Colorado is stuffed with improbable cities to visit. From Colorado Springs to Grand Junction, you’ll discover a lot to maintain you entertained throughout the state. Nonetheless, Denver positively takes the cake. Because the capital of Colorado, Denver has the very best points of interest and actions for each sort of trip. In case you are on the lookout for issues to do in Denver, hold studying, as a result of this journey information shares the very best museums and actions from downtown Denver to the Rocky Mountains.
High Issues to Do in Denver
In case you are flying into Denver, book an airport transfer to downtown Denver to take the effort out of arrivals. The easiest way to get round Colorado to see locations like Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is to lease a automobile. You possibly can compare car rental prices right here.
Denver points of interest are plentiful, so we’ve compiled a whole information that can assist you choose the very best issues to do in Denver. Denver’s large persona makes it stand shoulders. (actually) above Colorado’s other cities. Positioned precisely 5280 toes above sea stage, the Mile Excessive Metropolis lives as much as the hype. You possibly can stroll previous swanky boutique shops in Downtown Denver, guide a tasting session at one of many metropolis’s craft breweries, or discover among the Denver museums. Plus, if you wish to escape to nature sooner or later, 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. Positioned on the high of Capitol Hill, the Colorado State Capitol can be lovely to have a look at. The structure is designed to imitate the State Capitol in Washington DC, and the constructing is minimize from eye-catching white granite.
As a flowery end, a gold dome was added to the constructing in 1908 to commemorate the gold rush. Curiously, the State Capitol steps are additionally engraved with Denver’s elevation – (One Mile Above Sea Stage) creating the nickname ‘mile-high metropolis’ because the thirteenth step is a mile above sea stage.
Guests can picnic outdoors and admire the constructing’s exterior or you may head inside for a guided tour. Check the website for details.
2. sixteenth Road Mall – Denver’s Vibrant Heartbeat
Positioned within the coronary heart of downtown Denver, the sixteenth Road Mall is a 1.2-mile-long pedestrian promenade lined with a myriad of outlets, eating places, and leisure venues. Designed by famend architect I.M. Pei, the mall’s distinctive granite pathway, paying homage to a diamondback rattlesnake sample, beckons guests to walk and benefit from the metropolis’s power.
One of many standout options of the sixteenth Road 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 buying and eating. See details here.
Because the solar units, the mall comes alive with road performers showcasing Denver’s vibrant arts scene, from musicians and magicians to painters and poets.
With its shut proximity to Denver’s key points of interest just like the Denver Artwork Museum, Coors Discipline, and the historic LoDo (Decrease Downtown) district, the sixteenth Road Mall serves as an ideal beginning or ending level for any Denver journey. Whether or not you’re trying to bask in some retail remedy, savor native delicacies, or just soak within the metropolis’s ambiance, the sixteenth Road Mall is a must-visit when in Denver, Colorado.
3. Stroll round Larimer Sq.
From sixteenth Road Mall, Larimer Sq. is straightforward to get to. The sq. district has a great deal of historical past and is a good place to take a strolling tour or snap some cool images. Lately, the district has been revamped with unbiased indie retailers, bars, and eating places.
Whether or not you need to buy groceries and eating or buy some Denver souvenirs, Larimer Sq. has a improbable ambiance. If you happen to take pleasure in metropolis walks, this district is the right place to spend an hour or two. Or book this food tour of downtown Denver that allows you to pattern meals from 5 of the town’s greatest eating places.
Larimar Sq. is linked to Downtown Denver by Larimer Road, which is lined with bars and eating places. We advise strolling again to downtown through Larimer Road.
4. Craft Beer and Road Artwork Excursions
Denver is sometimes called the “Napa Valley of Beer.” With over 150 breweries within the metropolitan space, the town boasts one of many largest concentrations of craft breweries in the USA. A craft beer tour is not going to solely assist 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 eagerness and creativity behind every pint.
Combining a beer tour with a street art tour is a good way to immerse in Denver tradition. As you stroll from one venue to a different, you may savor the flavors of Denver’s craft beers whereas soaking within the visuals of its city masterpieces. This pairing captures the essence of the town’s modern and artistic spirit.
Town’s road artwork, notably in neighborhoods like RiNo (River North Artwork District), are adorned with placing murals and graffiti that remodel city partitions into canvases. This Tour combines the two perfectly.
5. Spend time alongside the South Platte River
In case you are on the lookout for some out of doors actions in Denver, spend a day on the river. Whether or not you want swimming or kayaking, the South Platte River makes an important exercise vacation spot in Denver.
