Denver, Colorado is a vibrant city set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, offering a wealth of distinctive experiences. Here are just a few highlights to inspire your visit.
Buffalo at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (Photo: Mark Byzewski via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
As well as a city for culture vultures and outdoor adventurers, Denver is also welcoming to families. Many of the city’s best attractions are especially engaging for younger visitors, whether that’s watching tigers and giraffes at the Denver Zoo, exploring hands-on exhibits at the Children’s Museum, or discovering flight and spacecraft at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. Even the city’s tours have kid-friendly twists, ranging from gentle heritage streetcar rides along the South Platte River to light-hearted ghost walks through Capitol Hill’s historic mansions.
Head to where the buffalo roam
Once farmland for early settlers, the 15,000-acre Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge to the northeast of the city is now a bona fide rewilding success. Before becoming protected in 1980, the land had been used by both Shell and the US Army for chemical production. Today, its mix of prairie, woodland and wetland supports American buffalo, coyotes and mule deer, among other wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might also glimpse another North American icon – the bald eagle, the national bird of the USA.
6550 Gateway Rd.
Join locals on the Washington Park Loop
Another great way to get closer to nature in Denver is in Washington Park. The locals call it “Wash Park,” and it’s one of Denver’s most beloved green spaces. A haven for runners, roller-bladers, University of Denver students and moms with strollers, you’ll find some of the city’s best people-watching here. During the summer, you can join in on volleyball games and amble through the gardens. When it snows, you can still get a good workout by breaking out the cross country skis or snowshoes.
Washington Park during the golden hour (Photo: Sergio Vassio Photography via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Book a guided tour of the city
One of the best ways to get to know a city better, particularly when you have only just arrived, is to take a guided city tour. Those hosted by locals are a great way to gain local knowledge and insight while experiencing a unique side to the city. Of the many options available there are city highlights walking tours, customised options to tailor the sightseeing to your interests and, more recently, even a slew of cannabis walking tours that celebrate the city’s street art and its legalised smoking status.
You can book a Denver city highlights tour at GetUourGuide.
Catch a live gig at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
No trip to Denver is complete without visiting Red Rocks Amphitheatre. If you can, catch a concert here; a schedule of visiting acts is available online. Red Rocks is the only known naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world. If live music isn’t your thing, other events like Film on the Rocks and Yoga on the Rocks are equally fun. On Tuesday nights, a cult classic film is offered, and you can bring your own food and unopened drinks (including wine!). You can also hike miles of trails surrounding the venue for spectacular views of Denver in the distance. If you just wish to visit, but not attend an event, this half-day tour includes Red Rocks Amphitheatre in its itinerary.
18300 W Alameda Pkwy.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Photo: Kathy Stocker via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Drink great craft beer at Denver Beer Co.
Colorado has become widely known for its craft beer scene in recent years (the state has well over 200 microbreweries), and there’s a locally-owned pub serving house-made suds on practically every street in the city. Denver Beer Company are right at the forefront of the movement; they’re environmentally conscious, dog friendly, and their beer selection changes to match the time of year. While there are perennial brews that are always available, like Incredible Pedal IPA, you never know what small batch brew gems will flow from the taps during your trip. It’s just a case of going to one of their three locations (at the time of writing), and finding out for yourself.
Take a day trip into the Rocky Mountains
They’re right there, looming tall over the city with snow-capped peaks for much of the year. In winter the Rocky Mountains slopes are accessible via a network of ski runs, and roads run through mountain passes and all the way up to the top of lofty peaks like Mount Evans, which reaches 14,130 feet (4307 metres). For the more active, there are plenty of hiking trails to the tops of other peaks in the area as well. A good way to explore the Rockies is via a guided tour, such as this day-tour from Denver to explore the Rocky Mountains National Park. The tour takes in some of the best sights in the area and runs from mid-Spring to mid-Fall, with plenty of time allowed for exploration on foot.
Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo: Aryeh Alex via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Ride a heritage streetcar
A replica of a 1903 streetcar, the Denver Trolley preserves the legacy of a bygone era when residents would traverse the city via some 250 miles of city tracks and 40 miles of high-speed interurbans. Long since abandoned as a means of mass transport due to the rise of the automobile, the trolley can still be enjoyed on a scenic, open-air heritage ride along the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. During the ride, you’ll pass some of Denver’s most notable landmarks while listening to a narration about the city’s long history.
Marvel at exotic wildlife
City zoos are always a popular choice for a family day out – particularly if you’ve been dragging the kids around historic landmarks for days on end. Home to more than 3,000 animals spanning 450 species, Denver Zoo is one of the most visited cultural attractions anywhere in Colorado. As well as its on-site exhibits, the zoo also has a strong philanthropic focus, dedicating millions to programmes aimed at protecting animals within their natural habitats around the world.
2300 Steele Street, Denver / Mon-Sun 10am-5pm
A sleeping tiger at Denver Zoo (Photo: Owen Allen via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Visit a family-friendly museum
An ideal attraction for one of Denver’s (thankfully infrequent) rainy days, the Children’s Museum of Denver offers an imagination-stirring adventure for kids 10 and under. The museum features an assortment of interactive exhibits, daily activities, and year-round events. Among the most popular exhibits are role play-based, with children invited to dress up and play at performing grown up jobs in a fire department, an assembly plant for building, and a veterinary clinic.
Marsico Campus, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive / Mon-Sun 9am-4pm
Art museums don’t always get kids’ pulses racing, but the Clyfford Still Museum is certainly among the exceptions. Showcasing large-scale paintings of Abstract Expressionism, the museum offers a wide variety of child-friendly offerings and is free to enter for visitors aged 17 or under. Interactive highlights include The Making Space, a hands-on creation studio where youngsters can deepen their appreciation of the art on view through directed activities, or simply experiment with a variety of art materials to try something new. There are also regular tours and concerts, as well as a free Family Activity Book available at the information desk to help spark your imagination as you traverse the museum.
1250 Bannock Street / Weds-Sun 10am-5pm Closed Mon-Tues
An artwork on display at Clyfford Still Museum (Photo: Clyfford Still Museum)
Aviation enthusiasts visiting Denver are in for a treat thanks to the presence of the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. Situated in a 1930s former Air Force hangar, the museum features an incredible collection of aircraft and space vehicles, including such rarely seen gems as a B-18A Bolo and a Star Wars X-Wing fighter. There’s also a range of interactive gadgets and instruments that are great for teaching kids about the magical world of aviation. Friendly and knowledgeable museum staff are on hand to answer any questions.
7711 East Academy Boulevard, Denver / Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm
View majestic gardens with plants sourced from across the world
The talented team at Denver Botanic Gardens nurtures plenty of species that are native to Colorado, but also includes gardens inspired by Japan, China and the Tropics, with plants and flowers sourced from these regions as well. Choose from two locations: York Street (downtown), which features a lush water garden that cascades through the property; and Chatfield (on the south side of town), with its beautiful year-round, indoor butterfly garden as well as a lavender garden, which smells divine.
1007 York St.
8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd.
Denver Botanci Gardens at dusk (Photo: Brad Friedman via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Eat with the fishes
At Denver’s Downtown Aquarium, you can have lunch or dinner beside an enormous 150,000-gallon tank filled with sharks and colourful reef fish. Though the restaurant is owned by Landry’s, it’s surprisingly good for a chain-owned establishment. If you’re visiting over a holiday period, then they offer fun events like Breakfast with Santa and the Easter Bunny, and a Thanksgiving buffet. On regular days, time your visit to see the mermaid shows at noon and 6pm. (Bonus tip: if you’re scuba certified, you can also swim with sharks at the Downtown Aquarium).
