International Visitors Guide to Denver, Colorado

Experience Western U.S. Culture, Sunshine and Mountains

Denver is the gateway to the American West and an ideal starting point for travelers coming to the United States for the 2026 World Cup. As Colorado’s capital and the cultural center of the Rocky Mountain region, it offers a true taste of Western life — from outdoor adventure to local food, art and sports. With its central location, pleasant weather and blue skies year-round, Denver is a must-see city to visit before, after or between football matches.

And getting here is easy. There are direct flights from all 16 World Cup host cities to Denver International Airport (DEN), and a convenient train that connects the airport to downtown in just 37 minutes. Across the metro area, you’ll find lodging options at every price point — from luxury hotels to affordable hostels.

What Makes Denver Different

Famously called the Mile High City, Denver sits 5,280 feet (1,609 m) above sea level at the base of the Rockies, so you can easily spot soaring mountain views from parks and rooftop patios.

Denver is also known as Sports City, USA, and is home to seven professional sports teams, including two soccer teams. There isn’t anything more American than catching a Colorado Rockies baseball game at Coors Field in the heart of downtown Denver on a beautiful summer day. You can also keep up with the World Cup matches at various sports bars or the giant video screen at McGregor Square next to Coors Field.

Denver is famous for craft beer and Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, an outdoor music venue surrounded by sandstone rock formations that draws the biggest stars in the world. For families, you’ll find endless outdoor adventure in all directions.

Museums and Attractions in Denver

As the cultural center of the region, Denver has major attractions and museums that highlight our Western roots and fine art. Check out Denver CityPASS or Mile High Culture Pass to save on admission. 

Denver Art Museum is known for its Indigenous, Latin American and Western art collections, while the Clyfford Still Museum is the only place in the world to see a collection of this abstract expressionist’s works. Still influenced many other American artists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko.

History Colorado Center, also located nearby in the Golden Triangle Creative District, provides a fascinating and interactive glimpse of Colorado and the American West. For a truly impressive and immersive art experience, head to Meow Wolf Denver on the other side of town where artists create imaginary worlds with mostly recycled materials.

The Denver Performing Arts Complex hosts Broadway-touring shows and local productions, while the world-renowned Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre has a full summer music schedule.

One of the top five botanic gardens in America, Denver Botanic Gardens is an oasis in the city where you can learn about native Colorado plants, along with species from other regions, and see nature-inspired artworks.

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Old West Experiences in Denver

There are lots of ways to experience the Old West and the various cultures that settled here. The Black American West Museum highlights the African American experience in the West, the American Museum of Western Art features the artworks of Frederic Remington and Charles Russell, and the Museo de las Americas is the premier Latin American art museum in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Movie stars, musicians, cowboys, ranchers and anyone who loves Western apparel have been shopping Rockmount Ranch Wear in downtown Denver since 1946. For a true taste of the West, head straight for Buckhorn Exchange, Denver’s oldest steakhouse dating to 1893, for steak, buffalo and elk, or head west of Denver to The Fort Restaurant in Morrison. The Fort is a full-size replica of an 1830s adobe fur-trading post that has been serving up delicious historical meals, such as buffalo, elk, quail, beef and poultry since 1963. 

Pair a visit to The Fort Restaurant with a stop at the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave in nearby Golden. William F. Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill, was an American soldier, bison hunter and showman and one of the most famous figures of the Wild West. While you’re in Morrison and Golden, consider driving the 40-mile (64 km) Lariat Loop Scenic Byway that includes both communities. Or continue west from Golden on Interstate 70 to Idaho Springs, where the first gold in Colorado was discovered in 1859. Tours of the Argo Mill and Tunnel, that dates back to 1893, include a gold-panning lesson.

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Festivals in Denver

The months of June and July are packed with festivals that are free to attend. Many of them are the largest of their kind in America.

The annual Juneteenth Music Festival commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and the beginning of independence for African Americans. Denver PrideFest is a two-day event that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and welcomes everyone. There are tons of Independence Day activities around July 4 honoring the founding of the United States 250 years ago. And the popular Cherry Creek Arts Festival, July 3-5, 2025, brings in hundreds of artists from all over.

