Generally known as the Mile Excessive Metropolis, Denver is the capital of Colorado and one of the thrilling cities to go to within the US. Surrounded by mountains, Denver is the right base for many who love a bit of outside journey.
I can’t even try and depend the variety of occasions I’ve visited Denver. Denver’s location roughly in the course of the nation makes it the right cease throughout a highway journey, and as you’ll see on this checklist, it’s a worthwhile vacation spot by itself.
It’s one in every of my favourite cities within the US, and never just for mountaineering or snowboarding within the mountains, but in addition for its neighborhoods, museums, and music venues. On this information, we’ll check out 15 must-see Denver points of interest and issues to do that will help you plan the right journey to town.
This submit was up to date to incorporate new Denver points of interest and actions for 2023.
15 Finest Issues to Do in Denver
When you could also be tempted to go straight for the Rocky Mountains, there are many issues to do in Denver to warrant sticking round for some time.
House to some world-class museums, lovely parks, all 4 main sports activities groups, and maybe the very best music venue within the nation, Denver has rather a lot to supply vacationers of all ages and pursuits.
For those who plan to see 3-5 of the Denver vacationer points of interest on this checklist, you might need to think about the Denver Metropolis Move, which provides you 40% off the worth of normal admission. Be taught extra right here.
1. Go to the Colorado State Capitol
Kicking off my checklist of the very best Denver points of interest is the Colorado State Capitol. This neoclassical constructing was constructed again within the Nineties and is house to the Colorado Basic Meeting in addition to the governor’s workplace.
If the constructing seems to be a bit acquainted, that’s as a result of it was constructed to resemble the US Capitol in Washington, DC. It was constructed from white granite and topped with a golden dome to commemorate the Colorado Gold Rush.
One of many coolest issues about visiting the capitol is you can stand at precisely one mile above sea degree.
There are literally three totally different markers on the steps, with the one on the thirteenth step being the latest and most correct. Snap a photograph right here to indicate you correctly visited the Mile Excessive Metropolis.
When you’re right here, you would possibly as properly go in and take a look. The primary time I visited, I solely regarded round outdoors, lacking the attractive inside. Don’t do the identical.
Inside, you’ll see lovely stained glass home windows that depict scenes from the historical past of Colorado. Be sure you climb up the steep 99 steps to succeed in Mr. Brown’s Attic, the place you’ll take pleasure in a 360-degree panoramic view of downtown and the Rocky Mountains.
The Colorado State Capitol is free to go to and so they even run free excursions. These begin on the hour from 10 AM-3 PM Monday to Friday, and so they suggest arriving at the very least 20 minutes prematurely.
It’s undoubtedly one of the common issues to do in downtown Denver. You could find the capitol constructing on the map and get instructions right here.
Deal with: 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO, 80203, USA
2. See the Denver Artwork Museum
A fast stroll from the State Capitol will deliver you to the improbable Denver Artwork Museum. Take your time getting into, because the buildings that home the museum are a murals in their very own proper!
Italian modernist architect Gio Ponti designed the museum’s North Constructing, which considerably resembles a citadel.
Years later, the Hamilton Constructing was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, who was “impressed by the sunshine and geology of the Rockies.” This world-class artwork museum is certainly probably the greatest locations to go to in Denver.
When you’re performed admiring the structure, it’s time to go inside and discover the museum’s huge assortment.
Right here you’ll discover an abundance of Native American artwork amongst some 70,000 totally different artistic endeavors. Exhibitions are at all times altering, so make sure you test their calendar to see what’s happening. This can be a must-do in Denver for any artwork lover.
The Denver Artwork Museum is open Monday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday from 10-5. On Fridays, the museum stays open till 8. Tickets price $13 for adults and children 18 and below go to at no cost. You could find the museum on the map right here.
Deal with: 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO, 80204, USA
3. Go to Crimson Rocks (probably the greatest locations to go to close to Denver)
Of all the superb Denver points of interest, my private favourite has bought to be Crimson Rocks. This can be a should see in Denver for positive!
Crimson Rocks as a Music Venue
This metropolis park and out of doors amphitheater is a good place to hike, bike, and see stay music. The truth is, Crimson Rocks continually tops lists of the very best live performance venue in all the United States.
I’ve seen numerous live shows in numerous locations, but it surely’s actually robust to beat Crimson Rocks. I imply, the stage right here is ready between two huge sandstone rock formations!
Not solely is it stunningly lovely, however this pure amphitheater has some completely unbelievable acoustics. I’ve been there a couple of occasions already and it’s at all times a good time.
