Colorado is stuffed with incredible cities to go to. From Colorado Springs to Grand Junction, you’ll discover loads to maintain you entertained throughout the state. Nonetheless, Denver positively takes the cake. Because the capital of Colorado, Denver has the very best sights and actions for each kind of traveler. Its large character and the sheer variety of issues to do maintain it head and shoulders above Colorado’s different cities.
High Issues to do in Denver
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 among the Denver museums. Plus, if you wish to escape to nature sooner or later, the Rocky Mountains are simply an hour and a half’s drive away.
Denver sights are plentiful, so we’ve compiled an entire information that will help you choose the very best issues to do in Denver. These are the very best issues so as to add to your Denver itinerary, from metropolis middle actions to unbelievable day journeys.
1. See Colorado State Capitol
The State Capitol is the middle of the state’s political historical past and energy. Like visiting Westminster in London, you shouldn’t miss stopping by the Capitol constructing.
Positioned on the prime of Capitol Hill amidst a sequence of parks, Colorado State Capitol can also be stunning 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 elaborate 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 – creating the nickname ‘mile-high metropolis’ because the thirteenth step is a mile above sea degree.
Guests can picnic exterior and admire the constructing’s exterior. Alternatively, you’ll be able to head inside for a self-guided tour.
2. Stroll round Larimer Sq.
Denver’s heritage buildings are largely positioned in Larimer Sq.. The sq. district has numerous historical past and is a superb place to take a strolling tour or snap some cool photographs. Lately, the district has been revamped with impartial indie outlets, bars, and eating places.
Whether or not you need to go window purchasing or buy some Denver souvenirs, Larimer Sq. has a incredible ambiance. In case you take pleasure in metropolis walks, this district is the proper place to spend an hour or two.
The sq. is linked to Downtown Denver by Larimer Avenue, which is lined with nightlife venues and eating places. We recommend strolling again through Larimer Avenue. Why not seize one thing to eat on the sq. after which cease for a drink on the way in which again dwelling?
3. Watch a present at Denver Performing Arts Complicated
Love a superb present? We do too. The Denver Performing Arts Complicated is the very best place to look at 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 may select which venue to attend primarily based on private desire or last-minute availability, making visiting the complicated one of the versatile issues to do in Denver.
The complicated is a sight to behold and 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 shocking view of the evening sky.
As we stated, you should buy tickets to performances on a last-minute foundation. This is a superb possibility in order for you night leisure in Denver. Nonetheless, we’d suggest that you just e-book prematurely if you happen to actually need to attend a efficiency. Tickets promote quick, so don’t window store and delay if you wish to lock in a present on your Denver itinerary.
4. Wander by Denver Botanic Gardens
Fancy an expertise in nature however a bit nearer to Denver’s middle? Denver Botanic Gardens are among the best issues to do in Denver to stand up near nature.
At twenty-four acres in measurement, you’ll want not less than half a day to go to the 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 time. It’s price checking the Botanic Gardens occasion schedule to see if any particular shows coincide together with your go to to Denver.
To discover the Botanic Gardens, you’ll be able to head out independently or take a guided tour. We’d suggest taking a guided tour in case you are educated about botany and would really like the chance to deepen your present understanding of plants. It may be useful to to have somebody with you to reply speedy questions that pop into your head. In any other case, stroll the gardens independently, as you’ll be capable to resolve your individual tempo and loosen up.
5. Go to Denver Artwork Museum
Denver Artwork Museum is a must-visit for any artwork fanatic or artistic. The museum was established in 1893 and boasts large artwork collections from throughout the centuries. You may see artwork displays from the traditional Americas or the newest, most trending up to date artwork. Denver’s Artwork Museum is aware of when to maneuver with the instances and when to protect historic items.
The Artwork Museum is well-combined with a go to to the Colorado State Capitol. Each are positioned within the Civic Middle. Nonetheless, enable not less than two hours to go to the museum first, as it’s unfold throughout a number of buildings and flooring. If you would like worth for cash, the Artwork Museum actually delivers. It is without doubt one of the largest collections within the USA.
6. Loosen up at Denver Public Library
Talking of academic issues to do in Denver, the Denver Public Library is a superb wet 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. Alternatively, attend one of many many one-off occasions that the library runs. You may 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 numerous Denver’s museums. If you’re staying in Denver for some time, chances are you’ll want to enroll in a library card in an effort to borrow books and entry free sights.
