17 City Attractions & Things to do in Denver

Denver is a city with a rich history, amazing nature, and endless life. It is extremely rich in restaurants and museums and lovers of cultural events can visit places such as Larimer Square, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, or the local zoo. If you want to explore the surroundings and beautiful mountain areas, take the time for Mount Evans Scenic Byway and the zipline course to see the bird’s eye view. You will surely find the right activity for you here, regardless of your hobby. Denver has a special atmosphere that you will feel upon arrival.

The interest in the area began in 1858 when a group of American Indians discovered a gold mine in the Rocky Mountains area. This discovery aroused the interest and led to increase of the population in these latitudes. Mile High City today is the beginning of all historical tours and the ancient center of Denver.

A number of events take place in Larimer Square itself, there are many small shops with local produce.

Red Rocks Park covers an area of ​​over 700 acres and offers you amazing mountain views and a wide selection of hiking trails. The park has its own visitor center, which will give you more information about the routes and the historical value of the area.

The pearl in the crown of the park is the amphitheater formed by the red rocks. The acoustics of the amphitheater are proverbial and over the years it has become a scene for names like the Beatles and John Denver. If you can’t attend one of the concerts that are still taking place today, at least take enough photos to remember the amazing view.

The park is 16 miles from downtown Denver, so you’ll need a car or a guided tour to get here.

Is Red Rocks Park free?
The admission is free.

Can you walk around Red Rocks?
You can go to Red Rocks at any time and take a self-guided tour of the amphitheater and the venue. Backstage tours with a guide are only offered during the off-season.

Washington Park is located south of Denver and covers an area of ​​165 acres. This is an ideal place if you want to spend a relaxing afternoon in the shade of a tree, walking or jogging. You can choose tennis (the park has 8 tennis courts) or swimming lessons. Access to the park is 24 hours a day and free, but each additional attraction comes at a price.

How long is the loop around Washington Park Denver?
The inner loop, which is 2.3 miles long and paved, is free of cars and feels more park-like, while the outer loop, which is 2.6 miles long and dirt, offers more views of the area’s gorgeous homes.

The street is only a pedestrian, about a mile long, and intersects Larimer Square. Here you will find many restaurants and shops with local produce. You can prefer a long walk or catch a bus that stops at every corner. In the evening you can choose a horse and carriage ride. 16th Street Mall is one of the fun things to do in Denver and should be a must-stop for every tourist.

How long is the 16th Street Mall in Denver?
1.25 miles (2 kilometers) long

At Denver Zoo you will meet lions, hyenas, tigers, and giraffes. Take a trip to the African savannah section for an exotic experience. You can learn a lot about animals while the zoo staff conducts educational lectures. The park is quite large, with an area of ​​80 acres, so you will need a lot of time to walk around it. If you still want to save time you can use the zoo train.

Prices range from $ 10 to $ 20 depending on the season and there are 7 days in which admission is free (they are announced on the attraction’s website). The distance from the city to the Denver Zoo is about 3 miles.

How long does it take to get through Denver Zoo?
Many visitors spend 1-3 hours at Denver Zoo, but it’s up to you how long you stay.

If you love mountain walks and have decided to visit the Rocky Mountains, then your walk to Mount Evans is one of the best things to do in Denver.

Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a two-lane road known as the “Road to Heaven” because it rises to an altitude of 9,000 feet. There are many places along the way to stop and enjoy the view, but one of the must-see stops with the most magnetic view is Echo Lake Park. There are great conditions for relaxation, fishing, or picnics. It is important to know that the road is open to vehicles only from May to September.

How much does it cost to drive up Mt Evans?
A fee of $15 is required to access the Mount Evans Scenic Byway (vehicles carrying more than 12 passengers will be required to pay more). Hikers, bikers, Federal Recreation Passport holders, and those who simply drive to the top and back will not be charged.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the perfect place for science lovers. The exhibits are extremely diverse, ranging from dinosaur remains, through wildlife representatives to Egyptian mummies and artifacts. Whether your passion is geology, zoology, space, or paleontology – here you will find something for everyone. The museum is located south of the Denver Zoo and has a working time of 9 p.m. up to 5 p.m., and prices are $ 16.95 for adults, $13.95 for seniors, and $11.95 for kids ages $3 to $18.

The Botanical Gardens are located in Denver’s Cheesman Park and cover an area of ​​24 acres and 50 gardens that you will admire. Here you will find a Japanese garden, exotic plants from South Africa, sculptures by famous masters. You can choose to do the tour by yourself or with a guide, through which you will learn more about the flora and works of art. Throughout the year, the Botanical Gardens are a place for many events and concerts.

You can leave your car in the adjacent car park or nearby between Cheesman Park or Congress Park. You will probably want to stop by the gift shop as well. The attraction is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 or 8 p.m., depending on the season.