There are various nice acts that come to this legendary venue. Additionally they often host yoga courses and even film nights, so there’s at all times one thing cool happening at Crimson Rocks.
Climbing and Biking round Crimson Rocks
Even on a non-event day, it’s properly definitely worth the journey from downtown Denver to go to Crimson Rocks.
The park is house to a number of totally different mountaineering and biking trails as properly. It’s undoubtedly probably the greatest locations to go to close to Denver if you wish to get some train together with breathtaking mountain views. When you’re right here, you can too take a look at the Colorado Music Corridor of Fame.
Crimson Rocks is definitely situated within the small city of Morrison and is a few 30-minute drive from downtown Denver. It opens one hour earlier than dawn and closes one hour earlier than sundown on non-event days.
When there’s a present, the park closes at round 2PM. Better of all, admission and parking are each free! You may get instructions to Crimson Rocks right here.
Deal with: Crimson Rocks Amphitheater, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO, 80465, USA
Excursions from Denver to Crimson Rocks
One other nice method to expertise Crimson Rocks is by becoming a member of this extremely rated half-day tour.
Meet up along with your information and head out to Crimson Rocks. You’ll drive alongside the historic Lariat Loop, and as much as Bear Creek Canyon the place you will get a better view of the Rockies.
Epic viewpoints, stops for a beer or espresso, details about Denver, and all of the enjoyable issues to do are included on this journey. Click on right here to be taught extra about this Denver exercise.
Suppose you need to spend longer within the metropolis? Take a look at our Information to Residing in Denver, Colorado.
4. Wander sixteenth Avenue Mall
Taking a stroll alongside the pedestrian-only sixteenth Avenue Mall is likely one of the hottest issues to do in downtown Denver. This tree-lined road is filled with retailers, cafes, eating places, and bars, so you may simply spend a couple of leisurely hours right here.
It’s additionally a terrific place to simply plop down on a bench, chill out, and revel in some improbable people-watching. You’re positive to see some road performers right here, in addition to a few of Denver’s most, shall we embrace “attention-grabbing” characters.
Whereas a lot of my buddies who stay in Denver might decry this space as being a vacationer entice, I at all times take pleasure in taking a lap round it once I’m on the town.
It’s simply good being in a serious US metropolis that has a pedestrian-friendly space the place individuals congregate and revel in a while open air. Plus, it’s straightforward to discover a good Pleased Hour deal right here!
The sixteenth Avenue Mall could be very simply walkable, however there’s additionally a free shuttle bus that stops on each nook when you really feel like giving your ft a relaxation. You may get instructions to the sixteenth Avenue Mall on the map right here.
Deal with: sixteenth St Mall, Denver, CO, 80265, USA
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5. Go to the Botanic Gardens
Nature lovers will need to ensure that so as to add the Botanic Gardens to their checklist of locations to go to in Denver. This huge park occupies 23 acres proper within the coronary heart of Denver, making a inexperienced oasis in the course of a booming metropolis.
Comprised of over 45 totally different gardens, there’s an entire lot to see right here. In complete, there are properly over 30,000 totally different vegetation! That is undoubtedly one of many prime Denver points of interest and a spot you gained’t need to miss when visiting town.
A few of the highlights of the park embody the peaceable Japanese Backyard, the tropical conservatory, and the Rock Alpine Backyard.
There’s a lot to see and do right here you can simply spend a whole day exploring the gardens and the larger Cheesman Park the place they’re situated.
Tickets for the primary York Avenue space of the gardens price $15 for adults, $9.50 for seniors/navy, and $9 for college students and youngsters. This is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Denver, and it’s included within the Metropolis Move, which you should buy on-line right here.
There are literally a number of days all year long when it’s completely free, so make sure you test the calendar. It’s open day-after-day from 9-5, and yow will discover instructions by checking the map right here.
Deal with: 1007 York St, Denver, CO, 80206, USA
6. Go to the Sporting Venues
Do you know that Denver is one in every of solely two US cities the place groups in all 4 main sports activities play downtown?
Denver and my hometown of Detroit are the one locations the place you may see basketball, soccer, hockey, and baseball all proper downtown.
Denver is house to the Broncos (NFL), Rockies (MLB), Nuggets (NBA), and Avalanche (NHL). The Broncos play at Mile Excessive, with eight regular-season video games between September and January.
Individuals actually go loopy for his or her soccer crew right here, so it’s a really thrilling ambiance to be part of.
Each the Nuggets and the Avs play their house video games on the Ball Enviornment. The common season for each sports activities lasts from October to April, so there are many possibilities to catch a recreation through the fall and winter.
