Things to Do in Denver, Colorado: Your Complete Guide to the Mile High City

Planning a trip to Denver but feeling overwhelmed by the options? You’re not alone.

With over 300 days of sunshine, Denver combines urban sophistication with mountain access in ways few cities can match.

This guide walks you through the essential experiences—from iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre to hidden neighborhood gems—so you can spend less time researching and more time exploring.

Getting Around Denver

Denver‘s RTD light rail system makes exploring easy. Six lines connect directly to Union Station, covering 113 miles throughout the metro area.

A 3-hour local fare costs $3, while day passes run $6 (just $10.50 for airport access).

The free 16th Street Mall shuttle runs every few minutes through downtown, connecting major hotels and attractions. For neighborhoods beyond the rail lines, rideshare apps work well—just expect surge pricing during Rockies games and weekend evenings.

Money-saving tip: The Denver CityPASS ($41 for 3 days) grants admission to multiple top museums and attractions, saving up to 44% compared to individual tickets.

Downtown Denver Essentials

Union Station anchors downtown as both a working transit hub and dining destination. The restored 1881 Beaux-Arts building houses craft cocktail bars, upscale restaurants, and boutique shops under soaring ceilings.

Arrive in the evening when vintage chandeliers illuminate the Great Hall—locals gather here for everything from morning coffee to nightcaps at the Terminal Bar.

Time needed: 1-2 hours for exploring; add more if dining.

Walk five minutes east to Larimer Square, Denver‘s oldest block. Victorian buildings frame this single pedestrian-friendly street packed with boutiques and restaurants.

During holidays, thousands of sparkling lights create memorable backdrops. Local favorites include Rioja for Mediterranean cuisine and the various independent shops carrying Colorado-made goods.

The 16th Street Mall stretches over a mile as a pedestrian promenade lined with shops and street performers. While more touristy than local, it efficiently connects downtown attractions. The Denver Pavilions shopping center anchors the southern end.

Insider tip: Skip the chain restaurants on 16th Street. Walk two blocks in any direction for better food at better prices.

Denver Museums and Cultural Attractions

The Denver Art Museum holds over 70,000 works across two architecturally striking buildings. Free admission for visitors 18 and under (every day), while adults pay around $13-16. Through February 2026, don’t miss “The Honest Eye: Camille Pissarro’s Impressionism.”

Best for: Indigenous Arts galleries (stunning Native American collections), contemporary installations, and Western American paintings.

Time needed: 2-3 hours minimum.

Free days in 2026: Monthly throughout the year (check denverartmuseum.org for specific dates). Closed Wednesdays; open late (8 PM) on Tuesdays.

The Museum of Nature & Science sits in City Park with commanding views. Permanent exhibitions cover dinosaurs, space exploration, and Colorado natural history. The IMAX theater and planetarium require separate tickets but deliver immersive experiences.

Cost: General admission around $15-20 for adults, $3 with SNAP/EBT card. Several free days throughout 2026.

Time needed: 3-4 hours to see major exhibits comfortably.

City Park itself spans 320 acres with formal gardens, lakes, and walking paths. The Denver Zoo occupies the eastern edge, making this area perfect for full-day visits.

Meow Wolf Denver: Convergence Station

Meow Wolf Denver redefines interactive art. This isn’t a traditional museum—it’s a multi-floor installation where four alien worlds collide at “Convergence Station.” Touch everything, open every door, and solve puzzles that influence your environment.

Cost: Tickets around $40-45; book online in advance.

Time needed: 2-4 hours. Many visitors return multiple times to discover hidden details.

Local secret: C Street gallery inside showcases Denver artists with all pieces for sale. Adults-only evenings (select dates) add drinks and live entertainment.

Specialized Museums Worth Your Time

The Clyfford Still Museum displays 93% of the abstract expressionist’s lifetime output—approximately 3,125 pieces. Nine galleries rotate selections in a minimalist building designed for natural light. Unlike massive museums, you can see everything in 1-2 hours without feeling rushed.

Pay-what-you-wish days: First Friday of most months (online registration required).

The Kirkland Museum combines decorative arts (1875-2012), Colorado art, and painter Vance Kirkland’s complete works—over 30,000 objects total. Detailed labels explain design principles and historical context.

