Best Things to Do in Denver, Colorado: 100+ Ideas around Denver

Denver is a city everyone should explore at least once in their lifetime. From a thriving cultural scene to being an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, there’s a wide variety of things to do in Denver, any time of year.

After spending 8 months living in Denver and countless trips back and forth for work over the years, I can safely say I never get tired of exploring the city – as a local or a tourist.

The city is thriving and constantly evolving to add more delicious food, new and exciting murals and art, greater architectural interest, and amazing cultural events. Not to mention that the Rocky Mountains are right there – you can even see the from parts of downtown Denver!

Let’s take a look at the best things to do in Denver, so you can start planning out the best way to tackle this amazing city!

Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

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Best Things to Do in Denver

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With over 300 days of sunshine per year, you’ll be able to get out and enjoy the fabulous city life of Denver and the neighboring Rocky Mountains. Read through the best things to do in Denver and then start planning out your itinerary with the things that interest you most.

Explore downtown Denver.

One of the most impressive parts of Denver is its thriving downtown. You’ll find amazing restaurants, museums, breweries, street art, boutiques, and more as you explore the downtown area.

Fortunately, it’s easily walkable as well as having awesome public transportation to help you get around the central downtown area and the surrounding suburbs.

• Union Station: If you’re arriving at the Denver airport, you can take the train directly into Union Station, or if you’re staying on the outskirts of town, many of the train lines will bring you to Union Station. It’s a great place to start your tour of Denver and close to many of the best things to do in Denver, not to mention it offers a wide variety of restaurants and bars all at Union Station making it a destination unto itself.
  
  Do you want to stay centrally? Good news, you can stay in Union Station at the fabulous Crawford Hotel!

• Larimer Square: Denver began in Larimer Square, the oldest and most historic block in downtown Denver. Today you’ll find a great mix of boutiques, restaurants, lively bars, and more surrounding the square. At night, you can admire it under the bright canopy of lights strung across the road.

• Denver 16th Street Mall: A mile-long pedestrian-friendly street offering free shuttle busses, called the MallRide, to travel up and down the many blocks of shops and restaurants.

• Daniels & Fisher Clocktower: Don’t miss the Daniels & Fisher Tower, also known as the D&F Tower. This clock tower is a two-thirds size replica of the Campanile of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, featuring a 2.5 ton bell. It also marks the Skyline Park, which is home to many seasonal events in Denver.

• RiNo Art District: Take a walk through the River North district where you’ll find stunning street art, as well as local businesses and artists. You can also take a Graffiti Tour of Denver to learn more about the art.

• LoDo: Visit Lower Downtown Denver to explore some of the best-known restaurants, galleries, shops and boutiques in the city. It’s the oldest neighborhood in Denver and often thought to be the center of it all. Take a walking tour of LoDo to really get to know this part of the city.

Tour downtown Denver by Segway, by bike, by motorized scooters, or on foot.

Learn about Denver and the state of Colorado.

One of the best things to do when visiting a new city is to learn all about it! There are lots of ways to do this, but there are three sights in particular that will help you understand the history of the area and how it came to be the bustling metropolis that it is today.

• Colorado State Capitol: Located in downtown Denver, the Colorado Capitol building is a great place to get a feel for the city. Generally open to the public for free tours, go admire the stunning rose and white marble as well as stained glass windows. You’ll also get to learn more about the city of Denver and the state of Colorado.

• History Colorado Center: To learn about the history of the state, visit the History Colorado Center. It features exhibitions and displays designed for multi-generational audiences. You’ll get to walk through history from the pioneers to the current day.

• Four Mile Historic Park: The site of Denver’s oldest standing structure, Four Mile Historic Park is a low cost option for learning about the region’s heritage. It also hosts a number of popular events throughout the year like their Independence Day Celebration, Pumpkin Harvest Festival, and the Four Mile Rendezvous Gala.

• Civic Center Park: The Civic Center is considered the cultural heart of Denver and is the only National Historic Landmark in Denver. It features a 12-acre urban oasis full of stunning architecture and carefully curated gardens. It’s a must-visit in Denver for those coming to the Capitol building.

• Denver City and County Building: Located across Civic Center Park from the Denver Capitol is the Denver City and County Building. It offers fabulous architecture and is worth noting as you explore this area.

Take a Denver History and Highlights tour.

Visit one of the many museums around Denver.

Denver is home to a lot of amazing museums. From art to transportation, and famous people, like the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, you’ll never stop learning with so many museums at your fingertips.