Watching a hockey or basketball recreation is likely one of the finest issues to do in Denver within the winter.
When hockey and basketball are wrapping up, baseball is simply getting began.
The Rockies play at Coors Area and have house video games fairly often within the spring and summer time months. Whichever crew you see, testing a recreation is certainly one of many prime issues to do in downtown Denver.
7. Discover Union Station
The historic Union Station dates again to 1914, when it was rebuilt after a fireplace destroyed it in 1894.
It might appear a bit odd to have a prepare station on the checklist of the very best Denver points of interest, however hear me out. Just some years in the past, an enormous redevelopment plan started at Union Station. The higher ranges had been remodeled into the posh Crawford Resort, and several other boutique retailers, eating places, and bars moved in as properly. Outdated ticket counters grew to become the Terminal Bar, and the Nice Corridor remodeled into “Denver’s lounge.”
Along with all of the eating, procuring, and leisure choices on provide at Union Station, it’s as soon as once more a completely functioning transportation hub.
Catching the A-Line right here from the airport is an inexpensive and environmentally aware method to journey out and in of town. You may as well catch Amtrak trains right here, together with the well-known California Zephyr line that travels to San Francisco.
Union Station is situated within the LoDo (Decrease Downtown) space of Denver. If you find yourself passing via in your method to or from the airport, make sure you spend a bit of additional time right here.
Seize a drink and a chew, do a little bit of window procuring, or simply sit on the sofa and revel in some nice individuals watching. You could find Union Station on the map right here.
Deal with: 1701 Wynkoop, Denver, CO, 80202, USA
There’s truly a enjoyable, brief, inexpensive strolling tour you may be a part of the place you’ll be taught the historical past of LoDo, plus get recommendations on the place to eat and drink from the educated information. Be taught extra right here.
8. Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Denver is house to loads of glorious museums, and one in every of my favorites is certainly the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Their superb exhibitions on dinosaurs, gems, mummies, and black holes makes a visit right here probably the greatest issues to do in Denver for teenagers.
Along with all their attention-grabbing exhibitions, the museum can be house to an IMAX theatre and probably the greatest planetariums within the nation.
There’s even a T-Rex Cafe right here the place you may seize a drink and a chew to eat. With a lot to see and do, you may simply spend an entire day taking in all that this museum has to supply.
Be sure you test their calendar of occasions, because the museum usually has some fairly cool applications for each children and adults.
For instance, they’re having a Renaissance Revelry occasion quickly for adults the place costumes are inspired and drinks/appetizers are included in your ticket. Now that appears like a enjoyable night time on the museum!
The museum is open from 9-5 day-after-day, and tickets price $19 for adults or $14 for youngsters for museum admission. Particular exhibitions, IMAX screenings, and particular showings within the planetarium all price between $5-7 additional.
Entrance to the museum is included within the Denver Metropolis Move. You may get instructions and discover it on the map right here.
Deal with: 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205, USA
9. Chill out within the Native Parks
For those who’re visiting the museum, you would possibly as properly stick round Metropolis Park for some time. That is the most important city park within the metropolis and a well-liked place for locals and vacationers alike.
That’s not all, although. You’ll additionally discover soccer, baseball, and soccer fields, tennis courts, and a golf course right here. There are a few small lakes within the park and a boathouse the place you may lease some cool animal-shaped paddle boats.
Through the summer time months, there’s a free live performance sequence in Metropolis Park. Be sure you test the schedule to see what’s enjoying when you’re visiting in the summertime. You could find Metropolis Park on the map right here.
One other nice alternative is Washington Park, which is situated simply south of downtown (test the map right here).
Health fans will love a go to to this huge inexperienced area due to the numerous mountaineering and biking trails right here. There are additionally a couple of lakes right here for extra enjoyable on the water.
10. Go to the US Mint
The US Mint in Denver runs free excursions Monday-Thursday on a first-come, first-served foundation.
Have you ever ever puzzled how cash are made? Nicely, you are able to do simply that by visiting the US Mint. It was opened again in 1863 to show the findings of the Gold Rush into cash for all the nation.
Their ticket window opens up at 7 AM and you’ll solely get tickets for a similar day. There are six excursions a day at 8, 9:30, 11, 12:30, 2, and three:30. You may get instructions to the US Mint on the map right here.
On this hour-long guided tour of the US Mint, you’ll see how a bland-looking piece of metallic will get remodeled right into a shiny new coin.
Every coin that’s made right here is stamped with a “D” for Denver. They’ll produce as much as 50 million cash a day right here! A go to right here is certainly one of the distinctive Denver vacationer points of interest.
