Denver Must-see Attractions Offer a Mix of Culture and Entertainment

Known for sports and healthy living, Denver welcomes visitors who enjoy the great outdoors and vibrant urban amenities. With hundreds of things to do and sites, some people may need help scheduling an itinerary. To help travelers plan, here are the top Denver must-see attractions for different interests. Feel free to pick one or a few.

Denver Must-see Attractions: Plan a Vacation to Remember

Civic Center

Civic Center Park ranks among the top Denver must-see attractions because it houses other sites as well as green space. In the summer, the park blooms with flowers. During fall, enjoy the fall colors and cool breeze. The park also serves as a gathering place in the center of downtown Denver.

Other attractions located at Civic Center are Colorado State Capitol, Denver City and County Building, Denver Art Museum, and Denver Public Library. For more fun, shop local retailers, take a fitness class, view public art and sample goodies from local food trucks.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater doubles as an attraction and live entertainment venue. It’s the only natural, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world and provides a transition zone where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. Due to its location and geological structure, it also serves as a safe haven for wildlife. Some of the rock formations slope 90 degrees, and others tilt back.

Visitors are welcome to take guided and self-guided tours year-round. The site opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset, unless there is a nighttime event. If so, Red Rocks closes in the early afternoon. On the tour, explore the visitor center, see exhibits, take a short hike and learn about past performers. The biggest names in music have performed at Red Rocks from The Beatles and U2 to country’s biggest stars – and everyone in between.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Suitable for all ages, Denver Museum of Nature and Science aims to protect the natural world. The museum offers a large collection of exhibitions and films to educate and entertain visitors. Guests may also explore temporary exhibits.

The museum’s permanent sections encourage learning and playtime. Examples include discovery zone, Egyptian mummies, health, gems, dinosaurs, space and wildlife. Traveling options have showcased dogs, Legos and Stonehenge, to name a few. While visiting, get tickets to the Gates Planetarium shows or IMAX films.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Ranked among the best Denver must-see attractions located outside, Denver Botanic Gardens offers an escape from the daily grind. The site operates as an accredited museum with living and natural collections. Plus, guided and self-guided options are available.

Explore 24 acres of trees, plants and flowers from around the world. Denver Botanic Gardens houses plants that grow in the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, aquatic environments, desert climates, low humidity and tropical rain forests. In addition to plants, guests have access to educational collections and art exhibitions.

If searching for more things to do, visit Chatfield Farms in Littleton, Colorado. The site serves as a 700-acre plant refuge and working farm. In addition, Chatfield Farms hosts seasonal events.

Denver Art Museum

Art aficionados love Denver Art Museum. For an affordable price, they can browse one of the most raved-about attractions and largest collections in the region. Its permanent collections feature African, Asian, European, Indigenous, Latin American, Modern, Western American and other cultures and movements. Visitors will see more than 6,000 pieces dating thousands of years.

In addition, Denver Art Museum showcases special exhibits. Some past exhibits have been Treasures of British Art, Shantell Martin, Paris to Hollywood, Gio Ponti, Art in the Americas, Natural Forces and Norman Rockwell. Read more about other museums in Denver.

Crush Walls

For fresh air and local culture, head to River North (RiNo) Art District. The neighborhood spotlights local, national and international artists, and provides a safe place to create and share. In the fall, CRUSH Walls transforms RiNo Art District into a new destination. These artists repaint more than 60 walls and nooks to bring a fresh voice to the area. View the walls.

Larimer Square and 16th Street Mall

Larimer Square, Denver’s most historic block, offers a pedestrian-friendly place to shop, eat and laugh. Over the years, Larimer Square has become Denver’s top spot for friend trips, nightlife, date nights and retail therapy. Shops range from high-end fashion to active wear, jewelry and accessories. Afterwards, grab some grub. Larimer Square also has places for cocktails and live entertainment.

16th Street Mall has served the area for more than 30 years. The mall features outdoor cafes, historic buildings, skyscrapers, shops and restaurants, providing 1 mile of pedestrian-friendly space.

Sightseeing Tours

One of the best ways to access these must-see attractions in Denver is by booking a guided city tour. Several companies host walking tours and options via van, bus, bike or Segway.

Best Tours of Denver offers small groups the chance to learn about history, ghosts and what makes the city a popular destination. Colorado Sightseer ventures from the city into the surrounding wilderness. Denver Walking Tours hosts free tours as well as custom options, such as a food tour and unplugged public art. All tours are led by local residents who know and love the area.

Ready to visit? Book a vacation home in Denver today.