Denver is full of exciting attractions, there's sure to be something for everyone. Whether you want to explore the museums and galleries in our various creative districts or watch one of our seven professional sports teams play a game, there’s no lack of things to see while visiting Denver. 

 

Notable Landmarks  

  • 16th Street – Designed by I.M. Pei and built in 1982, this mile-long, pedestrian-friendly street is packed with shopping, restaurants and attractions. Free buses stop for passengers at every intersection, no ticket needed. 

  • Big Blue Bear – Formally named “I See What You Mean,” the 40-foot bear peeking into the Colorado Convention Center symbolizes the natural Colorado surroundings and curiosity of its residents and visitors alike. It’s a can’t-miss photo opp. 

  • McGregor Square – Adjacent to Coors Field, McGregor Square ushers in a new chapter of entertainment, food, and business travel in Colorado's historic city. Spanning an entire block, the complex includes The Rally Hotel, residences, restaurants and retail outlets, a food hall and an expansive outdoor plaza. 

  • Denver Union Station – Reopened for its 100th anniversary in 2014, and renovated most recently in 2024, Union Station is now a large part of Denver’s energy. With numerous local restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as plenty of public space and one of the hippest boutique hotels in the city, there’s plenty to do and see. 

  • Colorado State Capitol – Find the three Mile High Markers (where the elevation is exactly one mile above sea level, and where Denver gets its nickname, the “Mile High City”), including one on the 13th step in front of the building. Free tours are offered hourly on weekdays. Be sure to get a look at the dome made of real gold, one of only a few in the country, and check out the view from the dome of more than 200 named mountain peaks. 

  • Dairy Block – This historic block was once home to Windsor Dairy and is now a vibrant micro-district that boasts eight shops, 19 restaurants, seven bars, a luxury co-working space and a 172-room boutique hotel. 

  • Larimer Square – Denver’s most historic block is also the heart of its urban shopping and dining district. Victorian buildings house upscale specialty boutiques and unique, chef-driven restaurants. 

  • Coors Brewery – The world's largest brewing site still uses the same Rocky Mountain spring water that Adolph Coors discovered in 1873. Tours show every step in the brewing process and end with samples for those over 21. 

  • Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave – Buffalo Bill Cody's exciting story as Pony Express rider, army scout, buffalo hunter and showman comes to life at this fun museum, high atop Lookout Mountain. Enjoy views of the snowcapped Rockies in one direction, the Great Plains in the other. For those with strong nerves, drive to the museum on the hairpin Lariat Loop Drive, then continue to I-70, exit 250, to see a live herd of buffalo. 

Arts and Culture  

  • Denver Performing Arts Complex – The Denver Performing Arts Complex is the largest performing arts complex under one roof in the U.S. DPAC houses ten performance spaces with 10,000 total seats on its four-block, 12-acre site. 

  • Museum of Contemporary Art – MCA Denver is an innovative forum for contemporary art that inspires and challenges all audiences. The museum is housed in an environmentally sustainable facility designed by David Adjaye. 

  • Clyfford Still Museum – Clyfford Still is considered an originator of the Abstract Expressionism movement. With more than 3,000 pieces, the award-winning Clyfford Still Museum is home to his life’s work. 

  • Denver Art Museum – The Denver Art Museum's Frederic C. Hamilton Building, designed by Daniel Libeskind, and the adjoining fortress-like Martin Building designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti, will change the way you experience art and architecture. Explore the Museum's galleries, renowned traveling exhibits, children’s exhibits and more.  

  • History Colorado Center – The History Colorado Center's hands-on and high-tech exhibits take you back in time. Be sure to walk through the Denver A to Z exhibit for some background on the places you’re visiting. 

  • Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art at the Denver Art Museum – Colorado artist Vance Kirkland’s original studio serves as part of this unique museum. Featuring more than 4,400 works spanning from the 1840s to the present, the museum displays the works of Kirkland, his Colorado and regional colleagues and one of the world’s largest collections of international decorative art. 

  • Molly Brown House Museum – Visit the home of Titanic heroine, the unsinkable Margaret "Molly" Brown, a woman of extraordinary courage. They offer both guided and self-guided tours throughout the day. 

  • Denver Botanic Gardens – Just north of Cherry Creek, the Denver Botanic Gardens entertains and delights with beautiful displays of flora and fauna from all over the world. 

  • Street Art – Throughout the RiNo Art District you will find murals, created by local, national and international artists and sanctioned by the neighborhood and city. As a result of various public art initiatives around the city, Denver has developed a concentrated and thriving street and public art scene, leading AFAR magazine to name it the “Street Art Capital of the Country.” 

  • Meow Wolf – With over 70 interactive installations across four alien worlds, Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station blends storytelling, exploration and local artistry into a truly otherworldly experience. 

  • Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre – Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is a world-famous outdoor venue located approximately 30 minutes from Denver. The only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world, Red Rocks is recognized for its star-studded concert roster and ambience, as well as its awe-inspiring hiking and biking trails. The free Visitor Center features the Colorado Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, interactive educational displays and a short film on the geologic and musical history of Red Rocks. 

Shopping  

  • Rockmount Ranch Wear – Home to the original snap front western shirts, this is a third-generation, family-owned business since 1946 – started by “Papa” Jack Weil, who, at age 107 when he passed in 2008, was the oldest working CEO in America. A true Western icon, Rockmount helped popularize Western wear as legitimate American fashion throughout the U.S. and abroad. Be sure to check out the museum in the upper loft and the celebrity gallery around the store. 

  • Cherry Creek Shopping Center – Located just minutes from downtown, Cherry Creek Shopping Center has more than 160 stores, including Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Louis Vuitton and the RH (Restoration Hardware) flagship store, among other high-end shops. Additionally, the shopping center is home to a movie theater and over 15 eateries including 801 Chophouse, Kona Grill and Flow Child. 

  • Cherry Creek North – Cherry Creek North offers a charming outdoor atmosphere and over 300 businesses, including fashion boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, spas and fitness studios. Whether you’re looking for a luxury shopping experience or a relaxing spa day, Cherry Creek North is the perfect place for elevated fun.  

  • South Broadway Shopping District – Once called "the richest mile of retail west of the Mississippi," shopping here takes you back to a time when customer service ruled the day. From vintage clothing and specialty hobby stores, to stores catering to outdoor and sports enthusiasts, the South Broadway Shopping District is quaint, low-key and exceedingly enjoyable. 

Sports and Outdoor Adventure  

  • Confluence Park – Denver was founded as a gold mining camp in 1858 with people panning for gold in the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. Today, the park at the confluence of these rivers is the heart of Denver's 850-mile bike trail network, and, with its central location in downtown Denver, a popular recreation spot for kayaking, tubing and more. 

  • Cherry Creek Bike Path – This paved trail begins where Denver was first founded and runs along the creek all the way through the city. It is one of the most popular trails in Denver, and one of the prettiest. 

  • City Park – Adjacent to Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature & Science, City Park features several large green spaces and one of the most spectacular city skyline views with the Rocky Mountain background. It also features a hiking/jogging trail that is one mile high.  

  • Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado's No. 1 attraction is just 90 minutes from Denver and offers an unforgettable trip into the heart of the Rocky Mountains. More than 350 square miles of parkland feature trails that meander to valleys of wildflowers, thundering waterfalls, high alpine lakes and craggy, snowcapped peaks. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous highway in the world with panoramic views in all directions. See elk, moose and big horn sheep, while hawks and eagles circle overhead. At the entrance to the park, the historic resort village of Estes Park offers shopping and dining. 

  • Coors Field – Home to Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies, Coors Field is a Denver landmark for the iconic American sport, and – more recently – major headliner concerts. 

  • Empower Filed at Mile High – Home of the National Football League’s Denver Broncos, Empower Field at Mile High is a year-round entertainment venue, featuring games, concerts, monster truck rallies and more. 

  • Ball Arena – Home to the NHL Colorado Avalanche, NBA Denver Nuggets and NLL Colorado Mammoth, this state-of-the-art arena hosts more than 250 events annually, including professional sports, concerts, family shows and special events. 

Family-Friendly Fun  

  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science – For more than 100 years, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has been at the heart of cultural experience in Denver. Explore the cosmos in its planetarium, uncover dazzling gems and minerals, wander through prehistoric habitats and watch a showing at the IMAX theater.  

  • Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance – Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance spans more than 75 acres and is home to more than 4,000 animals including rare Amur leopards, okapi, elephants, orangutans, Komodo dragons and more. 

  • Dinosaur Ridge – An outdoor museum and visitor center where important dinosaur discoveries were made in the late 1800s. See Stegosaurus bones, Iguanodon tracks and ripple marks preserved in this unique outdoor setting. 

  • Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park – Located in the heart of Denver for 130 years, Elitch Gardens is America’s only Downtown Theme and Water Park. The park is open May through October with something for everyone with 53 rides and attractions, including 14 pint-sized adventures, thrilling roller coasters, cool water slides, dive-in movies, stunning fireworks extravaganzas and Fright Fest hosted in October. 

  • Denver Downtown Aquarium – The Downtown Aquarium mixes family fun, upscale casual dining and spectacular marine life in Denver. Explore the Aquarium Adventure Exhibit with more than one million gallons of extraordinary exhibits. Dine in the Aquarium Restaurant seated around a 150,000-gallon aquarium while you feast on a variety of delicious selections.