Denver is a city full of beautiful mountain scenery and great cultural offerings. Art museums, parks, hiking, and biking dominating the offerings. After that, it seems like there’s microbreweries on just about every corner. Here’s our favorites things to do in Denver.

1. The Top Attractions in Denver
Denver is a city full of beautiful mountain scenery and great cultural
offerings. Art museums, parks, hiking, and biking dominating the
offerings. After that, it seems like there's microbreweries on just about
every corner.
Here's our favorites things to do in Denver:

2. 1. Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum was founded in 1893 and is one of the West’s
largest art museums. The Museum is anchored by the North Building, which
stands 7 stories tall, has 24 sides, and is clad in grey glass tiles specially
designed by Dow Corning. The newer, angular, Frederic C. Hamilton is an
architectural wonder designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind and
opened in 2006. It consists of 20 sloping planes covered in titanium
shingles. Nearly 70,000+ works of art from around the globe are represented
in the museum’s collection. Works range from pre-Columbian pottery to a
noteworthy collection of American Indian art to Renaissance art, and artists
represented include Georgia O’Keefe and Frederic Remington. In 2014, the
DAM acquired 22 landscape paintings by European masters such as Van
Gogh, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro,
Eugène Boudin and Edouard Manet - read more here (Photo by Ray Tsang)

3. 2. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is both an expansive wilderness and
one of the best concerts venues in the country. Located 15 miles southwest of
Denver in a unique zone where the Great Plains transition into the Rocky
Mountains, Red Rocks is notable for its large sandstone outcroppings and
beautiful mountain vistas. Dinosaur tracks can be seen in the area that date
back 160 millions years. The Amphitheatre is part of the Park and is touted as
being the only naturally-formed, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the
world. The first concert took place here in 1911, and benches were installed
in 1941. The amphitheatre holds 9,450 people. The Beatles played a concert
at Red Rocks in 1964, and many remember seeing the U2 concert that was
filmed there in 1983. The Park spans 868 and is full of hiking trails which
lead past rocks with names such as the Seat of Pluto, the Cave of the Seven
Ladders, Creation Rock, Ship Rock, and Stage Rock. Geologists estimate the
Red Rocks were formed 290-296 million years ago. The park is believed to
have been a favorite camping area for the Ute tribe of Native Americans
- read more here (Photo by jimmy thomas)

4. 3. Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens feature North America’s largest collection of
plants from cold temperate climates around the world - over 15,000 species
of plants packed into the 24 rolling, scenic acres in the heart of Denver.
Popular attractions at the Denver Botanic Gardens include a rock alpine
garden, a tropical conservatory, a Japanese garden, and many sculptures. In
the summer there are concerts in the sunken amphitheater. In 2014, the
Botanic Gardens unveiled a new Science Pyramid, which give visitors a way
to learn about climate, geography and the ecosystems through high-tech,
interactive exhibits. The pyramid is constructed of “smart glass” turn lightens
or darkens in response to the amount of sunlight shining on it, and interior
lighting that changes color in response to the outside temperature - read more
here (Photo by Dave & Margie Hill)

5. 4. Coors Field
Coors Field is a retro ballpark built of brick and steel located in Denver’s
LoDo neighborhood, and it is the home of Major League Baseball’s Colorado
Rockies. Seats at Coors Field offers great views of the Rocky Mountains in
the distance, and the seats in the 20th row of the upper deck are purple to
designate the one-mile elevation point. Interestingly, when the stadium was
completed in 1995, it was the first baseball-only National League Park built
since Dodger Stadium was built in 1962. Seventeen years later, when Marlins
Park opened in 2012, Coors Field became the third oldest stadium in the
National League - read more here (Photo by Designsbykari)

6. 5. Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Denver Museum of Nature & Science was founded in 1900 and has grown
from being housed in a log cabin to its current home, a huge, 500,000-square-
foot building that holds more than one million artifacts in its various
collections. Art, science and history are the focus at the museum – from
prehistoric creatures to the vastness of outer space. Popular exhibits include
the Phipps IMAX Theater, the Gates Planetarium, Prehistoric Journey, North
American Indian Cultures, and Space Odyssey. The Discovery Zone is a
hands-on educational center geared toward children. When at the Denver
Museum of Nature & Science, look for the 8 tiny elves painted in the
dioramas. Also, there are 2 mechanical butterflies that move their wings
every few seconds in the Edge of the wild exhibit - read more here (Photo
by John W. Schulze)

7. 6. Mount Evans Scenic Byway and Wilderness
Mount Evans Scenic Byway and Wilderness is less than an hour west of
Denver and is one of America’s most scenic drives. The drive starts at 8,700
feet and climbs to 14,240 feet at the summit, passing through 3 life zones
along the way, including small regions of arctic tundra. Expect hairpin turns
with scenic vistas around every corner, with many pull-offs and places to stop
and hike along the way. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway and Wilderness
features wildlife such as bighorn sheep and mountain goats, 2,000 year old
Bristlecone pines, and numerous valleys dotted with alpine
lakes. Approximately 120 miles of trails traverse the wilderness. There is a
visitor center at the start of the byway just off I-70 in Idaho Springs. The
Byway is usually accessible from Memorial Day to Labor Day - read more
here (Photo by Shogun_X)

