Denver gives you a big city and the Rocky Mountains in the same view. In a few days you can see a concert in a sandstone amphitheater, spend a morning with world-class art, watch the Nuggets or the Rockies, and be in the foothills before lunch.
This is our curated ranking of what's worth your time, in the order we'd plan a first visit, cross-checked with the live Google rating shown beside each place.
The Denver Moments Index
The 20 best things to do in Denver, ranked.
A curated list, cross-checked with the MICHELIN Guide where it applies. Beside each one, its rating on Google Maps, live, and a tap to Tripadvisor to compare. Prefer the crowd's view? Sort by Google rating.
20 things to do
01
Photo: Dinesh I · Google Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Must-see · Morrison
A concert stage set between towering red sandstone walls, half an hour west of downtown. See a show if you can; if not, climb the steps at sunrise and have the view almost to yourself. Our Red Rocks guide covers parking, pickup and the rules.
- Must-see
- Evenings
- Free
02
Photo: Umiko Gochis · Google Denver Art Museum
Must-see · Golden Triangle
The city's great museum, with the angular Hamilton Building, outstanding Western and Indigenous collections and major traveling shows. Plan half a day.
- Rainy day
- Families
- Art
03
Photo: Isabel Weaver · Google Denver Botanic Gardens
Must-see · Cheesman Park
Gardens that range from alpine plants to a Japanese garden, calm in every season. In winter, its holiday lights are one of the city's favorite traditions.
- Families
- Couples
- Photography
04
Photo: Denver Union Station · Google Denver Union Station
Must-see · Union Station
The restored station is Denver's front porch: a Great Hall of armchairs, good restaurants and the A Line train to the airport. Start or end any day in LoDo here.
- Free
- Evenings
- Families
05
Photo: Meow Wolf Denver's Convergence Station · Google Meow Wolf Convergence Station
Must-see · Sun Valley
A multistory immersive art world full of hidden doors and surreal rooms, as much fun for adults as for children. Book a timed ticket and allow at least two hours.
- Families
- Rainy day
- Groups
06
Photo: Jennifer Romero · Google Larimer Square
Must-see
Denver's oldest block, strung with lights and lined with Victorian buildings, independent shops and restaurants. Best in the evening.
- Free
- Evenings
- Shopping
07
Photo: RiNo Art District · Google RiNo Art District
Must-see · RiNo
Block after block of murals, galleries, breweries and restaurants in the city's old industrial heart. Walk it in daylight, then stay for dinner.
- Free
- Art
- Foodies
08
Photo: Clyfford Still Museum · Google Clyfford Still Museum
Museums & culture · Golden Triangle
A museum devoted to a single Abstract Expressionist painter, in a beautiful concrete building next to the art museum. Quiet, focused and unforgettable.
- Art
- Rainy day
- Couples
09
Photo: Ganesh Phuyal · Google Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Museums & culture · City Park
Dinosaurs, gems, a planetarium and an IMAX theater, plus one of the best views of the skyline against the mountains from its back steps. A sure win with children.
- Families
- Rainy day
- 10
History Colorado Center
Museums & culture · Golden Triangle
The state's story told through hands-on exhibits, from mining towns to ski culture. A smart introduction before you head into the mountains.
- Families
- Rainy day
11
Photo: Ashley Hughes · Google Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Museums & culture · Downtown
One of the largest performing arts complexes in the country, with Broadway tours, theater and the Colorado Symphony. Check what's on when you book your trip.
- Evenings
- Couples
- Theater
12
Photo: Gary Daley · Google Washington Park
Parks & outdoors · Wash Park
Denver's favorite park, with two lakes, flower gardens and a loop full of runners, cyclists and picnics on sunny days. Pair it with lunch on Old South Gaylord.
- Free
- Families
- Active
13
Photo: Jon Crowther · Google City Park
Parks & outdoors
A grand, historic park with lakes, the zoo and the nature museum, and a classic view of downtown with the Front Range behind it. Bring a camera at golden hour.
- Free
- Families
- Photography
14
Photo: Zach Bolton · Google Denver Zoo
Parks & outdoors · City Park
A large, well-kept zoo in City Park, with Zoo Lights a winter highlight. A full morning for families.
- Families
- Kids
15
Photo: Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center · Google Dinosaur Ridge
Parks & outdoors · Morrison
Real dinosaur tracks and bones in the rock, a short drive from Red Rocks. Easy to combine with a concert or a foothills drive.
- Families
- Kids
- Outdoors
16
Photo: Nic Dolph · Google Coors Field
Game day · Ballpark
Home of the Colorado Rockies and one of baseball's most pleasant ballparks, with a row of purple seats marking exactly one mile above sea level. A summer evening classic.
- Game day
- Families
- Evenings
17
Photo: Garrett Toenders · Google Ball Arena
Game day · Central Platte Valley
Home of the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche, and a major concert venue. Winter is prime season for both teams.
- Game day
- Evenings
- Groups
18
Photo: Chad Kroonenberg · Google Golden
Day trips
A historic foothills town half an hour west, with Clear Creek running through it, the Coors brewery and a lively main street. An easy half-day out.
- Day trip
- Families
- Breweries
19
Photo: Chautauqua Park · Google Boulder & Chautauqua Park
Day trips
Pearl Street's pedestrian mall, the Flatirons and the trails at Chautauqua Park, all about forty minutes away. Add dinner at Frasca and make a day of it.
- Day trip
- Hiking
- Foodies
- 20
Rocky Mountain National Park
Day trips · Estes Park
High peaks, elk and alpine lakes about two hours from Denver. Timed-entry rules apply in the busy season, so check them before you go.
- Day trip
- Hiking
- Wildlife
Good to know
Denver sits at 5,280 feet, one mile above sea level; a marker on the State Capitol steps shows the spot. Drink more water than usual, go easy on alcohol the first day, and wear sunscreen even in winter.
The weather is milder than people expect. Midwinter highs in the city average in the mid-40s °F, so a January day can be perfect for a walk in Wash Park while the ski areas get snow. March is usually the snowiest month in town, and July the hottest, near 90 °F.
Civic Center Park is closed for renovation until about spring 2027, so several events have moved this season. Our Denver events calendar has the current venues and dates.
Most of this list is easy without a car downtown; Red Rocks, Dinosaur Ridge, Golden, Boulder and the national park need a car or a tour. See our day trips from Denver and neighborhoods guide to plan the rest. Heading to the mountains next? Book your transfer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Denver?
See a concert at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. If there's no show you like, visit in the morning for the view and the trails.
What can I do in Denver in winter?
Plenty. The Denver Art Museum, Meow Wolf and the Nature & Science museum are all indoors, the Nuggets and Avalanche play at Ball Arena, and the Botanic Gardens and the zoo hold holiday light shows. City days are often mild even in January.
How far is Red Rocks from downtown Denver?
About 16.5 miles from Union Station, roughly half an hour by car without traffic.
Is Denver really a mile high?
Yes. The official elevation is 5,280 feet, marked on the steps of the State Capitol and by a purple row of seats at Coors Field.
What are good day trips from Denver?
Golden and Red Rocks are half an hour away, Boulder about forty minutes, and Rocky Mountain National Park about two hours. Our day trips guide has the details.