700 Water St.
Watch cattle overtake the streets of Downtown
Each year, the National Western Stock Show begins with a cattle drive through downtown Denver, creating a surreal and unforgettable spectacle. Running annually since 1906, the Stock Show is a cherished local tradition, celebrating the region’s ranching heritage and Western culture. Events range from the Evening of Dancing Horses and dressage displays to professional bull riding and rodeos featuring Mexican and African-American traditions. It’s a vivid and lively taste of the American West.
Cowboys take over the streets during the annual National Western Stock Show (Photo: Brad McGinley via Flickr)
Take yourself out to a ball game
If there’s one thing most Denverites love more than anything else, it’s live sports. Catch a Broncos (football), Rapids (soccer), Nuggets (basketball), Mammoth (lacrosse), Rockies (baseball) or Avalanche (hockey) game while you’re in town. Seats can be had in the “rockpile” at Coors Field for just a few bucks. It is a fantastic stadium with regular MLB games showcasing top quality baseball in the city. Sports junkies can also check out the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and the National Ballpark Museum.
Coors Field: 2001 Blake St.
Take a tour of the State Capitol
Perched at the eastern edge of Denver’s Civic Center Park, the golden-domed Colorado State Capitol is one of the city’s most striking landmarks. This imposing Neoclassical building is rich in historical detail and artifacts, drawing large numbers of visitors each year and often serving as a focal point for civic gatherings and demonstrations. Free guided tours are offered on weekdays, and walk-ins are welcome.
200 East Colfax Avenue / Mon-Fri 10am-3pm Closed Sat-Sun
Discove Denver’s spooky underbelly on a walking tour
Every city has a dark and mysterious side and Denver’s can be explored on a creepily-themed but family-friendly ghost walking tour. Over the course of 1.5 hours, you’ll be immersed in the city’s haunted history, visiting what are said to be its most ghoul-riddled homes, mansions and manors, all scattered around historic Capitol Hill. As you’re taken around these places of eerie interest, you’ll learn frightening but fascinating stories that have become steeped in Denver folklore.
You can book tickets for a Denver ghost walking tour at GetYouGuide.
Union Station
Denver’s main transport hub is Union Station, where you can connect to buses, Amtrak, the 16th Street Mall Ride, light rail and the free downtown circulator. The beautifully restored 1894 station is now home to an eclectic mix of shops, bars and farm-to-table restaurants, making it as much a social gathering place as a transit point. The A-Line from Denver International Airport to Union Station has also been a game-changer since its opening in 2016, linking the two in under 40 minutes. If you’ve got some spare time, settle into the grand lobby, make use of the free WiFi and simply enjoy the atmosphere.
1701 Wynkoop St.
Union Station train station boasts trendy restaurants, a sleek hotel and a bookstore (Photo: Curtis Cronn via Flickr)
Attend a fun-packed festival
A free-to-enter annual festival featuring more than 150 Colorado-based and national artists, the Denver Arts Festival is a key date on the state’s cultural calendar. Held in the wide, open spaces of Conservatory Green each year since 1999, it places particular emphasis on supporting local talent while also welcoming a curated selection of artists from further afield. Visitors can browse a vibrant mix of fine art and crafts, with plenty of opportunities to admire – and take home – something unique.
Conservatory Green, Central Park, Denver / September each year
Let the kids loose at a theme park
Located in the heart of Denver, Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park – Colorado’s only combined theme and water park – is a reliable crowd-pleaser for families. With more than 50 rides, attractions and activities to choose from, there’s plenty to keep all ages entertained. The historic park also offers sweeping views of the city and the Rocky Mountains from its observation tower and the aptly named Tower of Doom. For younger thrill-seekers, the real highlights are the adrenaline-fuelled rides, with enduring favourites including the Mind Eraser, the Twister II and the award-winning Tube Top Slide.
2000 Elitch Circle / Fri 6am-10pm Sat 12pm–10pm Sun 12pm-9pm Closed Mon & Tues.