30+ Things To Do In Denver

Denver is a city that perfectly blends outdoor adventure, arts and culture, and vibrant urban life. Nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the Mile High City offers something for every type of traveler, from scenic hikes and riverfront trails to world-class museums, historic neighborhoods, and a thriving craft beer and food scene.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to explore more, Denver is packed with unique experiences, family-friendly activities, and hidden local gems. From exploring downtown landmarks to enjoying the nearby mountains, this guide highlights 30+ of the best things to do in Denver to help you plan an unforgettable Colorado getaway.

Fun Things to Do in Denver

1. Explore Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is one of the most iconic attractions near Denver, known for its towering sandstone formations, scenic hiking trails and world-famous open-air concert venue. It is a standout first stop if you want big Front Range views, an easy outdoor outing and one of Colorado’s most recognisable landmarks all in one place.

2. Tour the Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is one of the city’s strongest cultural attractions, known for its bold architecture, major collections and especially strong holdings in Indigenous arts of North America. It is a good choice if you want a more substantial museum stop in central Denver rather than a quick gallery visit.

3. Walk Larimer Square

Larimer Square is Denver’s oldest and most atmospheric historic block, lined with restored brick buildings, boutique shops, patio restaurants and its signature string lights. It is one of the easiest places to get a more characterful side of downtown Denver, especially in the evening when the area feels at its liveliest.

4. Explore the RiNo Arts District

RiNo, short for River North Art District, is one of Denver’s best-known creative neighborhoods, packed with large-scale murals, galleries, breweries and converted industrial spaces. It is a strong stop if you want something that feels mo

5. Visit Union Station

Denver Union Station is one of the city’s landmark historic buildings, combining grand architecture with restaurants, bars, boutique shopping and a busy downtown setting in LoDo. It works well as both a sightseeing stop and a practical base for exploring nearby neighborhoods on foot.

6. Visit Coors Field

Coors Field is one of Denver’s signature sports venues, sitting right on the edge of Lower Downtown with mountain views and an easy atmosphere that makes it appealing even for casual baseball fans. A game here is one of the simplest ways to add a classic Denver experience to a city itinerary.

7. Discover the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is one of the city’s best all-ages attractions, with dinosaur fossils, wildlife exhibits, space displays and a planetarium all in one major museum. Its location beside City Park also makes it easy to combine with other family-friendly stops in the same part of Denver.

Things to Do in Denver With Kids

8. Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is one of the city’s best family attractions, built around hands-on exhibits, climbing areas, sensory play and creative learning spaces. It is a particularly strong option if you want an activity that feels interactive from start to finish rather than museum-like in the traditional sense.

9. City Park

City Park is one of Denver’s biggest and most useful family-friendly green spaces, with playgrounds, lakes, wide walking paths and open views toward the mountains. Its location near some of the city’s best-known attractions makes it an easy add-on to a wider day out with kids.

10. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is one of Denver’s best picks for aviation-loving families, with historic aircraft, flight-related exhibits and interactive displays in a former Air Force hangar. It works especially well if you want a museum that feels large-scale and visually engaging for children.

11. Cherry Creek Trail bike rides

The Cherry Creek Trail is one of Denver’s most useful urban trails, cutting through parks, neighborhoods and downtown on a largely paved route that works for both cycling and easy walks. It is a good family option if you want outdoor time without leaving the city.

12. Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Elitch Gardens is Denver’s central amusement park, combining roller coasters, family rides and seasonal water attractions close to downtown. It is one of the easiest ways to add a full day of classic theme-park entertainment to a Denver family trip.

13. Four Mile Historic Park

Four Mile Historic Park is one of Denver’s better family stops for local history, with historic buildings, farm animals and hands-on demonstrations that make the experience feel more immersive than a standard heritage site. It is a good choice if you want something educational that still feels relaxed and kid-friendly.

Free Things to Do in Denver

14. Hike Red Rocks Park trails

The hiking trails at Red Rocks Park are one of the best free outdoor experiences near Denver, with dramatic rock formations, foothill scenery and wide views across the Front Range. They are ideal if you want the setting of Red Rocks without needing concert tickets or a paid activity.

15. Tour the U.S. Mint

A tour of the U.S. Mint is one of Denver’s most distinctive free attractions, giving visitors a look at the history of the Mint and the coin-making process at the Denver facility. It is one of the city’s most recognisable civic landmarks and remains a free guided experience.

16. Explore public art downtown

Downtown Denver has public art scattered across plazas, civic spaces and major streets, making it easy to build a self-guided walk around sculptures, murals and installations. It is a simple way to see another side of the city while moving between bigger attractions.

17. Stroll Sloan’s Lake Park

Sloan’s Lake Park is one of Denver’s most popular free outdoor spaces, with a large lake, paved paths and broad views of both the city skyline and the mountains beyond. It is a strong pick if you want an easy urban walk with more room and scenery than a downtown park.

18. Visit Denver Central Library

Denver Central Library is more than just a library stop, with striking architecture, public art, reading spaces and cultural exhibits in one of the city’s main museum districts. It is a worthwhile free addition if you are already exploring Civic Center or the Golden Triangle.

