Colorado is stuffed with incredible cities to go to. From Colorado Springs to Grand Junction, you’ll discover lots to maintain you entertained throughout the state. Nevertheless, Denver positively takes the cake. Because the capital of Colorado, Denver has the very best sights and actions for each kind of trip. If you’re in search of 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

If you’re flying into Denver, e book an airport switch 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 may examine automobile rental costs right here.

Denver sights are plentiful, so we’ve compiled an entire information that can assist you choose the very best issues to do in Denver. Denver’s large character makes it stand shoulders. (actually) above Colorado’s different cities. Situated precisely 5280 toes above sea stage, the Mile Excessive Metropolis lives as much as the hype. You may 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 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. Situated on the prime of Capitol Hill, the Colorado State Capitol can also be lovely to have a look at. The structure is designed to imitate the State Capitol in Washington DC, and the constructing is reduce 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 Degree) creating the nickname ‘mile-high metropolis’ because the thirteenth step is a mile above sea stage.

Guests can picnic exterior and admire the constructing’s exterior or you may head inside for a guided tour. Test the web site for particulars.

2. sixteenth Avenue Mall – Denver’s Vibrant Heartbeat

Situated within the coronary heart of downtown Denver, the sixteenth Avenue 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 walk and benefit from the metropolis’s vitality.

One of many standout options of the sixteenth Avenue 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.

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 sights just like the Denver Artwork Museum, Coors Area, 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 trying to bask in some retail remedy, savor native delicacies, or just soak within the metropolis’s ambiance, 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 pictures. In recent times, the district has been revamped with unbiased 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 incredible ambiance. Should 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 allows you to pattern meals from 5 of 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 sometimes called the “Napa Valley of Beer.” With over 150 breweries within the metropolitan space, town boasts one of many largest concentrations of craft breweries in the USA. A craft beer tour won’t 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 road artwork 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 town’s revolutionary and artistic spirit.

Town’s road artwork, notably in neighborhoods like RiNo (River North Artwork 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’re in search of some outside actions in Denver, spend a day on the river. Whether or not you want swimming or kayaking, the South Platte River makes a terrific 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 would be able to attain on the path. The trail crosses over a bit of footbridge and reaches a serene pond the place you may chill out and solid away.

Additional up the river, Denver Out of doors Journey Firm rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. You may 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 outside exercise, and one among our favourite methods to get across the metropolis is to take a biking tour. However as a substitute of working too laborious, e book this E-bike tour to see town’s highlights. Benefit from the pure fantastic thing about Denver with a pedal-assisted bike by means of Denver’s main sights and hidden gems. It is a nice tour for the entire household and you’ll even e book particular children rides.

7. Purple Rocks Amphitheatre

Purple 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, Purple Rocks has hosted legendary live shows. However music is only the start.

Through the summer time, the venue transforms for “Movie on the Rocks”, an occasion that mixes reside music with the screening of a preferred film and the amphitheater grounds often develop into a large outside yoga studio, drawing lovers for “Yoga on the Rocks”. For up to date performances and occasions go to their web site.

Past the stage, the 738-acre Purple Rocks Park has mountaineering and biking trails, and for these within the historical past of this storied place, the Purple Rocks Customer Heart is house 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 Purple Rocks.

Situated simply 20 minutes from 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 completely different efficiency areas. The constructing has an overarching glass-domed roof, making a dramatic ambiance and giving night guests a surprising view of the night time sky.

Love an excellent present? We do too. The Denver Performing Arts Advanced is the very best place to observe a efficiency in Denver, be it opera or Broadway. The complicated is break up into completely 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 advocate that you simply e book prematurely in the event you actually need to attend a efficiency. Take a look at what’s arising at their web site

9. Watch a baseball recreation at Coors Area

One of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Denver for sports activities followers is to observe a baseball recreation at Coors Area. Coors Area 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 probability to seize a beer, chill out, and benefit from the expertise. Be ready for passionate followers and a fiercely aggressive ambiance.

Admission tickets promote out quick prematurely, so e book forward to keep away from disappointment. You’re in any case watching America’s favourite pastime. Should you miss out on watching a recreation, it is best 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 have 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, the house floor of the Denver Broncos.