7. Take a day journey to the Rocky Mountains
A visit to Colorado wouldn’t be full with out a day journey to the Rocky Mountains. The Rockies are simply an hour and a half drive from Denver, and also you’ll have views of the distant mountain vary from most areas of 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 identified for his or her climbing trails and lookout factors. In case 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, it’s best to have the summit to your self.
Mountain climbing fans ought to allocate not less than 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 out of doors actions and scenic climbing.
8. Spend time alongside the South Platte River
Typically, a day on the river is a much-needed type of self-care. Whether or not you want swimming, fishing, or kayaking, the South Platte River makes an important exercise vacation spot in Denver.
We recommend strolling a bit of the South Platte River Path. The trail follows the river and is surrounded by lush greenery and riverside wildlife. If fishing sounds good, the Overland Pond Park is a well-liked fishing spot that you may attain on the path. The trail crosses over a little bit footbridge and reaches a serene pond the place you’ll be able to loosen up and forged away.
Additional up the river, Denver Out of doors Journey Firm rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. You may all the time lease the water tools from them if you happen to don’t have any. This manner, you’ll be able to discover the river from the water relatively than stroll the path.
9. Go to the Wings and Over The Rockies Air and House Museum
Any budding astronauts or area fans, pay attention up. The museum is constructed on the outdated Lowry Air Drive 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 way of life.
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 a superb stability of kinetic, auditory, and visible studying alternatives – which retains each customer engaged, regardless of their studying desire.
This museum is definitely among the best issues to do in Denver, and we’d extremely suggest visiting.
10. Discover the Colorado Sports activities Corridor of Fame Museum
Want your sports activities to your outer area? Denver can cater to that too. The Sports activities Corridor of Fame Museum is in Mile Excessive Stadium, the house floor of the Denver Broncos.
These on a price range can even be happy to know that the museum is free to enter – so there isn’t a breaking your price range 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 absorb. From baseball star Bob Gebhard to swimmer Erin Popovich, you’ll understand simply what number of US sporting elites Colorado has had through the years.
A go to to the Sports activities Corridor Museum is finest 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 obtainable on the day.
11. Tour the Mount Evans Scenic Byway
Okay, we might have already coated the Rockies as certainly one of Denver’s finest day journeys. However the Mount Evans scenic byway stands as an attraction in its personal proper.
For a highway journey expertise on a day journey time allowance, driving the Mount Evans scenic byway is a superb day trip. The route begins at Idaho Springs and covers twenty-eight miles to succeed in Mount Evan within the Rockies. You’ll go alpine meadows and lakes comparable to Echo Lake Park. Hold your eyes peeled for wildlife like marmots and mountain goats, as you’ll be slicing by a few of Colorado’s most well-populated animal territories.
You should purchase a scenic byway tour or drive the route your self. In case you can, we’d suggest renting a automobile in an effort to select your individual stops. Crimson Rocks Park, Walter Pesman Alpine Backyard, and Buffalo Invoice’s Grave are the very best stops. However, actually, you’ll be pulling over commonly to cease, respect, and {photograph} views.
12. Unwind in Metropolis Park
We’ve coated quite a lot of sights located within the Denver Metropolis Park. You’ll discover the Museum of Nature and Science and Denver Zoo within the Metropolis Park, however it’s price visiting simply to discover on foot.
Denver Metropolis Park is 330 acres in measurement and deserves not less than half a day in your itinerary. You’ll discover public tennis courts, operating 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 loosen up in nature. Watch a sport on the
The very best half about Metropolis Park is that it’s positioned simply east of Downtown Denver. The proximity to the Downtown space means that you may simply squeeze in a go to, and it suits in properly with visiting different well-liked sights. And, in case you are visiting the zoo or museum at Metropolis Park, be certain that to avoid wasting just a few hours to benefit from the park as properly.
13. Discover Washington Park
The most effective issues to do in Denver is to loosen up in one of many metropolis’s parks, and Washington Park is the very best of the very best.
Guests can take pleasure in a formidable vary of leisure amenities. From tennis courts to lakes and rollerblade courts, the park has quite a lot of out of doors actions to maintain you entertained totally free. On a wet day in Denver, you’ve got the Recreation Middle to go to. Positioned in the midst of the park, the middle has indoor swimming pools and health club amenities – excellent for staying lively however avoiding the moist climate.