19. Walk through Civic Center Park

Civic Center Park is one of Denver’s key public spaces, linking important civic buildings, museums and monuments in the center of the city. It is a good area for an easy walk if you want historic context and central sights without a fixed itinerary.

20. Discover RiNo street art

RiNo’s street art is one of Denver’s best free attractions, with constantly changing murals and large-scale works spread across warehouses, alleyways and side streets. It is one of the city’s most photogenic neighborhoods and rewards wandering more than rushing.

Outdoor & Adventure Things to Do in Denver

21. Day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular day trips from Denver, known for alpine lakes, mountain wildlife, high-elevation trails and some of Colorado’s most memorable scenery. It is the obvious choice if you want to add a true Rockies experience to a Denver-based stay.

22. Bike the Cherry Creek Trail

Cycling the Cherry Creek Trail is one of the easiest active experiences in Denver, with a paved route that connects downtown with neighborhoods, parks and longer recreational stretches. It works well whether you want a casual city ride or something more substantial without leaving the metro area.

23. Paddleboard at Sloan’s Lake

Paddleboarding at Sloan’s Lake is one of Denver’s easiest warm-weather outdoor activities, pairing calm water with open skyline views and a mountain backdrop on clear days. It is a good pick if you want something active that still feels relaxed and accessible.

24. Hike Mount Falcon Park

Mount Falcon Park is one of the better hikes near Denver for foothill scenery, panoramic overlooks and a trail network that feels more spacious than city parks. Its proximity to Red Rocks and Morrison also makes it easy to combine with other west-side stops.

25. Scenic drive on Mount Evans Scenic Byway

The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, formerly known as the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, is one of the most dramatic high-altitude drives near Denver, climbing from Idaho Springs toward alpine terrain above 14,000 feet. It is known for huge Continental Divide views, wildlife sightings and being the highest paved road in North America.

26. Rock climb at Clear Creek Canyon

Clear Creek Canyon is one of the most accessible climbing areas near Denver, with natural rock walls and routes that appeal to both beginners and experienced climbers. It is a strong adventure choice if you want something more technical than a standard hike or scenic drive.

27. Snowshoe or ski nearby resorts

One of Denver’s biggest advantages in winter is how easily the city connects to ski areas and snow-focused mountain towns. If you are visiting in colder months, it is entirely possible to pair city time with downhill skiing, snowshoeing or other classic Colorado winter experiences.

Unique Things to Do in Denver

28. Visit Meow Wolf Denver

Meow Wolf Denver is one of the city’s most unusual attractions, combining immersive art, interactive storytelling and surreal environments that feel more like stepping into a parallel world than visiting a gallery. It is a particularly good choice if you want something memorable, indoor and unlike anything else on a standard Denver itinerary.

29. Explore the Molly Brown House Museum

The Molly Brown House Museum is one of Denver’s best historic house attractions, telling the story of Margaret “Molly” Brown alongside wider context about the city’s past. It is a good stop if you want a smaller-scale museum with more personality than a large institutional space.

30. Take a Denver ghost tour

A ghost tour is one of the more entertaining ways to experience Denver after dark, combining local history, architecture and the city’s spookier legends in one guided walk. It is a fun evening option if you want something light but still rooted in place.

31. Enjoy afternoon tea at The Brown Palace

Afternoon tea at The Brown Palace is one of Denver’s classic upscale experiences, set inside one of the city’s best-known historic hotels. It is a strong pick if you want a more elegant break from museums, breweries and sightseeing-heavy days.

32. Go brewery hopping

Denver is one of the country’s best-known beer cities, and brewery hopping in RiNo and LoDo is one of the easiest ways to experience that side of the city. These neighborhoods make it especially simple to sample a mix of taprooms without needing to travel far between them.

33. Visit Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave

Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave is one of the more unusual attractions near Denver, combining Old West history with a hilltop setting above Golden and long views across the plains and foothills. It is a good stop if you want something historic that also feels scenic.

34. International Church of Cannabis

The International Church of Cannabis is one of Denver’s most unusual venues, best known for its vivid interior artwork, music-led experiences and meditative atmosphere. It stands out as a niche stop for visitors looking for something more offbeat than the city’s usual museums and landmarks.

Events in Denver

35. Celebrate Denver Oktoberfest

Denver Oktoberfest brings German beer, live music, food, and festival fun to downtown Denver each September.

36. Celebrate Denver PrideFest

Denver PrideFest brings parades, community celebration, and Pride events to downtown Denver each June.

FAQ's

What airport do I fly into for Denver?

Most visitors fly into Denver International Airport (DEN), located about 25 miles northeast of downtown. It’s well-connected to major U.S. cities and some international destinations.

When is the best time to visit Denver?

Spring and fall are ideal for pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and outdoor adventures. Summer offers festivals and hiking opportunities, while winter is perfect for nearby ski resorts and snowy mountain escapes.

Is Denver family-friendly?

Absolutely! Denver offers plenty for families, including interactive museums, outdoor parks, walking trails, and kid-friendly attractions like the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and City Park.