Deal with: 320 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO, 80204, USA
11. Go to the Elitch Gardens Theme Park
One of the enjoyable locations to go to in Denver is Elitch Gardens. It’s truly two superior parks rolled into one, with a theme park on one aspect and a water park on the opposite.
Enjoyable reality – Elitch Gardens is the one downtown theme park in the USA!
It’s one of the common Denver points of interest and a terrific place to spend the day. With curler coasters, water slides, drive-in films, free live shows, and superb fireworks shows, there’s a lot to see and do right here.
Elitch Gardens is open from mid-April to early November. The theme park opening hours differ relying on the time of 12 months and the day of the week, so make sure you test earlier than planning your journey there.
As for the water park, it’s open from 10:30-6 from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. You could find Elitch Gardens on the map and get instructions right here.
Deal with: 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO, 80204, USA
12. Go to the Historical past Colorado Middle
For those who’re excited about studying extra in regards to the state of Colorado, then make sure you add a visit to the Historical past Colorado Middle to your checklist of issues to do in downtown Denver.
It’s situated within the Golden Triangle Museum District, the place you’ll discover most of the finest Denver points of interest.
The Historical past Colorado Middle is a far cry from the boring museums of the previous. This contemporary historical past museum is filled with interactive, high-tech displays which are enjoyable and informative for all ages.
Along with the good displays inside, the constructing itself is sort of spectacular. It was constructed from all kinds of native in addition to recycled supplies, and it’s a stupendous constructing inside and outside.
The museum is open day-after-day from 10-5, with tickets costing $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10/$8 for college students/kids. This must-see place in Denver is included within the Metropolis Move. You could find the museum on the map and get instructions right here.
Deal with: 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO, 80203, USA
13. Larimer Sq. (a prime Denver Attraction for vacationers)
Larimer Sq. is likely one of the coolest locations to go to in Denver, so make sure you add it to your checklist.
The town of Denver has come a great distance since its humble beginnings as a pioneer camp through the Gold Rush. It was based in 1858 by William Larimer, who named the brand new metropolis’s principal road after himself.
For a few years, Larimer Avenue thrived as a bustling industrial hub. That was till the flip of the century, when it grew to become run down and full of liquor shops, flophouses, and pawn retailers.
Fortunately, restoration efforts started within the mid-’60s to attempt to save this piece of Denver’s historical past.
The 1400 block of Larimer Avenue was saved from the wrecking ball and buildings got a critical facelift. Half a century later, it’s the best-preserved space of Nineteenth-century buildings in all of Denver.
It’s often called Larimer Sq. nowadays, and it’s as soon as once more a thriving space of downtown Denver. Right here you’ll discover impartial retailers, eating places run by well-known cooks, and a few full of life bars. Get instructions to Larimer Sq. on the map right here.
Deal with: 1430 Larimer St, Denver, CO, 80202, USA
14. Denver Middle for the Performing Arts
Just some blocks from Larimer Sq., you’ll discover the Denver Middle for the Performing Arts. House to a number of totally different venues, there’s at all times one thing attention-grabbing happening right here.
There are various totally different theatres within the DCPA. The most important is the Buell Theatre (2,839 capability), which hosts Broadway musicals and performs. Upcoming exhibits right here embody Broadway staples resembling Cats, Depraved, and Lease.
A lot smaller is the Garner Galleria Theatre, which is a cabaret-style venue that solely seats simply over 200 individuals. This venue often options comedic musicals or improv comedy, so that you’re assured some laughs while you e book a present right here.
After all, there are many choices for wining and eating across the DCPA as properly. Go forward and make an evening of it by having dinner and drinks right here earlier than the present.
Simply make sure you e book your tickets prematurely for these tremendous common exhibits! You could find the DCPA on the map right here.
Deal with: 1101 thirteenth St., Denver, CO, 80204, USA
15. Go to the Breweries: A Should-Do in Denver!
Beer lovers are in for a deal with when visiting Denver. House to breweries massive and small, there’s no scarcity of tasty brews to pattern right here within the Mile Excessive Metropolis — visiting is a must-do in Denver!
Craft Beer Breweries
For those who choose a powerful IPA or a milky stout to mass-produced lagers, you may choose to go on a micro-brewery tour as an alternative — of which, there are a lot of in Denver.
This Decrease Downtown Denver brewery tour is likely one of the hottest within the metropolis! You’ll go to 4 of the very best craft breweries whereas sampling 10 beers. Plus, you’ll be taught in regards to the brewing course of out of your professional beer information and obtain a memento glass on the finish.
