Colorado’s largest city is a metropolis dating back to the Old West era. Stretching along the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, though not within the famous range, Denver offers spectacular views and a wide range of attractions, indoors and out. Having lived in the area for over a decade, I spent significant time experiencing them and still return occasionally today.
If you want to find hotels with hot tub in room in Denver, there are many with jetted tubs, like the elegant Patterson Inn, but you can book a room with a private Jacuzzi that’s just outside your door at the romantic Queen Anne Urban Bed & Breakfast, which includes a view of the city skyline.
Before (and after) your relaxing soaks, consider experiencing Denver by taking part in some of these top things to do.
Visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
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My favorite museum in Denver, I purchased an annual membership to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science every year while living there for the free unlimited admission, as it’s a place that never gets old. It’s an institution that has plenty for adults and kids alike, including an IMAX Theater and planetarium. Some of my favorite exhibits are the dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, and gems and minerals. Over a thousand dazzling specimens can be accessed by stepping into a “mysterious mine shaft,” including a giant topaz that was once owned by legendary artist Salvador Dali, a 13-pound piece of gold discovered in Breckenridge, a wall of red rhodochrosite crystals, and even a cavern with sparkling white aragonite crystals from Mexico.
The interactive Space Odyssey area will introduce you to the outer reaches of the galaxy and beyond, while the Discover Zone provides educational, hands-on fun for children. With artifacts that pertain to paleontology, health sciences, anthropology, zoology, geology, space science, and over 90 habitat scenes and information on animals from across the globe, it’s easy to spend an entire day here.
Spend an Afternoon at Washington Park
Denverites are known for their love of parks and green spaces, which is part of the reason that the Mile High City frequently ranks among the Top 10 Healthiest Cities in the U.S. Although the list of options is long, Washington Park is a favorite in the heart of Denver, providing beautiful green space, two lakes, two flower gardens, including a replica of George Washington’s gardens, tennis courts, and a recreation center. It’s the perfect place for a stroll, jogging, cycling, or rollerblading while immersed in the natural beauty. There are picnic areas for feeding your appetite afterward, and if you stick around until dusk, it’s an excellent vantage point for watching a glorious sunset.
Go Back in Time at the Molly Brown House Museum
Most people have at least heard of the “Unsinkable Molly Brown,” thanks to the blockbuster film “Titanic.” She was a real-life Titanic survivor, a socialite, philanthropist, and activist for women’s rights and many other issues. Her former home, located at 1340 Pennsylvania Street in Denver, now houses a museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in the 1880s, it provides a glimpse of the past as a well-preserved example of Victorian Denver. The English Baroque-style architecture used in the triangular pediment detailing over the porch, the sash windows, and the stone quoins, providing an outstanding photo op too.
The most popular thing to do at the Molly Brown House Museum is to join a guided tour, but it’s also possible to participate in one of the various events and workshops held throughout the year. Those who are interested in the paranormal might be interested in knowing that experts have said the entities of Molly Brown and her husband, James John (J.J.), are still puttering around the home. Haunted tours are available through Ghost City Tours to learn more, such as visitors smelling the aroma of a tobacco pipe throughout the home, despite its current nonsmoking policy. J.J. is said to have been quite fond of his pipe, and it seems he’s continued the habit in death.
Admire Incredible Works of Art at the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is another one of my favorites, here for over a century, having opened its doors back in 1922. It sits within two architecturally impressive buildings as one of the largest museums of its kind in the West. One is a fortress-like building, while the other looks like a titanium crystal with shards and peaks. The museum is renowned for its vast collection of Native American Art, as well as its evolving and permanent collections of more than 70,000 unique works from across the globe. They’re spread over nine curatorial sections, including Asian, European, New World, and Modern art, architecture, design and graphics.
If you have time, be sure to consult the museum’s schedule for programs and workshops held at the museum year-round. Some of the favorites include “Meet the Artist,” where visitors can meet the artists whose work is displayed in a variety of exhibitions.
Insider tip: If you have a lot of time to kill between checking out of your hotel and catching a flight, there are complimentary lockers for oversized bags and other items at the museum so you can explore unencumbered.
Become Part of the Art at Quirky Meow Wolf
If quirky art is your thing, you have to visit Meow Wolf. You’ll become part of the art in some cases, with the attraction turning sensory tech and interactive art into a psychedelic mind-bending adventure through four worlds. Created by over 300 collaborating artists, the four-story exhibit feels like walking into a bizarre world with more than 70 unique rooms and installations, all telling their own story. Plus, there’s a bar serving food and drink, including expertly crafted cocktails and trendy brews right in the middle of it all.
