Denver, Colorado, has been called the Mile High City due to its famously high elevation. After all, it is a major metropolitan hub right on the edge of the Rocky Mountains. Urban innovation and the great outdoors collide in this truly unique American city. Denver is well-known to be a city whose inhabitants are obsessed with winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. As such, it’s one of the best destinations to check out if you’re looking for a bit of adventure in your life.
And when you’re not hitting the slopes and enjoying that pristine powder, Denver is also known for being a city that takes the culinary arts very seriously. There is no shortage of world-class restaurants, cozy cafes, and bustling brewpubs to satisfy just about any craving that you might have. And trust us, if you happen to pay a visit to one of Denver’s fully legal cannabis dispensaries while you’re in town, you’ll probably develop a serious case of the munchies.
But if you’re traveling with children and want to keep your trip wholesome and family-friendly, Denver is also home to several top-tier museums, science centers, a truly amazing zoo, and a hoard of other totally kid-approved attractions to keep the little ones entertained while not necessarily breaking the bank.
In today’s video, we’ll be taking a look at ten of Denver’s best sights and attractions. While we wish we could cover everything that makes this incredible US city so fantastic, we’ll only be able to include a fraction of what’s waiting for you there. And if you’ve recently visited Denver, or even if you happen to live there, be sure to let the world know what some of your favorite Fun things to do in Denver, Colorado are in the comments section.
Larimer Square
Back in 1858, some settlers and Native Americans discovered large deposits of gold at the base of the Rocky Mountains. News of their momentous discovery quickly made it’s way to the East Coast, and people immediately started venturing out west in hopes of turning a quick profit of their own. The location of that first pioneer encampment which the settlers named Auraria quickly evolved into the vibrant area that is now known as Larimer Square.
Obviously, Denver has expanded quite a bit since those early days, but this historic area still retains much of the original spirit that helped establish the city more than 16 decades ago. Being the oldest part of town, Larimer Square is a fitting place to start your exploration of Denver.
The area is also full of restaurants, shops, galleries, and lively bars. So, while you’re brushing up on Denver’s rich history, you’ll also have plenty to do besides just reading informational placards and appreciating the neighborhood’s old-world architecture.
Denver Art Museum
In addition to its architecture, being the work of visionary design masters Gio Ponti and Daniel Libeskind, the Denver Art Museum is also celebrated for its collection of Native American and Western art.
But it’s collection isn’t just limited to exploring Denver’s historical roots. You’ll also find famous works of art by renowned artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Sandy Skoglund.
Standing at seven stories high, the Denver Art Museum is, in fact, the world’s first high-rise art museum. Within it’s walls are more than 70,000 diverse pieces from all over the world, covering many centuries of art development and innovation.
Red Rocks Park And Amphitheater
Red Rocks Amphitheater is one of the nation’s premier concert venues. Headliners such as The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, The String Cheese Incident, Tom Petty, and John Denver have played some of their best shows at this beautiful place. But, if you’re a music lover, then you’re probably already well aware of how significant Red Rocks has been in the history of rock music.
Featuring exquisite views of the Rocky Mountains and miles of hiking trails through the vividly red sandstone cliffs, Red Rocks is far more than just a great place to catch a live show. It’s an outdoor lover’s dream come true! The park itself spans more than 700 acres, and if you don’t know where to begin, a quick trip to the visitor center will provide you with some pointers on how to best experience all that it has to offer.
Even if you don’t intend on attending a concert, Red Rocks is worth visiting just for the nature alone. If you can only swing by for an hour or so, we recommend going on the 1 ½ mile-long Trading Post Trail which shows off some of the most beautiful vistas that can be seen at the park.
Denver Zoo
Adventure awaits you at the Denver Zoo, which is modeled after a Kenyan nature preserve and houses more than 4,000 animals, including kangaroos, rhinos, giraffes, orangutans, and lions. This 80-acre zoo features many different ways to explore and discover the wonders of the natural world while learning all about its furry, scaled and feathered inhabitants.
The Denver Zoo is committed to conservation and strives to educate the public by creating extraordinary experiences that nurture human-animal connections. It’s also the most visited attraction in the state of Colorado. Every year more than 2 million people swing on by to pay a visit.
The zoo itself is located in Denver’s City Park and is divided into a number of different geographically-themed regions such as Predator Ridge, which features animals that can be found in the African Havana, and the Tropical Discovery Center, which showcases creatures like the Panamanian golden frog and green tree python.
Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens, which can be found on York Street, spans more than 24 acres and gives visitors a chance to see a wide range of gardens that explore the incredible bio-diversity from nearly every corner of the globe.
Some of the standout sections of this lush botanical wonderland are the lily pad pond which is surrounded by roses, and the tropical section. But don’t go in expecting a thrilling experience. The Denver Botanic Gardens are more so meant to be a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city with all of it’s fast-paced energy and bright lights. It’s the perfect place to have a picnic or go for a leisurely stroll while appreciating the diverse array of plant life.
If you’re visiting in the fall, the colors are just breathtaking. There is something so magical about the show that the trees put on during autumn, and the park is given a Halloween make-over during October that the kids will surely appreciate. There is also a lovely conservatory to explore, but keep in mind that it’s fairly warm inside, so plan accordingly.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway
You’d be sorely missing out if you came to Denver without experiencing the breathtaking glory of the Rocky Mountains. To truly appreciate these majestic mountains the way that nature intended, you’d be wise to devote at least a day to driving up to Mount Evans. But really, it’s not about the destination so much as the journey.
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a two-lane road that will take you right to the top of this ancient mountain. Along the way, you’ll experience what it’s like to traverse 9,000 feet of elevation change. Once you get to the peak, you’ll be over 14,000 feet above sea level – so be sure to have your camera ready to snap a few pictures.
As you make your way to Mount Evans summit, you can pull over and enjoy jaw-dropping vistas at a number of lookout points. If you plan on taking this journey, remember to take it slow because the real draw here is the opportunity to admire unparalleled views of the Rockies. If you rush to the finish, you’ll miss out on much of this scenic drive’s best features.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
This facility is the Rocky Mountain Region’s best resource for hands-on learning. The museum features three floors of exhibitions as well as a planetarium and IMAX theater. Visitors can explore everything from minerals and gemstones to dinosaur bones and Egyptian mummies to even outer space!
The museum showcases artifacts related to a wide range of scientific fields, including zoology, health, paleontology, anthropology, and space sciences. A few of the stand-out displays include the centers’ wildlife exhibit and the interactive Space Odyssey area.
When you’re done exploring everything that the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has to offer, be sure to grab a bite to eat at it’s cafe before picking up a souvenir at the gift shop.
Coors Field
Located in Denver’s LoDo district and named after Denver’s best-known mass-produced beer is the home of Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies. While this stadium is certainly worth visiting just to experience it’s architecture, it’s best enjoyed when the Rockies are in town to play a home game.
Sitting on 76 acres and with a capacity capable of hosting 50,000 fans, Coors Field is a modern stadium with a distinctively old-fashioned vibe. It was built back in 1962 and has been a fan-favorite baseball stadium ever since. But it’s not all just about the game itself. If you visit with kids, make sure you spend some time over at the interactive area where you put your skills to the test in the video batting cages and Speed Pitch zone.
The Rooftop Bar is also a great spot for adult visitors to get a taste of some of Denver’s best local brews. If you’re visiting during the off-season, you can also opt for a guided tour of the stadium.
Union Station
Denver’s Union Station is both an operational public transit station as well as a highly-celebrated dining and shopping center. It first opened to the public back in 1881 as a railroad station but was severely damaged in a fire in 1894. In 1917, it was given a major architectural overhaul, and today it’s an Amtrak station and bus terminal.
The station is also the home of many boutique shops and restaurants, as well as The Crawford Hotel. But besides being an entertainment hub, Union Station is also an excellent place to learn about local history by taking an informative guided tour which are offered by the hotel.
United States Mint
If you’ve got some loose change jingling around in your pocket, check to see if any of your coins are marked with a small letter ‘D’. If you find a quarter or dime that bears this mark, that means it was minted at this federal manufacturing facility in Denver.
The Denver branch of the U.S. Mint was opened in 1863 with the intent of transforming the Gold Rush’s findings into currency. These days, the Mint can produce up to 50 million coins per day. Free tours are provided that give visitor’s the chance to learn about each step of coin production, from the design process all the way to the finished product.
We already know what you’re going to say. Yes, we only covered the basics of what can be found and experienced in Denver. If we had all day, we would gladly devote it to telling you all about the many amazing things you can see and do in Denver. But that’s precisely where you come in.
Have you been to Denver, Colorado? What are some of your favorite sights and attractions in the Mile High City? Let the world know in the comments section below.
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And as always, thanks for watching – and safe travels!