Best Things To Do in Denver, Colorado

Denver is the capital of Colorado and one of the most prominent cities of the Old West in the United States, making it an ideal place to discover the spirit of the region through a tour of its main attractions. In addition, it is also a perfect destination to use as a base to discover the nearby natural wonders, consisting of mountains, peaks and landscapes that you won't want to miss.

During your trip, you will be able to see the traditional sites of the historic city center, but also live some typical local experiences, such as attending a Nuggets NBA game, touring the Botanical Gardens and enjoying the regional cuisine. You can also take part in organized excursions around Denver to see some of the best scenic views in Colorado.

One of the most outstanding alternatives to explore the history and culture of Denver is to participate in a guided tour, which is usually included in the list of the best Denver tours. On these tours you can visit the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, an architectural jewel that marks kilometer zero of the city, as well as Confluence Park, where the South Platte and Cherry Creek rivers meet to form a natural oasis to escape the urban bustle.

During these experiences you can also visit the Denver Art Museum, which houses a collection ranging from native art of the region to contemporary expressions of local artists. Nearby, you can tour the RiNo district, named for the contraction of River North and known for its colorful street murals, art galleries and well-rounded dining scene.

Finally, the tour will take you through Larimer Square, which is one of the city's oldest landmarks, and the Colorado State Capitol, which is one of Denver's most striking buildings and is often the highlight of guided tours of the city.

If you want to see one of Denver's main attractions, you can't miss the Downtown Aquarium, a place that combines entertainment and a fascinating experience. This aquarium houses marine fauna ranging from tropical fish to sharks, arranged in glazed ponds that recreate their natural habitats.

Among the aquarium's exhibits you'll find freshwater ponds and underwater observation tunnels, where you can enjoy panoramic views of jellyfish and penguins in a natural environment recreated in detail. This is why this place is one of the best activities to do with children in Denver.

In this aquarium, you can also participate in interactive activities that will allow you to learn about marine ecology and ocean conservation. Besides its ponds, this site plays a crucial role in the preservation of species through research and environmental education programs in the open nature.

Attending a Nuggets NBA game will allow you to discover the atmosphere of basketball in the quintessential basketball territory and take part in one of Denver's best activities. At the Ball Center Stadium, home of this franchise, you will be able to watch a live game of one of the league's top teams and be part of the thunderous fan support.

The experience of watching a Nuggets game goes beyond the game itself, as you'll find entertainment during timeouts and commercial breaks featuring concerts and fun contests for all ages. Also, if you plan to visit Denver during the summer you can attend the finals, which offer the best games on the annual NBA schedule.

Keep in mind that NBA games are often among the most popular activities in the United States, so try to get tickets in advance, especially if you plan to tour Denver in December or during peak season months when tickets tend to sell out quickly due to the influx of tourists.

If you want to experience the natural beauty of Denver's surrounding area, you can't miss the Garden of the Gods, a public park that contains sandstone and limestone rock formations and is distinguished by Pikes Peak. This site also offers meandering trails that will take you through stone arches and towers, providing an ideal visual spectacle to take in some of the best panoramic views in the region.

Pikes Peak, known as America's Mother Mountain and the main attraction of the Garden of the Gods, is the second most visited summit in the world after Mount Fuji in Japan. This mountain rises over 4300 meters above sea level, offering views of the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado skyline. Also, if you plan to visit Denver in November or during the winter months, you will be able to make out the snow-capped peaks.

The Garden of the Gods can be visited on your own or as part of some of the best tours from Denver. The latter option will allow you to have the assistance of an expert local guide who will tell you the most interesting stories of the region and the relationship between Pikes Peak and western exploration, as it was a key destination during the Gold Rush in the 19th century.

One of the best alternatives to tour the city in a comfortable and fun way is to participate in a segway tour of Denver. This modern means of transportation, which has become popular in urban tourist destinations, will allow you to get to know the points of interest in an agile and efficient way.

During the itinerary of these experiences you will be able to visit emblematic places such as the historic Larimer Square district, known for its stores and fine dining restaurants. You can also experience the distinctive architecture of the Colorado State Capitol and the art scene in RiNo, the neighborhood famous for its street murals and contemporary art galleries.

A traditional stop on these tours is Confluence Park, a site that blends natural beauty with the history of the region, where the South Platte and Cherry Creek rivers meet. If you plan to visit Denver in October or during the dry season months in Colorado, you will be able to see some of the best sunsets in the city from this site.

