15 Best Things to Do in Denver, Colorado, in 2023

Known as the Mile High City, Denver is the wanted of Colorado and one of the most heady cities to visit in the US. Surrounded by mountains, Denver is the perfect wiring for those who love a bit of outdoor adventure.

I can’t plane struggle to count the number of times I’ve visited Denver. Denver’s location roughly in the middle of the country makes it the perfect stop during a road trip, and as you’ll see in this list, it’s a worthwhile destination on its own.

It’s one of my favorite cities in the US, and not only for hiking or skiing in the mountains, but moreover for its neighborhoods, museums, and music venues. In this guide, we’ll take a squint at 15 must-see Denver attractions and things to do to help you plan the perfect trip to the city.

This post was updated to include new Denver attractions and activities for 2023. 

15 Weightier Things to Do in Denver

While you may be tempted to throne straight for the Rocky Mountains, there are plenty of things to do in Denver to warrant sticking virtually for a while.

Home to some world-class museums, trappy parks, all four major sports teams, and perhaps the weightier music venue in the country, Denver has a lot to offer travelers of all month and interests.

If you plan to see 3-5 of the Denver tourist attractions on this list, you may want to consider the Denver CityPASS, which gives you 40% off the price of regular admission. Learn increasingly here. 

1. Visit the Colorado State Capitol

Kicking off my list of the weightier Denver attractions is the Colorado State Capitol. This neoclassical towers was built when in the 1890s and is home to the Colorado General Assembly as well as the governor’s office.

If the towers looks a bit familiar, that’s considering it was built to resemble the US Capitol in Washington, DC. It was made from white granite and topped with a golden dome to commemorate the Colorado Gold Rush. 

One of the coolest things well-nigh visiting the capitol is that you can stand at exactly one mile whilom sea level.

There are unquestionably three variegated markers on the steps, with the one on the 13th step stuff the most recent and most accurate. Snap a photo here to show you properly visited the Mile High City.

While you’re here, you might as well go in and have a look. The first time I visited, I only looked virtually outside, missing the gorgeous interior. Don’t do the same.

Inside, you’ll see trappy stained glass windows that depict scenes from the history of Colorado. Be sure to climb up the steep 99 steps to reach Mr. Brown’s Attic, where you’ll enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of downtown and the Rocky Mountains. 

The Colorado State Capitol is self-ruling to visit and they plane run self-ruling tours. These start on the hour from 10 AM-3 PM Monday to Friday, and they recommend arriving at least 20 minutes in advance.

It’s definitely one of the most popular things to do in downtown Denver. You can find the capitol towers on the map and get directions here.

Address: 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO, 80203, USA

2. See the Denver Art Museum

A quick walk from the State Capitol will bring you to the fantastic Denver Art Museum. Take your time going in, as the buildings that house the museum are a work of art in their own right!

Italian modernist technie Gio Ponti designed the museum’s North Building, which somewhat resembles a castle.

Years later, the Hamilton Towers was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, who was “inspired by the light and geology of the Rockies.” This world-class art museum is definitely one of the weightier places to visit in Denver. 

Once you’re washed-up yearning the architecture, it’s time to throne inside and explore the museum’s vast collection.

Here you’ll find an zillions of Native American art among some 70,000 variegated works of art. Exhibitions are unchangingly changing, so be sure to trammels their timetable to see what’s going on. This is a must-do in Denver for any art lover.

The Denver Art Museum is unshut Monday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday from 10-5. On Fridays, the museum stays unshut until 8. Tickets forfeit $13 for adults and kids 18 and under visit for free. You can find the museum on the map here.

Address: 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO, 80204, USA

3. Visit Red Rocks (one of the weightier places to visit near Denver)

Of all the spanking-new Denver attractions, my personal favorite has got to be Red Rocks. This is a must see in Denver for sure!

Red Rocks as a Music Venue

This municipality park and outdoor vortex is a unconfined place to hike, bike, and see live music. In fact, Red Rocks constantly tops lists of the weightier concert venue in the unshortened United States.

