A city filled with incredible dining, breweries, diverse neighborhoods, and exciting activities, all surrounded by views of the magnificent Rockies! Denver is a unique combination of fast-paced and laid back, chill out, and watch the sunset energy.
So, if you’re visiting the Mile-high City looking for a relaxing activity, heart-pumping adventure or both, here are seventeen must-see Denver attractions to get you started!
1. Check out a game at Coors Field!
Location: 2001 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Website: https://www.mlb.com/rockies/ballpark
There’s nothing quite like a day out in the sun, eating hot dogs and watching some good old-fashioned baseball. And what better way to watch than in the classic Coors stadium! This is a great stop for the sports enthusiast or families looking for a fun outing!
Before heading to the fields, I recommend visiting the Coors Field Know-Before-You-Go page: https://www.mlb.com/rockies/fans/update as they have important information and updates such as every attendee must have a digital ticket on their own mobile device.
2. Visit a museum
Denver is a city packed with art, culture and history; I’d suggest taking in some of the incredible museums to immerse yourself during your trip. Below are three museums I’d highly recommend.
Molly Brown House
Location: 1340 Pennsylvania St, Denver, CO 80203
Learn about the life of Margaret Brown before becoming “The Unsinkable Molly Brown!” Walk through the halls of her Denver home and learn about her struggles living in poverty as a young woman, her good fortune in her adulthood, her philanthropy, and her efforts to help other, less-fortunate, survivors of the Titanic.
The museum is open Tuesdays from 10am – 7pm, and Wednesday – Sunday from 10 am-5 pm.
*Last entry into the museum is 1 hour prior to museum closing.*
Denver Art Museum
Location: 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
Go to see any of their incredible local and global exhibits or participate in one of their educational, fun programs such as candle making workshops, month-long painting classes, natural fabric dying and more.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Location: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205
What began as just three collections in the 1800’s became what is now one of the most bustling, renowned museums in the United States. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science boasts an amazing planetarium, a family exploration center, and incredible rotating feature exhibits. The museum hosts many events as well such as book readings, spooky overnight stays, eclipse observations, and more!
General admission tickets range from twenty to twenty-five dollars per person. Check this site for the most up-to-date discount offerings: https://www.dmns.org/visit/pricing-and-discounts/.
3. Denver Botanic Gardens
Location: 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
Website: https://www.botanicgardens.org/
Check out the many interesting plants that thrive in Colorado’s unique climate by visiting the Denver Botanic Gardens! Take a stroll through the cactus and succulent house! Check out the agave and yucca in the Dryland Mesa! Explore the conservation garden to learn about endangered plants in the area! Comprised of over twenty-four acres, there is so much here for the nature-lover to experience!
4. Go to the Denver Zoo!
Location: 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205
Website: https://denverzoo.org/
A trip to the zoo is a great choice for a family outing or any animal lovers! From lions to alligator snapping turtles to blind cave fish, the Denver Zoo has it all!
| General Admission Prices | |
| Adults (16-64) | $24 |
| Seniors (65+) | $21 |
| Youth (3-15) | $18 |
| Youth (2 and under) | Free! |
5. Catch a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater!
Location: 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465
Website: https://www.redrocksonline.com/
Nothing says Colorado like being in the mountains surrounded by red rocks, listening to good music and hanging with good buddies. Constructed by the civilian conservation corps with nature-loving locals in mind, The Red Rock Amphitheater doesn’t take away from the natural beauty of the state but enhances it. Set right into incredible formations of red rock ranging from dusty to brilliant fiery red colors, this theater is a sight to behold. Within its natural walls, legends like The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Bonnie Rait, and Mumford and Sons have played for fans for many decades.
Note: This is an open-air theater, so prepare ahead for the weather! The walk from your car to the venue may be a bit of a trek depending on how early you arrive, so wear shoes that are comfortable and you don’t mind getting a little dirty!
6. Take a specialty tour!
Want to see the town through a unique lens? Check out one of the awesome specialty tours Denver has to offer!
- Twilight ghost tour – Take a spooky, guided walk down Millionaires Row and maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of a ghost of one of the previous mansion residents!
- Downtown Denver Food Tour – Visit five of Denver’s most iconic restaurants on this three-hour food tour!
- Brews & Views – Check out the local microbrews at the base of the Rocky Mountains while learning about the history of the area and the brewing industry in Colorado!
7. Take a trip to the Garden of the Gods
Location: Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Website: https://gardenofgods.com/
Located roughly an hour from downtown Denver, the Garden of the Gods is a must-see if you’re in the area! There is a 1.5-mile, wheelchair accessible garden trail that can take visitors through incredible rock formations, or you can explore one of the many hiking trails like Siamese Twins for views from Pikes Peak or take the Ridge Trail if you really want to get up close to the rock!
8. Rocky Mountain National Park
Website: https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
With over 265,000 acres to explore, Rocky Mountain National Park is an excellent choice to get the true Coloradan nature experience! Here are a few highlights of the park that you don’t want to miss:
- Take in beautiful views of lakes, gorges, and far-off peaks from Forest Canyon Overlook!
- Take a hike! There are over 350 miles worth of hiking trails in this park. Ranging from easy, short, paved trails to difficult rock scrambles with severe elevation gain, there are options for anyone hoping to get out and explore by foot.
- Visit Bear Lake! With an easy hike in and beautiful scenery, this is a tourist favorite.