Meet the Animals at Denver Zoo
The Denver Zoo can be found in City Park, housing more than 4,000 animals from 750 different species. The zoo stands out from many others with its eco-friendly operations and natural habitats that allow the animals to have higher-quality lives. Visitors can admire creatures from all over the world, like the usual lumbering elephants in the Elephant Passage and roaring lions in Predator Ridge. At Primate Panorama, it’s always fun to watch the curious and playful orangutans, while Northern Shores is home to polar bears. There’s also an Endangered Species Carousel where you can learn about some of the world’s most threatened species, and the Pioneeer Train that will take you around Flamingo Lake and Carousel Meadow.
Explore the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
The historic Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is located in a World War II-era hangar built in 1939 on the grounds of the former Lowry Air Force Base. It features a number of collections, including the USAF’s B-1A Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress Bombers, a room of archives documenting the history of military and general aviation aircraft, and more. It’s also the site of Colorado’s Aviation Hall of Fame. Exhibits cover everything from World War I through the space age, and include items like an Apollo Command Module replica used by NASA to train astronauts for the Apollo moon missions. During Cockpit Demo Days, kids and people of all ages can climb inside some of the aircraft for a pilot’s view of the controls and instruments.
Stroll Through Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens is another ideal place for a stroll and filling your Instagram feed. It’s frequently found on lists of America’s very best botanic gardens, including USA Today’s 10 Best. Located in Cheesman Park right downtown, it displays over 15,000 plants among a diverse range of plant species from across the globe. Organized in different gardens and sub-collections, the Native Plant Collection includes more than 700 species that are native to Colorado and the surrounding region. There’s also a traditional Japanese Garden with bonsai trees and a Tropical Collection with over 2,375 species, including plants from Australia, Africa, Central and South America. Other notable areas include the Shakespeare Garden, Riverside Garden and Ornamental Grass Collection.
If you’ve ever watched the 1973 Woody Allen film “Sleeper,” you might recognize this beautiful green space. Docent-led tours can tell you more about it, along with information on the flora and art in the gardens. There is also an amphitheater that hosts a summer concert series, often with big-name artists.
Check Out the 16th Street Mall
The mile-and-a-quarter-long 16th Street Mall is one of the top spots to shop in Denver, with a myriad of spending opportunities. You’ll find brand name stores along with local, independent shops. Plus, there are more than 40 outdoor cafes that are perfect for taking advantage of the 300+ days of sunshine the city gets on average every year. Plus, there’s a free mall shuttle that stops at every corner for easy transportation, though the area is quite walkable.
Be sure to browse the decades-old bookshops, like the local favorite Tattered Cover. It may deserve an entry of its own as one of the city’s most famous destinations, beloved by visitors and residents alike. This independent community bookstore was established in 1974 as just a small bookshop. Today, you’ll find an extensive selection of titles, a highly knowledgeable sales staff, and lots of comfy chairs for reading. In fact, you can just sit and read here for hours, and you’re welcome to do so. If you’re hungry or thirsty, there is a coffee bar too.
If you’re looking for western apparel, head to Rockmount Ranch Wear, the famous inventor of the snap button shirt, popular with legendary musicians like Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen. After dark, there’s plenty of entertaining nightlife and even romantic horse-drawn carriage rides.
Catch a Game or Tour Coors Field
Coors Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies, is one of the most spectacular stadiums in the nation and the ballpark with the highest elevation in the league, known for hosting the highest home runs in baseball history. Located in the city’s Ballpark neighborhood, spectators can not only watch the game, but take it in with an awe-inspiring backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Plus, catching a game here is a great way to get to know the city and its residents better as you’ll be mingling with local fans.
The stadium has become renowned for its delicious food offerings and its beer, with a double-decker rooftop area that has over 50 craft beers on tap. It’s even home to the Blue Moon Brewing Co. If you’re not in Denver during baseball season (around early April through late September), you may want to take a tour which includes a unique behind-the-scenes look at the history of this famous stadium and the role it’s played in baseball, a visit to the dugouts, the field and the Coors Fields’ microbrewery.
