25 Best Things to Do in Denver, Colorado

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The Denver Mountain Parks system is a unique complex of more than 14,000 acres in the nearby foothills of the Rocky Mountains, owned and maintained by the city of Denver. Established in 1914 by the U.S. Congress to protect and preserve scenic land around the city for future generations, these parks spread out for up to 60 miles from the city and include famous attractions like Buffalo Bill’s grave on the top of Lookout Mountain, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Winter Park Ski Resort and Summit Lake.

The park system offers visitors a fantastic array of things to see and do, outdoor adventures and fun activities, from camping, climbing, hiking and mountain biking, to seeing huge herds of buffalo and elk in Genesee Park.

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Opened in 1922, the Denver Art Museum (DAM) is one of the largest art museums in the West and is renowned for its magnificent collection of American Indian Art, as well as permanent and evolving collections of over 68,000 unique works from around the globe.

Located in the Civic Center in Denver in an award-winning building designed by Frederic C. Hamilton, the museum’s collections are spread over nine curatorial sections, ranging from architecture, design and graphics to Asian, New World, European and Modern art.

The museum holds a number of programs and workshops throughout the year, including ‘Meet the Artist’ where visitors get to meet the artists of various exhibitions, as well many interactive events for the whole family. The Denver Art Museum is one of the top Denver, Colorado attractions. General admission to the museum is free for children every day.

100 W 14th Avenue Pkwy, Denver, Colorado 80204, Phone: 720-865-5000

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No visit to Denver would be complete without spending some time at Larimer Square, where some of the city’s best dining, entertainment and shopping destinations come together. Larimer Square is located in the historic downtown quarter where it occupies several historic buildings which once housed Denver’s first commercial district. Visitors can spend some time browsing a variety of unusual boutique shops and enjoy a coffee at Starbucks or a specialty tea at Bao Brewhouse. After a fun day exploring Denver, settle in for dinner at one of several popular eateries. You can round off your evening with great entertainment at Comedy Works or with drinks and dancing at Disco Pig.

1430 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 720-805-1973

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Nestled in the Cheesman Park neighborhood, the Denver Botanic Gardens boasts a variety of themed gardens, a glass-enclosed conservatory and a sunken amphitheater that hosts open-air concerts during the summer.

The gardens are made up of three locations, namely the formal garden on York Street in East Denver, the natural meadows and riparian areas of the Chatfield gardens, and the alpine wildflower gardens of Mt. Goliath. The York Street gardens feature seven themed gardens that include plants endemic to Colorado and the neighboring states, as well as the largest collection of plants from cold temperate climates around the world.

In 1986, the gardens introduced the world's first Xeriscape Demonstration Garden (later named the Dryland Mesa), which is home to drought-tolerant plants from the arid West and Mediterranean regions. The gardens also feature a Japanese Garden called Shofu-en and the fun Mordecai Children’s Garden, which offers a wonderful oasis for families and children to play.

1007 York Street, Denver, Colorado 80206, Phone: 720-865-3501

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Located in the City Park, Denver Zoo is home to over 4,000 animals from 600 species which live in a variety of natural habitats across 80 acres of zoo land. Founded in 1896, the zoo was started with an orphaned black bear cub called Billy Ryan and has since grown into one of Denver’s most popular attractions.

Boasting species from all over the world, ranging from primates, pachyderms and carnivores to reptiles, birds and fish, the zoo is designed in a circlular loop, which covers a variety of habitats and animal enclosures, including Bear Mountain, Primate Panorama, Predator Ridge, Giraffe House, Toyota Elephant Passage, and Bird World. If you are wondering what to do in Denver with kids on a beautiful sunny day, the zoo is a great choice. Other facilities at the zoo include the Endangered Species Carousel, showcasing some of the many endangered species, the Pioneer Train, which offers an exciting trip around the zoo’s carousel meadow and flamingo lake, and the Wild Encounters outdoor amphitheater, which is designed for wildlife presentations and educational programs.