The part of the South Platte River Path 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 that you may attain on the path. The trail crosses over a bit of footbridge and reaches a serene pond the place you may calm down and forged away.
Additional up the river, Denver Out of doors Journey Firm rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. You possibly can at all times lease the water gear from them in the event you don’t have any. This manner, you may discover the river from the water slightly than stroll the path.
6. Take an Ebiking Tour
Biking across the river is a well-liked out of doors exercise, and considered one of our favourite methods to get across the metropolis is to take a biking tour. However as an alternative of working too onerous, book this E-bike tour to see the town’s highlights. Benefit from the pure fantastic thing about Denver with a pedal-assisted bike by way of Denver’s main points of interest and hidden gems. This can be a nice tour for the entire household and you’ll even guide particular youngsters rides.
7. Pink Rocks Amphitheatre
Pink Rocks Amphitheater is extra than simply an iconic out of doors live performance venue—it’s a fusion of nature and tradition that leaves guests in awe. Well-known for its exceptional pure acoustics set in opposition to a backdrop of crimson rock formations, Pink Rocks has hosted legendary concert events. However music is only the start.
Through the summer season, the venue transforms for “Movie on the Rocks”, an occasion that mixes stay music with the screening of a preferred film and the amphitheater grounds sometimes develop into an enormous out of doors yoga studio, drawing fans for “Yoga on the Rocks”. For up to date performances and occasions visit their website.
Past the stage, the 738-acre Pink Rocks Park has mountain climbing and biking trails, and for these within the historical past of this storied place, the Pink Rocks Customer Middle is residence to the Colorado Music Corridor of Fame, a Performers’ Corridor of Fame gallery, and a fascinating movie that delves into the geological and musical historical past of Pink Rocks.
Positioned simply 20 minutes from the town, it’s a must-see when visiting Denver.
8. Watch a present on the Denver Performing Arts Complicated
The Denver Performing Arts Complicated is a sight to behold and is unfold over twelve acres with ten totally different efficiency areas. The constructing has an overarching glass-domed roof, making a dramatic ambiance and giving night guests a shocking view of the evening sky.
Love present? We do too. The Denver Performing Arts Complicated is the very best place to observe a efficiency in Denver, be it opera or Broadway. The advanced is cut up into totally different venues, together with Ellie Caulkins Opera Home, The Buell Theatre, and Boettcher Live performance Corridor.
You should purchase last-minute tickets to performances as nicely however we’d suggest that you just guide prematurely in the event you actually need to attend a efficiency. Check out what’s coming up at their website
9. Watch a baseball sport at Coors Discipline
One of the enjoyable issues to do in Denver for sports activities followers is to observe a baseball sport at Coors Discipline. Coors Discipline is the house floor of the key league baseball staff, The Colorado Rockies.
Most video games final for simply over three hours – providing you with loads of likelihood to seize a beer, calm down, and benefit from the expertise. Be ready for passionate followers and a fiercely aggressive ambiance.
Admission tickets promote out quick prematurely, so guide forward to keep away from disappointment. You’re in any case watching America’s favourite pastime. If you happen to miss out on watching a sport, you must at the least take a stadium tour. The grounds are spectacular to stroll round, and also you’ll get a behind-the-scenes take a look at the motion.
10. Discover the Colorado Sports activities Corridor of Fame Museum
No go to to the Mile Excessive Metropolis can be full with out visiting Mile Excessive Stadium. The Sports activities Corridor of Fame Museum is in Mile Excessive Stadium which can be the house floor of the Denver Broncos.
These on a finances can even be happy to know that the museum is free to enter – so there isn’t any breaking your finances to expertise the Corridor of Fame. The museum pays respects to all the best sportsmen and girls in Colorado’s historical past, with everlasting and non permanent reveals to absorb. From baseball star Bob Gebhard to swimmer Erin Popovich, you’ll understand simply what number of US sporting elites Colorado has had through the years.
11. Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive Tour
A go to to the Sports activities Corridor Museum is greatest mixed with a tour of the Mile Excessive Stadium. You possibly can book the tour online prematurely, though there could also be some last-minute spots out there on the day.
Soccer followers will love attending a Broncos sport at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive. Even in the event you aren’t an NFL fan, you’ll have a thrill watching American Soccer at this gorgeous stadium. The massive stadium has views of the Rocky Mountains and passionate followers, so book some tickets in advance and be a part of the enjoyable!
