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As a gateway city to the Rocky Mountains you would think Denver might be easily overlooked. But this vibrant city in America’s old west is one of the best places to visit in the United States. Whether you love sports, the great outdoors, shopping, good food or all of the above, this list of top things to do in Denver, Colorado has you covered.
Known as the “Mile High City”, Denver sits exactly one mile above sea level. And while the altitude can hit you if you’re not used to it, your new-found love for this city will make you forget all about that. That said, be sure to drink plenty of water to help your body acclimatize, especially if you are from a place closer to sea level.
Getting to and around Denver
Denver is the state capital – and largest city – in Colorado, so there are plenty of flights here from other US cities. Denver International Airport is about 25 miles from downtown.
The A Line train from DIA to Union Station is probably the cheapest way to get downtown at just over $10. And it’s pretty easy to navigate too, taking less than 40 minutes for the journey. A taxi will cost around $40 and likely won’t save you too much time.
Around Denver there are ride share options, but you might be happy to walk too. A lot of the downtown core is very walkable. There’s a good bus system too, including a free bus down the 16th Street Mall, a long mostly pedestrianized shopping street through downtown.
Top things to do in Denver Colorado
You made it to Denver and survived the altitude, so now what? Lucky for you there are lots of fun things to do in Denver, no matter what your taste.
While Denver is not the cheapest of cities, there are budget friendly options if you know where to look. Balance your trip with a mixture of popular activities and more economical hidden gems throughout the city.
Molly Brown House
Does the name sound familiar? You would likely have heard the name Molly Brown in association with Titanic. Coming from a mining family, you can explore the former Victorian home of this wealthy American passenger from the world’s most famous ship.
A guided tour is the only way to explore the house – buy tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment. There are a few tickets available day-of, but don’t risk it if you’re interested in seeing the museum as it will sell out.
16th Street Mall
16th Street is a mile-long street stretching from North Broadway to Union Station. Stores line each side of it with everything from tourist shops to big name brands. There’s a movie theatre, bowling arcade and street performers to keep you entertained, and plenty of restaurants to refuel in.
The best part about the 16th Street Mall? It’s car free! The only vehicles that can go down this street are the (free) MallRide shuttle bus, and pedi-cabs. So you can easily, and safelty, amble from one side of the street to the other.
Find unique street art
Like many big cities, Denver has some eye-catching art installations and street art. Be sure to peek around the little streets and alleyways as you wander the city center to find some hidden pieces. The street art in Denver brightens up even the darkest parts of downtown.
Catch a sports game
Denver is a sports city if ever there was one. The city has a football, baseball, basketball and hockey team – the stadiums are all downtown or at least walkable. No matter what time of year you visit there’s probably a game of some sorts happening.
The Broncos are probably the biggest ticket in town, so one of the top things to do in Denver is catch an NFL game in-season. Experiencing the game with 70,000 people is a unique experience. Top Tip: Mile High Stadium doesn’t allow bags so you’ll have to put it in a locker outside the stadium for a fee. So try to limit what you carry with you to the game.
Take a riverside stroll
Easily reached in downtown Denver is the big and beautiful Commons Park. The best thing about it is its proximity to the South Platte River. There’s a pretty riverside trail, which can be continued even further than the park.
Access more of the trail on the opposite bank by crossing the pedestrianized Highland Cable Bridge. Take in the urban views, or enjoy a late summer evening stroll between the various parks along the trail.
Visit the State Capitol building
The Colorado State Capitol building is an impressive white structure with a golden roof. If you’re in the vicinity, you won’t be able to miss it – helped by the fact it’s perched on a bit of a hill.
This is a great budget activity option in Denver as there are free tours of the State Capitol Monday through Friday. Learn a little of the history of Colorado or about legislature processes here. Reservations are not required unless you’ve got a big group.
Denver Zoo
East of downtown Denver is the massive City Park. As well as finding plenty of trails and outdoor space, you can also experience the Denver Zoo. It’s one of the top things to do in Denver if you’re visiting with kids. Adult tickets are around $20, so it’s still cheaper than some comparable activities.
With animals from Africa, Asia, Australia and beyond, you can easily travel the world in one morning. Discover some local wildlife like the North American Grizzly Bear.
Browse boutique stores in Larimer Square
Larimer Square is a really cool old part of downtown Denver. Reminiscent of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, for those who’ve been there, with lots of historic buildings. There are some great restaurants and bars around the Square, and a visit in the evening is a must to see it all lit up.
But during the day make sure you pay a visit to the many small boutique stores that line the Square. Locally produced and custom made clothing, jewelry, furnishings and beauty products are the perfect way to spend your money and get some gifts to take home.