2300 Steele Street, Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: 720-337-1400

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The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art houses one of the largest collections of international decorative art in the United States, as well as the works of over 80 internationally renowned architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright. Works at the museum cover a range of genres, from Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts and Aesthetic, to Bauhaus, Art Deco, Pop Art and Post-Modern Art, and feature 700 works by more than 230 Colorado and regional artists.

The museum also contains the original studio and school of artist Vance Kirkland (1904 – 1981) and features the Decorative Art Collection showcasing an additional 3,500 pieces. The museum is well known for its unusual and quirky exhibition styles, where works are arranged in a ‘salon style’, akin to a home, where artworks are accompanied by pieces of furniture and décor, as well as sculptures, handicrafts, and artifacts. Due to the fragile nature of the collection, children under age 13 are not admitted.

1201 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204, Phone: 303-832-8576

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The Colorado Symphony is the city’s professional symphony orchestra, performing at the Boettcher Concert Hall, located in the Denver Performing Arts Center. Led by music director Andrew Litton, the orchestra presents a variety of concert series, symphonies, solo performances, and events throughout the year, as well as educational and community-based outreach programs.

Performances are held at the magnificent Boettcher Concert Hall. Built in 1978, the hall is the country’s first 360-degree concert hall and boasts more than 2,700 seats arranged in five seating areas, which allow for no audience member to be more than 85 feet from the stage. If you are looking for best romantic things to do in Denver at night, watch a performance by the Colorado Symphony.

1000 14th Street #15, Denver, Colorado 80202, Phone: 303-292-5566

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Cars, bikes, trains, and planes – the Forney Museum of Transportation is home to them all. Boasting an unrivaled collection of over 600 artifacts relating to transportation throughout history, the unique museum offers an unforgettable journey for the whole family. The museum’s slogan “Anything on wheels” rings true with a broad range of vehicles and modes of transport through the ages, including an ‘amphicar’, A Stutz fire engine, a ‘Big Boy’ locomotive and Amelia Earhart’s 1923 Kissel called ‘Gold Bug’.

The museum features a number of exhibitions throughout the year, and has interesting and informative displays about everything and anything transport-related, such as cars, bikes, buggies and motorcycles, as well as steam locomotives, sleighs, fire carriages, toy models and more.

4303 Brighton Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80216, Phone: 303-297-1113

© ChoLon

ChoLon is an award-winning Asian restaurant in Denver’s Lodo District. Owned by acclaimed Chef Lon Symensma, ChoLon, meaning “big market,” is named after the largest Chinese-influenced market in Saigon, Vietnam, and serves a mouthwatering menu of traditional Asian cuisine from this region.

ChoLon serves an inventive menu of Asian-influenced classics with a twist in a range of dishes, from dim sum and ‘small plates’ to large family-style platters. The bistro’s elegant lounge boasts an impressive list of fine wines, craft beers, and artisanal cocktails to complement the outstanding cuisine. The bistro serves lunch and dinner throughout the week and offers a traditional happy hour with a small bites menu.

1555 Blake Street Suite 101, Denver, Colorado 80202, Phone: 303-353-5223

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Washington Park is a green urban park in the heart of Denver that serves as an outdoor space for recreational and outdoor activities, as well as showcasing the city’s heritage through beautifully preserved examples of historic architecture.

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Denver, the park features 155 acres of pristine grounds, which boast two magnificent flower gardens, one of which is a replica of George Washington's Mount Vernon gardens, two lakes, and an array of facilities, such as tennis courts, lawns, picnic spots and a recreation center.

Popular amongst locals of Denver, who use the park for walking, jogging, biking and other activities, the park also serves as a center for a variety of community programs and social events. The park is close to Old South Gaylord Street, which is lined with boutiques, stores, restaurants and cafés for shopping and dining.

