Top 28 Things To Do In Denver (from a local!)

Denver is a city that has a little bit of everything. We’ve got a great food and brewery scene, tons of live music, professional sports, museums, beautiful parks, and some really fun neighborhoods to explore. And of course, the Rocky Mountains are just to the west, so it’s easy to get out of the city and enjoy everything Colorado is famous for.

I’ve lived in Denver for over 20 years, and I genuinely love how much there is to do here. While I obviously spend a lot of time enjoying the city as a local, I also make a point of getting out and exploring Denver like a tourist. I’ve visited most of the major attractions, spent plenty of time exploring the different neighborhoods, and somehow still have a running list of things I want to do.

For this guide, I’ve put together some of my favorite things to do in Denver, along with the attractions and experiences I think are especially worth checking out if you’re new to the city. I’ve included the big sights, of course, but also plenty of local favorites that I think give you a better feel for what Denver is actually like.

Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been here before, I hope this helps you get a feel for what Denver is really like and make the most of your time in the city.

Top Things To Do In Denver, Colorado

Denver Union Station

Denver Union Station is a historic train station in the heart of LoDo, dating back to 1914. The building has undergone multiple renovations since, and today it’s much more than just a train station, with restaurants, bars, shops, and a hotel all located inside.

Even if you’re not catching a train, it’s worth stopping in to see the Great Hall. It’s a beautiful space with high ceilings, large windows, and plenty of places to sit and relax. You can grab a coffee, have a meal, or stop for a drink at Terminal Bar, which occupies the station’s former ticketing office.

Outside, the plaza is a popular spot during warmer months, especially when the fountains are running.

I find myself stopping by Union Station pretty regularly when I’m in LoDo, since its central location makes it an easy stop while visiting the area. I especially like grabbing a drink at Terminal Bar, and I love visiting around Christmas when the Great Hall is decorated for the holidays.

Explore The RiNo Art District

Just north of downtown, RiNo (River North Art District) is a former industrial neighborhood that’s changed quite a bit over the past decade. Today, it’s full of restaurants, breweries, bars, shops, and art galleries, and it’s one of the most popular areas in Denver to spend an afternoon or evening.

RiNo has one of the best food scenes in Denver, so I especially recommend coming hungry. There’s everything from casual spots and food halls to some really excellent upscale restaurants. There’s also a good mix of shopping, from major retailers to smaller locally owned shops, plus plenty of art galleries worth popping into.

And of course, there’s the street art! You’ll find colorful murals covering buildings throughout RiNo, especially along Larimer Street and the surrounding blocks. It’s always fun walking around this area because there’s so much artwork to see, and new murals pop up all the time.

RiNo is also extremely popular for a night out. The breweries are fantastic, and there are tons of bars, cocktail spots, and live music venues. It’s a fun area during the day, but things really pick up at night.

Like most Denver neighborhoods, RiNo takes a little wandering and exploring, but you’re very likely to find something you enjoy.

Meow Wolf Denver

Meow Wolf is one of the most unusual attractions in Denver, but it’s a lot of fun to explore! If you’re not familiar with Meow Wolf, it’s an immersive art experience that’s part museum, part interactive display, and honestly a little difficult to describe until you’ve experienced it yourself.

Denver’s location, called Convergence Station, is massive, and significantly larger than the other Meow Wolf locations. The four-story exhibit features work from more than 300 artists and is filled with colorful, otherworldly environments, hidden rooms, and all sorts of interactive installations. You can explore the different worlds at your own pace, and there’s even a storyline you can follow if you want to get more involved, although it’s certainly not required.

I recommend allowing at least 2 – 3 hours for your visit, although you could easily spend longer. Tickets are timed, so booking ahead is a good idea, especially on weekends. Keep in mind that the exhibit is sensory-heavy, with flashing lights, music, and lots of activity throughout.

