Colorado is filled with unbelievable cities to go to. From Colorado Springs to Grand Junction, you’ll discover lots to maintain you entertained throughout the state. Nonetheless, Denver positively takes the cake. Because the capital of Colorado, Denver has the most effective points of interest and actions for each sort of trip. If you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Denver, hold studying, as a result of this journey information shares the most effective museums and actions from downtown Denver to the Rocky Mountains.
High Issues to Do in Denver
If you’re flying into Denver, e-book an airport switch to downtown Denver to take the effort out of arrivals. One of the best ways to get round Colorado to see locations like Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is to lease a automobile. You possibly can evaluate automobile rental costs right here.
Denver points of interest are plentiful, so we’ve compiled a whole information that can assist you choose the most effective issues to do in Denver. Denver’s big persona makes it stand shoulders. (actually) above Colorado’s different cities. Positioned precisely 5280 ft above sea stage, the Mile Excessive Metropolis lives as much as the hype. You possibly 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 number of 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 prime of Capitol Hill, the Colorado State Capitol can be stunning 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 elaborate end, a gold dome was added to the constructing in 1908 to commemorate the gold rush. Apparently, the State Capitol steps are additionally engraved with Denver’s elevation – (One Mile Above Sea Degree) 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’ll be able to head inside for a guided tour. Verify the web site for particulars.
2. sixteenth Avenue Mall – Denver’s Vibrant Heartbeat
Positioned within the coronary heart of downtown Denver, the sixteenth Avenue 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, harking back to a diamondback rattlesnake sample, beckons guests to walk and benefit from the metropolis’s power.
One of many standout options of the sixteenth Avenue Mall is the free shuttle bus, which traverses the size of the mall, making it simple for guests to hop on and off to do some buying and eating. See particulars right here.
Because 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 points of interest just like the Denver Artwork Museum, Coors Discipline, and the historic LoDo (Decrease Downtown) district, the sixteenth Avenue Mall serves as an ideal beginning or ending level for any Denver journey. Whether or not you’re seeking to take pleasure in some retail remedy, savor native delicacies, or just soak within the metropolis’s environment, the sixteenth Avenue Mall is a must-visit when in Denver, Colorado.
3. Stroll round Larimer Sq.
From sixteenth Avenue Mall, Larimer Sq. 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 images. In recent times, the district has been revamped with impartial indie outlets, bars, and eating places.
Whether or not you need to buy groceries and eating or buy some Denver souvenirs, Larimer Sq. has a unbelievable environment. When you get pleasure from 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 Sq. is linked to Downtown Denver by Larimer Avenue, which is lined with bars and eating places. We advise strolling again to downtown by way of Larimer Avenue.
4. Craft Beer and Avenue Artwork Excursions
Denver is also known as 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 US. A craft beer tour is not going to solely will let you pattern a various array of brews but in addition 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 a good way to immerse in Denver tradition. As you stroll from one venue to a different, you’ll be able to 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 progressive and inventive spirit.
Town’s avenue artwork, significantly 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 2 completely.
5. Spend time alongside the South Platte River
If you’re on the lookout for some outside actions in Denver, spend a day on the river. Whether or not you want swimming or kayaking, the South Platte River makes an excellent 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 which you could attain on the path. The trail crosses over just a little footbridge and reaches a serene pond the place you’ll be able to chill out and forged away.
Additional up the river, Denver Outside Journey Firm rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. You possibly can all the time lease the water gear from them if you happen to don’t have any. This manner, you’ll be able to discover the river from the water slightly than stroll the path.
6. Take an Ebiking Tour
Biking across the river is a well-liked outside exercise, and one in every of our favourite methods to get across the metropolis is to take a biking tour. However as an alternative of working too onerous, e-book this E-bike tour to see the town’s highlights. Benefit from the pure great thing about Denver with a pedal-assisted bike by means of Denver’s main points of interest and hidden gems. It is a nice tour for the entire household and you may even e-book particular children rides.
7. Crimson Rocks Amphitheatre
Crimson 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. Well-known for its outstanding pure acoustics set in opposition to a backdrop of crimson rock formations, Crimson Rocks has hosted legendary live shows. However music is just the start.
In the course of 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 change into an enormous outside yoga studio, drawing fanatics for “Yoga on the Rocks”. For up to date performances and occasions go to their web site.
Past the stage, the 738-acre Crimson Rocks Park has climbing and biking trails, and for these within the historical past of this storied place, the Crimson Rocks Customer Heart is dwelling to the Colorado Music Corridor of Fame, a Performers’ Corridor of Fame gallery, and a charming movie that delves into the geological and musical historical past of Crimson 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 Advanced
The Denver Performing Arts Advanced 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 environment and giving night guests a surprising view of the evening sky.
