things to do in colorado denver
Colorado’s capital city, Denver, is a fantastic place to visit. Here are some things to do in Denver:
Outdoor Activities:
- Rocky Mountain National Park: Only an hour and a half from Denver, this national park offers stunning mountain scenery, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife.
- Mount Evans: Take a drive to the highest paved road in North America, which offers breathtaking views of the Rockies.
- City Parks: Denver has several beautiful parks, including Washington Park, Cheesman Park, and City Park, which offer walking trails, lakes, and plenty of green space.
- Cherry Creek Bike Path: Rent a bike and ride along the scenic bike path, which follows the Cherry Creek waterway.
- Skiing and Snowboarding: Denver is close to several world-class ski resorts, including Vail, Breckenridge, and Keystone.
Cultural Attractions:
- Denver Art Museum: The museum’s stunning architecture is a work of art in itself, and the collection includes over 70,000 works of art.
- History Colorado Center: Learn about the state’s rich history through interactive exhibits and artifacts.
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Explore the natural world through exhibits on science, nature, and culture.
- Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art: Discover a unique collection of art and artifacts, including works by famous artists like Claude Monet and Georgia O’Keeffe.
- Denver Center for the Performing Arts: Catch a play, musical, or concert at this renowned performing arts center.
Neighborhoods to Explore:
- LoDo (Lower Downtown): This historic neighborhood is home to trendy restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
- Larimer Square: Upscale shopping and dining abound in this elegant neighborhood.
- RiNo (River North Arts District): Explore the vibrant street art scene, trendy bars, and restaurants in this hip neighborhood.
- Highland: This charming neighborhood offers a mix of boutique shops, restaurants, and bars.
- Capitol Hill: Visit the Colorado State Capitol building and explore the surrounding neighborhood, which features a mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Food and Drink:
- Craft Breweries: Denver is famous for its craft beer scene, with over 100 breweries in the metro area.
- Restaurants: Try some of Denver’s renowned restaurants, like Mercantile Dining & Provision, Fruition Restaurant, or The Kitchen Denver.
- Food Trucks: Denver has a thriving food truck scene, with a variety of cuisines to choose from.
- Coffee Shops: Visit some of Denver’s best coffee shops, like Avanti Coffee or The Denver Coffee Co.
- Union Station: This historic train station turned food hall offers a variety of restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Sports:
- Mile High Stadium: Catch a Denver Broncos (football) or Colorado Rapids (soccer) game at this iconic stadium.
- Coors Field: Watch a Colorado Rockies (baseball) game in the heart of downtown Denver.
- Ball Arena: Home to the Denver Nuggets (basketball) and Colorado Avalanche (hockey) teams.
Other Attractions:
- Denver Zoo: Spread over 80 acres, the Denver Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals from around the world.
- Denver Botanic Gardens: Explore the beautiful gardens, which feature a variety of plants and flowers from around the world.
- Elitch Gardens Theme Park: This downtown amusement park offers roller coasters, water rides, and family-friendly fun.
- Denver’s Street Art: Take a self-guided tour of the city’s vibrant street art scene, which features works by local and international artists.
These are just a few of the many things to do in Denver. Depending on your interests and the time of year you visit, there are plenty of other attractions and activities to explore.