8. 7. Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo has over 3,500 animals representing 650 species on 80 acres of
land in City Park. The zoo was one of the first to replace caged exhibits with
natural barriers, and the zoo does a good job of allowing visitors to get close
to the animals without being intrusive. Popular exhibits include Toyota
Elephant Passage, Primate Panorama, Predator Ridge, Asian Tropics,
and Bear Mountain. The zoo was founded in 1896 when an orphaned
American black bear cub was given to the mayor of Denver. Native
waterfowl were soon added, followed by prairie dogs, antelope, and Chinese
peacocks. Red squirrels were added next, but they decimated the bird
population and had to be relocated. A Bear Mountain exhibit that opened in
1918 was the first to eliminate cages in favor of moats and rock wall
barriers. All in all the zoo is well-designed, clean, very large, and not overly
pricey - read more here (Photo by Drew Avery)

9. 8. Great Divide Brewing Company
Denver is a great city for microbreweries, so visitors need to tour at least on
brewery. Great Divide Brewing Company brewed their first batch of beer
back in 1994, and 3 months later they won their first medals at the Great
American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. Since then, founder Brian
Dunn has grown his brewery from a single employee (him) to over 40
employees making over 25 different beers. Tours of the Great Divide
Brewing Company are free and conveniently end at the Tap Room, where
there are 16 seasonal and year-round beers on tap. They don’t serve food, but
there are food trucks at the brewery nearly 7 days a week - read more
here (Photo by Bernt Rostad)

10. 9. Cherry Creek Bike Path
Cherry Creek Bike Path follows its namesake creek from Confluence Park
in downtown Denver through Cherry Creek State Park and then farther south
for miles. It’s an excellent way to see Denver. With a few interruptions along
the way, it ends up going 40 miles to Franktown. The trail is great for biking,
but it’s also great for walking or jogging. Riders can also pack food and stop
for lunch in one of the parks. Highlights along the way include the Cherry
Creek Shopping District, Four Mile House and Historic Park, Cherry Creek
State Recreation Area, and Castlewood Canyon State Park. Markers
alongside the trail describing the Native Americans who once lived here, as
well historic explaining dealing with wildlife and birds. Bikes can be rented
from www.cherrycreekbikerack.com or from one of Denver’s B-cycles bike-
sharing locations - read more here (Photo by Jessica Reeder)

11. 10. Clyfford Still Museum
Clyfford Still was an American painter and one of the leading figures of
Abstract Expressionism. The significance of his works gained immediate
notoriety when New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art presented and
exhibition his work in 1979 – it was the largest exhibition of a living
artist ever presented by the institution. Sadly, Clyfford Still died one year
later. In his will, he specified that his entire estate would be given to an
American city willing to establish “permanent quarters” dedicated to his
work. Denver won, and the Museum opened in 2011. Amazingly, the
museum holds nearly 94% of his works. Still's contemporaries included such
notables as Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, and Mark
Rothko. The building is a beautiful concrete structure filled with natural light
located next to the Denver Museum of Art in Denver’s burgeoning Cultural
Arts District - read more here (Photo by Daniel X. O’Neil)

12. 11. Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art in Denver is comprised
of artist Vance Kirkland’s former studio and works, plus an impressive
selection of decorative art from around the world. His studio is in an Arts and
Craft style building that was built in 1911 and has been named to the listings
of the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios. What later evolved into the
Denver Art Museum had its beginnings in the building. Vance Kirkland lived
from 1904 to 1981, and the The Kirkland Retrospective includes over 1,000
of his paintings that range in style form Surrealism to Abstract
Expressionism. His art collection at the museum displays over 3,500
examples of international decorative art from the years 1875 to about 1990.
Every major design period from Arts & Crafts to Postmodern is represented,
including Art Noveau and Art Deco. Modern furniture, paintings, glass and
pottery, and small electronics are all part of the collection. There is also a
sculpture garden outside - read more here (Photo by Dan Lurie)

13. 12. Denver Center for the Performing Arts
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is the hub for theatrical
performances for the entire Rocky Mountain region. The complex includes
10 spaces with a total seating capacity of 10,000, and it is home to the Tony-
winning Denver Center Theatre Company, which performs classical and
world premiere theatre, and Denver Center Attractions, which presents
Broadway musicals and cabaret. The Boettcher Concert Hall was built in
1978 and is the first in-the-round concert hall in the United States. To find the
Denver Center for the Performing Arts, look for the 60-foot fiberglass
dancers displayed in front of the beautiful downtown building. Check their
web site for a schedule of performances - read more here (Photo by Quan Ha)