This is also one of the more expensive attractions in Denver. I think it’s worth the price for most people, but since it’s such an unusual experience, I recommend looking into it a bit beforehand to make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is easily one of the most iconic attractions in the Denver area. Located about 30 minutes west of downtown, near Morrison, this famous outdoor concert venue is built right into massive red sandstone formations. The setting is incredible, but the rocks are more than just a beautiful backdrop. They also give the amphitheater its natural acoustics, it’s pretty remarkable and a seriously unique place to experience live music.

Seeing a concert here is a bucket list experience for many, with people traveling from all over the world to attend shows. And honestly, I get it! There’s nothing quite like watching live music surrounded by those enormous rock formations.

The concert season generally runs from April through November (regardless of weather!), with shows almost daily during peak season. I’ve seen everything from classic rock and country music to EDM here, so there’s a huge variety. I also love some of the non-concert events. Film on the Rocks is my personal favorite, but Yoga on the Rocks is extremely popular as well.

I definitely recommend attending an event if you can, but you actually don’t need tickets to visit. The amphitheater is open to the public for free outside of scheduled events, so you can walk around, climb the steps, enjoy the views, watch locals working out, and explore the Visitor Center, which has exhibits about the venue’s history and famous performers. Just be sure to check the event calendar before heading out, since the amphitheater closes early on event days.

If you’re visiting without attending an event, I recommend combining Red Rocks with something else in the area. Several hiking trails wind through the surrounding sandstone formations in Red Rocks Park, and the nearby town of Morrison has a small downtown with restaurants and shops worth checking out.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens is a perfect place to spend a morning on a nice day in Denver. Located next to Cheesman Park, the gardens cover 24 acres and are home to thousands of plants from around the world.

There’s a surprising amount to see here, and it’s easy to spend a couple hours wandering around. The water gardens, Japanese Garden, and pine bonsai trees in the Bonsai Pavilion are always highlights for me. I also love the gorgeous Woodland Mosaic Solarium, which was originally commissioned for Disneyland Paris but never installed.

In summer, I especially love the Perennial Walk and gardens surrounding the Waring House, while the Tropical Conservatory is my go-to in winter. But it’s worth wandering no matter when you visit, since an area that’s easy to overlook most of the year might suddenly be full of flowers in August, for example.

One thing to keep in mind if you’re visiting from out of state is Denver’s high elevation, semi-arid climate. The gardens have some incredible flowers and unique greenery, but might not be quite as lush as what you’re used to elsewhere.

Finally, check the tour and event schedules. Tours are offered regularly and are often included with admission, and the gardens host some great seasonal events. I especially love the outdoor concerts in summer and Blossoms of Light around Christmas, but tickets for both sell out quickly.

Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the western United States, located in the city’s Golden Triangle neighborhood. The museum is spread across two connected buildings, including the Hamilton Building, which is one of the most interesting pieces of architecture in Denver. Its sharp angles and unusual design make it really cool to explore, even before you start looking at the artwork.

Inside, you’ll find an enormous collection, with everything from European paintings and contemporary art to photography, textiles, and one of the country’s largest collections of Indigenous art from North America. The contemporary art galleries are my personal favorite, and I love how the unusual architecture of the Hamilton Building creates such an interesting backdrop for the artwork.

I also recommend checking the temporary exhibition schedule before visiting. The museum regularly hosts major traveling exhibitions, which usually require a separate ticket but can be really interesting to see.

If you have some extra time, I’d also recommend checking out the Kirkland Museum collection, it’s located just a few blocks away and is included with your Denver Art Museum admission. It’s a really unique and underrated Denver museum that I think deserves more attention. The Clyfford Still Museum is another nearby option that people often pair with the DAM, although it requires separate admission.

Colorado State Capitol

Not far from the Denver Art Museum is the Colorado State Capitol, another downtown landmark worth checking out. Dating back to the late 1800s, the building is modeled after the US Capitol in Washington DC, complete with a gold-covered dome made with real Colorado gold.

