15 Top Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Denver, CO

December 22, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 1692 Views

Denver is the capital city of Colorado state in the United States of America. It is situated in the South Platte River valley. Some of the best things to do in Denver, Colorado include exploring art, history, amusement parks, and nature.

The city was officially founded in 1858 as a gold mining camp. It was a major center of Pike Peak’s Gold Rush. Some of the best places to visit in Denver, Colorado are the museums exploring the history of the city. At this place, you will get to look back upon the classic Western culture. Many of downtown Denver’s attractions recreate Western themes in modern settings. You will see this at Larimer Square and the Union Station decor.

You should also check out the science and Nature Museum to learn about the natural history of the region. This place is also included among Denver tourist attractions for its entertainment facilities. Speaking of which, you can also check out the city’s Zoo, Aquarium, public parks, and botanical gardens during Denver sightseeing for leisure and entertainment.

Other popular aspects of Denver travel is the Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. These places are steeped in natural wonders as well as history. You will come across some of the most wonderful things to see in Denver at these parks. They are also well known for outdoor activities to do in Denver, Colorado. You can come here to explore nature, discover wildlife, and enjoy adventure activities.

In terms of culture, you will come across an interesting art scene when you visit Denver. The city’s art museums have an expansive collection. There are also several places to see in Denver for admirers and practitioners of visual as well as performing arts. It is also known as the Craft Beer Capital of the World and serves as the host of the Great American Beer Festival. The city has several bars serving craft beers and some of them also have interesting indoor activities to do in Denver concerning the beverage.

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Table of Contents

Top 15 Tourist Places to Visit in Denver in 5 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. Denver Museum of Nature & Science

This museum is dedicated to natural history and various fields of science. But, it is better known for fun things to do in Denver, CO. The museum has experience zones, interactive exhibits, a 3D IMAX theatre, a planetarium, and more. Some of the most popular interactive experiences in this museum include Space Odyssey, Wildlife Exhibits, American Indian Cultures, Prehistoric Journey, and Expedition Health. This museum also has fun indoor activities to do in Denver, Colorado for children. You will need at least 2 hours to tour this museum.

2. Denver Zoo

This zoo has more than 4000 animals belonging to different species. It is one of the best places to visit in Denver, Colorado for families. Some of the highlight animals of this zoo include African Lion, Amur Tiger, African Penguin, Flamingo, Asian Elephant, Snapping Turtle, Bald Eagle, Black Rhinoceros, Cape Buffalo, Clouded Leopard, Zebra, Grizzly Bear, Komodo dragon, and more. The zoo also has a 4D theatre and animal interaction experience with stingrays. You will need 2 to 3 hours from Denver sightseeing to explore this place.

3. Denver Botanic Gardens

These beautiful gardens are home to native plant species as well as a few species brought from abroad. The garden also has nature-based art exhibitions that change each year. These are some of the most beautiful things to see in Denver, Colorado. You will see Xeriscape Gardens, Shofu-en, Gardens of the Wind, Pine Garden, Shady Gardens, Water Gardens, and more. You will need about an hour from Denver travel to tour this place.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to Denver Botanic Gardens in advance.

4. Larimer Square

This is one of the oldest blocks among downtown Denver attractions. It was also the city’s first historic district. The square is known for a lot of stuff to do in Denver, Colorado including shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Walkway Gallery at this square displays artworks by different artists. This exhibition is changed periodically. The place is also known for some of the best things to do in Denver at night. It has a lot of nightlife venues and is beautifully lit after dark with a classical old-town ambiance. You will need at least an hour to explore this place.

Day 2

1. Molly Brown House

This house once belonged to activist, socialite, and philanthropist Margaret Brown. It is included among Denver tourist attractions for several reasons. The house is known as the House of Lions and is an architectural heritage. It was built in Queen Anne Style in 1880. Additionally, the museum in this house tells the story of Margaret Brown including her survival on the Titanic. It is also one of the most popular Denver Colorado attractions for The Great Margaret Brown Urban Adventure Race. You will need about an hour to tour this museum when you visit Denver.

