Things to Do in Denver

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. Map

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, Map

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,Map

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, Map

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, Map

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, Map

The Colorado Symphony is the city’s professional symphony orchestra, performing at the Boettcher Concert Hall, located in the Denver Performing Arts Center. 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, website, Map

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, Map

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.

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

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. Washington 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