Lucky for you, Denver is a walkable city with a compact downtown, which means that you can see a lot in short order during your visit, from the beautiful red brick buildings of Lower Downtown (LoDo) to the industrial revival of the River North Art District (RiNo) to world-class museums and other attractions.

To make things as efficient as possible, there are tons of restaurants all along the 16th Street pedestrian promenade and various food halls where everyone can get what they want.

 

 

If You Have 3 Hours to Explore Denver

See the downtown core, including LoDo, by hitting these highlights and getting the flavor of the historic parts of town.

 

Denver Union Station

The renovated 1914 Beaux-Arts train station creates a commanding presence in the heart of LoDo. The soaring ceilings in the Great Hall and a trio of intricate chandeliers (weighing 1,200 pounds each) instantly transport you back in time. This space is also considered the city’s “living room,” where locals like to hang out. You’ll find upscale bars, restaurants as well as a cafe, bookstore and ice cream shop. 

 

Larimer Square

Victorian buildings meet specialty boutiques and chef-driven restaurants in the city’s oldest commercial block. 

 

McGregor Square

Right next door to Coors Field, this is a must-see for sports fans. It has a 17,000-square-foot plaza, a food hall and a stadium-sized LED screen. The plaza hosts year-round events.

 

Commons Park/Confluence Park

These two adjacent parks are located on the banks of the South Platte River. Where the river meets Cherry Creek, take a moment to take in the soothing rapids. The tree-lined promenade along Little Raven Street has many seating areas. 

 

16th Street

The mile-long pedestrian promenade has been completely revitalized. It’s the spine that connects all of downtown. The 16th Street FreeRide buses stop at every corner to make exploring easy. Check out the Daniels & Fisher Tower, a two-thirds replica of the Campanile of St. Mark's in Venice that was the highest building west of the Mississippi when it was built in 1909.

 

If You Have 6 Hours to Explore Denver

This opens the door to seeing a museum or other major attraction. 

 

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

If you’re traveling with children during the warmer months, they’ll be quite happy here. It’s rare to find an urban theme park near a city center anymore and this gem has 54 rides and attractions.

 

Downtown Aquarium

See more than 15,000 fish, mammals and plants, including an exhibit of swimming Sumatran tigers.

 

History Colorado Center

More than 15 exhibits on four floors tell the story of the Colorado and the American West. It's perfect for families or multigenerational groups with lots of interactive activities and special exhibitions.

 

Denver Art Museum (DAM)

The architecture alone is worth a visit. You could spend all day or multiple days seeing the world-class collections and special exhibitions. DAM is renowned for its Indigenous and Latin American collections. Now part of DAM is the Kirkland Institute of Fine & Decorative Art with its quirky salon-style format, featuring fine art and furnishings. 

 

Sports Museums and Stadium Tours

One of the finest baseball collections in the world is located near Coors Field at the National Ballpark Museum. Or check out the free Colorado Sports Hall of Fame at Empower Field at Mile High. For a fee, you can also take a tour of Ball Arena, home to the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Mammoth. Coors Field and Empower Field also offer tours.

 

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver)

MCA Denver offers a fresh, current take on art and features well-known, innovative national and local artists in a light-filled, architecturally stunning space. Afterwards, kick back with a tea or glass of wine at the plant-filled rooftop cafe.

 

If You Have 12 Hours to Explore Denver

With a full day, you can see multiple museums and neighborhoods and have a nice dinner with a view. 

 

Clyfford Still Museum

It's the exclusive home to one of the 20th century's greatest Abstract Expressionists' entire body of work. Still laid the groundwork for colleagues like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. The museum is home to more than 3,100 of Still's pieces. 

 

Meow Wolf Denver

Meow Wolf Denver's mind-bending Convergence Station will transport you to other realms through visual and immersive art. What's really cool is that the museum is open late into the evenings. 

 

Pro Sports Games

Denver has seven professional sports teams, so there's always a game going on year-round, from hockey to soccer to baseball.

 

Comedy Works

It's a Denver institution located in Larimer Square. Named one of the top five comedy clubs in the country by USA Today and owned by Denver comedy veteran Wende Curtis, you'll see top acts from throughout the country and rising local stars on any given night. 

 

RiNo 

This exciting district blends urban charm and unique industrial revival. Historic warehouses and factories now house jazz bars, restaurants, brewpubs, art galleries and working studios. It's also a hotbed for street art. You'll be entertained no matter which direction you go.  

 

Lower Highland (LoHi)

This lush neighborhood is the perfect way to end your day with dinner at restaurants with a view like Linger, El Five or the more budget-friendly Avanti Food & Beverage food hall, where everyone can get what they want. After dinner, go for dessert at Little Man Ice Cream. You can't miss the giant milk can on the hill, serving up a changing menu of local flavors.