Planning your next adventure? There are endless things to do in Denver, a city where urban sophistication meets rugged outdoor exploration. Whether you are a local looking for a weekend refresh or a first-time visitor, this guide covers every corner of the Mile High City.
When people ask about the best things to do in Denver, these legendary spots always top the list.
No list of things to do in Denver is complete without Red Rocks. Located just 15 miles west of the city, this geological wonder is the only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world.
Pro Tip: Even if there isn't a concert, visiting for a sunrise hike or "Yoga on the Rocks" is one of the most spiritual things to do in Denver.
Spanning 24 acres in the Cheesman Park neighborhood, the gardens offer a serene escape. Exploring the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory is one of the most relaxing things to do in Denver during the winter months.
Look for the 13th step—it’s exactly one mile above sea level. Touring the gold-domed capitol is one of the best free things to do in Denver for history buffs.
Denver is a city of distinct districts. Finding things to do in Denver often means hopping from one neighborhood to the next.
Neighborhood
Best For
Top Thing to Do
RiNo (River North)
Street Art & Beer
Mural walking tour
LoDo (Lower Downtown)
History & Sports
Catching a Rockies game at Coors Field
Highlands
Trendy Dining
Rooftop cocktails at LoHi
Capitol Hill
Culture & Goths
Exploring the Molly Brown House
If you love murals and microbreweries, RiNo is where you'll find the most vibrant things to do in Denver. Walk down Larimer Street to see world-class street art, then stop at Central Market for local eats.
Traveling with kids? The city is a playground for all ages.
Denver Zoo: One of the top-rated things to do in Denver for families. Don’t miss the Predator Ridge exhibit.
Meow Wolf Denver: This immersive art experience (Convergence Station) is one of the most unique things to do in Denver. It’s like walking into a sci-fi movie.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science: From dinosaur bones to space odysseys, this is one of the most educational things to do in Denver.
Denver serves as the base camp for the Rockies. Some of the best things to do in Denver actually involve leaving the city limits for a few hours.
Just 90 minutes away, this park offers the quintessential Colorado experience. Hiking the Emerald Lake trail is one of the most scenic things to do in Denver enthusiasts' itineraries.
Driving the highest paved road in North America is one of the most thrilling things to do in Denver during the summer. You’ll likely spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep at the summit.
Denver is a culinary powerhouse. Finding delicious things to do in Denver is easy when you follow the "Beer Trail."
Craft Beer Tours: With more breweries per capita than almost anywhere else, beer tasting is one of the essential things to do in Denver.
Union Station: Known as "Denver's Living Room," dining at Mercantile or grabbing a drink at Terminal Bar are classic things to do in Denver.
The best things to do in Denver change with the seasons.
Winter: Skiing at nearby resorts or visiting the Christkindlmarket are top things to do in Denver in December.
Summer: Festivals, outdoor concerts, and farmers' markets dominate the list of things to do in Denver.
Fall: Leaf-peeping in the foothills is one of the most beautiful things to do in Denver in late September.
Want to avoid the crowds? Try these underrated things to do in Denver:
The Dikeou Collection: A hidden contemporary art space downtown.
Lakeside Amusement Park: A vintage, neon-lit park that is one of the most nostalgic things to do in Denver.
Buckhorn Exchange: Eat rattlesnake and elk at Denver's oldest restaurant—one of the weirdest things to do in Denver.
From the peaks of the mountains to the murals of RiNo, the sheer variety of things to do in Denver ensures you'll never be bored. This city offers a perfect blend of "Mile High" adrenaline and laid-back western charm.