Enjoy some live jazz music
As well as the Denver Zoo, City Park also hosts an event each year with a little more culture. City Park Jazz is a 10-concert series of free jazz music in the park during the summer.
Take a blanket or some fold out chairs and a picnic and make an evening of it. A unique place to hang out and relax with a few friends – did I mention, it’s completely free?!
Not sure if jazz is your kind of music? This is a great way to get to experience it without committing to a paid concert. Definitely one of the top things to do in Denver during the summer.
Visit a brewery or two
The craft beer market has taken over a lot of North America, and Denver is no exception. Head towards the Five Points neighborhood of the city for some of the best beer this side of the Rockies.
Epic Brewing Company is one you shouldn’t miss, as well as some of the other amazing breweries along Larimer Street. Keep an eye out for some of the fun courtyards and food trucks along the way.
Day trip ideas from Denver
Staying longer in Denver, here are some things to do outside of the city. Some are easy enough to get to with public transit, although most are better if you have a car. You can rent a car easily enough from a number of downtown locations. It’s a great idea if you want to take advantage of some of the stellar outdoor activities in Colorado.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
The gorgeous red color of the rocks and the unbelievable view make this an impressive place to visit any day of the week. If you get the chance, check out a completely unique activity of attending a concert here.
Some of the world’s most popular bands have played this open air venue since concerts were first performed here in the early 1900s. The acoustics make it a one-of-a-kind experience.
Golden, Colorado
Just outside of Denver is the once booming gold rush town of Golden, Colorado. Instantly transporting visitors back a hundred plus years, this cute town is a great day trip from Denver. Easily get there by train or drive there in 30 minutes from Denver.
A stroll along the Clear Creek trail is a must on a nice day, and make sure to visit the Golden History Museum to learn all about the town and it’s golden past. The town has plenty of nods to its wild west past, and is a fun place to explore.
Take a hike
Denver is an outdoor lovers paradise. With such easy access to the mountains there are so many hikes to do you won’t ever run out of ideas. An easy family-friendly hike is the Trading Post trail around Red Rocks park – which will also take you by the amphitheater.
One of the most impressive hiking areas is the Garden of the Gods in nearby Colorado Springs. Just over an hour from Denver, the numerous shorter hikes lead through this otherworldly location and make for a great day out.
Explore Rocky Mountain National Park
The closest of Colorado’s four national parks to Denver is the incredible Rocky Mountain National Park. As the name suggests, the park holds a portion of the vast terrain of the American Rocky Mountains and is one of the best US National Parks.
A day driving along the twisting roads of the national park, overlooking deep ravines and staring up at some of the country’s biggest mountains is a day well spent. Be sure to make stops at some of the most scenic spots like Bear Lake or Dream Lake.
Stand on the Continental Divide
The great Continental Divide runs through Colorado and can be reached from Denver. This high ridge separates the drainage basins of North America, one of which feeds into the Atlantic Ocean and the other into the Pacific. Take a hair-raising drive along some of the twistiest roads imaginable with a heck of a drop over one side.
One of the highest mountain passes you can drive is Loveland Pass. Buckle up and don’t look down until you get to one of the most impressive viewpoints and the sign that you’ve made it to the top of the world – or at least 11,990 feet above sea-level.
Visit a ski village or mountain town
Colorado has some pretty serious contenders for the best ski and mountain towns in the country. You’ve probably heard of Aspen but it is almost 4 hours away from Denver so might be a bit far.
Vail on the other hand is less than 100-miles away. Keystone and Idaho Springs are even closer. All are great options for a day trip, even in the summer when there is no snow. In fact, enjoy the nice weather and soak up some sun on a brewery patio or wander the cute shops and historic storefronts of small town Colorado.
Enjoy the best of what Denver has to offer
As you can probably tell there is no shortage of incredible activities here. Some of the top things to do in Denver have you outdoors and enjoying the fresh air in a city that is teeming with life.
The city is a sports city, an outdoor city, a cultural city and a foodie city all in one. Wrap that up with some killer views and you can’t go wrong.
Make Denver your base for at least a few days which will give you time to explore the city and get driving towards the mountains for a day trip or two. Make sure to take advantage of the adorable nearby mountain towns, and end your days with yet another local craft beer.
Denver is sure to reel you in and keep you hooked that you’ll just have to visit again and again. The good news? You will never be short of things to do in Denver.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Which of these top things to do in Denver do you want to try the most? Tell me about some of your favorite experiences in the Mile High city.
I’d love to visit Colorado & Denver is a great place to start. Thanks for sharing such helpful information!
Denver is one of the top cities in the US that I want to visit – it looks so cool! Hiking is absolutely a must, but I also love finding street art. Def saving for later- thanks!
My favorite activity when I arrive in a new city is to walk around aimlessly and discover the hidden street art. I am glad you found some to share in your post.