10 Things to do in Denver
Location
It’s easy to experience many of Denver’s exhibits and activities as there is a multitude just within walking distance.
Downtown Denver has three sports stadiums, one of the nation’s biggest performing arts center, several colleges, a variety of history and art museums, a mint which produces billions of coins a year, white water river rafting, a multi-million theme and water park, a state of the art aquarium and hundreds of restaurants.
Out of the many opportunities to choose from, here are 10 of the most popular things to do when visiting Denver:
Larimer Square
Denver is a foodie’s dream offering a wide choice of dining options, from fine dining spots to one of the city’s many gourmet food trucks. Beer and wine lovers alike will find much to choose from with a growing number of craft breweries and several distilleries and wineries and Larimer Square is the city epicenter of food, drink and entertainment.
Larimer Square is the site of the original pioneer camp where American Indians and settlers in the mid-1800s discovered gold. Over the centuries this historic neighborhood became the charming center of Denver and can’t be missed. The lively square offers a delightful array of restaurants, music venues and nightlife.
16th Street Mall
The 16th Street Mall is a popular place for visitors with its variety of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. When you’ve done your share of walking, there is a free MallRide shuttle bus to hop on which passes by every few minutes and stops at every street corner. In the evening you can even enjoy a ride on a horse-drawn carriage. Overall it’s a fun place to shop for souvenirs and eat some tasty food.
Molly Brown House
If you’re a history buff you won’t want to miss visiting the Molly Brown House Museum Nestled located in the modern Capitol Hill district. The museum stands as a wonderful example of a Victorian home. It once was the home of the “unsinkable” Margaret “Molly” Brown who was depicted in the film, “Titanic,” by the actress Kathy Bates. It offers an opportunity to understand what life was like in Denver for one of its famous residents. By taking a guided tour, you’ll learn about Molly Brown’s role as a women’s suffragette, her efforts on behalf of Colorado’s mining industry and her experience aboard the Titanic.
Washington Park
South of central Denver is Washington Park which locals and visitors alike enjoy for its facilities and pleasant atmosphere. The park occupies more than160 acres, with miles of jogging paths, a couple large lakes and beautiful gardens. You can spend time just relaxing or make use of the park’s Recreation Center with its pool and fitness classes, tennis courts and boat rentals.
Denver Zoo
Located on 80 acres in Denver’s city park, the Denver Zoo is probably the most popular attraction in Denver. With its size and natural looking habitat, the zoo will make you feel like you’re in an African preserve with its environment and more than 4,000 exotic animals, including apes and other primates, black rhinos, tigers, elephants and kangaroos. This impressive zoo enables visitors many opportunities to view and interact with the diversity of animals in the recreated savanna and the Tropical Discovery center.
Coors Brewery
Since 1873, the Coors Brewing company has made its home about 15 miles west of downtown Denver. The brewery offers a free self-guided tour through its operations, with an opportunity to learn about its malting and brewing processes. You can also learn about the company’s history and how the beer is produced and packaged. Plus, you can also sample the fruit of the brewery’s production by enjoying some beer in the tasting room.
Mount Evans Scenic Highway
To experience the wonders of the Rocky Mountains, you’ll want to take a drive up to Mount Evans. To get to Mount Evans, you’ll drive the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, known as the “road into the sky” because of its 9,000 feet elevation change. The ride itself is exhilarating as it leads to the Mount Evans peak, 14,264 feet above sea level. There are plenty of picture-taking opportunities on the way with many lookout points providing outstanding views of the Rockies.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Located in downtown Denver’s Cheesman Park are the Denver Botanic Gardens which offer visitors more than 20 acres and 50 enchanting gardens to enjoy. The property contains a diversity of environments, from traditional Japanese bonsai trees to exotic South African blooms. The grounds also display some interesting artistic sculptures which accent the beauty of the flower gardens. Visitors and residents alike can also enjoy a number of art exhibits and festivals held on the grounds throughout the year.
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater
With its cinnamon colored rock formations, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater attracts thousands of nature and music lovers each year. This immense park displays the grand geography between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains and offers unique hiking trails and paths that wind through the rusty looking buttes for a one-of-a-kind adventure. The park features a Visitor Center with information on the parks history and trails.
Another big draw is the expansive amphitheater, which has hosted such headliners as John Denver, the Beatles, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Blues Traveler and Bruce Springsteen. The fascinating geographic formation of the theater with its red rocks is a unique opportunity to experience some amazing acoustics. No trip to the Denver area would be complete without a visit to this incredible natural beauty.
Sports Authority Field at Mile High
The Sports Authority Field at Mile High lets football fans spend time on the home turf of the Denver Broncos. The stadium holds more than 76,000 NFL fans and also displays some interesting public art. Even if you aren’t able to attend a game, there’s an opportunity for a stadium guided tour. The tour includes the teams’ locker rooms, the entrance tunnel for the Broncos and the compound for network television production and radio broadcasting.