One of the biggest draws is the famous Mile High marker on the Capitol’s west steps. Denver sits at an elevation of 5,280 feet, exactly one mile above sea level, and you can stand at the marker for a fun photo op. Interestingly, there are actually four markers on the steps, added over the years as surveying methods improved and elevation measurements became more accurate (the 17th step is currently the most accurate!).

You can also tour the inside of the Capitol, which I think is worth doing if you have time. Free guided tours cover the building’s history and architecture, with select summer tours also offering access to the dome observation area for views of downtown and the Rocky Mountains. Tours run Monday through Friday on a first-come, first-served basis.

Even if you skip the tour, it’s worth stopping by to see the building and find the Mile High marker, this is an easy stop to add if you’re already exploring the Golden Triangle neighborhood.

It’s also worth noting that across the street is Civic Center Park. It’s currently undergoing construction, but the park normally hosts concerts, holiday celebrations, and community events, so keep an eye on the calendar once construction wraps up. In the meantime, the popular Civic Center EATS food truck events are still running during construction, which is great for a quick lunch.

Explore Larimer Square

Larimer Square is one of Denver’s most historic blocks, and one of the prettiest parts of downtown. This is where Denver got its start back in 1858, and today the block is closed to cars and lined with historic brick buildings, restaurants, bars, and a handful of shops.

One of my favorite things about Larimer Square is the decorations overhead. The street is lined with string lights and colorful flags that change throughout the year. Sometimes they’re Colorado state flags, sometimes Pride or Broncos flags, depending on what’s going on around the city.

There are some really good restaurants here, most of which are on the upscale side, along with a few bars and boutiques. I especially like Coco + Grace for women’s clothing and Garage Sale Vintage, which is a cool combination of a vintage store and bar. There’s always something new popping up, though, so it’s worth having a look around. I also love visiting around Christmas, when the holiday decorations make this already charming block even prettier.

One thing to know is that Larimer Square is literally just one block, so you don’t need a ton of time here unless you’re stopping for a meal or drinks. But it’s definitely worth walking through while exploring downtown.

Looking for more things to do in the area? Check out my guide to LoDo Denver: Top Things To Do.

Catch A Sporting Event

Denver is a huge sports city, and catching a game is a fun way to experience a more local side of the city. We’ve got professional teams across just about every major sport, so depending on when you’re visiting, there’s a good chance something will be going on.

Baseball is one of my favorite options. The Colorado Rockies play at Coors Field in LoDo, right downtown, and it’s a fantastic ballpark even if you’re not a huge baseball fan. The sunsets here are incredible, and the surrounding neighborhood is full of bars and restaurants for grabbing drinks before or after a game. Neighboring McGregor Square is also definitely worth checking out during a game.

If you can’t make it to a game, I’ve heard great things about the ballpark tours, so those are worth considering too.

For football, there’s the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High, just outside downtown. There are a few bars nearby, but tailgating is the big draw here. The Denver Nuggets (NBA) and Colorado Avalanche (NHL) both play at Ball Arena, which is centrally located, making it easy to grab dinner or drinks before heading inside.

Denver also has a growing soccer scene, with the Colorado Rapids playing in nearby Commerce City and Denver Summit FC which recently brought professional women’s soccer to the city.

And don’t overlook college sports! You can often catch a game at Metro State University of Denver or the University of Denver for a relatively affordable price. Or head about 30 minutes northwest to Boulder, where the University of Colorado has an excellent college athletics program and a really fun football scene.

Visit A Craft Brewery

Visiting a brewery is a pretty classic Denver experience. In fact, brewery hopping is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon in the city, especially when the weather is nice and the patios are open.

You’ll find over 70 breweries scattered throughout Denver, but RiNo is one of the best neighborhoods for visiting several in one outing. Ratio Beerworks, Our Mutual Friend, and Odell Brewing are a few popular options, with plenty of additional breweries, bars, and restaurants within walking distance. LoHi is another good area to explore, with spots like Denver Beer Co. and nearby Prost Brewing. But don’t overlook the smaller breweries tucked into quieter neighborhoods either, there are some great finds throughout the city.

