Best Things To Do in Denver, Colorado

Denver is the capital of Colorado and one of the most prominent cities of the Old West in the United States, making it an ideal place to discover the spirit of the region through a tour of its main attractions. It is also a perfect destination to use as a base to discover the nearby natural wonders, consisting of mountains, peaks and landscapes that you won't want to miss.

During your trip, you can see the traditional sites of the historic city centre, but also enjoy some typical local experiences, such as attending an NBA Nuggets game, touring the Botanical Gardens and enjoying the regional cuisine. You can also take part in organised tours around Denver to see some of the best scenic views in Colorado.

One of the best ways to explore the history and culture of Denver is to take a guided tour, which is often included in the list of the best Denver tours. These tours include the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, an architectural gem that marks the city's ground zero, as well as Confluence Park, where the South Platte and Cherry Creek rivers meet to form a natural oasis to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

During these experiences, you can also visit the Denver Art Museum, which houses a collection ranging from native art of the region to contemporary expressions by local artists. Nearby, you can tour the RiNo district, named for the contraction of River North and known for its colourful street murals, art galleries and well-rounded food scene.

Finally, the tour will take you through Larimer Square, which is one of the city's oldest landmarks, and the Colorado State Capitol, which is one of Denver's most striking buildings and is often the highlight of guided tours of the city.

If you want to see one of Denver's top attractions, you can't miss the Downtown Aquarium, a place that combines entertainment and a fascinating experience. This aquarium is home to marine wildlife ranging from tropical fish to sharks, arranged in glass-enclosed ponds that recreate their natural habitats.

Among the aquarium's exhibits are freshwater ponds and underwater viewing tunnels, where you can enjoy panoramic views of jellyfish and penguins in a beautifully recreated natural environment. That's why this is one of the best things to do with kids in Denver.

At the aquarium, you can also take part in interactive activities to learn about marine ecology and ocean conservation. Aside from its ponds, this site plays a crucial role in the preservation of species through research and environmental education programmes in the open nature.

Attending a Nuggets NBA game will allow you to discover the atmosphere of basketball in the ultimate basketball territory and take part in one of Denver's best activities. At the Ball Center Stadium, home of the Nuggets, you can watch a live game of one of the league's top teams and be part of the raucous fan support.

The experience of watching a Nuggets game goes beyond the game itself, as you'll find entertainment during timeouts and commercial breaks featuring concerts and fun contests for all ages. Also, if you plan to visit Denver during the summer you can attend the finals, which offer the best games on the annual NBA schedule.

Keep in mind that NBA games are often among the most popular activities in the United States, so try to get tickets in advance, especially if you plan to visit Denver in December or during peak season months when tickets tend to sell out quickly due to the influx of tourists.

If you want to experience the natural beauty of Denver's surrounding area, you can't miss the Garden of the Gods, a public park that contains sandstone and limestone rock formations and is distinguished by Pikes Peak. This site also offers meandering trails that take you through stone arches and towers, providing an ideal visual spectacle for some of the best panoramic views in the region.

Pikes Peak, known as America's Mother Mountain and the main attraction of the Garden of the Gods, is the second most visited peak in the world after Mount Fuji in Japan. This mountain rises over 4300 metres above sea level, offering views of the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado skyline. Also, if you plan to visit Denver in November or during the winter months, you'll be able to see the snow-capped peaks.

The Garden of the Gods can be visited on your own or as part of some of the best tours from Denver. The latter option allows you to have the assistance of an expert local guide who will tell you interesting stories about the region and the connection between Pikes Peak and western exploration, as it was a key destination during the Gold Rush in the 19th century.

One of the best ways to get around the city in a comfortable and fun way is to take a segway tour of Denver. This modern means of transport, which has become popular in urban tourist destinations, will allow you to get to know the points of interest in an agile and efficient way.

Along the way, you'll visit landmarks such as the historic Larimer Square district, known for its shops and fine dining restaurants. You can also take in the distinctive architecture of the Colorado State Capitol and the art scene in RiNo, the neighbourhood famous for its street murals and contemporary art galleries.

A traditional stop on these tours is Confluence Park, a site that blends natural beauty with the region's history, where the South Platte and Cherry Creek rivers meet. If you plan to visit Denver in October or during Colorado's dry season months, you'll be able to see some of the city's best sunsets from here.

