According to growtheology, Denver is the capital of the mountain state of Colorado. Although this city may not be at the top of your wish list, you should still consider it. Nowhere can you mix up culture (in the form of museums, restaurants and shops) and discover the great outdoors as well as in Denver. After all, the “Mile High City” is located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, so that’s a good thing. In Denver you experience the unique mix of vibrant city life and the mysterious Wild West. Whether you start your trip with a Fly Drive Denver, Rocky Mountain Trail Self Drive Tour, The Wild West Camper Tour, Colorado National Parks Self Drive Touror on a city trip: Denver is the place to be for some action!
9 things to do in Denver
1. Lower Downtown & Larimer Square
The vibrant heart of Denver is Lower Downtown. This is where by far the most tourist attractions can be found. On 16th Street Mall you will find most shops, ranging from larger chains to small boutiques. Be sure to visit Union Station, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. But the nicest part of Denver has to be Larimer Square. The name suggests that this is a square, but it is actually just a street. Here are the oldest buildings in the city; these buildings used to be used as saloons and dance halls. Today you will find restaurants, bars and shops there. You can score a cowboy hat here! And those atmospheric lights, strung from building to building, make you want to stay in this cozy place all the time!
2. Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest museums in the region. Because of its extensive collection, it is therefore certainly worth a visit – if not for the unusual building. Especially Hamilton Building, with its silver color and protruding peaks, is very beautiful to see. The building was designed by Daniel Libeskind, the man who also designed the new World Trade Center in New York City. Inside the museum you will find many different collections (African art, Asian art and European art) and (temporary) exhibitions. Particularly worth seeing are the Native American and Wild West collections.
3. State Capitol Colorado
Since Denver is also the capital of the state of Colorado, you can also visit Colorado State Capitol here. What sets the Colorado State Capitol apart from all the other seats of government in the other state capitals is that its dome is made entirely of gold. This gilded dome reminds the inhabitants of the time of the gold diggers. You can take a guided tour in the building itself. It tells about the history of the state, about the building itself and about the art in the building. Book in advance if you want to participate; the tours fill up quickly! In mr. Brown’s Attic is a small museum where you can learn more about the history of the state of Colorado.
4. Molly Brown House Museum
While the name Margaret Tobin Brown may not ring a bell at first, she was still one of Denver’s most famous socialites. You may know her better as “the unsinkable Molly Brown”: the most famous survivor of the Titanic. While she has been praised for her actions during the sinking of the ship, her philanthropic work after the Titanic disaster is much less well known. This museum, which is located in her old villa, pays attention to that. In the museum you can learn more about Molly’s early life, and you may be surprised to learn that she comes from a poor factory family. Join a guided tour or discover the museum yourself. Please note, the museum is open from Thursday to Sunday!
5. Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The ideal outing for the whole family! A visit to the Denver Museum of Art and Science is fun and educational at the same time. In this interactive museum you will learn more about wild animals, the universe, Egyptian mummies and various fossils. Take part in a chemistry experiment yourself or watch a movie in the IMAX theater. There are also always (temporary) exhibitions in the museum, so be sure to check out what is on display during the period that you are there. The museum is open every day. The adult admission fee is approximately $20; for children it is about $15.
6. History Colorado Center
Wild West lovers take note! You can indulge yourself in the History of Colorado Center. This museum has a large collection about the history of the state (spread over no fewer than four floors), with a special focus on the Wild West. The museum also has (temporary) collections about the Women’s Movement and the Second World War. This is also a fun museum for children, because of the many interactive works of art. Detonate a mine or ski the ramp. The museum is open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission costs $14 for adults and $8 for children.
7. Confluence Park
Confluence Park is located on the edge of Lower Downtown. The Cherry Creek and South Platte rivers converge in this bustling urban park. If you are looking for peace and quiet, but at the same time want to stay in the city, this park is a good option. Several hiking and biking trails run through the park, including Cherry Creek Regional Trail. This path runs parallel to the river and you can walk or cycle. Is it warm? There is a good chance that you will see people swimming or paddling in the shallow part. Further in the park you will find several football fields and a skate park. Not finished looking yet? There are more parks nearby (eg Commons Park or Fishback Park).
8. Denver Botanic Gardens
The center of Denver also has a botanical garden: Denver Botanical Gardens. What makes this garden special, however, is that it is completely filled with plants that normally grow in the Rocky Mountains. In the gardens themselves you can learn more about how humans first came into contact with different plant species. There are no less than 45 different gardens, each representing a different part of the world. Sometimes there are also (temporary) art collections to admire in the garden. The garden is open every day from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Adult admission costs about $15; for children it is $12.
9. Hiking
Do you prefer to be active? Denver is the perfect city for that! No less than 300 sunny days a year and the location at an altitude of one and a half kilometers make good conditions for an active day out. There are five sports teams here for a reason! There are a number of beautiful (state) parks in the Denver area, where you can enjoy walking and cycling. In Red Rocks Park, near the city, is a natural amphitheater: Red Rocks Amphitheater. The natural acoustics of the rocks are perfect for a good concert by a local band. Into the heights? Then drive to Mount Evans via the eponymous Scenic Byway (Highway 5) for sweeping views of the city. Along the way you will come across Walter Pesman Trail, a beautiful walking route between mountain flowers and coniferous forests. Also nice: on Lookout Mountain, near the city,
Frequently Asked Questions about Denver
What are the top attractions in Denver?
Must-visits in Denver include Denver Art Museum, the Molly Brown House Museum and, of course, Larimer Square.
What are the best outdoor activities in Denver?
In the Confluence Park you can enjoy walking and cycling, in the middle of the city. But there are also a number of parks with beautiful nature to explore in the Denver area, such as Red Rocks Park.
What are the best day trips in Denver?
So you can go to one of the natural parks in the area, or to one of the many attractions in the area. Buffalo Bill’s grave is about a 30 mile drive. Fun for Kids: Dinosaur Ridge, near Morrison, CO. Here you can view dinosaur fossils.
What are the top activities for kids in Denver?
Kids certainly won’t get bored in Denver. Most museums are interactive and also aimed at children; such as Denver Museum of Art and Science and Colorado History Center.
