Top 10 Things to Do in Denver (2026 Guide)

Top 10 Things to Do in Denver

Planning a trip to Denver? This 2026 guide covers the top 10 things to do, from iconic outdoor experiences to local attractions worth adding to your itinerary.

Use this list to compare highlights, discover what makes Denver unique, and find tours that match your travel style.

Denver, Colorado outdoor adventure scenery

Highlights of "Denver"

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1. Start at Denver Union StationView on map
2. Explore the RiNo Art DistrictView on map
3. Visit the Denver Art MuseumView on map
4. Spend time in City ParkView on map
5. Take a regional trip to Red RocksView on map
6. Visit Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife RefugeView on map

About Denver

Location: Denver is in Colorado, United States.
Climate: alpine climate.
Known for: Start at Denver Union Station, the RiNo Art District, Visit the Denver Art Museum, Spend time in City Park, Take a regional trip to Red Rocks
Identity: Denver is a cultural center.

Top Tours

Small Group Tour of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from Denver

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Small Group Tour of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from Denver

Head south from Denver on a small group tour to two of Colorado's most majestic places.

★ 4.9 (3321 reviews)

From $189

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Discover Rocky Mountain National Park-Small Group Tour & Picnic

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Discover Rocky Mountain National Park-Small Group Tour & Picnic

In Denver, climb from the streets of the "Mile High City" to Rocky Mountain National Park, on a day trip that showcases the rugged beauty of…

★ 4.9 (3505 reviews)

From $193.50

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Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Tour from Denver

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Tour from Denver

Discover some of Colorado's wildest Rocky Mountain Scenery on this full-day, small-group tour from Denver.

★ 4.9 (219 reviews)

From $189

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Visit Red Rocks Park, Continental Divide & Breckenridge

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Visit Red Rocks Park, Continental Divide & Breckenridge

Venture beyond Denver, and discover what Colorado has to offer: on this small-group tour, visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Continental Divide, and…

★ 4.9 (801 reviews)

From $149

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Mount Blue Sky, Clear Creek Canyon & Red Rocks Park (Mount Evans)

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Mount Blue Sky, Clear Creek Canyon & Red Rocks Park (Mount Evans)

Escape Denver and immerse yourself in the nature of Mt.

★ 4.7 (64 reviews)

From $149

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Breckenridge & Continental Divide Explorer

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Breckenridge & Continental Divide Explorer

In Denver, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Colorado Rockies on a full-day tour to Breckenridge.

★ 4.9 (191 reviews)

From $169

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See all Denver tours

Things to Do in Denver

1. Start at Denver Union Station
The restored rail station is both a transportation hub and a useful gateway to LoDo. Walk the surrounding historic blocks, continue toward Coors Field or the river corridor, and use the station's rail connections if arriving from Denver International Airport.
2. Explore the RiNo Art District
RiNo mixes murals, galleries, converted industrial buildings, food halls, breweries, and live venues north of downtown. Walk a compact section rather than trying to cover the entire district, and look for current exhibitions and events.
3. Visit the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum anchors the Golden Triangle cultural area near Civic Center. Allow a substantial indoor block, then pair it with nearby architecture, the State Capitol area, or another museum rather than crossing the city repeatedly.
4. Spend time in City Park
City Park provides lawns, lakes, skyline and mountain views, and access to major attractions including the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. It is a genuine Denver urban park and a useful contrast to downtown streets.
5. Take a regional trip to Red Rocks
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre lies west of central Denver in the foothills and is owned by the City and County of Denver, but it is geographically outside the urban core near Morrison. Visit for the sandstone setting, amphitheatre, trails, or a performance, and plan travel time accordingly.
6. Visit Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Northeast of central Denver, this federally managed wildlife refuge protects prairie habitat on a former military-industrial site. Wildlife drives and trails can add a nature-focused half day, but it should be treated as a separate refuge rather than a downtown Denver park.

Best time to visit

Denver works year-round, with different strengths by season

Spring and fall often provide comfortable city walking but can bring rapid weather changes.
Summer favors patios, parks, concerts, and early outdoor starts; afternoon storms can affect mountain outings.
Winter can alternate between snow and mild sunny periods, while mountain conditions are much more severe than in the city.