12. See what’s on on the Pepsi Middle
The Pepsi Middle is an esteemed sporting and music occasion venue in Denver. You is perhaps watching the Nationwide Lacrosse League closing one evening and a rock live performance the following. The middle affords a various and thrilling leisure schedule.
Test what occasions coincide together with your Denver journey forward of time, as most admission tickets promote out shortly after being launched. Nonetheless, it’s price checking for last-minute availabilities in the event you’ve unintentionally left it late.
The Pepsi Middle is comparatively central and straightforward to entry from downtown and Central Denver. It’s also located proper subsequent to Elitch Gardens, which is an effective attraction mixture. If you wish to make your journey to Denver much more memorable, we advise positively incorporating a Pepsi Middle occasion into your itinerary.
Different leisure venues in Denver embrace the Denver Middle for Performing Arts, The Bluebird Theatre which is a stay music venue in Denver, and the Colorado Conference Middle for occasions.
13. Spend a day at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
Who doesn’t love amusement park? Elitch Gardens is the one downtown theme park in the USA and is a good day trip.
The perfect amusement park in Colorado and has been working for over 130 years. The park includes a joined rollercoaster park and waterpark – good in summer season while you need to cool off after queueing for the massive rides.
Within the adjoining waterpark, you’ll discover water slides galore. Whether or not you need a freefall thrill slide or a family-friendly lazy river, there are many journey decisions.
14. Go to the Molly Brown Home Museum
Margaret ‘Molly’ Brown is a improbable determine in historical past. Molly famously survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 and was a tireless activist within the aftermath of the catastrophe. Molly helped row the lifeboat to security by way of the evening and, on her arrival within the US, elevating cash to assist assist struggling survivors.
See her story by way of shows of artifacts, images, and paperwork. There are additionally a number of unique interviews that you may learn. An inspiring and emotional expertise, the Molly Brown Home Museum is among 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 Metropolis Park
Denver Metropolis Park is 330 acres in measurement and deserves at the least half a day in your itinerary. You’ll discover public tennis courts, working tracks, duck ponds, and a ship home. If you would like the possibility to cherish some inner-city inexperienced house, Metropolis Park is a good place to begin. It’s the good place to sunbathe with a guide, get some train in, and simply calm down in nature.
The perfect half about Metropolis Park is that it’s positioned simply east of Downtown Denver. The proximity to the Downtown space means that you may simply squeeze in a go to, and it suits in nicely with visiting different widespread points of interest. Denver Zoo can be positioned in Metropolis Park and is straightforward to entry on foot or by public transport.
16. Wander by way of Denver Botanic Gardens
Fancy an expertise in nature however a bit nearer to Denver’s heart? Denver Botanic Gardens is among the greatest issues to do in Denver to stand up near nature. At twenty-four acres in measurement, you’ll want at the least half a day to go to the Denver Botanic Gardens.
There’s a combine of out of doors 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 Pageant and music concert events in summer season. It’s price checking the Botanic Gardens occasion schedule to see if any particular shows coincide together with your go to to Denver.
17. Go to the Denver Artwork Museum
Denver Artwork Museum is a must-visit for any artwork lover. The museum was established in 1893 and boasts an enormous assortment. You would possibly see artwork reveals from the traditional Americas or the most recent, most trending modern artwork. Denver’s Artwork Museum is aware of when to maneuver with the instances and when to protect historic items.
The Artwork Museum could be visited while you’re on the Colorado State Capitol as each are positioned within the Civic Middle. Nonetheless, permit at the least two hours to go to the museum as it’s unfold throughout a number of buildings and flooring.
18. Colorado Historical past on the Historical past Colorado Middle
Historical past Colorado, beforehand generally known as the Colorado Historic Society, was established in 1879. It’s a museum devoted to the historical past and heritage of the state of Colorado. It’s an initiative of Historical past Colorado, which is the state’s historic society and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Establishment.
The museum options a wide range of reveals that inform the story of Colorado’s historical past, from its historical Native American inhabitants to its more moderen previous. The reveals are designed to be partaking and interactive, utilizing a mixture of artifacts, multimedia shows, and hands-on actions. Matters coated embrace the state’s mining historical past, its function within the Previous West, the affect of railroads, and extra.
Positioned in downtown Denver, making it simply accessible for each locals and vacationers. Its central location additionally means it’s near different cultural points of interest within the metropolis.
19. Loosen up on the Denver Public Library
Talking of academic issues to do in Denver, the Denver Public Library is a good rainy-day exercise. The library is positioned in Downtown Denver, so it’s simply accessed on foot from most different points of interest.
