denver are in the town middle or Downtown, so you may get away with strolling all over the place in order for you to.
Otherwise, you may catch the sunshine rail or bus between suburbs. If you need to splash out, there are at all times many taxis on standby, plus just a few horses and carriages for a very memorable transportation expertise.
Denver Union Station is the transport hub in Downtown. So, in order for you to catch transport into the middle, Union Station is the place you need to set your vacation spot.
The greatest time to go to Denver
Generally, the most effective time to go to Denver is in spring or fall. April, May, September, and October are shoulder seasons, with fewer vacationers and first rate climate.
Colorado is known for its winter actions, however, sadly, everybody is aware of it. Winter in Denver is busy and costlier, as everybody rushes to take pleasure in what Denver presents. For a quiet break, plan a go to in spring or fall.
Where to keep in Denver
These are just some solutions. Make certain to take a look at our full information on Where to Stay in Denver – Best Neighborhoods and Areas for a full breakdown of all the highest areas to base your self.
To Conclude
We hope you’ve got an unimaginable keep in Denver, aka the mile-high metropolis. Voted as one of the vital habitable cities in the United States, Denver is filled with issues to do and see. The Colorado capital will maintain you entertained for days. Be it procuring and eating downtown, or having fun with one of many many Denver sights, you’ll be certain to have an incredible time exploring all the town has to supply.