The tour contains ten or extra beneficiant tastings of various beers. Having performed this Denver microbrewery tour myself, I can say with confidence that you simply undoubtedly get your cash’s value! Be taught extra right here.
On this 4-hour tour, you’ll go to 3 totally different breweries on the base of the Rocky Mountains. The tour is known as Brews and Views for a cause! Be taught extra right here.
Coors Brewery
Though it’s not technically within the metropolis, the Coors Brewery stays one of many prime Denver points of interest. Situated in close by Golden, that is the world’s largest single-site brewery. They’ll brew as much as 22 million barrels of beer right here in a single 12 months!
Excursions of the Coors Brewery can be found year-round for $10 per particular person. They final half-hour, supplying you with a fast have a look at the malting, brewing, and packaging course of for one of many world’s most well-known beers.
After the tour, you may after all pattern among the product. You could find the brewery on the map right here.
Deal with: Coors Brewery, 1221 Ford St, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
Bonus! Day Journeys
I had so as to add extra must-sees in Denver to this checklist. Whereas there’s rather a lot happening within the metropolis itself, in case you have the time, I like to recommend getting outdoors of town and exploring Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.
A good way to do that so that you don’t must type out transportation and to have a educated information with you is to be a part of a enjoyable day journey. There are two principal choices:
8 Hour Day Journey From Denver
The drive to the Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is simply as superb because the park itself — benefit from the canyons, the Flatirons, and the charming city of Estes Park.
When you’re within the Nationwide Park, you’ll expertise the attractive view of Lengthy’s Peak, the park’s highest mountain, and admire the glacial-carved valleys, full of aspen and pine timber.
Plus, the information will take you to the very best spots for wildlife viewing, pictures, strolling, brief hikes, or simply chilling out.
This highly-rated, small-group tour contains information, transportation, lunch and park entrance charges, and naturally, among the most spectacular viewpoints and areas within the park. Be taught extra about this must-do in Denver Colorado right here.
4 Hour Day Journey From Denver
For those who don’t really feel like spending an entire day away from the opposite points of interest in Denver, you are able to do a half-day journey to see the Rocky Mountains, versus visiting the Nationwide Park.
On this journey, you’ll drive the Lariat Loop, go to Crimson Rocks, Evergreen (for a beer/espresso), a lookout level, and Buffalo Invoice’s Grave, earlier than returning to Denver.
FAQs about Denver Points of interest
Listed here are solutions to some steadily requested questions on what to do in Denver, Colorado.
Due to its elevation, Denver is known for being the Mile Excessive Metropolis. Situated on the foot of the Entrance Vary, Denver is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. So far as Denver points of interest go, it’s well-known for artwork museums, sports activities arenas, craft breweries, and live performance venues resembling Crimson Rocks.
After all! There are many enjoyable issues to do in Denver. You possibly can go mountaineering, take a look at a museum, go to breweries, go to a live performance, or see a recreation of one in every of Denver’s 4 main sports activities groups.
Sure, downtown Denver is certainly value visiting. Though you might solely be passing via in your method to a mountaineering or snowboarding journey within the mountains, a cease downtown provides you with the possibility to take pleasure in nice eating places, hip breweries, and enjoyable Denver points of interest just like the sixteenth Avenue Mall.
Though you would see rather a lot in solely someday, three days provides you with the perfect period of time to have a pleasant mixture of tradition, nature, and first-rate foods and drinks whereas visiting Denver.
Completely Denver is a walkable metropolis. High Denver points of interest, such because the sixteenth Avenue Mall and Larimer Sq., are finest skilled on foot.
Downtown Denver is 23 miles from the airport. It’s straightforward to get there, due to the A-Line commuter prepare that connects the airport to downtown.
Prepared for All the Points of interest in Denver?
As you may see, there’s rather a lot happening in Denver! There are such a lot of glorious Denver points of interest that this checklist may have simply been for much longer. I’ve been going to town each few years for the final decade and I at all times uncover one thing new.
A go to to Denver is the right introduction to the state of Colorado.
After a couple of days of taking in among the sights within the metropolis, you’ll be able to get on the market and discover the remainder of this lovely, mountainous state. Simply an hour and a half drive from town, yow will discover your self within the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.
So a lot of my buddies have moved to Denver in the previous few years, and I can undoubtedly see why.
With a thriving music scene and numerous choices for out of doors adventures, I see the attraction! I for one am enthusiastic about getting again to town once more quickly, and I like to recommend you add it to your journey bucket checklist.
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