• Denver Art Museum: A stunning building with even more beautiful masterpieces inside, the Denver Art Museum is a must visit for all art and architecture lovers alike. The architecture of the building itself will impress you from the inside and out! Tickets run $10 for adults who are CO residents and $13 for non-residents.

• Denver Zoo: Visit the Denver Zoo to see an abundance of animals and to support their conservation efforts that keep zoo populations healthy and abundant. Tickets cost $20 for adults.

• Downtown Aquarium: Head to the Downtown Aquarium to see underwater exhibits featuring over a million gallons of water and 500 species of animals. You can also stop at the Aquarium Restaurant for a unique dining experience. Tickets run about $23 for adults.

• Molly Brown House Museum: Stop in the Molly Brown House Museum to learn about Titanic survivor Margaret “Molly” Brown’s activism, philanthropy, and passion. Tickets run around $16 for adults.

• Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Learn about the Rocky Mountain region’s natural history, including an IMAX and planetarium. Tickets run right around $20 for adults.

There are plenty of other museums in Denver, no matter what your interest: Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave | Children’s Museum of Denver | Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum | Museum of Contemporary Art Denver | Forney Museum of Transportation | Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art | Denver Firefighters Museum | Denver Mint | American Museum of Western Art | Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys | Museum of Outdoor Arts | Morrison Natural History Museum | Clyfford Still Museum | National Ballpark Museum

Need someplace to stay?
Check out the best hotels in Denver!

Admire the natural beauty of the area.

While the city is beautiful and offers a lot of things to do, one of the biggest draws of Denver is the stunning surroundings. Sitting in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, you’ll find a wide variety of natural surroundings, from the stunning red rock formations to rich wildlife refuges, historic features, and family friendly areas.

These are just a small sampling of the areas around Denver that you might want to visit.

• Red Rocks Mountain Park: Visit Red Rocks to explore the famous amphitheater and the surrounding red rocks for free. There are a number of trails throughout the area to wind you through some stunning scenery, like the Red Rocks Trail, a 6-mile loop that gives a great sampling of the area.

• Dinosaur Ridge: Located just outside of Denver, Dinosaur Ridge is a National Natural Landmark that is one of the top dinosaur track sites in the United States. Explore by bus tour, guided walking tours, or an audio tour – all of which come with a small price tag. Make reservations ahead to ensure you get a spot!

• Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge is free to visit and offers 20 miles of hiking trails as well as an 11-mile auto Wildlife Drive to explore. You’ll get the chance to see bison, deer, hawks, coyotes, all kinds of birds, and more!

• Denver Botanic Gardens: Learn about the wide diversity of plants from all corners of the world at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

• Sloan Lake: The biggest lake in Denver, Sloan Lake is a great place to go for a walk and grab dinner or drinks afterwards at the surrounding restaurants. You’ll also find playgrounds, tennis courts, and more if you’re looking for other outdoor activities for you or the family!

Other great outdoor options around Denver: Cherry Creek State Park | Clear Creek | Chatfield State Park | Mount Falcon Park | Barr Lake State Park

Taste the amazing craft beer of Denver.

Find out why Denver has the nickname “Napa Valley of Craft Beer” by exploring some of the many breweries that are found throughout the city. If beer is not your scene, there are also plenty of great restaurants and even a couple wineries in the region.

• Rock Bottom Brewery: Having won multiple awards for their beer, Rock Bottom Brewery offers a couple of different locations in the area along with a wide selection of beers.

• Wynkoop Brewing Company: Denver’s first brewpub founded back in 1988, Wynkoop is one of the largest brewpubs in the nation producing over 4,000 barrels of fresh beer each year. You can also enjoy their heated patio, 22 pool tables, dart boards, and other bar games.

• Great Divide Brewing Co.: A constant award winner including, bringing in 18 Great American Beer Festival awards and 5 World Beer Cup Awards, the Great Divide Brewing Co. is a must-visit while in Denver. They offer a great Tap Room in downtown Denver with a lovely patio to enjoy their wide selection of beer.

Check out some of the other Denver breweries and wineries: Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery | Breckenridge Brewery | Blue Moon Brewing Company | Bigsby’s Folly Craft Winery & Restaurant | Tivoli Brewing Company | Denver Beer Co. | Woods Boss Brewing | Black Shirt Brewing | Renegade Brewing | Cerebral Brewing | Novel Strand Brewing | Prost Brewing | Cerveceria Colorado | Zuni Street Brewing | Diebolt Brewing | Baere Brewing | Reverence Brewing | TRVE Brewing | Station 26 Brewing | Comrade Brewing | Our Mutual Friend Brewing | Little Machine Beer | Crooked Stave Denver | Strange Craft Beer | Banded Oak Brewing | FlyteCo Brewing | Epic Brewing | Dos Luces | & More!