If you want to participate in a different activity in Denver you can live an indoor skydiving experience. The vertical wind tunnels recreate the conditions of a parachute jump without having to jump from an airplane, but with the same adrenaline and weightlessness of the traditional practice.

Before starting the experience you can participate in an introductory course in which you will learn the secrets of the activity and, once equipped with a special suit and helmet, you can enter the wind tunnel where powerful air currents will lift you off the ground providing a floating sensation. During the flight you will be assisted by expert instructors who will provide guidance and safety.

Keep in mind that the Denver wind tunnel is accessible to everyone from beginners to experienced skydivers, offering a unique opportunity for those looking to experience the thrill of flight without having to take the step of jumping out of an airplane. It's also an indoor activity, making it perfect when visiting Denver during the winter, as it allows you to shelter from the cold for a few hours.

If you want to explore Denver's largest green oasis, a good alternative is to book admission to the Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1951, these gardens have evolved into an iconic destination that combines plant conservation, environmental education and family-friendly play spaces with a perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Here you can visit a variety of themed gardens, ranging from water gardens to exotic desert landscapes. Also, one of the highlights is the Rose Garden, which dazzles with its fragrances and colors during the flowering season. The Botanical Gardens also house the Butterfly Garden, a space where you can admire these species in their natural environment.

Another option to visit this space is to participate in a bicycle tour that includes this site in the itinerary. These experiences will not only allow you to visit the gardens in a fast and fun way, but also less tiring than a walk. However, you should keep in mind that not all flower trails allow entry by bicycle.

Because of its strategic location in the center of the city, you can combine a visit to the Botanical Gardens with some of the best tours of Denver and other activities close to this destination.

Some of Colorado's best scenery can be found on a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, so if you enjoy scenic views, be sure to explore this site located just a few hours from Denver. Founded in 1915, this park is a natural refuge that is home to mountain scenery, crystal clear lakes and unique wildlife.

In the park you'll find a network of trails that wind through alpine forests, past wildflower meadows and provide sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. During your visit, you can also discover the Trail Ridge Trail, which reaches altitudes of more than 4,000 meters and takes you on a scenic drive where you can see elk, deer, eagles and marmots.

You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park on your own or on one of the best guided tours from Denver. In addition, you can also experience the crystal clear waters of this site, such as Bear Lake and Sprague Lake, which are particularly beautiful during the winter, when they reflect the surrounding snow-capped peaks.

On the other hand, this park also houses the Alpine Visitor Center, which will provide you with information about the geology and ecology of the region, enriching your experience and giving you tools if you want to live an adventurous tour.

If you want to get to know Denver from a different perspective, you can join a food tour or tour the city's restaurants and bars on your own to try Neapolitan pizza, empanadas or Colorado' s famous green chili with pork. This way, you will not only be able to explore the local culinary scene, but also to explore the history of the city through its aromas and flavors.

A place you can't miss to live this adventure is the Lower Downtown, the LoDo, where you will find interesting restaurants such as Mercantile Dining & Provision and The Kitchen, which will allow you to live a gastronomic experience based on the specialties of regional cuisine.

You can also visit Denver's historic flea market, known as The Source . Not only will you be surrounded by locals, but you can also find more casual options, from artisan bakeries to taco stands.

RiNo is another place that will allow you to discover the cuisine of this destination, although with a more eclectic proposal that combines the artistic scene of street murals with avant-garde restaurants. This neighborhood will also offer you some of the best things to do at night in Denver.

The Denver Zoo is one of the main attractions of the city and offers a variety of animals ranging from lemurs to lions. In addition, the popularity of this site lies in the fact that it is not a traditional zoo, but an ecological park that recreates the natural habitats of these species and is therefore one of the best activities to do with children in Denver.

In addition, in this zoo you can attend the Toyota Elephant Passage show, an immersive area that recreates the environments of Asia and Africa and serves as a habitat for elephants, rhinos and other tropical animals. The Primate Panorama offers a similar experience with primates from around the world as protagonists.

Although the complete visit to the zoo lasts approximately 4 to 5 hours, if you are planning a short stay in Denver of 3 days or even less, you can opt for a simplified tour that will take you through the main shows of this site and a guided tour.

Because of its central location, you can combine a zoo tour with other activities in the city, such as brewery tours, Denver graffiti tours or the Botanic Gardens.