Get Wet at Water World
It can get quite warm in the summer in Denver – while the average high is around 90, it’s not unheard of for the mercury to rise over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. But the good news is that the city is home to one of the country’s biggest and best water parks: Water World. Technically, it’s just north in the suburb of Federal Heights, but it’s worth the short trip to cool off while having a good time, whether you want heart-pounding thrills on steep slides or relaxing rides along the Lazy River. The little ones have a watery splash playground just for them too. One of my personal favorites is the two-person dark tube-slide where you’ll whizz through a “wormhole” with sound effects and cosmic lighting.
Spend a Day at Elitch Gardens Theme Park
Elitch Gardens is a popular attraction for families, open between early May and early November. It’s the only downtown theme park in the U.S., and is actually two parks in one. One side is a water park with tubes, wave pools, and waterslides, and the other is filled with amusements, including more than 50 thrill rides like huge roller coasters, such as the Mind Eraser, a Ferris wheel, and many other major rides. Little ones will love Star Toons Studio and rides designed for young children, like the Mouse House bumper cars, Balloon Race, and Enchanted Teacups.
Insider tip: Keep in mind that if you primarily want to cool off on a hot day, your best bet is to head to Water World, although kids are sure to like either one. The Island Kingdom Water Park is included with your admission to Elitch Gardens, making it a good deal if you plan to experience both.
Experience a Foodie Haven & More at The Source
While Seattle has its Pike Place Market, and San Francisco has the Ferry Building Marketplace, for Denverites, The Source is the place to go. Visitors who consider themselves foodies, or those who just appreciate good food, should head here too. This European-style artisan food market is housed inside a former 1880s brick foundry building in the River North District just north of downtown. It hosts a collection of retailers and food artisans that sell everything from fresh-baked bread to street tacos, craft cocktails and flower arrangements. There are local brewers, coffee roasters, butchers, specialty grocers, bakers, cheesemakers, craftsmen, and more, all under one roof, making it one of the hottest destinations for foodies around.
Take a Walk through the Art District on Santa Fe
Located just minutes from downtown, the Art District on Santa Fe is one of Colorado’s designated Creative Districts. This multi-cultural neighborhood features over 100 art galleries, the largest concentration of art galleries in Denver. You can admire colorful murals and exhibitions at Museo de las Americas and experience some of the most authentic Mexican culture in the city too. The area is also home to craft breweries and the Buckhorn Exchange, the city’s oldest dining establishment.
Every day of the week, the doors are open freely for popular events like the First Friday Art Walk and Second Saturdays on Santa Fe, a time when galleries offer an open house ambiance to promote traditional, contemporary, and emerging art. You’ll also find outstanding cafes serving authentic Latino fare and a multitude of interesting shops and other various creative spaces.
Join a Brewery Tour
The area’s best-known brewery, Coors, is located in Golden, but there are a number of breweries right in town that host intriguing tours for learning about their history and how the brew is made, with samples typically provided at the end. Wynkook Brewing Company is Denver’s very first brewpub, co-founded in 1988 by the former Governor of Colorado and former Mayor of Denver, John Hickenlooper. A free tour will take you through the brewing process, and it includes a stroll through the historic J.S. Brown Mercantile building, with its classic hardwood floors, thick timber pillars, and pressed tin ceilings. The original brewery and Tap Room of the Great Divide Brewing Co is located in the heart of downtown, and it offers the chance to sample any of the 16 seasonal and year-round brews on tap, as well as to take a tour of the brewhouse.
Pop In But Don’t Eat at Casa Bonita Restaurant
Although it bills itself as the “World’s Most Exciting Restaurant,” Casa Bonita may be one of the weirdest, which is why you’ve got to go while you’re in Denver. That doesn’t mean you should eat there – eat somewhere else first, as while it’s very entertaining, the food is just not good and perhaps even downright scary to some. Unfortunately, they make you order a full meal to get in the door, but it’s best to just write that off as the admission fee and toss that plate after you get it. If you’re in the mood, you can order a bucket of beer in preparation for the sensory overload that’s about to occur, which includes cliff-diving, flame-juggling and all sorts of inappropriate shenanigans involving pretend natives – all best viewed from a table near the waterfall.
Delve into LoDo’s Hopping Nightlife
LoDo (Lower Downtown) is one of Denver’s most talked-about neighborhoods. Located near Coors Field, it features 28 square blocks of restored Victorian buildings that were renovated to create the perfect venues for nightlife. Within that small area, you’ll find more than enough after-hours excitement to keep you going long into the night and beyond, including brewpubs, sports bars and restaurants, live music venues, and more. In fact, there are so many options it might seem a bit overwhelming.
