Free and Cheap Ideas in Denver

1. Denver Union Station

Denver Union Station is Denver's main transportation hub and national railway station, located within the city's LoDo district at the intersection of Wynkoop and 17th Streets.

The current incarnation of the station was opened in 1914 following a fire, with major renovations completed in 2014 to transform the station house facility into the 112-room Crawford Hotel. Tours of the station are offered by the Crawford Hotel on certain days, lasting approximately one hour and showcasing the station's rich history and architecture.

Dining options include restaurants by James Beard Award-winning chefs Alex Seidel and Jennifer Jasinski, while unique attractions include an urban beekeeping program, local markets on the Wynkoop Plaza in the summer, and high-profile shops such as a location of the city's famed Tattered Cover bookstore.

Free amenities for guests include shuffleboard tables and complimentary wireless internet.

1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-592-6712

2. The Colorado State Capitol Building

The Colorado State Capitol Building serves as the seat of Colorado's legislative and executive branches of government, housing the state's General Assembly and the offices of its governor and lieutenant governor.

The building was designed by architect Elijah E. Myers to evoke the character and style of the United States Capitol and was opened for use in 1894. Since 1974, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcasing significant design elements crafted with rare Colorado rose onyx marble and unique design elements such as stained glass windows depicting events in the state's civic history. The capitol welcomes more than 300,000 visitors annually as part of advance-reservation free guided tours, which detail the building's history and the workings of the state's government.

You can explore the building as part of free self-guided tours during business hours on weekdays.

200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203, Phone: 303-866-2604

3. The Clyfford Still Museum

The Clyfford Still Museum showcases the complete works and archives of founding Abstract Expressionist Clyfford Still, who was noted for his unique, powerful work in the post-World War II American art scene and is considered a forerunner to artists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko.

The museum was opened to the public in 2011 following the donation of the artist's complete works and archives by his widow, Patricia Still. Today, the museum displays more than 800 of the artist's paintings and over 1,500 of his works on paper, along with the complete collection of the artist's sketchbooks, notebooks, journals, and archival materials.

Free visitor admission is offered each Friday evening and on the last Friday of every month throughout the day, with complimentary guided tours offered at select times throughout free days.

1250 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204, Phone: 720-354-4880

4. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is centered around the famed outdoor Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which has showcased classical and popular music performances for more than a century and has hosted world-renowned acts such as the Beatles, U2, and the Grateful Dead.

Visitors may explore the nearly 10,000-seat historic amphitheatre at their leisure, which has become a popular workout spot for joggers and athletes due to its high elevation and rock stair seating.

Two pedestrian trails are offered at the surrounding Red Rocks Park, with sections available for use by mountain bikers and horseback riders. Other free public attractions at the park and amphitheatre include the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, which honors the state's notable musicians, and the Red Rocks Visitor Center, which details the amphitheatre's history through interactive exhibits.

18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO 80465, Phone: 720-865-2494

5. The Money Museum

The Money Museum is an outreach public museum operated by the Federal Reserve of Kansas City, not associated with the city's United States Mint Museum.

The museum, which is located on the city's 16th Street Mall, showcases a variety of exhibits dedicated to the history of the Federal Reserve and the operation of the nation's financial system. Hands-on exhibits are offered for visitors of all ages, including a create-your-own-currency station, a Financial Fitness money planning exhibit, and a display of historical currencies dating back before the American Revolution. Visitors can also test their skills at identifying counterfeit currency and take home bags of shredded money as souvenirs.

The museum is free and open to the public for self-guided tours Monday through Friday during business hours, with the exception of major national banking holidays.

1020 16th Street, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-572-2300

6. The U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research

The U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research is a National Science Foundation-funded research and development center that is home to facilities for meteorological, environmental, and climate science studies, featuring a broad spectrum of laboratories and equipment used for studying Earth's atmosphere.

Several facilities are operated throughout the Denver area, including the I.M. Pei-designed Mesa Laboratory and Visitor Center, which is open to the public every day with the exception of major national holidays.

Visitor Program staff are on hand at the Center to answer questions about the facility's research, with guided and tablet tours offered at several times throughout the week. Visitors are also welcome to explore the Center's exhibits seven days a week during business hours.

1850 Table Mesa Dr, Boulder, CO 80305

7. The Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the United States outside of the nation's coastal cities and Midwestern metropolis Chicago, located within Denver's Civic Center building.

The museum first opened public galleries within the Chappell House in 1922, originally operated as the Denver Artists Club. Today, it attracts more than 600,000 annual visitors and showcases over 70,000 works from world civilizations from the ancient era to the present day, with an emphasis on pre-Columbian and modern indigenous American artworks.

Free museum admission is offered to visitors on the first Saturday of each month thanks to sponsorship by Denver's Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.

100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204, Phone: 720-865-5000

8. Cherry Creek Trail

Cherry Creek Trail is a 42-mile multi-use paved trail that extends from downtown Denver to Franktown, deriving its name from its proximity to the Cherry Creek Reservoir.

The trail is located within the reservoir's natural greenbelt area and offers an opportunity to explore the Denver area's historic neighborhoods and urban green spaces. It is a popular commuter trail and is frequented by tourists during peak travel seasons, showcasing regional landmarks such as the Colorado Convention Center, Larimer Square, the Kennedy Golf Course, and the Denver Country Club.

It also provides access to Cherry Creek State Park and a number of other recreational trails within the Denver area, including the Colorado Front Range Trail.

9. Cherry Creek State Park

Cherry Creek State Park is a Colorado state park located around the 880-acre Cherry Creek Reservoir within Arapahoe County, offering an array of outdoor recreational opportunities for year-round visitors.

The park, which has been referred to as "Denver's backyard playground," spans natural wetland and prairie environments and is a popular spot for jogging and biking, offering 35 miles of multi-use trails within its borders.

Boating, fishing, and swimming are permitted at the reservoir during the summer months, with ice skating permitted at times when the reservoir is safely frozen over in the winter. Other popular visitor activities include cross-country skiing, sledding, bird watching, and model aircraft flying, with an outdoor shooting range offered for marksmanship practice.

A seasonal bar and restaurant are offered at the reservoir's boathouse, with campgrounds located throughout the park for overnight stay.

4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014, Phone: 800-678-2267