And don’t expect every brewery to be the same. Not only do the beers vary quite a bit, but so does the atmosphere. Some are small, laid-back taprooms, while others have huge patios, food trucks, live music, games, and regular events.

If you’re interested in beer history, consider heading to nearby Golden for a tour of the Coors Brewery. It’s a very different experience from Denver’s smaller craft breweries, but it’s interesting to see one of the country’s most recognizable beer brands and learn about its long history in Colorado.

Enjoy Denver’s Food Scene

While Denver’s craft beer scene is well established at this point, the city’s food scene is still making a name for itself. And honestly, it’s come a long way. For years, Denver had a reputation for having a fairly underwhelming restaurant scene, and you’ll still see that criticism floating around online. But I think a lot of it is outdated.

Over the past couple of decades, Denver has seen a huge expansion in both the variety and quality of its restaurants. We’ve got Michelin-starred restaurants, James Beard Award-winning chefs, and a growing number of excellent independent restaurants serving food from around the world.

If you’re visiting, I definitely recommend trying some of the local Mexican food, especially Colorado-style green chile. It’s a staple around here, personally, I love it smothered over a burrito.

Denver also has a big brunch culture with a lot of fun restaurants. And yes, ordering from the bar at 8 am is perfectly acceptable in such a setting.

Food halls are another popular option, especially if you’re visiting with a group or want to try a few different things. Denver Central Market in RiNo, Avanti in LoHi, and Stanley Marketplace in nearby Aurora are a few of the many.

For a nicer dinner, Denver has some excellent options, including a growing number of Michelin-starred and Michelin-recommended restaurants. You can browse those in the Denver Michelin Guide. I find that RiNo, South Pearl Street, and the Highlands/LoHi have particularly good concentrations of restaurants, with a mix of casual spots and more upscale dining.

And for a wider variety of international cuisines, I recommend exploring areas like East Colfax Avenue, Federal Boulevard, Five Points, and nearby Aurora. You’ll find everything from longtime family-owned restaurants to newer spots serving food from around the world, often at much more affordable prices than some of Denver’s trendier dining neighborhoods. A lot of these are hole-in-the-wall spots that require a little more digging, but are well worth the effort.

You May Also Like: Best Brunch Spots In Denver & Top Food Halls In Denver.

Explore City Park (home to the Denver Zoo & Museum of Nature and Science)

City Park is one of Denver’s largest and most popular parks, covering more than 300 acres just east of downtown. It’s also home to two of the city’s biggest attractions, the Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature & Science, so there’s quite a bit to do in this area.

The Denver Zoo is probably the biggest draw for visitors, with animals from around the world and a mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits. It’s a pretty large zoo, so I’d plan on spending at least a few hours here.

And if museums are more your thing, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is right nearby. There’s a surprising amount to see, from dinosaur fossils and Egyptian mummies to wildlife exhibits and galleries covering space and the natural world. The Gems & Minerals Hall is my personal favorite! There’s also a planetarium and an IMAX theater, so you could easily spend several hours here as well.

But even if you’re not planning to visit either attraction, I think City Park is worth exploring on its own. There are walking paths, huge grassy areas, playgrounds, and two lakes, a golf course, plus some fantastic views of the downtown skyline with the Rocky Mountains in the background. I also love the events here, especially Jazz in the Park and the City Park Farmers Market.

Visit A Denver Park

City Park might be the largest park in Denver, but it’s far from the only option. Denver has tons of great parks, and on a warm weekend, you’ll find locals lounging out on the grass, playing volleyball, having picnics, or just enjoying the sunshine.