These on a funds may even be happy to know that the museum is free to enter – so there isn’t any breaking your funds 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 momentary displays to soak up. 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 Area at Mile Excessive

A go to to the Sports activities Corridor Museum is greatest mixed with a tour of the Mile Excessive Stadium. You may 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 recreation at Empower Area at Mile Excessive. Even in the event you 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 may be watching the Nationwide Lacrosse League closing one night time and Machine Gun Kelly performing the following. The middle provides a various and thrilling leisure schedule.

Test what occasions coincide along with your Denver journey forward of time, as most admission tickets promote out rapidly after being launched. Nonetheless, it’s value checking for last-minute availabilities in the event you’ve by chance left it late.

The Pepsi Heart 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 (extra on Elitch Gardens later). If you wish to make your journey to Denver much more memorable, we propose 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 reside music venue in Denver, and the Colorado Conference Heart for occasions.

13. Go to the Molly Brown Home Museum

Margaret ‘Molly’ Brown is a incredible determine in historical past. Molly famously survived the sinking of the Titanic ship in 1912 and was a tireless activist within the aftermath of the catastrophe. Molly helped row the lifeboat to security by means of the night time and, on her arrival within the US, elevating cash to assist help struggling survivors.

Now, you may uncover her story by means of shows of artifacts, pictures, and paperwork. There are additionally a number of unique interviews that you would be able to learn. An inspiring and emotional expertise, the Molly Brown Home Museum is without doubt one of the most memorable issues to do in Denver. An enchanting humanitarian with an enormous story, Molly is one among Denver’s most fascinating historic figures. It might assist in the event you allowed at the very least an hour or two to understand the museum fully.

14. 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 USA and is a superb day trip.

The perfect amusement park in Colorado and has been working for over 130 years. The park encompasses a joined rollercoaster park and waterpark – excellent in summer time if 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 desire a freefall thrill slide or a family-friendly lazy river, there are many trip decisions.

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, working tracks, duck ponds, and a ship home. If you would like the prospect to cherish some inner-city inexperienced area, Metropolis Park is a superb place to begin. It’s the excellent place to sunbathe with a e book, get some train in, and simply chill out 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 would be able to simply squeeze in a go to, and it matches in nicely with visiting different in style sights. Denver Zoo can also 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 heart? Denver Botanic Gardens is without doubt one of 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 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 live shows in summer time. It’s value checking the Botanic Gardens occasion schedule to see if any particular shows coincide along with your go to to Denver.

To discover the Denver Botanic Gardens, you may head out independently or take a guided tour.

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 displays 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 will be visited while you’re on the Colorado State Capitol as each are positioned within the Civic Heart. Nevertheless, enable 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 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 displays that inform the story of Colorado’s historical past, from its historic Native American inhabitants to its newer previous. The displays are designed to be partaking and interactive, utilizing a mix of artifacts, multimedia shows, and hands-on actions. Matters lined embrace the state’s mining historical past, its position within the Outdated West, the influence of railroads, and extra.

Situated in downtown Denver, making it simply accessible for each locals and vacationers. Its central location additionally means it’s near different cultural sights within the metropolis.

19. Calm down 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 sights.

The library has over two million objects in its assortment, together with an impressively expansive part on Western Historical past and Family tree. You may browse the cabinets and curl up with a e book on the comfortable seating..You may examine 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 provides you free entry to a lot of Denver’s museums. If you’re staying in Denver for some time, it’s possible you’ll want to enroll in a library card as a way to borrow books and entry free sights.

20. Go to the Wings and Over The Rockies Air and House Museum

Budding astronauts or area lovers, hear up. The museum is constructed on the outdated Lowry Air Pressure Base, which served the USA till 1994. The outdated base serves a brand new goal, 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 absorb incredible everlasting and momentary exhibitions. The museum has an excellent stability of kinetic, auditory, and visible studying alternatives – which retains each customer engaged, regardless of their studying desire.

21. Clyfford Nonetheless Museum – A Deep Dive into Summary Expressionism in Denver

The Clyfford Nonetheless Museum is one other fascinating museum to go to in Denver showcasing the legacy of one of many twentieth century’s most important and enigmatic artists Clyfford Nonetheless. Clyfford Nonetheless was a pioneering determine within the Summary Expressionist motion recognized for his large-scale, highly effective work which are characterised by huge fields of shade and jagged types. 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. Situated within the coronary heart of Denver’s Cultural District, it’s an important cease for anybody trying to perceive town’s wealthy creative heritage.

