Denver: 17 Coolest Things To Do for an Amazing Trip

A natural amphitheater cut into the rocks of Colorado, Red Rocks is a unique venue that hosts high-profile gigs from the latest chart-topping stars, film screenings and even yoga. While it offers some reserved seating, general admission is also available, so show up early if you want to grab a great spot. You can even bring your own food. It can get a little chilly in the evenings, so wear layers if needed. Recommended by local insider Lily Shipman

Colorado is known for its breweries, with more than 400 throughout the state, and that isn’t counting amateur home brewers. And Denver is an excellent place to take a brewery tour, with its drinking establishments having something to suit every taste, whether you want an IPA or prefer a sour. If you want a DIY day, start at the Briar Common Brewery + Eatery before (sensibly) drinking your way around the neighborhood. For a memorable day out, book an eight-person Pedal Hopper to ride between the breweries. Recommended by local insider Rose Corbett

Admire giraffes, stroke elephants and watch the rhinos at snack time at this mountainside zoo with a difference. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, approximately 76mi (122km) south of Denver, offers top-notch experiences and cherishes its animals. There are plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with your favorite critter, with feeding and handling pop-ups found throughout the zoo. Take the ski lift for the best views of the Colorado Springs area, and arrive early or late when most of the animals are awake. Recommended by local insider Lily Shipman

Coloradans love the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, which has 15 minerals in its water and is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Denver. For more than 130 years, it’s been welcoming people who want to re-energize their sore muscles. In the summer, rent a cabana for the full experience. However, don’t rule out winter – there is something special about the hot springs when it snows. Food is available to purchase, and if you forget a towel, it’s possible to rent one. Recommended by local insider Lily Shipman

The South Pearl Street Farmers’ Market is best enjoyed in summertime. Spend the day browsing the stalls of handmade jewelry, CBD-infused products and Colorado-related swag. The market closes at 1pm, so get here early to grab a parking spot – it is a very popular neighborhood – and make the most of your day. There’s plenty of delicious food stalls too, so come hungry. Recommended by local insider Rose Corbett

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? Recommended by Siobhan Grogan

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. Recommended by Siobhan Grogan

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. Recommended Stephanie Harper

Larimer Square is known as the first commercial district in the city, making it the oldest and most historic block in Denver. Due to urban renewal efforts, Larimer Square is now a vibrant shopping and dining mecca, with many of the top-rated restaurants in the city. It’s also home to several high-end boutiques and nightclubs. Recommended Stephanie Harper

The Denver Mint is a branch of the United States Mint that has been making money since 1906 and is the single largest producer of coins in the world. Visitors can take a free guided tour and visit the gift shop for one-of-a-kind commemorative coins. Recommended Stephanie Harper

The Downtown Aquarium features over one million gallons of exhibits. The aquarium also offers a Mystic Mermaids live show and a 4D theater experience. Guests in the Aquarium Restaurant are seated around a 50,000 gallon floor-to-ceiling aquarium to dine with the fishes while they enjoy lunch or dinner. Recommended Stephanie Harper

Also in City Park is the Denver Zoo, which houses more than 4,000 animals of 650 different species. Visitors will enjoy Bear Mountain, the Giraffe Encounter, Predator Ridge, Primate Panorama, Toyota Elephant Pagoda, and many more incredible exhibits, as well as live feedings and up-close animal encounters. The zoo also offers special events and programming throughout the year. Recommended Stephanie Harper

The Denver Botanic Gardens is open year round, offering visitors and locals a sanctuary of plants and flowers. Beyond that, the Botanic Gardens hold events such as concerts and art installations, learning opportunities, and conservation efforts. They also have a children’s garden. No wonder they are ranked one of the top five botanic gardens in the country. Recommended Stephanie Harper

For thrill-seekers, Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park is the ultimate package, the only downtown theme park in the country. The amusement park boasts 53 rides and attractions, including a kiddie park for the little ones, as well as a water park with slides and a wave pool. The park also does Dive-In Movies, free concerts, fireworks, and a month-long Fright Fest in October. Recommended Stephanie Harper

Washington Park, or “Wash Park” as the locals call it, is a lush getaway near downtown. The dog-friendly park features two lakes and an expanse of tree-lined paths to wander, as well as plenty of patches of grass. There are also two lovely flower gardens and is a popular place for people to exercise. Recommended Stephanie Harper

Just 60 miles west of Denver, the Mount Evans Scenic Byway sits as the highest paved road in North America. The day trip involves a winding drive to the 14,264-foot summit of Mount Evans, one of the 54 “fourteeners” in the state of Colorado. Visitors will also get to see stunning Echo Lake and Summit Lake. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience. Recommended Stephanie Harper