Washington Park (we call it “Wash Park”) is one of the most popular. It’s another huge green space with two lakes, flower gardens, walking and biking paths, and plenty of open space. On a nice weekend, the place is packed with people playing games, plus walking and rollerblading the paved path encircling the park. It’s also worth exploring the surrounding neighborhood, especially the shops and restaurants along nearby South Gaylord Street.

Sloan’s Lake is a favorite for a long walk, with a large lake and fantastic views of the mountains and downtown skyline. Cheesman Park is another popular option, especially for lounging out and playing sports. It’s got wide lawns, mature trees, and a neoclassical pavilion (oh, and the park is quite haunted).

And if you’re spending time downtown, Confluence Park is my favorite spot. It’s located where Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River, with walking and biking trails connecting to other parts of the city. You’ll often see people kayaking or playing in the water during summer.

These are just a few of the most well-known options, but there are countless smaller parks throughout the city, depending on which area you’re exploring.

16th Street

16th Street is a pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining area that runs right through downtown Denver. The street stretches for more than a mile, connecting Union Station with the area around Civic Center Park, and is lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels.

If you’ve been researching things to do in Denver, you may have come across some complaints about the 16th Street Mall, and they’re not entirely unwarranted. The area struggled for years (particularly after the pandemic and the shift to remote work left downtown with far fewer visitors), many businesses closed, and the street itself was long overdue for a renovation.

But after more than three years of construction, 16th Street has finally reopened with a much-needed facelift.

Today, you’ll find a mix of major retailers, souvenir shops, and smaller businesses along 16th Street and in the Denver Pavilions. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars, including some big chains, but I’d encourage you to check out some of the local businesses too, like West Saloon & Kitchen, Illegal Pete’s, Appaloosa Grill (fun for live music), The Kitchen, and Kealoha’s BBQ.

Christmas is actually my favorite time to visit, when the street is decorated with beautiful holiday lights and there’s a free outdoor ice skating rink.

16th Street is definitely worth walking through if you’re exploring downtown, especially if you want to shop or grab a meal. Plus, the free shuttle that runs along the street is very convenient for getting between Union Station and Civic Center Park.

Catch A Live Show

Denver has an excellent live music and entertainment scene, there’s seriously almost always something going on. From major touring artists and Broadway productions to small concerts, comedy shows, and local bands, you’ve got quite a few options for a night out.

We’ve already covered Red Rocks, but there are plenty of great music venues right in Denver too. The Mission Ballroom in RiNo is one of the newer additions and hosts some pretty big names, while the Ogden Theatre, Bluebird Theater, and Fillmore Auditorium are longtime favorites along East Colfax.

For theater and performing arts, check out the Denver Performing Arts Complex downtown. It’s home to the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Ballet, Opera Colorado, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, which brings touring Broadway productions to the city. The historic Paramount Theatre is another option, hosting everything from concerts to comedy shows.

Speaking of comedy, Denver has a great stand-up scene too. Comedy Works is probably the best-known club, with its downtown location just off Larimer Square. They regularly bring in nationally known comedians alongside local talent (I even saw a secret Dave Chappelle show here!).

Add in Denver’s countless free summer concert series, smaller music venues and bars hosting live performances along South Broadway, East Colfax, in RiNo, and sprinkled throughout downtown, not to mention the city’s historic jazz scene in Five Points, and there’s legitimately always something going on.

Denver’s Big Blue Bear

If you’re catching a show at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, you’re not far from another of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the Big Blue Bear.

Officially named I See What You Mean, this 40-foot-tall blue bear sculpture stands outside the Colorado Convention Center, peering through the building’s glass windows. It’s a fun and quirky piece of public art that’s become something of a Denver icon.

It’s definitely worth stopping by for a photo if you’re exploring downtown, especially since it’s completely free to see. That said, it’s a pretty quick stop. Unless you’re particularly excited about seeing the sculpture, I don’t think you need to go out of your way just to see this. Instead, pair it with another activity nearby.

