Best Things to See and Do in Denver, CO
The best things to do in Denver, CO, aren’t hard to find, as the city is a bustling metropolis with plenty to see. You’ll find just as many outdoor activities that will let you the sunshine and fresh air as you will dining, shopping, and cultural options to boot, with a number of historic sites also thrown into the mix. The following list breaks down some of the to options in town and gives you a little background of some of the best things to do in Denver, whether you prefer to visit the Capitol Building, the Botanic Gardens, or Larimer Square. Once you read it through, you’ll realize there’s nothing quite like visiting the Mile High City.
Clear Creek County
Whether you decide to hike or drive, Mount Evans is one Denver sight that can’t be missed. It’s the state’s 12th highest peak, coming in at an altitude of 14,271 feet, and features different routes that you can take up. We recommend driving along the Mt. Evans route, where you’ll probably find less traffic than Pikes Peak or Longs Peak. Hiking, on the other hand, will take you nearly 4 hours. The view at the top is totally worth it, though, and the you’ll make friends with some cute mountain goats along the way.
5075 W. Alaska Place
Take a leap of faith and consider a hot air balloon ride, one of the easiest ways to get sweeping views of everything that Denver has to offer. The instructors at Rocky Mountain Hot Air are trained to deal with any problem that arises, whether it be for a customer who is 5 years old or one that’s 100, and will give you a demo before your ride even starts on how to behave safely on a hot air balloon. It’ll take 3-4 hours to enjoy the whole experience, with balloon rides followed by a complimentary breakfast with mimosas. Take a look at the website to register, with rates running about $225 per person.
200 S. Kalamath St.
Even though Colorado may be known for its beer, you’d be missing out if you didn’t check out the whiskey at Stranahan’s. A tour of the distillery is the best way to do so, but even if you don’t have a large group along for the ride, it would be wise to make reservations beforehand because this place is popular and spots tend to fill up fast. The tour itself will walk you through the distilling process from beginning to end, and features some fun facts that whiskey lovers will particularly enjoy as well as an opportunity to sample some whiskey at the end. You get to keep the glassware, and you can also check out their store to get discounts on some barrel-aged bottles.
1007 York St.
Two restaurants on-site, a Japanese garden, and plenty of winding paths to stroll down at the Denver Botanic Gardens means you can probably spend a whole day here and still find things to do. The gardens are divided based on regions of the world, like the African Savannah, and a percentage of the beautiful flowers bloom between spring and summer. There are also rotating art exhibits, the current one being an exploration of Mexico’s Day of the Dead, and a gift shop with adorable but pricey trinkets to enjoy. Visit to get some quiet and you’ll feel completely at ease: Even on a weekend, this place is never that crowded.
383 Corona St.
Rock climbing is Colorado’s bread and butter, and Denver Climbing Company upholds this legacy undeniably well. It’s especially great for family outings, but people of all ages can benefit from brushing up on their rock climbing skills and even those who have never tried it before can give it a go here. The lessons range from beginner to advanced, and you’ll be coached throughout the whole thing by a supportive professional. If you’ve never tried it before, we suggest the basic introduction to rock climbing that runs at about $100, or, rappelling for $189. You’ll feel extremely satisfied knowing you got out of your comfort zone, and a little fresh air couldn’t hurt anyway.
200 E. Colfax Ave.
The facade of this capitol building, reminiscent of the one in D.C, is well worth the visit alone – the dome features real gold leaf to commemorate the Colorado Gold Rush and the building is made from white granite. To see the inside, you can take a free tour that’s available Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm. It’s basically a museum of Colorado history, and if you climb all the stairs to the top of the dome you’ll get an awesome view, too, and get to brag that you were one mile above sea level.
3350 Brighton Blvd.
This bustling market opened up in 2013 and offers over 25,000 square feet of space for you to explore, including artisan vendors and a bar. It’s one of the city’s best destination for foodies, with BBQ from Smok; an Israeli place, Safta; a taqueria called Comida; and plenty of local brews to wash it down with at The Proper Pour or New Belgium Brewing. Overall, the space is pretty eclectic and there’s enough to keep people wide a wide variety of interests entertained. If you like street art, the urban gallery Station 16 is the second location of the popular Montreal outpost and showcases innovative works.
4303 Brighton Blvd.
The collection at Forney’s includes vintage pieces like Amelia Earhart's 1923 Kissel, an Indian Motorcycle collection starting as early as 1913, and 500-piece Matchbox Collection, among other aircraft, carriages, steam locomotives, and bicycles. There’s even a Model T you can sit in! You’ll spend at least 2 hours here and learn a lot about mobile history and its ties to Denver, plus the $15 admission price is a steal.
1430 Larimer St.
Larimer Square is one of Denver’s most historic areas, with Victorian buildings that house great restaurants, boutiques, and even a top-notch entertainment option like the Comedy Works comedy club. It’s one of the best places to be in downtown Denver on a Friday night, with plenty of swanky bars like Corridor 44 and restaurants like Osteria Marco and Bistro Vendome on offer. If you visit during the day, you can even make a trip to the nearby 16th Street mall, a popular shopping destination.
110 Broadway
This Mayan theater is one of the few in the U.S built in an Art Deco Mayan style. It’s more than 90 years old, and should be on your Denver itinerary just to witness a piece of history, but luckily it’s still in business and screening mostly foreign and indie films, too. Check the schedule to see what’s playing, and revel in the fact that there’s a full bar here.
CHEAT SHEET
For more on the best things to do in Denver, CO, and top things to see and eat in town, also check out:
· Thrillist - Denver Bucket List: Thirty Things You Need To Do Before You Die
· The Crazy Tourist - 25 Best Things To Do in Denver
· Travel Channel - Top 7 Things To Do in Denver