The Most Fun Things to Do in Denver, Colorado

Spook yourself silly by joining a pub crawl where you’ll hear scary tales of Denver’s paranormal past. Taking in some of Lower Downtown’s oldest bars and 19th-century buildings, the tour is led by a costumed guide and will reveal the city’s creepy haunted history complete with ghosts, mysterious footsteps and unexplained mysteries. Will you be brave enough to make it to the end?

Channel your inner Tarzan and take to the skies on a zipline tour of the Rocky Mountains for birds-eye views of this dazzling craggy landscape. With cables totaling more than 6,000ft (1,829m), there’s time to take in the views as you soar through the air high above the trees, before hiking to the next wire for another thrilling ride.

Experience the mountain roads in a way you will never forget from the driver’s seat of a glossy supercar. Led by a professional driving instructor who will stay in touch over walkie-talkie, this 25m (40km) test drive in your very own car takes in curving canyon roads, foot-down straightaways and 200 hair-pin turns overlooking panoramic mountain vistas. The bad news is you do need to give the car back afterwards.

Take your fitness to the limit by tackling Colorado’s towering Front Range on two wheels. With a guide leading the way, the half-day tour on a sleek mountain bike will take you on some of the mountain’s most picture-perfect trails, zipping around corners and gliding down inclines to look out over the Rocky Mountains beyond. Don’t panic if you’re not Tour de France material, the guides can tailor the day for all levels to enjoy.

Hold on tight for the ride of your life at Denver’s beautiful Clear Creek. Thrill-seekers will love the chance to join a small group on a white water raft and journey through this idyllic valley, home of the 1859 Colorado gold rush. Watch out for abandoned gold mines, local wildlife and jagged peaks on the way but don’t expect a serene sightseeing tour.

Discerning drinkers consider Denver one of the craft beer capitals in America, so a walking tour of historic Lower Downtown, otherwise known as LoDo, offers the chance to sample some of the city’s favorite brews. Pop into four local breweries to sip more than 10 samples of Colorado craft beer with an expert guide on hand to explain the brewing process, different types of microbrews and just how Denver became so dedicated to craft beer.

Escape the real world with this mind-bending trip to the land of virtual reality. Gamers, families and anyone who yearns to be the other side of the screen will love this fun interactive activity that puts you in the game itself. Strap on a headset and you’re immediately transported far from Denver to climb mountains, battle Darth Vader or leap from the top of buildings as Spider-Man. It’s the easiest adventure you’ll ever have.

If Denver’s booming food scene has given you a taste for more, this is a great chance to learn how to enjoy the city’s seasonal tastes at home. Pick a menu and Denver’s foodie experts will lead a hands-on cooking class to show you just how to recreate the flavors. Sample dishes include local hydroponic greens served with mason-jar vinaigrette and hand-made gnocchi. Best of all, you’ll eat everything you make at the end.

Bored of skiing? Head off the slopes and into the woods to explore a snowy wilderness you’d never be hard-pressed to see from alpine skis. By using snowshoes and poles, it’s possible to trek across open meadows and through fairytale forests heavy with fresh snowfall in Colorado’s Front Range, just a 30-minute drive from Denver and the gateway to the Rocky Mountains.

The Colorado State Capitol building was designed and constructed in the 1890s to mirror the look of the United States Capitol. It is made of Colorado white granite and has a real gold leaf dome, first added in 1908 to commemorate the Colorado Gold rush. The 15th step outside of the west entrance measures Denver’s official elevation of 5,280 feet, or one mile above sea level! Visitors can take a tour inside the building Mondays through Fridays. Recommended Stephanie Harper

Taking a picture with the Blue Bear is a Denver right of passage. Lawrence Argent’s 40-foot tall statue, formally named “I See What You Mean” has been standing on its hind legs, peering into the Denver Convention Center windows and thrilling tourists and locals alike since 2005.

The Denver Art Museum houses several permanent collections with art from around the world, including a world-class American Indian art collection. The DAM is also well-known for its traveling special exhibits, family programming, and special events. The museum’s Hamilton Building, designed by Daniel Libeskind, is an architectural marvel that shouldn’t be missed.