Grab A Drink At A Rooftop Bar

Denver loves a rooftop bar, and with our 300 days of sunshine and surprisingly mild winters — not to mention views of the Rocky Mountains — we’re up here a lot. You’ll find rooftop bars scattered throughout the city, but especially in neighborhoods like LoDo, South Broadway, LoHi, and RiNo, plus a couple really cool hotel rooftops downtown.

Downtown, 54thirty Rooftop and Stellar Jay are two of my favorites. Both are great whether you’re looking for a nice dinner or just want to pop in for a drink. Over in RiNo, I really like Cimera, Sorry Gorgeous, and Rook for a casual drink, but it feels like there’s always a new rooftop bar popping up in this neighborhood.

LoHi and the Highlands have some excellent options too. El Five is a great choice for a nicer dinner with a view, while Linger offers something slightly more casual. And if you’re looking for a casual spot to hang out, Avanti Food & Beverage has a fantastic rooftop patio.

In LoDo, Tap Fourteen is one of my go-to rooftop bars, especially before a Rockies game. I also like El Patio for its fantastic views, but only during the day when it’s pretty much empty. It draws a much younger, rowdier crowd after dark.

And finally, along South Broadway, I love BurnDown for drinks, food, and live music, Historian’s Ale House for a casual rooftop drink, or Joy Hill for pizza.

Go Hiking Near Denver

One of the best things about visiting Denver is how easy it is to get out into the mountains. With the Rocky Mountain foothills just west of the city, you don’t have to drive far to find some beautiful hiking trails, with options ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes.

A few great areas near Denver include Red Rocks Park, Mount Falcon Park, and Roxborough State Park. North Table Mountain in Golden is another good option, especially if you’re looking for wide open views without driving too far. And Boulder has some fantastic hiking around Chautauqua Park and the Flatirons.

If you’re willing to venture a little farther, St. Mary’s Glacier near Idaho Springs is a popular higher elevation hike. Of course, there’s also Rocky Mountain National Park, which has an enormous variety of trails ranging from easy lakeside walks to difficult mountain hikes. And for more challenging hiking, I especially love the Indian Peaks Wilderness area.

I like using AllTrails to find new hikes. The app has trail photos, reviews, difficulty ratings, elevation gain, and other information that makes it easier to decide which hikes are right for you.

One thing I’ll emphasize is that hiking conditions in Colorado can vary dramatically depending on the season and elevation. Trails closer to Denver are often accessible much of the year, while higher elevation hikes can remain snowy well into summer. During warmer months, it’s also important to get an early start. Afternoon thunderstorms are common and can be especially dangerous at high elevations.

You certainly don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the scenery around Denver, but be sure to check trail conditions and choose a hike that matches your experience level before heading out.

Day Trip From Denver

You don’t have to hike to enjoy the mountains near Denver. There are tons of great towns, scenic drives, and other attractions within a couple of hours of the city. Or, if you are planning a hike, you can easily pair it with lunch in a nearby mountain town or another activity to make a full day of it.

Golden is one of the easiest day trips, just 20 – 30 minutes west of downtown, with a cute historic downtown, breweries, and access to some great outdoor activities. Boulder is another favorite, with excellent restaurants, shopping along Pearl Street, and beautiful views of the Flatirons.

If you’re looking for more of a mountain getaway, Idaho Springs and Georgetown are both relatively close to Denver. You can explore their historic downtowns, visit local shops and restaurants, or head out on a scenic drive. Breckenridge is a little further, but it’s a great option if you want to experience one of Colorado’s famous mountain towns, whether you’re visiting during ski season or the warmer months.

Colorado Springs is another day trip I love, especially when I have friends or family visiting. It’s about an hour south of Denver and has some incredible attractions, including Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and the Broadmoor area. And of course, Rocky Mountain National Park is another popular choice, with stunning mountain scenery and scenic drives.

