best things to do in denver
Denver, the capital of Colorado, is a vibrant city surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and offering a wide range of activities and attractions. Here are some of the best things to do in Denver:
- Explore the 16th Street Mall: This pedestrian shopping and entertainment promenade is lined with street performers, restaurants, and shops.
- Visit the Denver Art Museum: The museum’s unique architecture and extensive collection of art from around the world make it a must-visit attraction.
- Take a stroll through LoDo (Lower Downtown): This historic neighborhood is filled with charming shops, restaurants, and bars, and is a great place to experience Denver’s vibrant nightlife.
- Visit the Colorado State Capitol: Take a guided tour of the Capitol building and climb to the top of the dome for panoramic views of the city.
- Enjoy the outdoors: Denver has plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, and skiing in the nearby Rocky Mountains.
- Visit the Denver Zoo: The zoo is home to over 4,000 animals from around the world, and offers a petting zoo and playground for kids.
- Check out the trendy neighborhoods: Denver has several trendy neighborhoods, including RiNo (River North Arts District), Larimer Square, and Capitol Hill, each with its own unique character and attractions.
- Visit the History Colorado Center: This museum tells the story of Colorado’s history, from prehistoric times to the present day.
- Take a brewery tour: Denver is known for its craft beer scene, and there are numerous breweries that offer tours and tastings.
- Attend a sports game: Denver is home to several professional sports teams, including the Broncos (football), Rockies (baseball), Nuggets (basketball), and Avalanche (hockey).
- Visit the Denver Botanic Gardens: The gardens feature over 23 acres of beautiful plants and flowers, and offer a peaceful escape from the city.
- Go skiing or snowboarding: Denver is close to several world-class ski resorts, including Vail, Aspen, and Breckenridge.
- Take a day trip to the nearby mountains: Denver is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and there are many day trip options, including Rocky Mountain National Park and the Flatirons.
- Visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science: This museum features exhibits on science, nature, and culture, including a planetarium and an IMAX theater.
- Attend a festival or event: Denver hosts many festivals and events throughout the year, including the Denver Film Festival, the Denver Comic Con, and the Great American Beer Festival.
Some popular events and festivals in Denver include:
- Denver Film Festival: A showcase of independent films from around the world.
- Denver Comic Con: A comic book and pop culture convention.
- Great American Beer Festival: A celebration of craft beer from around the country.
- Denver PrideFest: A celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Denver Film Festival: A showcase of independent films from around the world.
Some popular neighborhoods to visit in Denver include:
- LoDo (Lower Downtown): A historic neighborhood with charming shops, restaurants, and bars.
- RiNo (River North Arts District): A trendy neighborhood with art galleries, restaurants, and bars.
- Larimer Square: A upscale neighborhood with high-end shopping and dining.
- Capitol Hill: A vibrant neighborhood with a mix of shops, restaurants, and bars.
- Highland: A charming neighborhood with a mix of shops, restaurants, and bars.
Some popular restaurants in Denver include:
- The Buckhorn Exchange: A historic restaurant serving up classic American cuisine.
- Acorn: A farm-to-table restaurant with a focus on local ingredients.
- Mercantile Dining & Provision: A restaurant located in the historic Union Station, serving up classic American cuisine.
- The Kitchen Denver: A farm-to-table restaurant with a focus on local ingredients.
- Avanti Food & Beverage: A modern restaurant with a focus on local ingredients and creative cuisine.
Some popular breweries in Denver include:
- Great Divide Brewing Co.: A popular brewery with a wide range of beers.
- Odell Brewing Co.: A brewery with a focus on hoppy beers.
- Wynkoop Brewing Co.: A brewery with a focus on craft beer and live music.
- Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project: A brewery with a focus on sour beers.
- Trve Brewing Co.: A brewery with a focus on hoppy beers and a fun atmosphere.
Some popular hotels in Denver include:
- The Oxford Hotel: A historic hotel with a focus on luxury and comfort.
- The Brown Palace Hotel: A historic hotel with a focus on luxury and comfort.