The library has over two million gadgets in its assortment, together with an impressively expansive part on Western Historical past and Family tree. You possibly can browse the cabinets and curl up with a guide on the comfortable seating..You possibly can test the official web site to see if the occasion schedule has something that sparks your curiosity.
As a high tip, the Denver Public Library has a library card that provides you free entry to a lot of Denver’s museums. In case you are staying in Denver for some time, you might want to join a library card as a way to borrow books and entry free points of interest. 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. Go to the Wings and Over The Rockies Air and Area Museum
Budding astronauts or house fans, hear up. The museum is constructed on the previous Lowry Air Drive Base, which served the USA till 1994. The previous base serves a brand new goal, educating guests on US house historical past, plane, and the astronaut way of life.
Guests can view actual plane up shut, enter the digital actuality lounge for a simulator expertise, and absorb improbable everlasting and non permanent exhibitions. The museum has steadiness of kinetic, auditory, and visible studying alternatives – which retains each customer engaged, regardless of their studying choice.
21. Clyfford Nonetheless Museum – A Deep Dive into Summary Expressionism in Denver
The Clyfford Nonetheless Museum is one other attention-grabbing museum to go to in Denver showcasing the legacy of one of many twentieth century’s most important artists Clyfford Nonetheless. Clyfford Nonetheless was a pioneering determine within the Summary Expressionist motion recognized for his large-scale, highly effective work which might be characterised by huge fields of shade and jagged types. The museum is a singular establishment because it homes an astounding 95% of Nonetheless’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 positioned within the coronary heart of Denver’s Cultural District.
22. Discover Washington Park
Probably the greatest issues to do in Denver is to calm down in one of many metropolis’s parks, and Washington Park is the very best of the very best.
Guests can take pleasure in a powerful vary of leisure amenities. From tennis courts to lakes and rollerblading, the park has plenty of out of doors actions to maintain you entertained free of charge. The park is over 165 acres in measurement so you may simply spend a day right here.
23. Go to 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 day trip, the museum is among the greatest issues to do in Denver with youngsters.
The Denver Museum of Nature Science has a mix of non permanent and everlasting exhibitions – you might end up viewing a wildlife exhibit one minute after which Egyptian mummies the following. Highlights embrace the Egyptian Mummies, Expedition Well being, and Prehistoric Life exhibitions. Watching a movie on the Imax or visiting the Planetarium can be a spotlight of any museum journey and a good way to visualise the knowledge you’ve realized.
24. Go to the Denver Firefighters Museum
If you would like one of the crucial uncommon academic issues to do in Denver, This museum is one in your itinerary. Denver Firefighters Museum is enthusiastic about documenting and celebrating Denver’s firefighting historical past and selling hearth security. You’ll discover images, artifacts, and essential historic paperwork on show throughout the museum. The museum can be located within the previous Denver firehouse, which was in-built 1909.
24. Go to Stanley Market
Stanley Market really began up as a beer corridor enterprise. Nonetheless, years later, it has develop into a lot, rather more. You’ll discover over fifty distributors beneath the coated market – promoting all the pieces from food and drinks to handicraft merchandise. The market even runs occasions like film nights and yoga classes.
Gone are the goals of a beer corridor; Stanley Market is a thriving group spot. To embrace Denver and its group, Stanley Market is a good place to begin. If you happen to love market, visiting Stanley Market is among the greatest issues to do in Denver. It was voted Denver Metro’s Greatest Meals Corridor.
25. Play a spherical of Digital 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. Certain, you might enterprise out to Predator Ridge, one of many metropolis’s different commonplace golf programs – however the place is the enjoyable in that? South Broadway is a enjoyable, novel method 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 just about on programs worldwide, together with St Andrews. Whilst 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 comparable in spirit to Meow Wolf’s earlier works however is exclusive in its design, story, and interactivity. With out giving an excessive amount of away, guests to “Convergence Station” can anticipate a multisensory expertise as they discover numerous rooms and environments, every with its personal narrative and creative model. The expertise is designed to be immersive, permitting guests to the touch, transfer, and work together with most of the reveals.
If you happen to’re planning a go to or simply curious, it’s price noting that Meow Wolf installations are likely 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 find.
27. Households Will Love the Kids’s Museum
The Denver Kids’s Museum is designed to coach and encourage little minds with the catchphrase ‘kid-powered studying’. No adults are allowed within the Kids’s Museum until accompanied by a baby (and vice versa). The ambiance is designed to be wholly kid-friendly and prioritizes peer social instances and fascinating academic alternatives.