S. Downing St. & E. Louisiana Ave., Denver, Colorado 80210, Phone: 800-233-6837

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Home of the Colorado Rockies baseball team, the 76-acre Coors Field is situated in Denver's Ballpark neighborhood with magnificent views of the Rocky Mountains and is famous for hosting the highest home runs in history.

Combining the nostalgic feel of a 1920s urban ballpark with 21st-century technology, Coors Field is renowned for its old fashioned brick façade and famous signature clock, where fans meet before a game. Tours of Coors Field can be taken to explore the history of this famed stadium and the role it has played in the game of baseball.

Group and private tours can be arranged and take a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of the main ballparks in Major League Baseball. Lasting for about an hour and covering a mile in distance, tours include visiting the dugouts, the field, the Coors Fields' microbrewery; the Rockies merchandise store, and the Mountain Ranch Club.

2001 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: 303-762-5437

© Visit Denver

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science focuses on educating visitors and children about the natural history of the Colorado and Rocky Mountain region, as well as the Earth and Universe through scientific study.

The museum hosts a variety of displays, exhibitions, interactive activities and educational programs for all ages that encourage curious minds to ask, explore, discover and learn, and has more than one million objects in its collections. Educational programs cover the fields of anthropology, paleontology, geology, zoology, health and space science. Permanent exhibits include ‘Discovery Zone’ – a hands-on educational center for children; ‘Egyptian Mummies’ – a journey back to the days of the Pharaohs; ‘North American Indian Culture’ – a look at the heritage of the North American Indian; and ‘Space Odyssey’ – a step into the future.

2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: 303-370-6000

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Once home to "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", aka American philanthropist, activist, socialite and Titanic survivor, Margaret Brown, the Molly Brown House Museum rests at 1340 Pennsylvania Street in Denver and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in the 1880s by William Lang, the house and museum, also known as The House of Lions, represents a beautifully preserved example of Victorian Denver with English Baroque (Queen Anne) architecture resonating in the stone quoins, sash windows, and triangular pediment detailing over the porch. The museum offers guided tours daily, as well as a variety of workshops and events throughout the year aimed at preserving the history and heritage, not only of one of America’s most famous philanthropists, but of other pieces of history as well.

1340 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, Colorado 80203, Phone: 303-832-4092

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Located on the grounds of the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (WOR) was opened in 1994 with the aim of preserving the history of Lowry AFB's operations from 1938 to 1994.

The museum is housed in a historical 40,000 square foot hangar built in 1939 and features a number of collections, including the USAF’s B-1A Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress Bombers, a room of archives documenting the history of military and general aviation aircraft, and an excellent research library.

The museum runs a number of educational and hands-on learning programs, such as the Wings Aerospace Science Program (W.A.S.P), Kid Space, and the Air and Space Camp for children of all ages. The Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is the official state air and space museum, and the site of Colorado’s Aviation Hall of Fame.

7711 East Academy Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80230, Phone: 303-360-5360

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Located on the corner of 18th and Wynkoop in the Lodo district, Wynkoop Brewing Company aims to bring together the community through excellent food and beer. Founded in 1988, Wynkoop serves a menu of delicious authentic public house fare and small-batch beers on tap in a relaxed, casual alehouse-style atmosphere.

Cuisine at Wynkoop Brewing Co. is a thoughtfully prepared fusion of updated pub classics and internationally inspired dishes, such as sweetcorn fritters, watermelon and asparagus salad, and fish and chips. The restaurant also caters to private events and parties and custom-made menus can be arranged. Wynkoop offers complimentary brewery tours and a behind-the-scenes look at how Wynkoop Brewing Company became a pioneer on the American beer landscape.

Tours lead visitors through the historic J.S. Brown Mercantile building and the process of brewing, with fantastic samplings of favorites along the way. Reservations are not required, however, tour group sizes are limited to 20 guests per tour, so it’s a good idea to get there early.

1634 18th Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, Phone: 303-297-2700

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Built in honor of the original Mile High Stadium, one of the most famous stadiums in National Football League history, Sports Authority Field at Mile High is a state-of-the-art glass , aluminum and steel structure that seats over 76,000 fans and is one of the most internationally recognized sports venues in the world.