2. Colorado State Capitol

This building was built in 1894 and is inspired by the US Capitol. It was designed by Elijah E. Myers. The exterior is made of granite and you will see the golden dome dominating its surroundings. It is one of the most fascinating places to see in Denver. The golden dome commemorates the Colorado Gold Rush era. Even the interiors of this building are beautifully designed with artwork, murals, stone carvings, and more. This building is a must-see in Denver and you will need about an hour to explore it.

3. Denver Art Museum

This museum is home to more than 70,000 pieces of art hailing from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It is one of the most popular places to go in Denver, Colorado for art admirers. The exhibits include a variety of artworks from different time periods. This museum has sculptures, textile art, photographs, art installations, paintings, fashion designs, and more. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

4. Byers–Evans House (Center for Colorado Women’s History)

This house was home to two noteworthy families that played an important role in shaping this city. It is one of the most important historical things to do in downtown Denver. The house was built by William Byers in 1883. Then in 1889, it was purchased by William Gray Evans. This house outlines the lives of members of both families and their contributions to the city. It is also included among Denver, Colorado tourist attractions as it recreates the 1800s era through its interiors. You will need an hour to tour this house museum.

5. Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

This museum is dedicated to the life and work of renowned artist Vance Kirkland. The museum is housed in Kirkland’s former studio and art school. A tour of this place is a must-do in Denver for aspiring artists. The museum exhibits 1,200 paintings created by Kirkland. It also exhibits modern and contemporary international artworks as well as creations of Colorado artists. You will need about 2 hours from Denver sightseeing to tour this museum.

Day 3

1. Elitch Gardens Theme Park

This garden and water park have thrill rides, games, themed zones, pools, slides, amusement zones, entertainment venues, and more. It is a place for fun outdoor activities to do in Denver, Colorado. Some of the biggest attractions of this park include the Big Wheel, Spider, Carousel, Boomerang, Slingshot, and so on. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours from Denver travel to enjoy at this park.

2. Downtown Aquarium

This aquarium has themed zones that recreate different underwater terrains from around the world. You can take a tour of exhibits such as the Colorado river, Kampar River, Indonesia, North America, Coral Lagoon, and more. It is one of the best places to visit in Denver, Colorado for families. You will see a variety of land and ocean creatures including snapping turtles, sunfish, otters, bearded dragons, rays, sharks, tigers, octopus, and more. The place is also known for must-do things in Denver such as scuba diving, animal interactions, mermaid performance, and so on. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this place when you visit Denver.

I suggest that you should get your Ticket to Downtown Aquarium in advance.

Day 4

1. Wings over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

This museum is housed in Hanger No. 1 of the Lowry Air Force base. This museum explores the history of human flight. This museum has several interesting things to see in Denver including 50 real aircraft. These include commercial airlines, bomber planes, fighter crafts, and more. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

2. Washington Park

Spread over 165 acres, this park was designed in 1899 by Reinhard Schuetze. The park has facilities for several outdoor things to do in Denver. It has green spaces, walking trails, biking tracks, picnic spots, outdoor grills, sports activities, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this park.

3. Children’s Museum of Denver

This museum uses interactive exhibits to teach children about science, art, and practical life lessons. The place also has fun activities for children to learn as they have fun. It is one of the most popular Denver tourist attractions for family tourists. You can easily spend an hour or so at this museum.

Day 5

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

This national park is home to a variety of geographical features, but it is most popular for its 60 mountain peaks. You can visit this park for several fun things to do in Denver, Colorado including hiking, trekking, camping, wildlife spotting, mountain climbing, and more. You can go on a drive to explore the beauty of this park. You will come across several animals while exploring this park including Elks, Bisons, Moose, Pronghorns, Bobcats, Cougars, Wolves, Grizzly Bears, and more. You need at least 3 to 4 hours from Denver travel to explore this place.

I suggest you should book a Day Trip to Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver in advance.

If you are looking for more top things to do in Denver, check out the sections below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of all the attractions and activities available in and around the city.