Love a very good present? We do too. The Denver Performing Arts Advanced is the most effective place to look at a efficiency in Denver, be it opera or Broadway. The complicated is break 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 effectively however we’d suggest that you just e-book prematurely if you happen to actually need to attend a efficiency. Take a look at what’s arising at their web site
9. Watch a baseball sport at Coors Discipline
Some of the enjoyable issues to do in Denver for sports activities followers is to look at a baseball sport at Coors Discipline. Coors Discipline is the house floor of the most important league baseball group, 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 prematurely, so e-book forward to keep away from disappointment. You might be in any case watching America’s favourite pastime. When you miss out on watching a sport, you need to at the very 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 could 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 funds can even be happy to know that the museum is free to enter – so there isn’t a breaking your funds to expertise the Corridor of Fame. The museum pays respects to all the best sportsmen and ladies in Colorado’s historical past, with everlasting and non permanent reveals to absorb. From baseball star Bob Gebhard to swimmer Erin Popovich, you’ll notice simply what number of US sporting elites Colorado has had over time.
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 e-book the tour on-line 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 if you happen to aren’t an NFL fan, you’ll have a thrill watching American Soccer at this beautiful stadium. The massive stadium has views of the Rocky Mountains and passionate followers, so e-book some tickets prematurely and be a part of the enjoyable!
12. See what’s on on the Pepsi Heart
The Pepsi Heart is an esteemed sporting and music occasion venue in Denver. You is perhaps watching the Nationwide Lacrosse League ultimate one evening and a rock live performance the following. The middle affords a various and thrilling leisure schedule.
Verify what occasions coincide together with your Denver journey forward of time, as most admission tickets promote out shortly after being launched. Nonetheless, it’s value checking for last-minute availabilities if you happen to’ve by chance left it late.
The Pepsi Heart is comparatively central and straightforward to entry from downtown and Central Denver. It is usually 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 recommend positively incorporating a Pepsi Heart occasion into your itinerary.
Different leisure venues in Denver embrace the Denver Heart for Performing Arts, The Bluebird Theatre which is a stay music venue in Denver, and the Colorado Conference Heart for occasions.
13. Spend a day at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
Who doesn’t love a very good amusement park? Elitch Gardens is the one downtown theme park in the US and is a superb day trip.
The most effective amusement park in Colorado and has been operating for over 130 years. The park contains a joined rollercoaster park and waterpark – good in summer season if you need to cool off after queueing for the large 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 trip selections.
14. Go to the Molly Brown Home Museum
Margaret ‘Molly’ Brown is a unbelievable 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 means of the evening and, on her arrival within the US, elevating cash to assist assist struggling survivors.
See her story by means of shows of artifacts, images, and paperwork. There are additionally a number of unique interviews which you could learn. An inspiring and emotional expertise, the Molly Brown Home Museum is among the most memorable issues to do in Denver. An interesting humanitarian with an enormous story, Molly is one in every 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 very least half a day in your itinerary. You’ll discover public tennis courts, operating tracks, duck ponds, and a ship home. If you need the prospect to cherish some inner-city inexperienced area, Metropolis Park is a superb place to start out. It’s the good place to sunbathe with a e-book, get some train in, and simply chill out in nature.
The most effective half about Metropolis Park is that it’s positioned simply east of Downtown Denver. The proximity to the Downtown space means which you could simply squeeze in a go to, and it suits in effectively 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 means of Denver Botanic Gardens
Fancy an expertise in nature however a bit nearer to Denver’s middle? 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 very least half a day to go to the Denver Botanic Gardens.
There’s a combine of outside and indoor areas, with a conservatory, pure meadow, and specialised areas like a conventional Japanese backyard. The Botanic Gardens additionally runs seasonal occasions just like the Lavender Pageant and music live shows in summer season. It’s value 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 may see artwork reveals from the traditional Americas or the newest, most trending modern artwork. Denver’s Artwork Museum is aware of when to maneuver with the occasions and when to protect historic items.
The Artwork Museum could be visited when you are on the Colorado State Capitol as each are positioned within the Civic Heart. Nonetheless, permit at the very 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 Heart
Historical past Colorado, beforehand often called 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 quite a lot of reveals that inform the story of Colorado’s historical past, from its historical Native American inhabitants to its newer previous. The reveals are designed to be partaking and interactive, utilizing a mix of artifacts, multimedia shows, and hands-on actions. Subjects lined embrace the state’s mining historical past, its function within the Outdated West, the influence 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 superb 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 e-book on the cozy seating..You possibly 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 plenty of Denver’s museums. If you’re staying in Denver for some time, you could want to join a library card to be able 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 House Museum
Budding astronauts or area fanatics, pay attention up. The museum is constructed on the previous Lowry Air Pressure Base, which served the USA till 1994. The previous base serves a brand new objective, educating guests on US area historical past, plane, and the astronaut life-style.
Guests can view actual plane up shut, enter the digital actuality lounge for a simulator expertise, and soak up unbelievable everlasting and non permanent exhibitions. The museum has a very good stability of kinetic, auditory, and visible studying alternatives – which retains each customer engaged, irrespective of their studying desire.