14. 13. Washington Park
Washington Park is often considered to be the Central Park of Denver, and
is the perfect place for both locals and visitors to enjoy the over 300 days of
sunshine that Denver enjoys every year. “Wash Park” occupies 155 acres just
south of downtown and is anchored by two lakes – Smith Lake in the north
part of the park and Grasmere Lake in the southern part, and paddle-boats can
be rented from the historic Washington Park Boathouse. Running, walking,
and biking trail criss-cross the park, and there's great playgrounds for kids
and lots of greenspace for relaxing and playing sports. Two beautiful flower
gardens occupy the park, one of which is a replica of George Washington’s
gardens at Mount Vernon. The Washington Park neighborhood is one of the
oldest neighborhoods in Denver and features stunning early twentieth century
brick houses. There’s great restaurants and shopping within walking distance
along South Gaylord Street and Alameda Avenue - read more here (Photo
by Jeffrey Beall)

15. 14. Mayan Theater
Denver's Mayan Theater was built in 1930 and is one of only
three remaining in the United States that was built in the Mayan Revival
style. In the 1960's and 1970's, competition from newer suburban
movieplexes cut into attendance, and The Mayan was eventually closed and
abandoned. It was slated for demolition in the mid-1980’s before being saved
at the last moment. It was soon designated as a National Landmark, and the
beautiful theatre was restored to its former glory at a cost of nearly $2
million. Today, the Mayan features three-screens are shows a combination of
independent and foreign films along with critically-acclaimed mainstream
movies. Upstairs, it has a full bar and cafe - read more here (Photo by Laurel
Barickman)

16. 15. Denver Microbrew Tour
The Denver Microbrew Tour offers visitors a guided 1.5 mile stroll through
the historic LODO and Ballpark neighborhood districts of downtown Denver
while sampling beer from some of the town's many micro-
breweries. Downtown Denver alone boasts over 20 micro-breweries, and
there’s no better way to sample the beer than heading straight to the
source. The tours make about 4 stops, with a sampling of beer at each
microbreweries or tap room. The guides keep things fun with beer trivia and
also explain the history of beer and breweries in Denver. At the end of the
tour, guests get a coupon for a free pint of beer from their favorite stop on the
tour - read more here (Photo by Lindsey G)

17. 16. Molly Brown House Museum
The Molly Brown House Museum is the former home of “The Unsinkable
Molly Brown” - she was a Titanic survivor, and she was portrayed in the
movie as the older lady reminiscing. She lived from 1867 to 1932, and she
was actually much more than just a Titanic survivor – she was also a Denver
philanthropist, a socialite, and an activist. In addition to the Titanic movie,
both a Broadway musical and film adaptation – both titled The Unsinkable
Molly Brown – were made and based on her life. Her beautiful Victorian
home was built in 1889 and designed by architect William Lang. It is listed
on the National Register of Historic Places and is opulently furnished. Tours
are available and offer a vivid glimpse into both Denver history and Molly
Brown’s fascinating life - read more here (Photo by Ken Lund)

18. 17. Little Man Ice Cream
Little Man Ice Cream – you’ll know you’re there when you see the giant
milk jug looming below the neon “linger” sign – and when you see the crowd
of people enjoying ice cream. The milk jug is twenty-eight foot tall and
14,000 lbs., but it doesn’t hold milk – it is the ice cream stand. Owner Paul
Tamburello built the structure after being inspired by vintage Coney Island
hot dog-shaped stands, and it has become a fixture in the LoHi
neighborhood. Little Man makes small-batch ice cream, vegan ice cream and
sorbet using locally sourced ingredients. What really stands out here are the
inventive flavors – they often change and range from Bhakti Chai to Milk
Stout Chip and Salted Caramel PB Cup - read more here (Photo by vxla)

19. 18. Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret is a dark, swanky, and sensual cabaret lounge
located in downtown Denver on the 16th Street Mall. The entertainment
ranges from comedy acts to magic shows, circus sideshow acts, vaudeville,
burlesque, musical revues, or a variety of live bands. Every Thursday is the
Naughty Pierre€€s Burlesque & Comedy Extravaganza, and every Friday
late night is the Midnite Martini€€s Sexy Circus Sideshow - read more
here (Photo by Max Slowik)

20. 19. Celestial Seasonings Tour and Tea Shop
Celestial Seasonings is the largest herb tea manufacturer in the country.
Guided tours includes visit to the production area, the herb garden, the tea
bag factory and infamous, super-refreshing Peppermint Room. At the end of
the tour guests enter the Tea Shop, where they can sample any of 47 tea
blends. The company produces 75 flavors of tea total. Tours of Celestial
Seasonings are free, and visitors get an awesome free hairnet. The tea
production line is only in action during the week - read more here (Photo
by Eli Duke)

21. 20. Tattered Cover Bookstore
Tattered Cover Bookstore is a Denver landmark and one of the largest
independent bookstores in the country. The bookstore was started by Stephen
Cogil Casari in 1971 in a small, 950 foot storefront in Cherry Creek. Joyce
Meskis bought the bookstore from him in 1974, and she expanded to other
parts of the city over ensuing years. Now over 40 years old, it has survived
and expanded many times. The main location is an historic building with
extra-high ceilings. An inventory of over a half million books books make it
easy for anyone to find something that interests them. Comfortable chairs
encourage lingering. There’s a cafe for coffee and lunch in the LoDo and
Highlands Ranch stores - read more here (Photo by Vaquero Cooper)
Featured photo by Sheila Sund. All photos CC-BY-2.0.
See our list of the 49 best things to do in Denver here.