International Visitors Guide to Denver, Colorado

A vibrant, outdoor city at the base of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Denver is the gateway to the American West and an ideal starting – or ending – point for travelers coming to the United States for the world's biggest football tournament. As Colorado’s capital and the cultural center of the Rocky Mountain region, Denver offers the best of both worlds. And getting here is easy. Denver International Airport (DEN) has nonstop service from nearly three dozen international cities, and direct flights to all 16 tournament host cities, meaning you can leave the crowds behind between matches. 

Experience Western U.S. Culture, Sunshine and Mountains

Famously called the Mile High City, Denver sits 5,280 feet (1 mile, or 1,609 m) above sea level at the base of the Rockies, where soaring mountain views meet a vibrant, walkable downtown.

Denver offers the best of both worlds, from world-class recreation and family fun to a thrilling events calendar and more than 30 Michelin-rated restaurants. With warm days, cool nights and blue skies year-round, it’s a must-see city to visit before, during or after football matches.

Known as Sports City, USA, Denver 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 on a beautiful summer day. And during the tournament, you can keep up with the action at sports bars and watch parties across the city.

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.

The Golden Triangle Creative District downtown is the heart of the city’s cultural scene, with 6 museums all within walking distance. Denver Art Museum is known for its Indigenous, Latin American and Western art collections. Next door, 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 in the Golden Triangle, provides a fascinating and interactive glimpse of Colorado and the American West. For a truly impressive and immersive art experience, make the short trip to Meow Wolf Denver's Convergence Station, where more than 300 artists create an inter-dimensional journey through imaginary worlds in an immersive, hands-on experience. 

On stage, the Denver Performing Arts Complex downtown hosts Broadway-touring shows and local productions, while Denver’s indoor and outdoor venues host live music every night of the year.  

Denver Botanic Gardens, one of the top five botanic gardens in America,  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. 

Back to Top of List

The One and Only Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks, a naturally occurring outdoor music venue just outside of the city, has hosted everyone from the Beatles and U2 to top rock and electronic artists. It’s simply the best place in the world to see live music, so be sure to check out the summer calendar.  

Back to Top of List

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, which dates back to 1893, include a gold-panning lesson.

Back to Top of List

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 in the historic Five Points neighborhood commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and the beginning of independence for African Americans. Denver PrideFest is an annual 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, 2026, brings in hundreds of artists from all over. 

Back to Top of List

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. For starters, 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. The Wild Animal Sanctuary, about 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Denver, houses about 450 rescued animals. It’s the oldest and largest carnivore sanctuary in the world. You can view lions, tigers, bears and other animals from a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) elevated walkway. 

Near Denver, there are many options to book whitewater rafting and fly-fishing excursions, bike tours and ziplining experiences. Denver also 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. 

Back to Top of List

Dining in Denver

With more than 30 Michelin-rated restaurants, Denver has solidified its place as a top foodie destination. Chefs source local ingredients like the famous green chile peppers at farm-to-table bistros and find innovative ways to create the most ecologically friendly practices. Whether you're craving elevated dining, global flavors or a Colorado sun-soaked patio experience, the city offers something for every palate. From kid-friendly food halls that aim to please all customers to romantic restaurants perfect for a special night out, there’s no shortage of delicious spots to explore. Denver is also a beer-lover's paradise, with more breweries than any other U.S. city. 

Back to Top of List

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.

Back to Top of List

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.

Back to Top of List

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.

Back to Top of List

Getting Around Denver

The airport train (A Line) connects Denver International Airport to Denver Union Station in downtown in just 37 minutes. 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. 

Denver is also an easy city to explore car-free, with extensive bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and convenient public transit options throughout the metro area.

Back to Top of List

Frequently Asked Questions

No matter what brings you to Denver, you’ll find a city that’s easy to enjoy — welcoming, walkable and full of things to see and do. Here are a few helpful tips to make planning your visit even easier.