You’ll discover an artwork studio, journey forest, hearth station, and lots of extra reveals inside. The youngsters’s museum affords small world, discovery, out of doors, and artistic reveals to satisfy all of the visiting youngsters’s academic wants.
28. Take a day journey to the Rocky Mountains
A visit to Colorado wouldn’t be full with out 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.
Apart from filling your lungs with scrumptious Rockies air, there are a great deal of issues to do within the mountains. The Rockies are recognized for his or her hiking trails and lookout factors. If you happen to love a problem, Lookout Mountain is a good peak to scale and is lesser-known, so a quieter hike. You’re rewarded with expansive views over the Nationwide Park on the summit, and, hopefully, you must have the summit to your self.
This day tour from Denver takes you from the streets of Mile Excessive Metropolis to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. You’ll take pleasure in a day in historic cities, alpine passes and looking for wildlife.
29. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
Fact be informed, the best hikes in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park are in all probability all of them. That’s as a result of it doesn’t matter what a part of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park you journey, you’re handled to 360 levels price of gorgeous views. If you happen to’ve received a specific affinity for sure nature hike options like waterfalls or wildlife recognizing then maybe you’ll admire some hikes greater than others.
Nonetheless, in the event you love all that the good outdoor can supply then Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park trails delivers in spades. Whether or not 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.
Mountaineering fans ought to allocate at the least two days to expertise the Nationwide Park’s mountain climbing trails. Whereas there are many hiking trails in Colorado, the Rockies actually take the win for out of doors actions and scenic mountain climbing.
30. Tour the Mount Evans Scenic Byway
The very best paved highway in North America is the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, also referred to as the Mount Evans Freeway. This highway climbs Mount Evans within the Rocky Mountains and reaches an elevation of 14,130 toes (4,307 meters) above sea stage at its summit.
The route begins at Idaho Springs and covers twenty-eight miles to succeed in Mount Evan within the Rockies. You’ll move alpine meadows and lakes akin to Echo Lake Park. Maintain your eyes peeled for wildlife like marmots and mountain goats, as you’ll be reducing by way of 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 happen to can, we’d suggest renting a car so that you may select your individual stops. Pink Rocks Park, Walter Pesman Alpine Backyard, and Buffalo Invoice’s Grave are the very best stops. However, actually, you’ll be pulling over repeatedly to cease, admire, and {photograph} views.
It’s price noting that resulting from its elevation and mountain location, the highway could be topic to extreme climate situations and is mostly solely open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The way to get to Denver?
The easiest way to get to Denver is to fly, as Denver Worldwide Airport is conveniently positioned within the metropolis’s outer suburbs.
Whereas Denver Worldwide Airport runs flights worldwide, it additionally has home providers. You possibly can attain Denver from most main US cities, together with Los Angeles, Austin, and even Honolulu. Flying is essentially the most handy method to get to Denver if you’re touring from overseas, out of state, and even simply from the opposite facet of Colorado.
After all, you might want to highway journey your method to Denver. On this case, we’d suggest stopping off in smaller cities like Canon Metropolis and cities like Grand Lake. You can even guide an in a single day cabin stay earlier than hitting the town life.
Getting round Denver
Getting round Denver is straightforward. As a vacationer, all the enjoyable issues to do in Denver are within the metropolis heart or Downtown, so you may get away with strolling in every single place if you wish to.
In any other case, you may catch the sunshine rail or bus between suburbs. If you wish to splash out, there are at all times many taxis on standby, plus just a few horses and carriages for a extremely memorable transportation expertise.
Denver Union Station is the transport hub in Downtown. So, if you wish to catch transport into the middle, Union Station is the place you must set your vacation spot.
The perfect time to go to Denver
Typically, the very best time to go to Denver is in spring or fall. April, Could, September, and October are shoulder seasons, with fewer vacationers and first rate climate.
Colorado is legendary for its winter activities, however, sadly, everybody is aware of it. Winter in Denver is busy and dearer, as everybody rushes to take pleasure in what Denver affords. For a quiet break, plan a go to in spring or fall.
The place to remain in Denver
These are just some strategies. Be sure 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 will have an unimaginable keep in Denver, aka the mile-high metropolis. Voted as one of the crucial habitable cities in the USA, Denver is full of issues to do and see. The Colorado capital will hold you entertained for days. Be it buying and eating downtown, or having fun with one of many many Denver points of interest, you’ll remember to have an incredible time exploring all the town has to supply.