The park is over 165 acres in measurement, so enable not less than just a few hours to go to however ideally, plan a day right here. The park is ideal for letting youngsters run off steam and households spend out of doors time collectively. In summer time, Washington Park will get significantly well-liked with sunbathers and picnickers.
14. Go to the Denver Museum of Nature Science
To find out about pure historical past in Denver, look no additional than the Museum of Nature and Science. The museum has a combination of momentary and everlasting exhibitions – you could possibly end up viewing a wildlife exhibit one minute after which Egyptian mummies the subsequent.
The museum explores the whole lot 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 finest issues to do in Denver. It is usually extraordinarily well-liked on a wet day, and households will particularly respect the prospect to let youngsters run off steam, keep dry, and study new issues.
We suggest visiting 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.
15. Find out about conservation at Denver Zoo
Are museums and botany not likely your factor? It’s best to meet some animals as an alternative. Visiting Denver Zoo is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Denver for animal lovers.
Denver Zoo is positioned in Metropolis Park and may be very straightforward to entry on foot or by public transport. The zoo can also be a incredible advocate of animal conservation and a superb place to go to to deepen your understanding of the animal kingdom. Denver Zoo is affiliated with the Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums and participates in applications just like the Species Survival Plan. A large bonus of visiting Denver Zoo is that you may uncover numerous academic data and spot stunning animals.
After all, assembly the animals is all a part of the enjoyable as properly. Denver Zoo has resident penguins, lions, tigers, elephants, rhinos, and even orangutans. Whether or not you’re an grownup or baby, seeing such wonderful animals head to head is a particular expertise.
16. See what’s on on the Pepsi Middle
The Pepsi Middle is an esteemed sporting and music occasion venue in Denver. You is likely to be watching the Nationwide Lacrosse League ultimate one evening and Machine Gun Kelly performing the subsequent. The middle presents a various and thrilling leisure schedule.
Examine what occasions coincide together with your Denver journey forward of time, as most admission tickets promote out rapidly after being launched. Nonetheless, it’s price checking for last-minute availabilities if you happen to’ve by chance left it late.
The Pepsi Middle is comparatively central and simple to entry from Downtown and Central Denver. It is usually 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 Middle occasion into your itinerary.
17. Go to the Denver Firefighters Museum
When was the final time you sat down and realized about firefighting historical past? Most individuals by no means have.
If you would like one of the uncommon academic issues to do in Denver, this museum is one on your itinerary. Denver Firefighters Museum is enthusiastic about documenting and celebrating Denver’s firefighting historical past and selling fireplace security. You’ll discover images, artifacts, and vital historic paperwork on show throughout the museum. The museum can also be located within the outdated Denver firehouse, which was in-built 1909.
You don’t have to e-book and pays on your ticket upon arrival. After all, firefighters and ex-firefighters obtain an entrance ticket low cost.
18. Watch a baseball sport at Coors Discipline
One 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 Colorado Rockies and a vastly well-known sporting floor in Colorado.
Most video games final for simply over three hours – supplying you with loads of likelihood to seize a beer, loosen up, and revel in experiencing baseball in Denver. 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. In case you miss out on watching a sport, it’s best to not less than 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.
19. 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 the evening and, on her arrival within the US, elevating cash to assist help struggling survivors.
Now, you’ll be able to uncover her story by shows of artifacts, photographs, and paperwork. There are additionally a number of unique interviews that you may learn. An inspiring and emotional expertise, the Molly Brown Home Museum is without doubt one of the most memorable issues to do in Denver. A captivating humanitarian with an enormous story, Molly is certainly one of Denver’s most attention-grabbing historic figures. It’s best to enable not less than an hour or two to understand the museum completely.
20. Spend a day at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
Who doesn’t love a superb amusement park? As promised, we’ve obtained rather a lot to let you know about Elitch Gardens.
Elitch Gardens is the very best amusement park in Denver and has been operating for over 130 years. The park contains a joined rollercoaster park and waterpark – excellent in summer time once you need to cool off after queueing for the large rides. The amusement park has a combination of family-friendly and grownup rides. Like Mind Drain and the Tower of Doom, some require significantly steely nerves. Nonetheless, just like the Ferris Wheel and Carousel, others are excellent no matter age and confidence.