Explore this incredible feat of engineering that was built at a cost of over $400 million dollars on a private guided walking tour of the stadium, which includes visiting the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum, the Executive Suites, the NFL Visiting Team Locker Room Facilities, Thunder's Stall and Team Field Entrance Tunnel. See the field from the End Zone Area and visit the Network Television Production Compound and broadcasting facilities.

The fun, informative and insightful tours take approximately 75-90 minutes, cover a distance of around ½ mile and begin at the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame & Museum at Gate #1 on the stadium's west side.

1701 Bryant Street Suite 500, Denver, Colorado 80204, Phone: 720-258-3888

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Explore and experience Denver on two wheels with a fun-filled guided bicycle tour with Bikealope Tours. Formerly known as ‘I Bike Denver’, Bikalope Tours offer fun-filled guided tours that explore the architecture and heritage of The Mile High City via avenues, boulevards, bike lanes, and riverside pathways, discovering unusual ‘gems’ often missed on regular tours.

Bikalope Tours’ flagship tour is the Denver City Loop Tour, which takes riders past some of Denver’s best attractions and some lesser known treasures, including the home of the Denver Broncos, the Colorado State Capitol, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Denver Art Museum and the U.S. Mint.

The 9.3-mile route journeys through some of Denver’s most contemporary and historic neighborhoods, as well as along the banks of Cherry Creek. High-quality Fuji "hybrid" bicycles are supplied, as well as helmets, water, and a nifty city guide. Winding through neighborhood streets, along riverside bike paths, and city bike lanes, the tours take about 2 - 2.5 hours and cover a distance of approximately ten miles (303-433-3676 ).

© Tacos Tequila Whiskey

Tacos Tequila Whiskey has been named as one of the United States' top 50 new restaurants by Bon Appetit, offering up clever modern twists on Mexican-style comida de la calle street food. The full-service restaurant, which offers four locations in Denver's City Park, Governors Park, and Highlands districts, specializes in high-quality creative street tacos, stuffed with ingredients such as pan-roasted shrimp and scallops, sweet and sour-braised pork belly, triple-cooked Colorado beef tongue, and beer-braised short ribs. Vegetarian options are also offered, including grilled shiitake, crimini, and oyster mushrooms tacos and vegan tacos stuffed with sauteed spinach, roasted poblano chiles, and salsa abuela. True to its name, the restaurant offers an extensive liquor menu, including whiskey-infused craft cocktails and clever margaritas. Pickup taco service is also offered at the restaurant's to-go counter.

1514 York St, Denver, CO 80206, Phone: 720-475-1337

© Peteybird Ice Cream Bike

Peteybird Ice Cream Bikes are pink and white bikes that ride around the Denver area selling delicious handcrafted ice cream sandwiches. Made from real cookies and ice cream, peteybird ice cream sandwiches are hand scooped in small perfect bite sizes and are ideal for special occasions or just an afternoon treat.

Peteybird offers two types of ice cream sandwiches - Original Sandwiches of two cookies and a scoop of ice cream, and Premium Sandwiches, which are artistic creations of cookies, ice cream, and other sweet treats. Find one of the pink peteybird Ice Cream Bikes around town for a range of ice cream sandwiches or order online (720-432-2430).

© Modern Nomad

We’re living in an age where seemingly everything is being mass produced by big brand names, and the spirit of individuality and originality seems to be fading away. Fortunately, there are still plenty of hard-working and talented creators like artists and designers making amazing and unique products, but finding audiences and platforms from which to sell and share their creations is proving increasingly difficult for many of these creators. These days, more and more people are choosing to shop online, eschewing classic brick and mortar stores in favor of the convenience and comfort that internet shopping can provide. This means that small businesses and independent creators often can’t afford the risk and financial commitment of running their own stores in city locations like Denver. Fortunately, places like Modern Nomad are giving them a new way to share their goods with the world.