Take a craft beer tour in LoDo, a Brews & Views tour, or a Bike & Brew tour to hit many of the hot spots around town.

Visit an iconic Denver restaurant to try local delicacies.

Not only does Denver offer lots of craft breweries, it also offers world-class restaurants, distilleries, and more! While there are endless places rated as “the best restaurant in Denver”, there are a few that you really should consider visiting to enhance your Denver experience.

Some can’t miss Denver restaurants and experiences include:

• Linger: Located in a former mortuary, Linger is a popular bar and restaurant that offers fabulous views from its rooftop bar. Stop in for happy hour or spend the evening munching on delicious food while taking in the views and learning about the history of this iconic restaurant.

• Little Man Ice Cream: Located right next to Linger is Little Man Ice Cream. This iconic ice cream shop has a 28 foot milk can outside and serves up Denver’s tastiest homemade ice cream and similar treats.

• Voodoo Doughnuts: Donuts rose in popularity a few years ago, and one of the best donuts you can possibly eat is from Voodoo Doughnuts. They offer innovative donut flavors so you can try something different and unique that will make your tastebuds sing.

• Illegal Pete’s: This local Mexican chain features 12 stores serving up delicious – and huge – burritos. Need something quick and tasty, stop in and fill your belly from a local restaurant instead of hitting up one of the national fast food joints!

• High Tea at the Brown Palace Hotel: One of the best experiences in Denver is reserving high tea at the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa. Not only does the hotel offer a classic luxury, but you’ll be treated to high tea as though you’re in Europe. You can also book a room at this stylish hotel.

Try one of the many food halls in Denver.

Another awesome way to taste the flavors of Denver is to visit the many food halls and marketplaces. Here you can sample a number of foods and drinks from different vendors making them easily one of the best places to visit in Denver as you can explore a lot in just a little time.

Here are some of my personal favorites:

• Denver Central Market: Located in the heart of RiNo, this charming little food hall offers a wide selection of food and drinks from eleven different vendors. Stop in to grab something to eat or a drink with some friends.

• Dairy Block and the Milk Market: This micro-district is located in the LoDo neighborhood and offers dozens of restaurants, bars, and retailers, as well as a modern co-working space. It’s also attached to the fabulous Maven Hotel. It also offers tons of community events with live music, art shows, and more.

• Avanti Food & Beverage: Another Denver food hall, located in the LoHi area, offers 20 draft beers, affordable wine, and classic cocktails. Choose from sitting on the rooftop deck, in the lounge, or in the main dining areas as you sample food from a variety of onsite restaurants.

• The Source Market Halls: Offering 45,000 square feet in the base of the Source Hotel in RiNo, you’ll find two market halls filled with restaurants, retail goods shops, apparel, florists, and more!

• Stanley Marketplace: This marketplace is located a bit out of downtown Denver closer to Aurora and offers 50+ independent businesses. You can come here to eat and drink, or you can find ways to exercise, play, shop, or work. There’s plenty to do here!

Want to make the most of the amazing food and drink in Denver?
Take a food tour through Denver, a whiskey and history tour, or even a craft cocktail tour.

Attend a concert or professional sporting event.

One of the best things to do in Denver is to attend an event at one of their iconic venues. The best known is of course Red Rocks Amphitheatre where some people report concerts being a life-changing experience. But Denver is also home to six professional sports teams giving you ample opportunity to catch a sporting event year round!

• Red Rocks Ampitheatre: You’ve never had a concert experience quite like at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It’s a stunning outdoor concert venue surrounding by jagged red rocks that light up as the sun goes down and millions of stars appear overhead. Enjoy the music in one of the best natural surroundings in the country!
  
  Even if you can’t catch a concert at Red Rocks, it’s still worth a visit. You can drive yourself there and explore the area, or if you are without a car you can join the popular Foothills Explorer Tour from Denver. Either way, you will be wowed by the natural red rock surroundings and completely understand why it’s one of the top places to go in Denver.

• Coors Field: Home of the Colorado Rockies, Denver’s MLB team, Coors Field is located in the middle of downtown Denver and is open for tours, or to take in a baseball game from April to September.

• Empower Field at Mile High: Adjacent to downtown Denver, Empower Field at Mile High is best known as the NFL’s Denver Broncos stadium, but it is also a popular concert venue. Plan to catch a game or a concert, or stop by for a tour.