For more ideas, check out my guide to The Best Day Trips From Denver, which covers some of the area’s most popular destinations, ranging from nearby towns to places up to 2.5 hours away. I also have a guide to Quick Day Trips From Denver, focused entirely on destinations within 1.5 hours of the city.

Explore The Highlands & LoHi

Just across I-25 from downtown, the Highlands is one of Denver’s most popular neighborhoods for dining, shopping, and nightlife. It’s also one of the city’s more charming areas, with beautiful historic homes, tree-lined residential streets, and several pockets of restaurants, bars, and locally owned shops, each with their own personalities.

LoHi (Lower Highland), closest to downtown, is known for its excellent restaurant scene, fun bars, and rooftop patios with fantastic views of the Denver skyline. You’ll also find the iconic Little Man Ice Cream here, which is almost always worth the line.

A bit further north, Highland Square centers around 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard, with some great shops, boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, and a more relaxed neighborhood atmosphere.

If you want to get more of a local feel for Denver, this is a good area to explore.

Tour A Whiskey Distillery

Colorado may be best known for its craft beer, but we’ve got a fun whiskey scene too. Denver is home to several distilleries, and touring one is a great way to learn about the whiskey-making process and sample some locally made spirits.

Stranahan’s is probably the best known option. Located along South Santa Fe Drive, the distillery specializes in American single malt whiskey and offers guided tours that take you behind the scenes of the production process, followed by a tasting. There’s also a cocktail lounge and a fun patio if you’d rather just stop in for a drink.

Laws Whiskey House is my personal favorite though. They use all Colorado ingredients and are known for their grain-to-glass approach, producing some really smooth, delicious whiskeys. They offer distillery tours and tastings as well, or you can head straight to their cocktail lounge for drinks. Laws is located just off South Broadway, only a few minutes from Stranahan’s, so you could easily visit both.

There are quite a few other local distilleries worth knowing about too. Bear Creek Distillery is just down the street from Laws, Mile High Spirits is near Coors Field, and Leopold Bros is in northeast Denver. Spirit Hound Distillers is based in Lyons but has a tasting room in the Highlands and The Family Jones has unfortunately closed its gorgeous tasting room in LoHi, but they still offer special tastings at their production facility.

No matter which you choose, I recommend booking tours ahead of time, especially on weekends. But if you’re more interested in trying a whiskey flight or grabbing a cocktail, you can just pop into the tasting rooms without joining a tour.

Tour The Denver Mint

Did you know Denver is home to one of the United States’ four coin-producing mints? The Denver Mint has been operating since 1906 and produces billions of coins each year, many of which end up in circulation across the country. If you’ve ever noticed a small “D” on a U.S. coin, that means it was minted here in Denver.

The Denver Mint is located downtown, not far from the Colorado State Capitol, and offers free guided tours of the facility. During the tour, you’ll learn about the history of coin production, how coins are made, and the role Denver plays in producing the nation’s currency. It’s a pretty unique opportunity since only two out of the nation’s six mints offer tours.

Tours are free but are only offered Monday through Thursday, with advance reservations required. Availability can be limited, so I recommend booking well ahead of your visit. There are also age restrictions, and security is quite strict about what you can bring inside, so be sure to review the visitor guidelines before heading over.

Attend A Denver Festival Or Event

Denver has some excellent events and festivals. If you’re visiting and want to get a feel for local life in Denver, this is one of the best ways to do so.

Summer is when you’ll find the most going on. Weekends are packed with options, while weekdays have a few events sprinkled in too. These range from major productions to small neighborhood events, with everything from free outdoor movies and live music to food truck events and art shows. You’ll also find more niche events like vintage markets, the Chalk Art Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival.

But there are some great events outside of summer too, like the National Western Stock Show, Great American Beer Festival, First Friday Art Walks, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Oktoberfests (a lot of them!), Broadway Halloween Parade, and Denver Christkindlmarket.

Needless to say, Denver loves a good festival.

