Denver is a sprawling metropolis and a hub for transportation, industry, and commerce, as well as the home of major telecommunications, aviation, and financial businesses. However, it’s also a great place for fun and leisure and there’s so much to see and do. For residents Denver is an exciting place to live in with year round events and interesting places to visit. Here we’ll take you through some of top things to do in Denver, CO.
Table of Contents:
Culture, the arts, and tours
Colorado State Capitol tour
To see one of the most famous government buildings, visit the Colorado State Capitol, which was inspired by its famous counterpart in Washington D.C. Made of Colorado white granite, yule marble, and rose onyx, the Colorado State Capitol contains marvelous stained glass that shows important Colorado citizens and significant state events. It’s built in the Corinthian style and renowned for its gold-plated dome.
Climb 99 steps of a spiral staircase to an open-air deck, where you’ll be treated to sublime views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline.
There are also visitor galleries, complimentary tours, and temporary exhibits. The Colorado State Capitol is only open on weekdays.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan’s Lake Park isn’t just a race, it’s become an extremely popular cultural event and one of the most looked forward to events in the Denver Calendar. During this two-day festival, over 50 teams of boaters race multihued dragon boats across Sloan Lake. Races begin at 8 a.m. and end at dusk.
While the races are the star of this festival, there’s lots of other things to do. There’s a performing arts stage with over 60 performances. There’s also an Asian marketplace where you can find arts and crafts as well as gifts and other novelties.
Head to the Two Taste of Asia Food Courts, which features Denver’s best Asian eateries, then relax in the beer garden.
You can also make your own manga, help create a Chinese scroll painting, and enjoy interactive art pieces and live art demonstrations by local artists. Kids and adults can learn about cooking, kite-making, and tea at Dragonland, or bounce to their heart’s content on the bungee trampoline.
This event goes down as one of the most popular things to do in Denver and shouldn’t be missed.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Located at York Street, the Denver Botanic Gardens covers over 24 acres and showcases plants from around the world that thrive in a high-altitude climate and geography. It contains 18 arid gardens and internationally inspired gardens from South Africa, China, and Japan. There are also ornamental gardens, shaded gardens, and water gardens.
With many events and tours held throughout the year, Denver Botanic Gardens is a place that can and should be visited multiple times.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
As Denver is home to an aerospace industry, it’s only fitting that it has an air and space museum. Located in a former Air Force hanger from the 1930s, this museum spans 150,000 square feet. There are over four dozen space vehicles and aircraft, including rare ones like an B-18A Bolo and a RF-84K Thunderflash Parasite. If you’re looking for something even more exotic, how about a Star Wars X-Wing fighter! Kids are encouraged to try the many apparatus. Book a tour with a friendly museum guide and don’t forget to visit the gift shop.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
One of the top things to do in Denver, is watching a live show during the summer at the Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. Here you can enjoy live music set to the background of the Denver skyline. The venue is globally famous for its exquisite ochre sandstone as well as its acoustics.
Even without a performance or concert, Red Rocks & Amphitheatre is worth a visit. You can hike in the surrounding park and explore the famous red rocks. You can also check out the free visitor center, which contains a museum and a performers hall of fame.
First Friday Art Walk
Art enthusiasts will love the Denver’s Art District which contains dozens of artists’ studio and art galleries showcasing the work of nationally famous artists, as well as those who are just beginning to make a name for themselves in the region. While this is a celebration of art, the atmosphere is festive and and there’s very much a feeling of fun in the air.
Every first Friday there’s a shuttled gallery tour which takes you to art hubs like Walker Fine Art. If you want to join the First Friday Art Walk, head to the Osage Street Light Rail Station, where the shuttle tour starts.
Denver Central Library
This library is known for its History collection, where you can find a wealth of information about Native American history, Spanish land grants, early explorations, and the gold rush era. Of course, the Denver Central Library also contains extensive material about contemporary Denver and the Rocky Mountain West.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Visit Denver Center for the Performing Arts, for high brow, popular, and, challenging new productions. Here you can find the Temple Buell Theatre, Newton Auditorium, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Garner Galleria Theatre, and other smaller stages. These venues frequently offer free performances, there are no reservations in advance and only general admission seats are available. At times there will be long queues, as tickets are first-come, first-served on the day of the event. But if you’d like to experience excellent theater for free, it’s worth the wait. Note that children under the age of 6 are not permitted entrance.
Dikeou Collection
If you’re looking for global contemporary art, head to the Dikeou Collection, where you can see sculptures, drawings, photography, and installations by over 25 artists. This private collection can be freely viewed from Wednesday to Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 pm. You can also make an appointment.
Movie theaters
Denver contains multiple movie theaters, including the Fandango and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on Sloan’s Lake. The latter serves delicious truffle popcorn and drinks and is known for its comfy seats.
For independent films, documentaries, and foreign films, head to the Mayan Theater on Broadway. Enjoy its gorgeous architecture. Head upstairs to its full bar to sample a great selection of beer and some fine wine.
Outdoor activities
In the summer, Denver is a mecca for hiking, biking, rock climbing, and fishing. In the winter, skiers flock to Denver to take advantage of the pristine white snow. Thanks to its proximity to the Colorado Rockies, you can enjoy excellent dining, museums, and shopping once you’re done with outdoor activities.
Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak
Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak are among Colorado’s top natural sights, so if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, make sure to book a day tour to visit these areas. On these tours, you’ll visit the famous Balanced Rock and have lunch at historic Manitou Springs. Enjoy the view from the summit and take photos to help recount your visit to friends.
Garden of the Gods contains stunning red rock formations. It also has multiple trails that you can tour via horseback, jeep, segway and even trolley. Choose from paved and dirt trails. Note that Garden of the Gods has disability access.
Denver Climbing Company
If you’d like to learn how to climb or you’d like to hone your technique, head to the Denver Climbing Company Outdoor Climbing School, which caters to all climber skill levels, from kids and beginners to more advanced climbers. With each climb you become stronger, better and there’s a wonderful sense of achievement as you take on challenges you never thought you could overcome.
Take a trip to Vail
Only 100 miles away from Denver is Vail, a wonderful town that provides all year round fun things to do. However, what it’s most famous for is its world class ski resort with fantastic amenities in stunning settings. Even for something as picturesque as a ski resort, Vail is special. Once your have your fill of the piste or terrains, relax to great food with friends and family and take in crisp and magical air of Vail.
Shopping
Larimer Square
For shoppers, Larimer Square is a premier destination. Built in 1858, Larimer Square has the distinction of being Denver’s first commercial block. It regained its reputation as a shopping haven after a restoration in the 1960s. You can dine in the many restaurants along the square and even indulge in the vibrant nightlife once you’re done shopping.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Find upscale brands and more at Cherry Creek Shopping Center, which is only a few minutes away from downtown Denver. You can find exclusive stores like Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Tory Burch. Perennial favorites like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Apple, and Coach are also located at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. If you need a break, you can catch a movie or dine at one of the 15 eateries. We recommend Elway’s, Kona Grill, and 801 Chophouse. Sip on a latte and enjoy the high altitude.
Tattered Cover Bookstore
Denver is home to the Tattered Cover Book Store, an excellent independent bookstore. It has several Denver branches, but the one to visit is the store in the renovated Lowenstein Theater on East Colfax Road. Here, you can peruse the latest bestsellers, sip a cappucino while hanging out in a comfy overstuffed chair, or attend a free author talk or book signing. If East Colfax is out of the way, you can also head to the Tattered Cover Book Store’s newest branch at Denver Union Station.
Dining
The city loves good food, and you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out in Denver. This city is a haven for chef-owned restaurants and was given the spotlight in Season 15 of Bravo’s reality cooking show “Top Chef.” To experience Denver’s culinary scene, start at Larimer Square, where you can sample local products while you walk around boutique shops and Vicotrian buildings.
If you’re looking for a food hall, look no further than Avanti F&B, which features not just one, but seven rotating casual dining concepts. There are also two craft bars and a patio that offers stunning downtown city views.
That’s not all. For artisan food products, go to The Source, which is intriguingly located in an erstwhile ironworks foundry. For street food, designer goods, and clothing, go to the Zeppelin Station, which also has two cocktail bars. Denver Milk Market doesn’t sell milk, but it does have 16 culinary concepts managed by chef Bonanno.
Finally, at the Denver Central market, you’ll find freshly made bread, gourmet chocolate, charcuterie, and other mouthwatering eats.
Denver beer
Food isn’t the only thing that’s great in Denver. This city is also a special place for beer drinkers, as evidenced by over 100 breweries and tap rooms that you can find in the metro area. Choose from pale and dark ale and unique firkins. Denver’s beer artisans aren’t afraid to use daring ingredients.
Feel like a pub crawl? Follow the Denver Beer trail which comprises almost 50 of Denver’s best tap rooms, brewpubs, and breweries.
There’s even a brews and views bus tour where you can learn about the history of brewing in a historic mountain town at the bottom of the Rocky Mountains. A guide will also help you visit some of the city’s top brewpubs.
Learn more about the top things to do in Denver, CO with Mark Muller
With all the many things to do in Denver, it’s no wonder that the Mile High City has become a hot destination for travelers and homeowners. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re an adventure-seeker, interested in history or have a love of aviation, love food and dining out, or enjoy great cultural events. In fact, we’ve barely scratched the tip of the iceberg in this article. There are many more sights that locals like me are very eager to share.
If you’re looking for more top things to do in Denver, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, Mark Muller. I’ve lived and worked in Denver for over 27 years, and I know this city like the back of my hand. I’m always happy to give you inside advice on Denver attractions as well as real estate options in this stunning area. I can give you great tips on dining, shopping, museums, and outdoor activities in the area. In Denver, you’ll never run out of things to do.
Our team understands that it’s the right type of activities, attractions, events, and culture that make a place stand out. Learn more about the best restaurants, attractions, movie theaters, festivals, and other events in Denver, CO with the exceptional professionals at The Muller Group.
If you’re looking to settle in Denver, I can run you through historic homes and older communities as well as some of the latest developments. You can rely on me and my team for open and constant communication and excellent service.
Ready to experience the unique attractions in Denver, CO? Just send us a message here or call us at +303.941.6926. We can’t wait to hear from you!