Those who like country music might head to Belles & Boots, a country bar and BBQ restaurant with live music, line dancing, and a mechanical bull. Otherwise, consider Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, a “gastrobrothel,” set in a Victorian brownstone that once served as a brothel. Today, it hosts DJs and live bands.
Head to One of the World’s Most Stunning Concert Venues: Red Rocks
There is nothing like a concert at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. A short drive west of the city at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, it’s tucked among the area’s famous towering red rocks where the tunes carry over the sandstone walls and into the night’s sky. While its stage has seen many iconic artists, including The Beatles, John Denver, U2, Tool, Bruce Springsteen, and countless others, it really doesn’t matter who is playing, with a setting so breathtaking that it’s something you’ll never forget.
More to Do: Denver Day Trips
Not only does Denver have a ton to see and do, but there are dozens of possible day trips if you have enough time. Some of my favorites include:
- Boulder (35 minutes) – A city with many organic eateries, breweries, shops, the Celestial Seasonings Tea Company (tours available), and parks like Chautauqua at the foot of the iconic Flatiron mountains
- Gardens of the Gods, Colorado Springs (75 minutes) – Stunning red rock formations set against a backdrop of Pikes Peak mountain, with trails winding through
- Georgetown (50 minutes) – A historic mining town with roughly 200 restored 1870s buildings and the Georgetown Loop Railroad, an old-time steam locomotive traveling up the canyon to Silver Plume, showcasing stunning Rocky Mountain views.
- Idaho Springs (40 minutes) – Perfect for a spa day at Indian Hot Springs with a mineral-water pool, private outdoor Jacuzzi baths, his and hers geo-thermal cave baths, and a day spa.
- Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park (90 minutes) – Estes Park is a small mountain town with an aerial tramway and the famous Stanley Hotel, while serving as the gateway to the national park with its dramatic mountains, lakes, streams, and waterfalls.
FAQs for things to do in Denver
What to do in Denver on the weekend?
While many of Denver’s top things to do can be enjoyed any day of the week, there are typically more live concerts on the weekend. You might spend the day taking part in outdoor activities at one of the over 200 parks within the city, and then catch a show at Red Rocks, Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, or the Paramount Theatre.
What are the best things for couples to do in Denver?
Horse-drawn carriage rides are available in the 16th Street Mall right downtown. It’s even more enchanting during the holidays when it will be illuminated with twinkling lights and decor. A stroll hand-in-hand through the Denver Botanic Gardens is always romantic, or if you both like to cook, book a one-night class together at the Cook Street School of Culinary Arts.
What to do in Downtown Denver?
Start with coffee under the Beaux-Arts ceiling at Union Station, ride the free MallRide down 16th Street Mall, then wander Larimer Square and the Dairy Block for string lights, murals, and bites. Dip into MCA Denver or the Clyfford Still Museum, tour Coors Field or catch a show at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, and wrap with sunset on a LoDo rooftop.
What to do in Denver if you only have a day?
If you only have a day, spend it exploring some of Denver’s world-class institutions like the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Molly Brown House Museum, and/or the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. For those who appreciate the quirky and psychedelic, be sure to prioritize the immersive Meow Wolf, a must-visit.
What to do in Denver with kids?
Roar through Denver Zoo, tinker at the Children’s Museum, and spot sharks at the Downtown Aquarium. Chase dinos and stars at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (IMAX + planetarium). Run wild at City Park or Washington Park; in summer, splash at Water World or ride coasters at Elitch Gardens. For pure imagination: Meow Wolf.
What are some free or cheap things to do in Denver?
Those on a tight budget will have many options in Denver, including the free tour of Wynkook Brewing Company, exploring the Art District on Santa Fe, and guided tours of the Denver Mint, which reveals the coin production process from start to finish. The Lakeside Amusement Park charges just $5 per person for admission, and kids under 36″ are free.
When is the best time of year to enjoy Denver?
April–May and September–October: warm days, cool nights, fewer crowds. Summer (Jun–Aug) = festivals/Red Rocks but hotter with afternoon storms. Winter (Nov–Mar) is sunny, cheaper, and close to ski country.
What should I know about visiting a high-altitude city?
If you’re coming from a low-elevation location, especially sea level, it’s important to take it easy the first couple of days and drink lots of water. Denver is called the Mile High City as it sits at 5280 feet above sea level, which can cause some to experience altitude sickness, although symptoms are usually mild, such as fatigue and light-headedness.