Modern Nomad is located in the RiNo district of Denver at 2936 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205. The store is part of a 5,500 square foot warehouse and functions in a similar fashion to an open air market, with products all around and a vibrant, lively atmosphere for shoppers to enjoy. Phone: 303-862-5091, modernnomaddenver.com

© Tamayo

Tamayo is a modern Mexican eatery and tequileria that serves traditional Mexican cuisine with a contemporary twist. Owned by renowned chef Richard Sandoval, Tamayo’s menu offers both classic Mexican dishes and introduces new concepts, such as the ‘Test Kitchen: Guadalajara’, which features dishes inspired by the culinary heritage and celebrated foods of Guadalajara.

Located in Larimer Square in Denver, Tamayo’s chic, stylish interior design complements the modern menu and impressive bar, which houses a collection of over 100 tequilas and agave-based spirits, as well as an array of handcrafted cocktails. Head there for Happy Hour, known as La Biblioteca, which offers a menu of delicious tacos and tapas accompanied by half-price margaritas, sangria, wines and, of course, plenty of tequila.

1400 Larimer Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, Phone: 720-946-1433

© The Children's Museum of Denver

The Children’s Museum of Denver provides an interactive, educational and exciting way for children to explore, discover and learn through play. The museum’s expertly designed exhibits, specialized programs for all ages and hands-on approach to learning all aim to create a community of “kid-powered learning.”

Founded in 1973, the museum features innovative and interactive Playscapes (hands-on exhibits), including ‘The Big Backyard’, an oversized introduction to life in the backyard, ‘The Assembly Plant’, where children can build and construct to their hearts’ content, and ‘Fire Station 1’, where they can learn about the job of a firefighter on a real fire engine. The museum also hosts engaging daily workshops and programs for children, as well as exciting year-round special events.

2121 Children's Museum Drive, Denver, Colorado 80211, Phone: 303-433-7444

© Nocturne

Nocturne is an elegant, two-story jazz club and restaurant in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. The rustic, unadorned space with exposed pipes and brick walls contrasts beautifully with the sophistication of elegant cream banquettes and the baby grand piano. The food is eclectic and international. You can choose between shareable small plates, such as Cubano sliders, fresh oysters, and duck croquettes, or go for the constantly changing five-course Renditions Tasting Menu, influenced by timeless recordings of such jazz greats as the Ah Um album by Charles Mingus. The bar shares center stage with the musicians and the shakers fly while blending your cocktail of choice. The wine list is dreamy and the bar is stocked with just about any drink you can think of.

1330 27th Street, Denver, CO 80205, Phone: 303-295-3333

© Leopold Bros

An independently owned distillery established in 1999, Leopold Bros was created by a pair of brothers: Todd and Scott Leopold. Todd earned his qualifications in malting and brewing from Chicago and Munich, as well as working as an apprentice at multiple breweries and distilleries all over Europe, while Scott earned a Masters in Environmental Engineering before pursuing a career in manufacturing. Now, Leopold Bros spirits are sold all over the country.

A tour of the Leopold Bros distillery can be an educational experience for adults of drinking age. You'll need to buy a ticket to enter and it's always wise to reserve in advance.

The Leopold Bros tasting room is situated at 5285 Joliet St (between 51st Ave and East 53rd Ave), Denver, CO 80239, Phone: 303)-307-1515, leopoldbros.com

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Dedicated to five key values - Leadership, Education, Humble, Innovative and Sustainable - the Let Em Have It Salon is one of Denver’s best hair cut and hair styling locations. It's a Certified B Corporation and was only the second salon in the entire country to achieve this status by focusing on better quality of life for workers, stronger eco-friendly and sustainable practices, a dedication to the local community, and higher standards of service. In short, the Let Em Have It Salon aims to do everything better than other hair salons and has actually received official recognition for these efforts. The Let Em Have It Salon is situated at 490 E 20th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205.