I’ve seen a lot of concerts in a lot of places, but it’s really tough to write-up Red Rocks. I mean, the stage here is set between two massive sandstone waddle formations!

Not only is it stunningly beautiful, but this natural vortex has some veritably incredible acoustics. I’ve been there a few times once and it’s unchangingly a unconfined time.

There are many unconfined acts that come to this legendary venue. They moreover regularly host yoga classes and plane movie nights, so there’s unchangingly something tomfool going on at Red Rocks.

Hiking and Wanderlust virtually Red Rocks

Even on a non-event day, it’s well worth the trip from downtown Denver to go to Red Rocks.

The park is home to several variegated hiking and wanderlust trails as well. It’s definitely one of the weightier places to visit near Denver if you want to get some exercise withal with scenic mountain views. While you’re here, you can moreover trammels out the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. 

Red Rocks is unquestionably located in the small town of Morrison and is well-nigh a 30-minute momentum from downtown Denver. It opens one hour surpassing sunrise and closes one hour surpassing sunset on non-event days.

When there’s a show, the park closes at virtually 2PM. Weightier of all, ticket and parking are both free! You can get directions to Red Rocks here. 

Address: Red Rocks Amphitheater, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO, 80465, USA

Tours from Denver to Red Rocks

Another unconfined way to wits Red Rocks is by joining this highly rated half-day tour.

Meet up with your guide and throne out to Red Rocks. You’ll momentum withal the historic Lariat Loop, and up to Bear Creek Canyon where you can get a closer view of the Rockies. 

Epic viewpoints, stops for a beer or coffee, information well-nigh Denver, and all the fun things to do are included on this trip. Click here to learn increasingly well-nigh this Denver activity.

Think you want to spend longer in the city? Have a squint at our Guide to Living in Denver, Colorado.

4. Wander 16th Street Mall

Taking a stroll withal the pedestrian-only 16th Street Mall is one of the most popular things to do in downtown Denver. This tree-lined street is full of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars, so you can hands spend a few leisurely hours here. 

It’s moreover a unconfined place to just plop lanugo on a bench, relax, and enjoy some fantastic people-watching. You’re sure to see some street performers here, as well as some of Denver’s most, shall we say “interesting” characters. 

While many of my friends who live in Denver may decry this zone as stuff a tourist trap, I unchangingly enjoy taking a lap virtually it when I’m in town.

It’s just nice stuff in a major US municipality that has a pedestrian-friendly zone where people congregate and enjoy some time outdoors. Plus, it’s easy to find a good Happy Hour deal here!

The 16th Street Mall is very hands walkable, but there’s moreover a self-ruling shuttle bus that stops on every corner if you finger like giving your feet a rest. You can get directions to the 16th Street Mall on the map here.

Address: 16th St Mall, Denver, CO, 80265, USA

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5. Visit the Botanic Gardens

Nature lovers will want to make sure to add the Botanic Gardens to their list of places to visit in Denver. This massive park occupies 23 acres right in the heart of Denver, creating a untried oasis in the middle of a booming city.

Comprised of over 45 variegated gardens, there’s a whole lot to see here. In total, there are well over 30,000 variegated plants! This is definitely one of the top Denver attractions and a place you won’t want to miss when visiting the city.

Some of the highlights of the park include the peaceful Japanese Garden, the tropical conservatory, and the Waddle Alpine Garden.

There’s so much to see and do here that you can hands spend an unshortened day exploring the gardens and the greater Cheesman Park where they’re located.

Tickets for the main York Street zone of the gardens forfeit $15 for adults, $9.50 for seniors/military, and $9 for students and children. This is one of the weightier places to visit in Denver, and it’s included in the CityPASS, which you can purchase online here. 

There are unquestionably several days throughout the year when it’s totally free, so be sure to trammels the calendar. It’s unshut every day from 9-5, and you can find directions by checking the map here.

Address: 1007 York St, Denver, CO, 80206, USA

6. Visit the Sporting Venues

Did you know that Denver is one of only two US cities where teams in all four major sports play downtown?

Denver and my hometown of Detroit are the only places where you can see basketball, football, hockey, and baseball all right downtown.