Time needed: 2-3 hours. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

The History Colorado Center takes a hands-on approach—ski down virtual slopes, walk through 1920s cabins, explore gold mine tunnels. Interactive exhibits let you vote on contemporary issues and understand how historical decisions shape present-day Colorado.

Your admission grants discounted access to other History Colorado sites statewide, including the Molly Brown House Museum.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Amphitheatre ranks as Denver‘s most iconic venue—a natural amphitheatre carved between 300-foot red sandstone formations. Located just 20 minutes west of downtown, the acoustics rival any concert hall globally.

Concerts run May through October. Tickets range from $30 to $150+ depending on the artist. Book early for popular shows.

Can’t catch a concert? Visit during the day (free admission). The Trading Post Trail stretches 1.4 miles through spectacular rock formations. Early morning visitors exercise on the amphitheatre steps while watching sunrise over Denver.

The Colorado Music Hall of Fame and visitor center provide fascinating exhibits about the venue’s history.

Local tip: Arrive at least 30 minutes early for concerts. Parking fills quickly, and the walk from lots to seats takes longer than expected.

Denver Neighborhoods to Explore

RiNo Art District (River North) has transformed from industrial warehouses into Denver‘s coolest neighborhood. Massive street murals cover entire buildings, creating an evolving outdoor gallery.

What to do:

Walk Larimer Street corridor to see galleries, breweries, and restaurants in converted warehouses
Visit The Source Market Hall or Denver Central Market for artisan food vendors
Join First Friday art walks (monthly) when studios open and food trucks line the streets

Time needed: 2-4 hours; plan for a meal and brewery stops.

Cherry Creek North represents Denver‘s upscale shopping district. Unlike typical malls, this walkable outdoor area features tree-lined streets, public art, and a mix of national retailers with independent boutiques. The adjacent Cherry Creek Shopping Center houses Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and 160+ specialty stores.

The Cherry Creek Arts Festival (July 4th weekend) transforms the area with 200+ juried artists, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Outdoor Activities and Hiking Trails

Denver sits at 5,280 feet elevation, offering nearly 850 miles of paved bike trails plus mountain access within 30 minutes.

Popular trails near Denver:

Green Mountain Trail (William F. Hayden Park): 6.5-mile loop climbing to 6,854 feet. Challenging workout with panoramic views. Time: 2-3 hours.
Cherry Creek Trail: 40-mile paved path from downtown to Cherry Creek Reservoir. Perfect for families and casual cyclists. Mostly flat.
Washington Park: 2.6-mile paved loop around two lakes. Easy walk/run with mountain views. Great for morning exercise.

Important considerations: Altitude affects everyone differently. Acclimate slowly, drink extra water, and start hikes early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms (summer months). Pack layers and sun protection—mountain weather changes quickly.

City Parks and Gardens

Washington Park (“Wash Park” to locals) serves as one of Denver‘s most beloved green spaces. The 165-acre park features two lakes, formal gardens, recreation facilities, and a popular 2.6-mile loop trail. Smith Lake allows paddle boats during summer; the Boathouse serves coffee and light meals.

The Denver Botanic Gardens showcases plant collections across 24 acres. Summer evening concerts (June-August) combine beautiful settings with live music. The gardens transform dramatically each season—spring tulips, summer perennials, fall foliage, and winter’s Blossoms of Light holiday display (December-January).

Cost: Around $13-15 for adults; multiple free days in 2026.

The Botanic Gardens also operates Chatfield Farms (20 minutes south) with 700 acres featuring lavender festival (July), corn maze (fall), and pumpkin festival.

Denver’s Craft Beer Scene

Denver claims more breweries than any other U.S. city. The concentration means you can walk from taproom to taproom in neighborhoods like RiNo and LoHi (Lower Highland).

RiNo brewery crawl:

Start at Ratio Beerworks (experimental styles, spacious patio), walk to Epic Brewing (creative IPAs), finish at Our Mutual Friend (funky ales, food trucks).

Many breweries offer free tours on weekends. The unique Denver Beer Spa offers couples soaking in hot tubs filled with craft beer ingredients while sipping local brews—quirky but surprisingly popular.

Denver’s Food Scene

Denver‘s restaurant scene rivals major coastal cities with award-winning chefs and diverse cuisines. The city’s food halls—Denver Central Market, The Source, Denver Milk Market—provide curated local vendors under one roof, perfect when your group can’t agree.