22. Discover Washington Park

The most effective issues to do in Denver is to chill out in one of many metropolis’s parks, and Washington Park is the very best of the very best.

Guests can get pleasure from a powerful vary of leisure amenities. From tennis courts to lakes and rollerblading, the park has loads of outside actions to maintain you entertained totally free. 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 area. For a thought-provoking and academic day trip, the museum is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Denver with children.

The Denver Museum of Nature Science has a mix of momentary and everlasting exhibitions – you would 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 also 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 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 necessary historic paperwork on show throughout the museum. The museum can also be located within the outdated Denver firehouse, which was in-built 1909.

24. Go to Stanley Market

Stanley Market truly began up as a beer corridor enterprise. Nevertheless, years later, it has develop into a lot, rather more. You’ll discover over fifty distributors beneath 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 Market is a thriving neighborhood spot. To embrace Denver and its neighborhood, Stanley Market is a superb place to begin. Should you love an excellent market morning, visiting Stanley Market is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Denver.

25. Play a spherical of Digital Golf

South Broadway is Denver’s first indoor golf course. Positive, you would enterprise out to Predator Ridge, one of many metropolis’s different normal golf programs – however the place is the enjoyable in that? South Broadway is a enjoyable, novel option to get pleasure from some golf whereas on vacation in Denver.

The membership makes use of Trackman simulator expertise to emulate an actual recreation. 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 analogous 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 displays.

Should 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 contemporary for repeat guests and ensures that there’s at all times one thing new to find.

27. Go to the Youngsters’s Museum

The Denver Youngsters’s Museum is designed to coach and encourage little minds with the catchphrase ‘kid-powered studying’. No adults are allowed within the Youngsters’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 displays inside. The kids’s museum provides small world, discovery, outside, and artistic displays to fulfill 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 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 town.

Other than 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 mountaineering trails and lookout factors. Should you love a problem, Lookout Mountain is a superb 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, it is best to have the summit to your self.

This present day tour from Denver takes you from the streets oof 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 instructed, the greatest hikes in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park are most likely 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. Should you’ve obtained a selected affinity for sure nature hike options like waterfalls or wildlife recognizing then maybe you’ll respect some hikes greater than others.

Nevertheless, in the event you love all that the good outside 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 lovers ought to allocate at the very least two days to expertise the Nationwide Park’s mountaineering trails. Whereas there are many mountaineering trails in Colorado, the Rockies actually take the win for outside actions and scenic mountaineering.

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 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 cross alpine meadows and lakes reminiscent of 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. Should you can, we’d advocate renting a automobile as a way to select your individual stops. Purple Rocks Park, Walter Pesman Alpine Backyard, and Buffalo Invoice’s Grave are the very best stops. However, actually, you’ll be pulling over recurrently to cease, respect, and {photograph} views.

It’s value noting that as a result of its elevation and mountain location, the highway will be topic to extreme climate circumstances and is mostly solely open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Easy methods 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 may attain Denver from most main US cities, together with Los Angeles, Austin, and even Honolulu. Flying is essentially the most handy option to get to Denver if you’re touring from overseas, out of state, and even simply from the opposite facet of Colorado.

In fact, it’s possible you’ll want to highway journey your option to Denver. On this case, we’d advocate 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 town life.

Getting round Denver

Getting round Denver is straightforward. As a vacationer, the entire enjoyable issues to do in Denver are within the metropolis heart or Downtown, so you will get away with strolling all over the 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 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 it is best to set your vacation spot.

The perfect time to go to Denver

Usually, 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 known for its winter actions, however, sadly, everybody is aware of it. Winter in Denver is busy and costlier, as everybody rushes to get pleasure from what Denver provides. For a quiet break, plan a go to in spring or fall.

The place to remain in Denver

These are only a few strategies. Be certain to take a look at our full information on The place to Keep in Denver – Greatest 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 habitable cities in the USA, Denver is filled with issues to do and see. The Colorado capital will hold you entertained for days. Be it procuring and eating downtown, or having fun with one of many many Denver sights, you’ll be sure you have a tremendous time exploring all town has to supply.