For the bigger events, check out Visit Denver Events. For smaller happenings, I find Instagram and TikTok to be the most helpful. Denver has a handful of local creators who post weekly “things to do in Denver this weekend” roundups. I’d watch a few different ones to see whose recommendations match your interests. Some focus more on nightlife, while others highlight cultural events, local markets, etc.

Visit A Farmers Market

Farmers markets are also big in Denver, and they’re another great way to get a feel for what local life in the city is like. Summer is peak season, but many of the larger markets continue into fall.

South Pearl Street Farmers Market, City Park, and Highlands Square are the biggest and usually where I end up. You’ll of course find plenty of fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods, but there’s a surprisingly huge variety of vendors at these markets. I’ve seen everything from clothing and Turkish towels to vegan cheese, locally made ginger beer, houseplants (lots of them), and even things like urban farmscaping services.

I also love that you can grab a coffee and breakfast or lunch while you’re there. Plus, there’s usually live music or some sort of entertainment.

You’ll find smaller farmers markets scattered throughout Denver too. No matter which you choose, it’s a fun way to spend a weekend morning and experience a taste of what everyday life in Denver is like.

Explore Cherry Creek

If you’re looking to do some shopping in Denver, Cherry Creek is one of the best places to go. Located a few miles southeast of downtown, this upscale neighborhood has a huge concentration of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and spas, with everything from locally owned boutiques to major luxury retailers.

There are two main shopping areas here. Cherry Creek North is a 16-block outdoor shopping district with a mix of independent boutiques, well-known brands, galleries, and some really good restaurants. It’s a fun area to wander around.

Just across First Avenue is Cherry Creek Shopping Center, one of Denver’s largest indoor malls. This is where you’ll find major department stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, along with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and just about every other major retailer.

Cherry Creek also hosts some popular events throughout the year, including the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and Cherry Creek Holiday Market, so that’s worth keeping an eye on too.

Cherry Creek is one of Denver’s more upscale neighborhood so it tends to be on the pricier side. But it’s still very popular, and if you want to shop, this is the place.

Casa Bonita

Casa Bonita is easily one of the most unusual restaurants you’ll ever visit, but it perfectly captures Denver’s quirkier side. This massive Mexican restaurant is famous for its appearance on South Park, where Cartman runs around in awe of its indoor waterfall, cliff divers (seriously), puppet shows, mariachi bands, and of course, sopaipillas.

The restaurant has actually been around since the 1970s and was a beloved, if somewhat bizarre, Colorado staple long before South Park made it famous. It closed during COVID before being purchased by South Park creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who spent millions giving the restaurant a much-needed renovation. They made some major improvements, especially to the food, while still very much keeping the original quirky things that made Casa Bonita so well known in the first place.

It’s basically the Disneyland of Mexican restaurants, and it’s highly unusual, so I’d go in with an open mind and definitely watch the South Park episode before you visit.

Reservations are required, and you’ll want to book well in advance, especially for weekends.

Denver has so much to offer, and even after living here for most of my adult life, I still have no problem finding new places to explore and things to do. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or spending a little longer in the city, I hope this guide helps you find a few favorites of your own!

Any question? Please leave a comment below or reach on social media.

Want to see how this all fits together in an itinerary? I have a Denver One Day Itinerary and Weekend In Denver Itinerary worth checking out.

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Denver and Colorado guides or head on over to Visit Denver.

More Information For Your Trip To Denver:

• One Day In Denver Itinerary
• Denver 3-Day Weekend Guide
• Popular Day Trips From Denver
• What To Do In Denver During Summer
• What To Do In Denver During Fall
• What To Do In Denver During Spring
• What To Do In Denver During Winter
• All My Denver Guides (I have a lot of them!)

More Information For Your Colorado Vacation:

• Best Colorado Cities & Regional Hubs For Visitors
• Colorado Travel Guide (everything you need to know!)
• All Colorado Guides