Don’t skip Denver‘s green chile obsession. This New Mexican staple appears on everything from breakfast burritos to burgers. Santiago’s serves authentic versions locals swear by.

Food tours (2-3 hours, $50-75) combine tastings with neighborhood exploration. Lower Downtown tours cover historic establishments; RiNo tours showcase creative energy with behind-the-scenes restaurant access.

Sports and Entertainment

Coors Field ranks among baseball’s most beloved stadiums. The downtown location, mountain views, and hitter-friendly altitude create unique experiences. The Rooftop deck offers all-you-can-eat options with 360-degree views.

Season: April-September. Tickets often available day-of for $15-40.

Ball Arena hosts Denver Nuggets (NBA) and Colorado Avalanche (NHL). Empower Field at Mile High creates electric atmospheres during Broncos games (NFL), though tickets sell out months ahead.

The DenverPerforming Arts Complex ranks as the nation’s second-largest after Lincoln Center. This four-block district houses 10 performance spaces offering everything from Broadway touring productions to experimental theater year-round.

Insider tip: Denver frequently hosts Broadway shows before or during their New York runs, often with original cast members at lower prices.

Day Trips from Denver

Rocky Mountain National Park sits 90 minutes from Denver, encompassing 415 square miles with elevations from 7,860 to 14,259 feet. Trail Ridge Road, North America’s highest paved road, reaches 12,183 feet with spectacular alpine scenery.

Popular hikes:

Bear Lake to Emerald Lake: Moderate difficulty, stunning alpine lakes (2-3 hours)
Chasm Lake Trail: Challenging 13km with 800m elevation gain, glacier-fed lake below Longs Peak (6-8 hours)
Sky Pond: Challenging with waterfall scramble (5-7 hours)

Critical: Timed entry permits required May-October. Book at recreation.gov weeks in advance, or arrive before 5 AM. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are dangerous above treeline—start early, descend by noon.

Golden sits 20 minutes west at the foothills. This charming mountain town offers free Coors Brewery tours (world’s largest single-site brewery), ending with beer samples for visitors 21+. Lookout Mountain provides easy access to mountain views and the Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave.

Time needed: Half-day minimum for Golden; full day for Rocky Mountain National Park.

When to Visit Denver

Denver‘s 300 days of annual sunshine mean you can visit year-round. Each season offers distinct advantages:

Spring (March-May):

Perfect temperatures for outdoor activities. Wildflowers bloom in foothills. Occasional snow possible through April.

Summer (June-August):

Festival season with Red Rocks concerts, outdoor events. Afternoon thunderstorms common but brief. Busiest tourist season.

Fall (September-November):

Spectacular foliage, comfortable temperatures. Rockies baseball playoffs. Less crowded than summer.

Winter (December-February):

Easy access to skiing (1 hour away). Downtown museums less crowded. Holiday lights at Botanic Gardens. Pack warm layers.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Altitude adjustment: Denver‘s elevation affects most visitors initially. Drink extra water, limit alcohol the first day, and don’t overexert yourself immediately.

Free museum days:

Many Denverattractions offer monthly free days funded by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Check individual museum websites for 2026 schedules.

Parking:

Downtown parking runs $15-30 daily. Use RTD light rail when possible or park at Park-n-Ride lots (free) and take the train downtown.

Weather:

Pack layers regardless of season. Temperatures can swing 30+ degrees between morning and afternoon. Sunscreen is essential year-round at this elevation.

Reservations:

Book restaurants on weekends well in advance, especially in popular neighborhoods like RiNo and Larimer Square.

Plan Your Denver Adventure

Denver delivers whether you’re chasing mountain adventures, exploring museums, sampling craft beer, or soaking up neighborhood culture. The city’s compact layout means you can pack diverse experiences into a long weekend, while its proximity to the Rockies offers easy day trips when you need a nature fix.

Start with downtown‘s museums and walkable neighborhoods, venture into RiNo for art and food, then use Denver as your basecamp for mountain explorations. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, you can visit year-round—just pack those layers and prepare for the altitude.

The Mile High City is waiting. Whether you’re planning a first visit or returning to dig deeper, this guide gives you the framework to create your perfect Denver experience.