• Ball Arena: Visit Ball Arena to see where the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and National Lacrosse League’s Colorado Mammoth call home. It is also usdenved for live convert events and more!

• Dick’s Sporting Goods Park: If soccer is more your speed, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is the place to catch the MLS’s Colorado Rapids.

• Denver Performing Arts Complex: This arts complex is home to a number of performance venues, including the Buelle Theatre and the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. See what’s coming up to see if you can catch a show while you’re in Denver.

• Denver Convention Center: If you’re coming to Denver for business, you may be visiting the Convention Center. It hosts conferences, concerts, graduations, parties and more. Even if you don’t have an event at the Convention Center, the 40 foot tall Blue Bear that stands outside peering in the windows is one of the classic things to do in Denver. Swing by and snap a picture with him!

Experience the thrills of Denver’s amusement parks.

One of the more unusual parts of Denver is also one of the most thrilling. There are a number of small amusement parks scattered throughout the city and its outskirts. Whether you plan a day to visit one or just stop by for a few hours, you’ll get to experience a whole new side of city life in Denver.

• Elitch Gardens: Located in downtown Denver, Elitch Gardens offers over 50 rides, including a number of waterslides. It has been a Denver attraction for over 120 years.

• Water World: Experience an amazing water park just outside of Denver at Water World. It features dozens of water slides and a wave pool for those hot summer days.

• Lakeside Amusement Park: A pay-per-ride amusement park, Lakeside Amusement Park has been offering thrills since 1908. Here you’ll find a merry-go-round, a drop tower, bumper boats, roller coasters, sports cars, and a number of spinning rides.

• Pirates Cove Water Park: Just south of Denver, you’ll find Pirates Cove Water Park. This outdoor water park offers leisure & lap pools, a 35-ft. slide, tubing river, and a concession stand.

• The EDGE: Formerly known as Castle Rock Adventure Park, EDGE is about 30 minutes outside of downtown Denver and offers Zip Line Tours, the Epic Sky Trek with an aerial trekking course four stories high, a climbing and free fall tower, and a Ninja Warrior course. It’s perfect for those dare devils of the group!

• Punch Bowl Social: Looking for indoor activities that bring the thrills? Head to Punch Bowl Social. It offers bowling, ping pong, karaoke, arcade games, and more to satisfy the inner child in every adult. Plus, it’s a bar and a restaurant – perfect for a day or night out!

Hike in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Denver is to go hiking in the surrounding mountains. From beginner hikes to backcountry multi-day treks, you’ll find something for all skill levels.

Best of all, there are a lot of options right outside of Denver making it an easy half day to full day adventure, and it’s generally free! Note that some of the state parks do charge entrance fees, so make sure to check before you arrive to avoid surprises.

Additionally, don’t forget that you are at a much higher altitude in Denver. If you haven’t had time to acclimate to it, hiking will challenge you more than normal. You’re not as out of shape as it might appear when huffing and puffing up those mountains!

• Royal Arch Trail: Just a short 30 – 40 minute drive from Denver to Boulder, you’ll find Chautauqua Park which is home to the famous Flatiron formations. Royal Arch is one of the best hikes in this area taking you 3.1 mile up to a nice stone archway with amazing views out over the valley below. Be aware that you will climb 1,394 feet in that short distance!

• Mount Falcon Castle Trail Loop: A bit longer of a hike at 6.7 miles, you’ll get a good workout in as well as some great scenery and solitude. At the top, you’ll come to the ruins of an old “castle” – be forewarned, they are slightly underwhelming, so do it for the hike and scenery! It will take a few hours to tackle this 6.7 mile hike with 1,601 feet for elevation gain.

• Mount Sanitas and Sanitas Valley Loop Trail: Another favorite, Mount Sanitas is a short hike with a great payoff offering stunning views over Boulder. It’s just 3.2 miles but will make you work for it as you climb 1,256 feet.

• Green Mountain via Green Mountain and Hayden Trail Loop: This trail is perhaps the most moderate on this list, with just 898 feet of climbing over 4.6 miles. It does offer very little shade, but as a perk, it’s perfect to watch the sunset as you hike back to your car!

• First and Second Flatirons Loop: Also located off of Chautauqua Park in Boulder, this trail will take you to two of the most popular Flatirons in the area. The First and Second Flatirons Loop is 2.5 miles long with 1,440 feet of elevation gain.

Find out more about the Top Hiking Trails in Denver.

Go skiing or snowboarding in the surrounding mountains.