For an activity with a difference in Denver, you can experience an indoor skydiving experience. The vertical wind tunnels recreate the conditions of a parachute jump without having to jump from a plane, but with the same adrenaline and weightlessness of traditional skydiving.

Before starting the experience, you can take part in an introductory course in which you will learn the secrets of the activity and, once equipped with a special suit and helmet, you will enter the wind tunnel where powerful air currents will lift you off the ground, giving you the sensation of floating. During the flight you will be assisted by expert instructors who will provide guidance and safety.

Note that the Denver wind tunnel is accessible to everyone from beginners to experienced skydivers, offering a unique opportunity for those looking to experience the thrill of flight without having to take the step of jumping out of a plane. It's also an indoor activity, so it's perfect when visiting Denver during the winter, allowing you to stay out of the cold for a few hours.

If you want to explore Denver's largest green oasis, a good alternative is to book admission to the Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1951, the gardens have evolved into an iconic destination that combines plant conservation, environmental education and family-friendly play spaces with a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Here you can visit a variety of themed gardens, ranging from water gardens to exotic desert landscapes. One of the highlights is the Rose Garden, which dazzles with its fragrances and colours during the flowering season. The Botanical Gardens also house the Butterfly Garden, a space where you can admire these species in their natural environment.

Another option for touring this space is to take part in a bicycle tour that includes this site in the itinerary. These experiences will not only allow you to visit the gardens in a quick and fun way, but also less tiring than walking. However, you should be aware that not all flower trails allow entry by bicycle.

Because of its strategic location in the city centre, you can combine a visit to the Botanic Gardens with some of Denver's best tours and other nearby activities.

Some of Colorado's best scenery can be found on a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, so if you're the type who enjoys scenic views, be sure to explore this place located just a few hours from Denver. Founded in 1915, the park is a natural haven that's home to mountain scenery, crystal-clear lakes and unique wildlife.

In the park you'll find a network of trails that wind through alpine forests, past wildflower meadows and provide sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. During your visit you can also discover the Trail Ridge Trail, which reaches altitudes of over 4000 metres and takes you on a scenic drive where you can see elk, deer, eagles and marmots.

You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park on your own or on one of the best guided tours from Denver. You can also take in the crystal-clear waters of Bear Lake and Sprague Lake, which are particularly beautiful in the winter when they reflect the surrounding snow-capped peaks .

The park is also home to the Alpine Visitor Centre, which will provide you with information about the geology and ecology of the region, enriching your experience and giving you tools if you're looking for an adventurous tour.

If you want to experience Denver from a different perspective, you can join a food tour or explore the city's restaurants and bars on your own to try Neapolitan pizza, empanadas or Colorado' s famous chili verde with pork. This way, you can not only explore the local culinary scene, but also explore the history of the city through its aromas and flavours.

A must for this adventure is the Lower Downtown, the LoDo, where you will find interesting restaurants such as Mercantile Dining & Provision and The Kitchen, which will allow you to live a gastronomic experience based on the specialties of the regional cuisine.

You can also visit the historic Denver flea market, known as The Source . Not only will you be surrounded by locals, but you can also find more casual options, from artisan bakeries to taco stands.

RiNo is another place where you can discover the cuisine of this destination, albeit with a more eclectic approach that combines the artistic scene of street murals with avant-garde restaurants. This neighbourhood also offers some of the best nightlife in Denver.

The Denver Zoo is one of the city's main attractions and offers a variety of animals ranging from lemurs to lions. The zoo's popularity lies in the fact that it is not a traditional zoo, but rather an ecological park that recreates the natural habitats of these species and therefore ranks as one of the best things to do with children in Denver

In addition, in this zoo you can attend the Toyota Elephant Passage show, an immersive area that recreates the environments of Asia and Africa and serves as a habitat for elephants, rhinos and other tropical animals. The Primate Panorama offers a similar experience featuring primates from around the world.

While a full visit to the zoo lasts approximately 4-5 hours, if you're planning a short 3-day stay in Denver or even less, you can opt for a simplified tour that takes you through the main exhibits and a guided tour.

Because of its central location, you can combine a zoo tour with other activities in the city, such as brewery tours, Denver graffiti tours or a tour of the Botanic Gardens.