Often referred to as the Mile High City, Denver is one of the most popular cities in the United States and has a fascinating culture and history. With its hip neighborhoods, plentiful recreational activities and world-famous breweries, you’re sure to never run out of things to see and do. Those who enjoy being outdoors will love spending time in Denver, as there are more than 20,000 acres of public parks to visit, as well as many locations in the area where you can go biking, camping, hiking and kayaking.
While the city center of Denver is known for being walkable, it’s typically easiest to drive between different neighborhoods. If you plan on engaging in any recreational activities, you will definitely want to have a car like an SUV, as you will usually need to drive a bit to access different parks and outdoor areas. To make your trips memorable, find your dream luxury car for rent. For longer trips, check out the weekly rental cars from SIXT.
- 1. Denver Art Museum
- 2. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
- 3. Larimer Square
- 4. Denver Botanic Gardens
- 5. Elitch Gardens
- 6. Confluence Park
- 7. Colorado State Capitol
- 8. Cherry Creek State Park
- 9. Four Mile Historic Park
- 10. Forney Museum of Transportation
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in Denver
Must-see attractions in Denver
1. Denver Art Museum
Spread out over seven stories, the Denver Art Museum is filled with thousands of Western and regional works of art. In this museum, you will be able to find a selection of modern and contemporary art, as well as photography, textiles, indigenous pieces from North America and work from artists in Denver and the Rocky Mountain region.
Address: 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
Entry fees: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/plan-your-visit
Hours: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/plan-your-visit
Time required to see the attraction: You will need approximately 4 hours to visit the entire museum and its exhibits.
2. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Spanning over 15,000 acres, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge was first created in 1992. Approximately 330 different species inhabit the refuge, including animals such as coyotes, deer, racoons, white pelicans and black-tailed prairie dogs. It’s a great area to spend some quality time in nature and become more familiar with the wildlife in the region.
Address: 6550 Gateway Rd, Commerce City, CO 80022
Entry fees: Free
Hours: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky-mountain-arsenal
Time required to see the attraction: You will want to have at least 3 to 4 hours to explore the entire refuge and enjoy some recreational activities.
3. Larimer Square
As one of the most historic blocks in Denver, Larimer Square is filled with a variety of heritage buildings, quaint restaurants and indie shops. The area is known for being lively and particularly pedestrian-friendly, as well as for being the creative soul of the city and a meeting place for local artists.
Address: 1430 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24 hours a day
Time required to see the attraction: You will need approximately 2 hours to walk around and explore the entire square.
4. Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens include a 23-acre park that has a conservatory and a sunken amphitheater, which is known for hosting a variety of concerts during the summer months. In the gardens, you will find plants from all over the world, as well as those that are native to Denver and the larger region.
Address: 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
Entry fees: https://www.botanicgardens.org/york-street
Hours: https://www.botanicgardens.org/york-street
Time required to see the attraction: You will need approximately 2 to 3 hours to see all the gardens.
5. Elitch Gardens
During the warmer months, the Elitch Gardens are a particularly popular destination in Denver, as they consist of a seasonal waterpark and amusement park. Here, visitors can enjoy a variety of different games and rides, including roller coasters, that are great for all ages, making it a fun family activity.
Address: 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204
Entry fees: https://www.elitchgardens.com/tickets/
Hours: https://www.elitchgardens.com/plan-a-visit/park-hours/
Time required to see the attraction: You will typically need a full day to enjoy the entire amusement park.
6. Confluence Park
An urban park in Lower Downtown Denver, Confluence Park is right where Cherry Creek and the South Platte River meet. It’s a great place to be outdoors, as there are a variety of riverside trails that are convenient for biking, running and walking. You can also go fishing in the South Platte River.
Address: 2250 15th St, Denver, CO 80202
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24 hours a day
Time required to see the attraction: You will need approximately 2 to 3 hours to see the entire park and enjoy a recreational activity.
7. Colorado State Capitol
Home to the Colorado General Assembly, the Colorado State Capitol has many exhibits related to the state’s history and offers frequent tours for visitors. It was first constructed in the late 1800s and is also where Colorado’s state archives are kept. The interior is impressive, as much of it is made from Colorado Rose Onyx, a rare rose marble coming from the state.
Address: 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Entry fees: Free
Hours: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/book-tour
Time required to see the attraction: A tour of the building will take 1 to 2 hours.
8. Cherry Creek State Park
Made up of an 880-acre reservoir, Cherry Creek State Park is a natural prairie and wetland environment known for its boating opportunities. It also has a large imported-sand swimming beach that has plenty of parking nearby, making it a convenient place to spend some time in the water.
Address: 4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014
Entry fees: Free
Hours: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/CherryCreek
Time required to see the attraction: You will need 3 to 4 hours to explore the park and enjoy recreational activities.
9. Four Mile Historic Park
For a unique experience, step back in time and go to Four Mile Historic Park, an open-air museum that features a variety of exhibits related to Denver’s Western heritage. It is home to the oldest standing structure in the city and offers a variety of tours, while also hosting periodic events and having educational programs.
Address: 715 S Forest St, Denver, CO 80246
Entry fees: https://www.fourmilepark.org/visit/
Hours: https://www.fourmilepark.org/visit/
Time required to see the attraction: You will need 4 to 5 hours to visit the entire park and see its exhibits.
10. Forney Museum of Transportation
With a one-of-a-kind collection that contains over 600 artifacts, the Forney Museum of Transportation is an interesting sight to visit. It allows visitors to get up close and personal with not only vehicles, but also motorcycles, steam locomotives, aircraft, carriages, rail equipment and more. It’s a great way to learn about the history of transportation and the entire family is sure to enjoy the visit.
Address: 4303 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216
Entry fees: Free
Hours: https://www.forneymuseum.org/
Time required to see the attraction: It will take you 1 to 2 hours to visit the museum and all of its exhibits.
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Denver
Denver has a vibrant food scene that is filled with a variety of different cuisines and local delicacies. Whether you’re interested in classic American food or Japanese fusion, Denver has something for you. Beer lovers are also sure to enjoy their time in this city, as it has become quite popular for its craft brews.
Tavernetta: An upscale Italian restaurant, Tavernetta can be found in the Union Station neighborhood and is a nice place to go for a date or special occasion. Diners particularly love the burrata and the lamb ragu rigatoni.
Denver Milk Market: The Denver Milk Market is a unique mixture of local restaurants and bars found at the corner of the historic Dairy Block alley. You can find all sorts of food here and the market often hosts public events.
Williams & Graham: Placed in the Lower Highlands neighborhood, Williams & Graham is a Prohibition-era speakeasy that features rotating craft cocktails as well as hearty dishes like lamb shank and deviled eggs.