Things to do in Denver

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Denver

Denver Art Museum
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Mollly Brown House
Colorado State Capitol
Children’s Museum of Denver
Museum of Contemporary Art
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Clyfford Still Museum
History Colorado Center
Forney Museum of Transportation
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
Meow Wolf Denver Art Installation
Denver Firefighter Museum
Four Mile Historic Park
Center for Colorado’s Women History
Denver Mint
American Museum of Western Art
Dinosaur Ridge
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Aurora History Museum
Littleton Museum
Morrison Natural History Museum
Museum of Outdoor Arts
Museo de las Americas
Black American West Museum & Heritage Center
The Money Museum
International Church of Cannabis
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys
Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park
National Ballpark Museum
Denver Selfie Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Denver

Cherry Creek State Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Chatfield State Park
Sloan Lake
Mount Falcon Park
Clear Creek
Barr Lake State Park
Bear Creek
Plains Conservation Center
South Valley Park

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Denver

Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Zoo
Elitch Gardens
Coors Field
Downtown Aquarium
Water World
Confluence Park
Lakeside Amusement Park
The Hudson Gardens & Event Center
Chatfields Farms
Fillmore Auditorium
Bear Creek Lane Park
National Western Stock Show
Balistreri Vineyards
Pirates Cove Water Park
Colorado Ski Country
Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater
City Park
Robert F. Clement Park
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Sloan’s Lake Park
Ruby Hill Park
South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center
Belleview Park
Centennial Center Park
Washington Park
Paco Sanchez Park
Seaquest Littleton

Shopping in Denver

16th Street Mall
The Denver Central Market
Stanley Marketplace
Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Denver Pavilions
Mile High Flea Market
Antique Row
South Broadway
Union Station
Larimar Sqaure
Highlands Square
Colorado Mills
The Shops at Northfield

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Denver

Skiing
Hiking
Trekking
Camping
Mountain Climbing
Wildlife Safari

Sightseeing in Denver

Larimer Square
Downtown Denver
Larimer Street
RiNo Art District
South Broadway
Dairy Block
East Colfax Avenue
Big Blue Bear
Daniels & Fisher Tower
Federal Boulevard
Denver Trolley
McGregor Square

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Denver

Bigsby’s Folly Craft Winery & Restaurant
Lao Wang
Stranahan’s Whiskey Distillery & Cocktail Bar
High Point Creamery
El Taco de Mexico
My Brother’s Bar
House of Bread
La Fogata
Tokyo Premium Bakery
Denver Biscuit Company
Onefold
Biker Jim’s
Twansburger
El Taco de Mexico
Not Yo Mama’s Cupcakes
Sam’s No. 3
Rosenberg’s
Uncle
Maria Empanada
Hop Alley
Mizuna
Fish n Beer
Roaming Buffalo
Bastien’s
Star Kitchen
Quiero Arepas

Where to Stay in Denver?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Denver. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Denver.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Denver

How to Reach Denver?

By Air

The city is served by Denver International Airport which sits about 18 miles from the city center. You can get direct flights to visit Denver from Mexico City, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, London, Panama City, Boston, New York, Zurich, Reykjavik, Frankfurt, Munich, Philadelphia, Calgary, and many more.

You can get buses, cabs, and commuter trains to get to the city from the airport.

By Road

Denver sits on Amtrak routes California Zephyr. You can reach Denver by train from Chicago, Omaha, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. You can get Greyhound and Autobus Americanos buses for Denver travel from several cities in America.

If you are planning to visit Denver by road, you can pick from highway routes I-25, U.S. Highway 36 & 40, or Interstate 70 & 25.

By Water

There are no direct water routes to reach Denver.

Image Reference

Denver Museum of Nature & Science – mrwynd / Flickr
Denver Zoo – Donlammers / Wikimedia Commons
Denver Botanic Gardens – Bradley Gordon / Flickr
Larimer Square – brotherlywalks / Flickr
Molly Brown House – David / Flickr
Colorado State Capitol – beautifulcataya / Flickr
Denver Art Museum – Frank Dürr / Flickr
Byers–Evans House (Center for Colorado Women’s History) – beautifulcataya / Flickr
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art – Jeffrey Beall / Wikimedia Commons
Elitch Gardens Theme Park – Terry Robinson / Flickr
Downtown Aquarium – Kent Kanouse / Flickr
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum – Jason / Flickr
Washington Park – Tea Tater / Flickr
Children’s Museum of Denver – ZoeO / Wikimedia Commons
Rocky Mountain National Park – qurlyjoe / Flickr