The name Coors Field comes from the famous Denver beer. The venue is home to Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies and is located in the LoDo District. With an area of over 70 acres and seating for 50,000 people, Interactive Area (especially suitable if traveling with children) and local brews on the Rooftop, the stadium offers a range of activities. Of course, if you are a fan of the sport, you can also become a spectator of one of the baseball games. Guided tours are available, through which you can tour all areas. Tour times vary depending on whether there is a match to be played in the morning or in the afternoon.

The stadium, home to the Denver football team, seats more than 76,000 people and has an impressive art display (something quiet for sporting events). The place was built as a smaller basketball stadium in 1948, but today it is one of the most beloved places for local football fans. With a guided tour, you can preview all corners of the stadium, including the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum, as well as the locations where the filmed matches are broadcast. Tour times vary, depending on the sports season, and cost from $ 15 to $ 20. Optional, but it is possible to book them in advance.

“Cold as the Rockies” is the phrase Coors Brewery became famous for in Golden, Colorado (15 miles west of Denver). Here you can organize a self-guided tour, where you can learn more about the quality of beer produced and production methods, and finally, visit the tasting room. The great news is that the brewery is kid-friendly so that it becomes an ideal place for a family walk. Soft drinks are provided for the little ones.

The attraction is open for visits from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday. If you are a Colorado citizen, the visit will cost you only $ 5, but for all other tourists, the price is $ 10. It is forbidden to take bags, backpacks, or purses with you during the tour.

Denver’s Union Station is known for tourists first as a transport stop and second as a place to shop or eat delicious food. The station opened its doors in 1881. After a fire, the building was restored and from 1917 until today has its characteristic appearance and architecture. Located in the LoDo district, today the place has become a center of entertainment. Here you can also stay at the luxurious The Crawford Hotel.

The tour around Union Station costs $ 20 and offers you the opportunity to get acquainted with the luxury hotel as well as the historical past of the building. The culmination of the tour is a drink at the Terminal Bar.

The station is often called “Denver’s living room” because of the comfortable seats left for those waiting. Denver’s Union Station is one of the fan things to Denver, just 26 miles (40 minutes) from the airport.

Why is Union Station famous Denver?
The Denver Union Station is the “crown jewel” of the city and serves as its cultural center. Denver Union Station has been revitalized and transformed far beyond its more modest beginnings as a result of the addition of the multi-award winning Crawford Hotel as well as world-class dining and shopping options.

Why is it called Union Station?
They were given the name Union Stations because this was the location where multiple train lines converged.

At the Denver Art Museum, you will see over 70,000 works of art by famous artists, including Van Gogh. This is one of the most famous museums between Chicago and the West Coast. Here you will see paintings and sculptures dating from the time before Columbus to the present day. One of the most interesting collections is western American art.

In addition to the wonderful gift shop, the museum has many interactive activities to capture the attention of children. The museum is located south of Civic Center Park, in downtown Denver.

The U.S. The Mint in Denver was created in 1863 to convert gold found during the gold rush into coins. Today, its capacity is 50 million coins a day. This is certainly one of the impressive attractions in Denver, especially if you are interested in history.

The organized tour will allow you to learn more about the method by which the coins are produced, all stages of production, the technical part, and the machines involved in the production. The walk here is free, but you must warn in advance that you want to participate in the tour and you are there 30 minutes in advance to pass the security check.

Molly Brown House Museum will give you a complete picture of the history of Denver and some of its most interesting residents. The building was once home to Margaret “Molly” Brown (Kathy Bates’ character in the film, “Titanic”), and today has become a source of knowledge about the true history of the Titanic, the history of the city, and Brown’s personal history.

The museum is located near the State Capitol building and Civic Center Park, ie. in downtown Denver. The working days are from Tuesday to Sunday.

What happened at the Molly Brown House?
Due to her survival of the RMS Titanic’s sinking, Brown earned the nickname “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Exhibits interpreting her life and that of Victorian Denver are on display at the museum in her former residence, which also focuses on historic preservation.

How old is the Molly Brown House?
Built in 1887

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey Tour is the perfect place to spend your afternoon learning more about how the famous Denver whiskey is made. Your tour may end with a tasting. Musical evenings, cocktail lessons or open-air food and drink dinners are often organized here. For fans of this type of entertainment, Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey Tour is not off the best things to Denver.

Where is Stranahan’s whiskey made?
Whiskey Made in Denver

What does Stranahan’s taste like?
Aromas of pepper, spices, roasted nuts, and ripe citrus are bold and abundant. Flavors reminiscent of leather combine with those of caramel, honey, tobacco, and maple syrup. A bold and daring final note, as befits a blend of such young and ferocious Whiskeys.

The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art presents works of art dating back 150 years and features more than 30,000 works by 1,500 artists. The museum opened in 2003, but years earlier the works of artist Vance Kirkland (after whom the museum is named) toured European and American exhibition halls.

All the fame of the museum, its appearance and its transformation into a major tourist destination in Denver would not have happened if it were not for the perseverance of Kirkland’s family friend, Hugh Grant, who popularized his works.

When does the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art open?
Sun – Sun 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tue – Sat 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM