Denver is a gorgeous city with mountain views, fresh air, and plenty of cultural, outdoor, and urban activities. If you have never visited the Mile High City before, you are in for a treat. There is much to do, see, and experience. Whether you are traveling on your own or with your family, any length of visit can be filled with activities that create unforgettable memories.
If you have an entire week in Denver, you should be able to check off all the activities listed below. If you have less time, chances are that you will want to come back soon to check more items off your list.
Denver Breweries
There are more amazing breweries in Denver than you can count. You could visit them individually, but the best way to experience as many as possible is on a Denver Microbrew Tour. Plus, you can learn more about the city of Denver along the way on these guided tours. Book a private event, watch for seasonal tours, or book one of these top-rated Denver Brewery Tours.
LoDo Craft Beer Tour
Enjoy a 2.5-hour walking tour downtown that offers a look at Denver’s tumultuous history in the LoDo Craft Beer Tour. Participants will stop at four top craft breweries and taste more than 10 beers.
RiNo Beer and Graffiti Tour
If you are into the arts, consider the RiNo Beer and Graffiti Tour. Walk through the RiNo Art District and experience vibrant street art on this 2.5-hour tour. This tour stops at three breweries and one cidery, where more than 10 beers and ciders will be available for tasting.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Nothing beats an outdoor concert in the fresh Colorado air, amongst gorgeous scenery at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Many big names are on the calendar, plus there are other ways to enjoy this one-of-a-kind venue, such as Yoga on the Rocks and Film on the Rocks. You can also just spend time in the Visitor Center and go for a hike on one of the surrounding trails. The park and trails are open from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Admission and parking on the grounds are free.
You can drive yourself to this venue, located just 20 minutes southwest of Downtown Denver, carpool, or find a shuttle. There is really no other place like Red Rocks, which was created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It sits at 6,450 feet in a unique zone where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. Visitors enjoy seeing wildlife, plants, and unique rock formations. You can’t miss this when visiting Denver.
16th Street Mall
The 16th Street Mall is the place to shop in Denver. Located downtown and spanning 1.25 miles, you can visit more than 250 stores in this area. Plus, free shuttle rides are available from one end to the other. Take public transportation, walk, or park at the 16th Street Mall. Parking garages and metered street parking are available.
In addition to shops, there are also a variety of restaurants, bars, and services. Take a break from shopping and grab pizza, American fare, gelato, BBQ, sushi, a bagel, coffee, and more. Multiple bars and hotels are also available in this area if you want to make it your home base. The nightlife comes alive at places like Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, Nallen’s Irish Pub, or Coyote Ugly Saloon. You can also visit a nail salon, barber shop, or mail a package.
Also, watch for special events happening at the 16th Street Mall and for upgrades. The city is always working to make this area even more exciting.
Denver Art Museum
Art enthusiasts can’t miss the Denver Art Museum. Founded in 1893, this is one of the biggest art museums in the West. Visitors can view more than 80,000 works of art from around the globe. The museum houses several permanent collections, such as 19th-century European Art with paintings by Camille Pissarro, Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Édouard Manet, and Edgar Degas. Visitors can also view American, American Indian, African, Latin American, and Asian art.
There are nine galleries, which you can view chronologically, if you wish. Don’t miss the outdoor sculptures, and stop at one of the cafés for a bite to eat. The museum is so big, you will need nourishment if you want to see the whole thing. Café Gio offers quick items like salads and protein bowls, and The Ponti is a sit-down bistro.
Washington Park
Located at 710 South Franklin Street in Denver, Washington Park is a favorite for Denver locals and visitors. This urban oasis offers an outdoor escape from the big city. Paths are available for walking and biking. Bring a picnic lunch, BBQ, and enjoy the views of Smith Lake or Grasmere Lake while you eat. There is a playground, and plenty of open lawn space for playing Frisbee or football. Tennis courts are also available, and the Washington Park Lawn Bowling Club is often active in the park.
Other amenities include a baseball/softball field, a basketball court, flower gardens, and natural areas. Parking is available in the park or in the surrounding neighborhoods. While you are there, check out the interesting architecture of the nearby houses and also keep an eye out for special events.
Larimer Square
Larimer Square is where Denver began in the late 1800s. It is the city’s first block and became Denver’s first designated historic district. Here, you can see some of the oldest buildings in Denver and dine at any of 14 restaurants. Find a steakhouse, Mexican cuisine, Italian, Mediterranean, sushi, burgers, coffee, and ice cream. Fourteen shops are also located in Larimer Square, including those that sell clothing, jewelry, outdoor gear, western wear, leather goods, and pet boutique items.
Don’t miss the nightlife scene at Larimer Square. There are several places to check out, including:
- Bao Brewhouse Chinese Streetfood and Cocktails
- Comedy Works Comedy Club
- Corridor 44 Champagne Bar
- Disco Pig Disco and Cocktail Bar
- Emerald Eye Cocktail Bar
- Ghost Underground Speakeasy.
If you visit this area, you can park in the Larimer Square Parking Garage. It offers reasonable rates, and if you park here, you can walk to other popular attractions, such as Ball Arena, the Museum of Contemporary Art, or Coors Field.
Union Station
Utilize Union Station as a travel hub, or just visit for the experience. A cherished landmark of Lower Downtown (Lodo), Denver Union Station first opened in 1881. It is a gathering place, offering dining, shopping, a place to stay at The Crawford Hotel, and a hub for the city’s transportation network. At Union Station, you can catch an Amtrak train, RTD bus, or hop on the light rail network. Many rideshares and shuttles also wait here to take visitors to their destinations.
Whenever you visit, take a look at the event calendar. There is always something going on at Union Station. Find cooking classes, live music, bingo, pop-up bars, and numerous holiday events and festivities. You can also just walk around and relish in the beautiful architecture. It’s truly a Denver icon.
Meow Wolf
One of the newer attractions in Denver, Meow Wolf, offers a unique experience to all who visit. One of only seven locations in the country, Meow Wolf should be on everyone’s bucket list. Go with friends or family and prepare for a fun experience. Explore all three floors. Choose a path to follow or just wander and see what you discover. There are multiple areas to explore:
- Galleri Gallery: a rotating space that features Denver artists.
- The Perlexiplex®: enjoy a workshop, yoga session, or concert in this space with 360º projection mapping on the floors and ceiling.
- Convergence Station: go on an adventure with immersive storytelling and find cosmic clues.
- Eemia: a frozen world where you can solve mysteries to open a portal to another universe.
- Ossuary: enter a labyrinth that plunges into subterranean caves.
- Numina: a being that encompasses universes within her.
In addition to coming to explore Meow Wolf during normal hours, you can also consider coming for Adulti-Verse, which occurs after hours for those 21+. There are DJ’s drinks, and no kids. There is also a gift shop, restaurants, and opportunities for private events and groups.
RiNo Art District
The RiNo Art District consists of multiple historic neighborhoods in Denver, including Cole, Globeville, Five Points, and Elyria-Swansea. RiNo itself is a 501 (c)(6) membership organization that strives to support these communities through art. If you come to visit one of these neighborhoods, expect to see vibrant murals and other community displays of art. These well-established neighborhoods have been around for over a hundred years and offer shops, breweries, restaurants, and multiple events throughout the year. For a guided tour, consider the RiNo Beer and Graffiti Tour.
In 2017, Denver partnered with RiNo and multiple other organizations to establish RiNo ArtPark along the South Platte River in the Five Points Neighborhood. This park consists of the Redline Contemporary Art Center that offers low-cost artist studios and a gallery, the Comal Heritage Food Incubator, and the Bob Ragland Branch of the Denver Public Library. Recently, the Truss House Building opened and consists of a multipurpose space to foster creativity and to host events.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Sitting on 24 acres, the Denver Botanic Gardens contains plants from all over the world. Eighteen of the gardens feature plants that thrive in Colorado’s climate. These provide texture and color during any season. In addition to these gardens, there are those inspired by Japan, China, and the Tropics. Several of these gardens feature plants that thrive in steppe regions, which are similar in climate to Denver. The ornamental gardens are full of color, especially during the spring, and the shady gardens are a nice place to rest if you visit in the summer.
Many special events occur throughout the year at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Blossoms of Light occurs from late November through mid-January every year. Many families enjoy this holiday tradition when the gardens are adorned with lights. There are also many other events that celebrate different cultures, allow for opportunities to practice yoga in the gardens, participate in workshops, or go on guided walks. While at the gardens, grab a bite to eat at Offshoots Café or Hive Garden Bistro. A limited amount of free parking is available in the parking complex, and additional parking is available in Cheesman Park.
Visit Denver Any Time of the Year
With ample amounts of sunshine, even in the winter, Denver is a popular destination for travel any time of the year. If you have additional time in Denver or come back for a second visit, consider extending your visit to the areas outside the city to fully experience the area’s beauty. There are amazing opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping.
Of course, there are also many more places to explore within Denver. No matter if you must stay in the city or have time to stretch your legs in the great outdoors, Denver’s central location in the country makes it a popular destination. In 2024, 37.1 million people visited Denver. With natural beauty and so many interesting places to visit, it’s no wonder so many people enjoy spending time here.