Denver is home to the Broncos (NFL), Rockies (MLB), Nuggets (NBA), and Avalanche (NHL). The Broncos play at Mile High, with eight regular-season games between September and January.

People really go crazy for their football team here, so it’s a very heady undercurrent to be a part of.

Both the Nuggets and the Avs play their home games at the Ball Arena. The regular season for both sports lasts from October to April, so there are plenty of chances to reservation a game during the fall and winter.

Watching a hockey or basketball game is one of the weightier things to do in Denver in the winter.

When hockey and basketball are wrapping up, baseball is just getting started.

The Rockies play at Coors Field and have home games very often in the spring and summer months. Whichever team you see, checking out a game is definitely one of the top things to do in downtown Denver. 

7. Explore Union Station

The historic Union Station dates when to 1914, when it was rebuilt without a fire destroyed it in 1894. 

It may seem a bit odd to have a train station on the list of the weightier Denver attractions, but hear me out. Just a few years ago, a massive redevelopment plan began at Union Station. The upper levels were transformed into the luxury Crawford Hotel, and several shop shops, restaurants, and bars moved in as well. Old ticket counters became the Terminal Bar, and the Unconfined Hall transformed into “Denver’s living room.” 

In wing to all the dining, shopping, and entertainment options on offer at Union Station, it’s once then a fully functioning transportation hub.

Catching the A-Line here from the airport is an affordable and environmentally conscious way to travel in and out of the city. You can moreover reservation Amtrak trains here, including the famous California Zephyr line that travels to San Francisco. 

Union Station is located in the LoDo (Lower Downtown) zone of Denver. If you end up passing through on your way to or from the airport, be sure to spend a little uneaten time here. 

Grab a drink and a bite, do a bit of window shopping, or just sit on the hovel and enjoy some unconfined people watching. You can find Union Station on the map here.

Address: 1701 Wynkoop, Denver, CO, 80202, USA

There’s unquestionably a fun, short, affordable walking tour you can join where you’ll learn the history of LoDo, plus get tips on where to eat and drink from the knowledgeable guide. Learn increasingly here.

8. Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Denver is home to plenty of spanking-new museums, and one of my favorites is definitely the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Their wondrous exhibitions on dinosaurs, gems, mummies, and woebegone holes makes a trip here one of the weightier things to do in Denver for kids. 

In wing to all their interesting exhibitions, the museum is moreover home to an IMAX theatre and one of the weightier planetariums in the country.

There’s plane a T-Rex Cafe here where you can grab a drink and a zest to eat. With so much to see and do, you can hands spend a whole day taking in all that this museum has to offer. 

Be sure to trammels their timetable of events, as the museum often has some pretty tomfool programs for both kids and adults.

For example, they’re having a Renaissance Revelry event soon for adults where costumes are encouraged and drinks/appetizers are included in your ticket. Now that sounds like a fun night at the museum!

The museum is unshut from 9-5 every day, and tickets forfeit $19 for adults or $14 for children for museum admission. Special exhibitions, IMAX screenings, and special showings in the planetarium all forfeit between $5-7 extra.

Entrance to the museum is included in the Denver CityPASS. You can get directions and find it on the map here.

Address: 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205, USA

9. Relax in the Local Parks

If you’re visiting the museum, you might as well stick virtually City Park for a while. This is the largest urban park in the municipality and a popular place for locals and tourists alike.

That’s not all, though. You’ll moreover find soccer, baseball, and football fields, tennis courts, and a golf undertow here. There are a couple of small lakes in the park and a boathouse where you can rent some tomfool animal-shaped paddle boats.

During the summer months, there’s a self-ruling concert series in Municipality Park. Be sure to trammels the schedule to see what’s playing if you’re visiting in the summer. You can find Municipality Park on the map here.

Another unconfined nomination is Washington Park, which is located just south of downtown (check the map here).

Fitness enthusiasts will love a visit to this large untried space thanks to the many hiking and wanderlust trails here. There are moreover a few lakes here for increasingly fun on the water. 

10.  Visit the US Mint

The US Mint in Denver runs self-ruling tours Monday-Thursday on a first-come, first-served basis.