- The Four Seasons Hotel Denver: A luxury hotel with a focus on comfort and amenities.
- The Westin Denver Downtown: A modern hotel with a focus on comfort and amenities.
- The Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center: A modern hotel with a focus on comfort and amenities.
Some popular outdoor activities in Denver include:
- Hiking: Denver has many hiking trails, including the popular Chautauqua Trail and the Mount Falcon Park Trail.
- Biking: Denver has many bike trails, including the popular Cherry Creek Bike Path and the Mount Falcon Park Trail.
- Skiing: Denver is close to several world-class ski resorts, including Vail, Aspen, and Breckenridge.
- Rock climbing: Denver has many rock climbing routes, including the popular Flatirons and the Mount Evans climbing route.
- Kayaking: Denver has many kayaking opportunities, including the popular Cherry Creek and the South Platte River.
Some popular shopping destinations in Denver include:
- The 16th Street Mall: A pedestrian shopping and entertainment promenade.
- Larimer Square: An upscale shopping district with high-end boutiques and restaurants.
- Capitol Hill: A vibrant shopping district with a mix of boutiques and chain stores.
- LoDo (Lower Downtown): A historic shopping district with a mix of boutiques and chain stores.
- The Denver Central Market: A marketplace with a mix of local vendors and restaurants.
Some popular shopping malls in Denver include:
- The Denver Mall: A large indoor mall with a mix of department stores and specialty shops.
- Park Meadows: A large outdoor mall with a mix of department stores and specialty shops.
- Copper Mountain Mall: A large outdoor mall with a mix of department stores and specialty shops.
- The Shops at Belmar: A large outdoor mall with a mix of department stores and specialty shops.
- The Denver Central Market: A marketplace with a mix of local vendors and restaurants.
Some popular spas in Denver include:
- The Ritz-Carlton Spa: A luxurious spa with a focus on relaxation and rejuvenation.
- The Four Seasons Spa: A luxurious spa with a focus on relaxation and rejuvenation.
- The Westin Spa: A modern spa with a focus on relaxation and rejuvenation.
- The Hyatt Regency Spa: A modern spa with a focus on relaxation and rejuvenation.
- The Spa at The Oxford Hotel: A luxurious spa with a focus on relaxation and rejuvenation.
Some popular wellness centers in Denver include:
- The Denver Yoga Center: A yoga studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Yoga House: A yoga studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Pilates Center: A Pilates studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Massage Envy Spa: A spa with a focus on massage and relaxation.
- The Wellness Center at The Four Seasons: A wellness center with a focus on relaxation and rejuvenation.
Some popular fitness studios in Denver include:
- Orangetheory Fitness: A fitness studio with a focus on high-intensity interval training.
- SoulCycle: A fitness studio with a focus on indoor cycling.
- CrossFit: A fitness studio with a focus on high-intensity interval training.
- Yoga House: A yoga studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Pilates Center: A Pilates studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
Some popular gyms in Denver include:
- The 24 Hour Fitness: A gym with a focus on fitness and wellness.
- The LA Fitness: A gym with a focus on fitness and wellness.
- The Planet Fitness: A gym with a focus on fitness and wellness.
- The Gold’s Gym: A gym with a focus on fitness and wellness.
- The Anytime Fitness: A gym with a focus on fitness and wellness.
Some popular yoga studios in Denver include:
- The Denver Yoga Center: A yoga studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Yoga House: A yoga studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Pilates Center: A Pilates studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Yoga Tree: A yoga studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The CorePower Yoga: A yoga studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
Some popular Pilates studios in Denver include:
- The Pilates Center: A Pilates studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The CorePower Pilates: A Pilates studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Pilates Studio: A Pilates studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Body Balance Pilates: A Pilates studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
- The Pilates Place: A Pilates studio with a focus on wellness and relaxation.
Some popular dance studios in Denver include:
- The Dance Center: A dance studio with a focus on ballet, jazz, and contemporary.
- The Ballet Academy: A dance studio with a focus on