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Outdoor Recreation In and Around Denver

Make Denver your base camp for outdoor adventure. You don’t have to leave the city to enjoy 850 miles (1,368 km) of walking and biking trails. Visit the 330-acre (134 ha) City Park featuring lakes, sports fields, picnic sites and historic monuments as well as Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Or explore Denver’s many other parks and green spaces.

See bison, deer, raptors, prairie dogs, coyotes and more at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. At the refuge, hike on 20 miles (32 km) of easy trails, explore the 11-mile (18 km) Wildlife Drive auto tour and take part in free nature programs.

Discover a great selection of outdoor apparel and gear to purchase at stores like Arc’teryx and Patagonia. If you’re traveling light, you can rent all kinds of outdoor gear at Confluence Kayaks, Outdoor Geeks and REI. Near Denver, there are many options to book whitewater rafting and fly-fishing excursions, bike tours and ziplining experiences. Denver offers easy access to historic mountain towns like Georgetown, Idaho Springs and Estes Park and well-known ski towns like Breckenridge, Vail and Winter Park.

Colorado is home to several national parks. Rocky Mountain National Park, famous for its high peaks and wildlife, is only an hour and 30 minutes from Denver. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America and is a little less than four hours away. On the other side of the state, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has a 2,000-foot-deep (610 m) canyon, while Mesa Verde National Park is known for its Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.

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Dining in Denver

Colorado is known for its delicious green chile. The green chile peppers are often turned into a sauce that’s poured over burritos and hamburgers. You’ll find it offered at many restaurants. Denver is famous for its steakhouses and restaurants that serve wild game like Appaloosa Grill in downtown.

With more than 30 Michelin-rated restaurants, you’ll find a wide variety of international cuisine. Learn more about local food and drink production by booking a food tour or visiting farmers’ markets.

Denver’s food halls are located around the city and also excel at satisfying a wide range of tastes. There’s also something special about rooftop bars with beautiful city skyline and mountain views.

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Live Music and Nightlife in Denver

Local residents love to combine live music with the outdoors. In addition to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, there are many other outdoor venues.

Large music venues bring in the biggest touring musicians. For something completely different, check out The Perplexiplex at Meow Wolf Denver and Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox. Dazzle and Nocturne serve up food and drinks alongside live jazz. For country music and line dancing, head to Grizzly Rose.

Denver’s nightlife scene also has great cocktail lounges, dance clubs and comedy clubs.

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Shopping in Denver

Downtown Denver has many shopping options along the 16th Street pedestrian promenade and in historic Larimer Square. You’ll find boutiques and thrift stores like Garage Sale Vintage that also has a bar. Stop by Topo Designs, a Colorado company that makes backpacks, clothing and other travel essentials. It’s located in the River North Art District (RiNo) where you’ll see vivid street art everywhere, plus art galleries and craft breweries.

Just minutes from downtown, the Cherry Creek neighborhood features both Cherry Creek North and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, which together offer more than 300 stores, 75 cafés and restaurants, 50 spas and salons, and five hotels.

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Family-Friendly Activities in Denver

It’s easy to keep families entertained in Denver. Your children can learn about dinosaurs at Dinosaur Ridge, an outdoor museum with dinosaur bones and tracks, or see the prehistoric exhibitions at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in City Park. Also in City Park, see more than 2,500 animals at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. 

Other places where children can learn and have fun at the same time include the Colorado Railroad Museum, home to vintage locomotives and miniature train rides; the Forney Museum of Transportation, featuring 500 exhibits dedicated to all forms of transportation; and the Wings Over Rockies Air and Space Museum with more than 50 military and civilian aircraft, many of which are important to Colorado’s aviation history.

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Getting Around Denver

The airport train (A Line) connects Denver International Airport to Denver Union Station in downtown. From Union Station, you can access more transportation services such as light rail, buses, taxis and ride-sharing companies like Lyft and Uber.

Or take a short walk to the 16th Street pedestrian promenade that runs through the center of the city. Free shuttle buses called the 16th Street FreeRide run up and down the promenade, stop at every corner and provide access to most downtown hotels.

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