Have you overly wondered how coins are made? Well, you can do just that by visiting the US Mint. It was opened when in 1863 to turn the findings of the Gold Rush into coins for the unshortened country. 

Their ticket window opens up at 7 AM and you can only get tickets for the same day. There are six tours a day at 8, 9:30, 11, 12:30, 2, and 3:30. You can get directions to the US Mint on the map here. 

On this hour-long guided tour of the US Mint, you’ll see how a bland-looking piece of metal gets transformed into a shiny new coin.

Each forge that’s made here is stamped with a “D” for Denver. They can produce up to 50 million coins a day here! A visit here is definitely one of the most unique Denver tourist attractions. 

Address: 320 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO, 80204, USA

11. Visit the Elitch Gardens Theme Park

One of the most fun places to visit in Denver is Elitch Gardens. It’s unquestionably two superstitious parks rolled into one, with a theme park on one side and a water park on the other.

Fun fact – Elitch Gardens is the only downtown theme park in the United States!

It’s one of the most popular Denver attractions and a unconfined place to spend the day. With roller coasters, water slides, drive-in movies, self-ruling concerts, and wondrous fireworks displays, there’s plenty to see and do here. 

Elitch Gardens is unshut from mid-April to early November. The theme park opening hours vary depending on the time of year and the day of the week, so be sure to trammels surpassing planning your trip there.

As for the water park, it’s unshut from 10:30-6 from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. You can find Elitch Gardens on the map and get directions here. 

Address: 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO, 80204, USA

12. Visit the History Colorado Center

If you’re interested in learning increasingly well-nigh the state of Colorado, then be sure to add a trip to the History Colorado Center to your list of things to do in downtown Denver. 

It’s located in the Golden Triangle Museum District, where you’ll find many of the weightier Denver attractions. 

The History Colorado Center is a far cry from the unrewarding museums of the past. This modern history museum is full of interactive, high-tech exhibits that are fun and informative for all ages.

In wing to the unconfined exhibits inside, the towers itself is quite impressive. It was made from a wide variety of local as well as recycled materials, and it’s a trappy towers inside and out. 

The museum is unshut every day from 10-5, with tickets costing $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10/$8 for students/children. This must-see place in Denver is included in the CityPASS. You can find the museum on the map and get directions here. 

Address: 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO, 80203, USA

13. Larimer Square (a top Denver Attraction for tourists)

Larimer Square is one of the coolest places to visit in Denver, so be sure to add it to your list.

The municipality of Denver has come a long way since its unobtrusive beginnings as a pioneer zany during the Gold Rush. It was founded in 1858 by William Larimer, who named the new city’s main street without himself.

For many years, Larimer Street thrived as a popping commercial hub. That was until the turn of the century, when it became run lanugo and filled with liquor stores, flophouses, and pawn shops. 

Thankfully, restoration efforts began in the mid-’60s to try to save this piece of Denver’s history.

The 1400 woodcut of Larimer Street was saved from the wrecking wittiness and buildings were given a serious facelift. Half a century later, it’s the best-preserved zone of 19th-century buildings in all of Denver.

It’s known as Larimer Square these days, and it’s once then a thriving zone of downtown Denver. Here you’ll find self-sustaining shops, restaurants run by famous chefs, and some lively bars. Get directions to Larimer Square on the map here.

Address: 1430 Larimer St, Denver, CO, 80202, USA

14. Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Just a few blocks from Larimer Square, you’ll find the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Home to several variegated venues, there’s unchangingly something interesting going on here.

There are many variegated theatres in the DCPA. The largest is the Buell Theatre (2,839 capacity), which hosts Broadway musicals and plays. Upcoming shows here include Broadway staples such as Cats, Wicked, and Rent.

Much smaller is the Garner Galleria Theatre, which is a cabaret-style venue that only seats just over 200 people. This venue usually features comedic musicals or improv comedy, so you’re guaranteed some laughs when you typesetting a show here.

Of course, there are plenty of options for wining and dining virtually the DCPA as well. Go superiority and make a night of it by having dinner and drinks here surpassing the show.