If you’re visiting Denver in the winter, or even spring, you may want to spend a day skiing or snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains. It’s not just one of the best things to do in Denver, but it’s also something that has made Colorado the booming tourist destination that it is today.

You’ll find hundreds of different ski resorts and towns spread throughout Colorado, but here are some of the most popular skiing areas for a day trip from Denver.

• Loveland Ski Area: Just an hour outside of Denver, unless of course you hit the infamous ski traffic, you’ll find Loveland Ski Area. At Loveland there are over 100 trails across 1,800 acres. Part of what makes it appealing is the focus on skiing with no lodging located directly at its base.

• Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin): Offering only 1,400 acres, A-Basin is a smaller ski resort near Denver, but you’ll find 150 trails and some extreme terrain that’s really focused on experienced skiers and snowboarders. It’s a great option for a day trip as it doesn’t offer a lot of resort-like amenities and is right around 1 hour and 10 minutes outside of Denver.

• Copper Mountain Resort: A perfect option for all levels of skiers and snowboarders is Copper Mountain. About 1 hour and 15 minutes from Denver, you’ll find plenty of runs for all skills as well as a small mountain village at the base of the mountain. The perfect place to stay while you ski or simply to grab a bite to eat.

• Winter Park Resort: A little bit further from Denver is Winter Park Resort. It will take closer to 1 hour 20 minutes to arrive there. It’s the “oldest continually operating ski resort in the state”. Here you’ll find over 166 trails on 3,000 acres – plenty to keep any skill level of skier busy.

• Keystone Ski Resort: Also about 1 hour 20 minutes from Denver is Keystone Ski Resort. This resort really caters to more experienced skiers and snowboarders offering some more extreme runs across its 3,100 acres and six mountain peaks.

There are of course also many famous ski towns close to Denver if you’re looking for a ski vacation. Check out: Breckenridge Ski Resort | Vail Ski Resort | Aspen Snowmass

Take a day trip to explore the surrounding areas.

Denver sits in the middle of some amazing nearby towns and natural scenery. You’ll want to plan an extra day or two to your Denver itinerary to get out of town and see at least one of these world-class destinations.

Of course, the easiest way to get to them is to rent a car, but there are many tours available if you’d rather let someone else do the driving and planning!

• Rocky Mountain National Park / Estes Park: No post about the best things to do in Denver would be complete without some mention of neighboring Rocky Mountain National Park. Located just 1.5 hours northeast of Denver, it offers some of the best hiking in the area as well as a great opportunity to spot wildlife, see stunning overlooks, and really escape into the heart of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. The neighboring town of Estes Park is a perfect place to stay overnight at the renown Stanley Hotel, from the Stephen King movie, The Shining.

Find out how to get from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Don’t have a car?
Don’t worry, you can still take a day trip from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park.

• Colorado Springs: Just one hour south of Denver, you’ll find another charming city that deserves a visit, Colorado Springs. Here you’ll find the famous Garden of the Gods, a registered National Natural Landmark featuring 300 foot sandstone rock formations. To sweeten the deal, Colorado Springs is also home to the majestic Pikes Peak and the iconic Broadmoor Resort, if you want to stay overnight.

See how to visit Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak without a car.

• Boulder: Located 30 minutes from Denver, and right between Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder is an ideal place to explore for a day. From its quaint downtown featuring the pedestrian friendly Pearl Street with boutiques and restaurants to the stunning Flatirons in the mountainsides at Chautauqua Park, Boulder will easily leave you wanting to come back for more!

Avoid transportation challenges and get to know Boulder with a hiking and beer tour!

• Golden: Head 20 minutes to the west of Denver and you’ll find the quiet mountain town of Golden. Whether you have just a few hours or a whole day available, Golden offers some amazing cultural attractions, outdoor recreation opportunities, and of course, the Coors Brewery, the largest single-site brewery in the world.

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Explore More of the Denver Area

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The top things to do in Denver will certainly keep you busy, but if you have more time to explore the Colorado area or out west, consider taking a road trip. There are plenty of worthy near-by destinations as well as some incredible longer trips that will take you through some of the best scenery in the area!

• Where to Stay in Denver: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels
• How to Get from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park
• 12 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
• Top Hiking Trails in Denver: Where to Hike in the Rocky Mountain Foothills
• How to Find the Breckenridge Troll: Hike to Isak Heartstone
• Epic Denver to Moab Road Trip with 12+ Amazing Stops!
• Ultimate Denver to Glacier National Park Road Trip Itinerary: With 10+ Stops!
• How to Visit Canyonlands National Park: Essential Guide to All 4 Districts

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