Within the adjoining waterpark, you’ll discover slides galore. Whether or not you need a freefall thrill slide or a family-friendly lazy river, there are many journey selections. We’d suggest spending a full day at Elitch Gardens, particularly as you’ve got the theme park and water park to take pleasure in.
21. Go to Stanley Market
In case you love a superb market morning, visiting Stanley Market is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Denver.
Stanley Market really began up as a beer corridor enterprise. Nonetheless, years later, it has develop into a lot, rather more. You’ll discover over fifty distributors beneath the coated market – promoting the whole lot from foods 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. Individuals usually go to a market to get a really feel of a brand new place. To embrace Denver and its neighborhood, Stanley Market is a superb place to begin.
22. Play a spherical of golf at South Broadway Nation Membership
South Broadway is Denver’s first indoor golf course. Certain, you could possibly enterprise out to Predator Ridge of one of many metropolis’s different customary golf programs – however the place is the enjoyable in that? South Broadway is a enjoyable, novel approach to take pleasure in some golf whereas on vacation in Denver.
The membership makes use of Trackman simulator know-how to emulate an actual sport. Plus, you’ll be able to play just about on programs worldwide, together with St Andrews. When you play, you’ll be able to seize a cocktail or beer from the bar. Indoor golf is enjoyable, indulgent, and sociable. It is usually not climate dependent, so that you might be hitting {the golfing} inexperienced just about rain or shine.
We’d suggest South Broadway {for golfing} fans and newbies. The simulator makes the expertise enjoyable for everyone.
23. Spend time on the Downtown Aquarium
An aquarium meets restaurant in Downtown Denver, the Downtown Aquarium has all of the modern coolness you’d anticipate from certainly one of Denver’s downtown sights.
The huge complicated features a eating space, aquarium, and leisure precinct. Guests can awe on the shark tank, get up-close and private on the stingray contact tank, or seize a meal to recollect on the Aquarium Restaurant. The Aquarium Restaurant is our primary advice when visiting, as you dine with floor-to-ceiling aquarium views. You may watch the fish swim as you eat and benefit from the otherworldly underwater lighting.
In case you weren’t offered already, the Downtown Aquarium additionally has mermaids. The ‘mystic mermaids’ placed on underwater exhibits to show concerning the significance of caring for nature whereas interacting with unbelievable animals like nurse sharks and sea turtles. The mermaids make visiting the aquarium a magical expertise for households with younger youngsters.
24. Go to the Youngsters’s Museum
Desire a particular expertise on your baby? The Denver Youngsters’s Museum is designed to teach 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, fireplace station, and plenty of extra displays inside. The youngsters’s museum presents small world, discovery, out of doors, and inventive displays to satisfy all of the visiting youngsters’s academic wants.
For brand new dad and mom, it may be reassuring to know that there are designated nursing and altering amenities all through the museum. There’s a café on-site for you and your baby to refuel and refresh. You may even drop by the present store as you allow to deal with them to a toy as a memento.
Find out how to get to Denver?
However, first issues first, how do you 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 probably the most handy approach to get to Denver in case you are touring from overseas, out of state, and even simply from the opposite aspect of Colorado.
After all, chances are you’ll want to highway journey your approach 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 town life.
Getting round Denver
Getting round Denver is simple. As a vacationer, all the enjoyable issues to do in Denver are within the metropolis middle or Downtown, so you will get away with strolling in every single place 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 just a few horses and carriages for a extremely memorable transportation expertise.
Union Station is the transport hub in Downtown Denver. So, if you wish to catch transport into the middle, Union Station is the place it’s best to set your vacation spot.
The very best 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 respectable climate.
Colorado is legendary for its winter actions, however, sadly, everybody is aware of it. Winter in Denver is busy and costlier, as everybody rushes to take pleasure in what Denver presents. For a quiet break, plan a go to in spring or fall.
The place to remain in Denver
To Conclude
We hope you’ve got an unbelievable keep in Denver, aka the mile-high metropolis. Denver is full of issues to do and see, so that you shouldn’t have any problem creating an ideal itinerary. The Colorado capital will maintain you well-cared for and suitably entertained.