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 vital artists Clyfford Nonetheless. Clyfford Nonetheless was a pioneering determine within the Summary Expressionist motion recognized for his large-scale, highly effective work which can be characterised by huge fields of colour and jagged varieties. The museum is a novel 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 chill out in one of many metropolis’s parks, and Washington Park is the most effective of the most effective.
Guests can get pleasure from a powerful vary of leisure services. From tennis courts to lakes and rollerblading, the park has numerous outside actions to maintain you entertained without cost. The park is over 165 acres in measurement so you’ll be able to simply spend a day right here.
23. Go to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature Science explores every thing associated to nature and science, together with well being sciences and outer area. For a thought-provoking and academic day trip, the museum is among the greatest issues to do in Denver with children.
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 taking a look at 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 data you’ve discovered.
24. Go to the Denver Firefighters Museum
If you need one of the 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 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 inbuilt 1909.
24. Go to Stanley Market
Stanley Market really began up as a beer corridor enterprise. Nonetheless, years later, it has change into a lot, rather more. You’ll discover over fifty distributors underneath the lined market – promoting every thing 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 superb place to start out. When you love a very good market, visiting Stanley Market is among the greatest issues to do in Denver. It was voted Denver Metro’s Finest 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. Positive, 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 get pleasure from some golf whereas on vacation in Denver.
The membership makes use of Trackman simulator expertise to emulate an actual sport. Plus, you’ll be able to play nearly on programs worldwide, together with St Andrews. Whilst you play, you’ll be able to 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 fashion. The expertise is designed to be immersive, permitting guests to the touch, transfer, and work together with lots of the reveals.
When you’re planning a go to or simply curious, it’s value noting that Meow Wolf installations are likely to evolve and alter over time, with new rooms, tales, and interactive parts being added or modified. This retains the expertise recent for repeat guests and ensures that there’s all the time 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 except accompanied by a baby (and vice versa). The environment is designed to be wholly kid-friendly and prioritizes peer social occasions and fascinating academic alternatives.
You’ll discover an artwork studio, journey forest, hearth station, and plenty of extra reveals inside. The youngsters’s museum affords small world, discovery, outside, and inventive reveals to fulfill 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.
Except for 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 climbing trails and lookout factors. When you love a problem, Lookout Mountain is a superb peak to scale and is lesser-known, so a quieter hike. You might be rewarded with expansive views over the Nationwide Park on the summit, and, hopefully, you need to have the summit to your self.
This present day tour from Denver takes you from the streets of Mile Excessive Metropolis to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. You’ll get pleasure from a day in historic cities, alpine passes and trying to find wildlife.
29. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
Reality be informed, the greatest 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 value of beautiful views. When you’ve obtained a selected affinity for sure nature hike options like waterfalls or wildlife recognizing then maybe you’ll recognize some hikes greater than others.
Nonetheless, if you happen to love all that the nice outside can provide 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’ll be able to take it as simple as you need or head up into the tundra area for an actual journey.
Mountaineering fanatics ought to allocate at the very least two days to expertise the Nationwide Park’s climbing trails. Whereas 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 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 ft (4,307 meters) above sea stage at its summit.
The route begins at Idaho Springs and covers twenty-eight miles to achieve Mount Evan within the Rockies. You’ll move alpine meadows and lakes equivalent to Echo Lake Park. Maintain your eyes peeled for wildlife like marmots and mountain goats, as you’ll be slicing by means of a few of Colorado’s most well-populated animal territories.
You should purchase a scenic byway tour or drive the route your self. When you can, we’d suggest renting a automobile to be able to select your individual stops. Crimson Rocks Park, Walter Pesman Alpine Backyard, and Buffalo Invoice’s Grave are the most effective stops. However, truthfully, you’ll be pulling over often to cease, recognize, and {photograph} views.
It’s value noting that on account of its elevation and mountain location, the highway could be topic to extreme climate circumstances and is mostly solely open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Easy methods to get to Denver?
One of the best ways 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 companies. 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.
In fact, you could 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 possibly can 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, all the enjoyable issues to do in Denver are within the metropolis middle or Downtown, so you may get away with strolling in all places if you wish to.
In any other case, you’ll be able to catch the sunshine rail or bus between suburbs. If you wish to splash out, there are all the time many taxis on standby, plus a number of horses and carriages for a very 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 need to set your vacation spot.
The most effective time to go to Denver
Usually, the most effective 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 actions, however, sadly, everybody is aware of it. Winter in Denver is busy and dearer, as everybody rushes to get pleasure from what Denver affords. For a quiet break, plan a go to in spring or fall.
The place to remain in Denver
These are only a few recommendations. Be certain that to take a look at our full information on The place to Keep in Denver – Finest Neighborhoods and Areas for a full breakdown of all the highest areas to base your self.
To Conclude
We hope you have got an unbelievable keep in Denver, aka the mile-high metropolis. Voted as one of the habitable cities in the US, 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 make sure you have a tremendous time exploring all the town has to supply.