- Check out Moraine Park! – Hoping to see wildlife? This is the place! This densely green valley is a favorite for elks and other critters!
- Cross-country ski! – If you’re visiting in winter, this is a great, unique way to explore the park!
9. Mount Evans Wilderness
Roughly 75,000 acres make up the Mount Evans Wilderness, located just 40 miles from downtown Denver! If you’ve been taking in all the city life of downtown Denver and want an escape into the ruggedness of the surrounding area, the Mount Evans Wilderness is a great choice! With a unique climate, travelers can see artic tundra, rare vegetation, and plenty of wildlife such as bighorn sheep and mountain goats.
Tip: Check out the highest peak in the Mount Evans wilderness, Mount Blue Sky (formerly known as Mount Evans) for unbeatable views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range!
10. Visit the aquarium
Location: 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211
Website: https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver/
This aquarium has a fun, funky vibe and is a great outing for anyone, especially those with kiddos! Check out one of the many exhibits such as the shipwreck, the coral lagoon, or the wharf exhibit! Besides the chance to view and learn about the incredible marine creatures, the aquarium offers fine dining, a chance to ride a sea monster on an aquatic carousel, a 4-D theater and more!
11. Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Location: 1101 13th St, Denver, CO 80204
Website: https://www.denvercenter.org/
When traveling to Denver, you don’t want to miss one of the best, most exciting ways to experience the culture and humming energy of the city! The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is a perfect way to really feel the life of the city. The center offers amazing opportunities including:
- Broadway touring shows
- Theater company shows
- Cabaret!
- Off-Center – audience participation expected!
- Education – programs aimed at enhancing understanding of theater and the power of storytelling
- Incredible venues available to rent out for private events!
12. Go on a Hike!
It’s nearly impossible to visit Colorado without someone asking if you’ve been to this peak or that overlook or if you’ve completed a fourteen-er yet! If you’re an outdoor lover or you’re looking for a rewarding physical challenge, Colorado is one of the best places on earth to get your hiking fix in. There is so much beautiful land to consider exploring, but below are some recommended easy, moderate, and difficult options to get you started:
Easy Hikes:
Elk Meadow – This gentle 4-mile hike is great for a leisurely outdoor activity!
Cherry Creek – An excellent option for anyone looking for a full day hike without rough terrain or much elevation gain. This trail takes travelers through popular Denver sites, so it’s a great way to get familiar with the area!
Moderate Hikes:
Bear Creek – A 4.5-mile hike with amazing views of waterfalls, the Uncompahgre National Forest, and the Bear Creek Preserve!
Castle Rock – One mile seems easy, but this one-mile hike has many switchbacks and a steep elevation gain, so prepare well with sturdy shoes and plenty of water!
Difficult Hikes:
Twin Sisters Peak – Incredible views make this 7.5-mile, rocky hike worth the challenging climb!
Mount Massive – Reach the second highest peak of Colorado! This trail should only be used by experienced hikers.
13. Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Tubing
Getting up into the mountains of Colorado is an incredible experience, but flying down them is a whole other level of fun! I’d recommend checking out any of these popular spots to hit the slopes around the Denver area:
- Echo Mountain – The closest option to downtown Denver with great ski/snowboard hills and an awesome tubing hill!
- Breckenridge – Experience the highest chairlift in the country and exciting events at the base of the slopes!
- Copper Mountain – A local feel with high-quality resort amenities!
- Arapahoe Basin – One of the longest ski seasons in the country (Nov.-June) and incredible views!
- Vail – We probably don’t have to convince you why this world-famous resort is worth checking out!
14. Ziplining Adventures
Zip over Denver or the surrounding area with any of these fun ziplining companies!
| Denver Adventures | The longest and fastest ziplines in Colorado! |
| The Edge Zip | 10 lines that take you by incredible views of the Front Range! |
| AVA Rafting & Zipline | Your choice of cliffside or mountaintop ziplining adventure! |
See a full list of the best ziplines in Colorado here.
15. iFLY Denver Indoor Skydiving
Location: 9230 Park Meadows Drive Lone Tree, CO 80124
Website: https://www.iflyworld.com/denver/
Ever wondered what it feels like to freefall? With iFLY Indoor Skydiving, visitors can simulate the experience of jumping out of a plane without the risk! Jump into a meticulously constructed wind tunnel and enjoy the ride of a lifetime with expert guides. Indoor skydiving is great for travelers looking for a bit of a thrill or those preparing to go soaring over the Rocky Mountains someday!
16. Meow Wolf – Convergence Station
Location: 1338 1st St, Denver, CO 80204
Website: https://meowwolf.com/
What started as a small group of artists in Santa Fe has grown into a thriving organization focused on large-scale art and entertainment that immerses audiences and engages them in the artwork. As Denver is one of the nation’s leaders in the art movement, visiting their Meow Wolf location (Convergence Station) will put a cherry on top of any trip to the city. Check out one of their many musical guests, makers workshops, themed drag shows, and more!
17. Watch the Colorado Avalanche at an NHL Game
Location: 1000 Chopper Cir, Denver, CO 80204
Website: https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/
No one can deny Colorado does its winter sports well! Among many other winter teams, the Colorado Avalanche Hockey team is a must-see for an adrenaline-pumping good time! They have some fantastic players like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar; they are a must-see team!
Check this NHL site for information about single-game or even season tickets!
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!