Things to do in Denver

Denver, a vibrant and diverse city, has come a long way in the first century. Skyscrapers, tree-lined boulevards, world-class attractions, hip entertainment districts, and intriguing festivals are just a few of the hallmarks of the Mile High City surrounded by the Racy Mountains. With an array of things to do in Denver, the hardest part is deciding what to do first.

Within easy walking distance of the city center, many of the attractions and hotels are clustered around the downtown area, as are the mile-long pedestrian mall, parks, and plazas. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is here. This venue for many activities in Denver hosts Broadway shows, orchestra performances, and other live entertainment. The Red Rocks Amphitheater just outside of town, is another place to enjoy the arts. This scenic setting is also a popular place for hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation.

Another downtown fixture, the Denver Pavilions offers an intoxicating mix of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment, and the Denver Art Museum is sure to expand the imagination. The neighborhood just beyond the art museum is emerging as one of the hottest places in town. The Golden Triangle is the home of the Kirkland Museum of Fine Fine & Decorative Art, the Molly Brown House Museum, the Mizel Museum, and the Clyfford Still Museum.

Other Denver attractions in downtown include art galleries, the hottest clubs, cafes, and restaurants. LoDo (what the locals call Lower Downtown) is the center of the brewpub scene. In September, these breweries join others and connoisseurs for the Great American Beer Festival, one of the largest of all the activities in Denver on the special event calendar.

Denver attractions include one of two U.S. Mint facilities that are open for tours. The largest gold bullion storehouse outside of Fort Knox, the mint produces nearly 5 billion coins every year. Along with the tour, visitors have the chance to explore the gift shop and the museum detailing the history of money.

For those who want to add museums to their list of things to do in Denver, they will have many more options beyond the Mint. The Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum preserves the memory of the men and women who served at Lowry Air Force Base. With historical aircraft, interactive exhibits, and guided tours, visitors can ponder the history of aviation.

Several Denver attractions explore the city's frontier roots. Over the years, Byers-Evans House Museum was home to two important families who shaped the early history of the city, while the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center occupies the home of Justina Ford, the first black woman doctor in Denver. At the Colorado History Museum, dioramas, photos, and artifacts tell tales about life in the mountains, through such topics as mining, buffalo hunts, and fur trapping. Four Mile Park, along Cherry Creek, is home to the oldest home in Denver. This rustic oasis preserves the city's pioneer past, just four miles outside of downtown. The Denver Firefighters Museum and Forney Museum of Transportation provide a peek into the past, too.

Families looking for things to do in Denver should consider Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Water World, and Lakeside Amusement Park. Visitors can connect with nature at the Downtown Aquarium: an Undersea Adventure, the Denver Zoo, the Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center, and the botanical gardens.

Depending on the timing, visitors may have the chance to join in one of the festivals and special events. Annual activities in Denver begin in January with the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo and continue on with a Saint Patrick's Day Parade, the Denver International Auto Show, and the Indian Market Powwow. The second half of the year brings the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Irish Festival, the state fair, Oktoberfest, and a bevy of holiday lights and celebrations.