Just be sure to typesetting your tickets in whop for those super popular shows! You can find the DCPA on the map here.

Address: 1101 13th St., Denver, CO, 80204, USA

15. Visit the Breweries: A Must-Do in Denver!

Beer lovers are in for a treat when visiting Denver. Home to breweries large and small, there’s no shortage of tasty brews to sample here in the Mile High Municipality — visiting is a must-do in Denver!

Craft Beer Breweries

If you prefer a strong IPA or a milky stout to mass-produced lagers, you can opt to go on a micro-brewery tour instead — of which, there are many in Denver. 

This Lower Downtown Denver brewery tour is one of the most popular in the city! You’ll visit 4 of the weightier craft breweries while sampling 10 beers. Plus, you’ll learn well-nigh the brewing process from your expert beer guide and receive a souvenir glass at the end.

The tour includes ten or increasingly generous tastings of variegated beers. Having washed-up this Denver microbrewery tour myself, I can say with conviction that you definitely get your money’s worth! Learn increasingly here.

On this 4-hour tour, you’ll visit 3 variegated breweries at the wiring of the Rocky Mountains. The tour is tabbed Brews and Views for a reason! Learn increasingly here. 

Coors Brewery

Although it’s not technically in the city, the Coors Brewery remains one of the top Denver attractions. Located in nearby Golden, this is the world’s largest single-site brewery. They can mash up to 22 million barrels of beer here in a single year! 

Tours of the Coors Brewery are misogynist year-round for $10 per person. They last 30 minutes, giving you a quick squint at the malting, brewing, and packaging process for one of the world’s most famous beers.

After the tour, you can of undertow sample some of the product. You can find the brewery on the map here.

Address: Coors Brewery, 1221 Ford St, Golden, CO, 80401, USA

Bonus! Day Trips

I had to add increasingly must-sees in Denver to this list. While there’s a lot going on in the municipality itself, if you have the time, I recommend getting outside of the municipality and exploring Rocky Mountain National Park.

A unconfined way to do this so you don’t have to sort out transportation and to have a knowledgeable guide with you is to join a fun day trip. There are two main options:

8 Hour Day Trip From Denver

The momentum to the Rocky Mountain National Park is just as wondrous as the park itself — enjoy the canyons, the Flatirons, and the mannerly town of Estes Park. 

Once you’re in the National Park, you’ll wits the gorgeous view of Long’s Peak, the park’s highest mountain, and revere the glacial-carved valleys, filled with aspen and pine trees.

Plus, the guide will take you to the weightier spots for wildlife viewing, photos, walking, short hikes, or just spooky out. 

This highly-rated, small-group tour includes guide, transportation, lunch and park archway fees, and of course, some of the most spectacular viewpoints and locations in the park. Learn increasingly well-nigh this must-do in Denver Colorado here.

4 Hour Day Trip From Denver

If you don’t finger like spending a whole day yonder from the other attractions in Denver, you can do a half-day trip to see the Rocky Mountains, as opposed to visiting the National Park.

On this trip, you’ll momentum the Lariat Loop, visit Red Rocks, Evergreen (for a beer/coffee), a lookout point, and Buffalo Bill’s Grave, surpassing returning to Denver.

FAQs well-nigh Denver Attractions

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions well-nigh what to do in Denver, Colorado.

Ready for All of the Attractions in Denver?

As you can see, there’s a lot going on in Denver! There are so many spanking-new Denver attractions that this list could have hands been much longer. I’ve been going to the municipality every few years for the last decade and I unchangingly discover something new.

A visit to Denver is the perfect introduction to the state of Colorado.

After a few days of taking in some of the sights in the city, you’ll be ready to get out there and explore the rest of this beautiful, mountainous state. Just an hour and a half momentum from the city, you can find yourself in the weird Rocky Mountain National Park.

So many of my friends have moved to Denver in the last few years, and I can definitely see why.

With a thriving music scene and myriad options for outdoor adventures, I see the appeal! I for one am excited well-nigh getting when to the municipality then soon, and I recommend you add it to your travel skillet list.