Travel tips

Remember that Denver is on the high plains; the high mountains begin west of the city.
Use the airport rail line and central transit when they fit your itinerary, then rent a car or book a tour for regional mountain outings.
Drink water and allow time to adjust to the elevation before strenuous exercise.
Group LoDo, downtown, RiNo, and museum districts geographically to reduce unnecessary driving.

FAQs about Denver

How many days are ideal for Denver?

Three to four days allows two or three city-focused days plus a regional outdoor day.

Is Red Rocks in downtown Denver?

No. The park is owned by Denver but sits in the foothills near Morrison, so it requires a separate drive or tour.

Do I need a car?

Not for many central Denver attractions, especially if using airport rail and local transit. A car becomes more useful for foothill and mountain day trips.

Learn More About Denver

Best Tours in Denver

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Small Group Tour of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from Denver

Head south from Denver on a small group tour to two of Colorado's most majestic places.

★ 4.9 (3321 reviews)

From $189

View Tour

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Discover Rocky Mountain National Park-Small Group Tour & Picnic

In Denver, climb from the streets of the "Mile High City" to Rocky Mountain National Park, on a day trip that showcases the rugged beauty of…

★ 4.9 (3505 reviews)

From $193.50

View Tour

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Tour from Denver

Discover some of Colorado's wildest Rocky Mountain Scenery on this full-day, small-group tour from Denver.

★ 4.9 (219 reviews)

From $189

View Tour

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Visit Red Rocks Park, Continental Divide & Breckenridge

Venture beyond Denver, and discover what Colorado has to offer: on this small-group tour, visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Continental Divide, and…

★ 4.9 (801 reviews)

From $149

View Tour

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Mount Blue Sky, Clear Creek Canyon & Red Rocks Park (Mount Evans)

Escape Denver and immerse yourself in the nature of Mt.

★ 4.7 (64 reviews)

From $149

View Tour

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Breckenridge & Continental Divide Explorer

In Denver, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Colorado Rockies on a full-day tour to Breckenridge.

★ 4.9 (191 reviews)

From $169

View Tour

Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver

In Denver, this full-day, small-group tour takes you out of the city and into the rugged Rocky Mountains.

★ 4.9 (454 reviews)

From $139

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Hiking

Denver, Colorado

Red Rocks Morning Hike

In Denver, if you're seeking a quick adventure, take a four hour tour that treats you to a few of the best things of Colorado.

★ 4.9 (111 reviews)

From $119

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Sightseeing & City Tours

Denver, Colorado

Red Rocks & Beyond

The Denver foothills are packed with some of Colorado's best sights, from Red Rocks Amphitheater to Lookout Mountain and scenic Lariat Loop.

★ 4.8 (1725 reviews)

From $89

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Shared Half-Day Mountain Tour in Red Rocks Evergreen and Echo Lake

Wildlife

Denver, Colorado

Shared Half-Day Mountain Tour in Red Rocks Evergreen and Echo Lake

Explore Colorado’s natural playgrounds, just a short drive from downtown Denver.

★ 4.9 (921 reviews)

From $95

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Hiking

Denver, Colorado

Guided Hiking Tour in Colorado Rocky Mountains View of Mt BlueSky

There are so many great hikes in the Denver area, how can you choose?

★ 4.9 (417 reviews)

From $85

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Hiking

Denver, Colorado

Hiking in the Rockies - Group hike tour near Denver

In Denver, enjoy the beauty of a hike in the Rockies without the worry of getting lost or picking an unsuitable trail during this full-day excursion.

★ 4.9 (146 reviews)

From $69

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Hiking

Denver, Colorado

Sunset Hiking Tour in the Rocky Mountains near Denver

In Denver, do you want to go for a hike but don't know which trail to pick, and don't want to get lost in the forest?

★ 5.0 (49 reviews)

From $69

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Denver and Foothills Mountain Small-Group Tour

Sightseeing & City Tours

Denver, Colorado

Denver and Foothills Mountain Small-Group Tour

Explore the grand scenery of the Rocky Mountains and Colorado’s Wild West history on a small-group bus tour from Denver.

★ 4.9 (590 reviews)

From $79

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Sightseeing & City Tours

Denver, Colorado

Foothills Explorer Tour from Denver

Enjoy an introductory visit to the Rocky Mountains—and still leave enough time to continue your Denver sightseeing—on this half-day, small-group tour.

★ 4.9 (177 reviews)

From $89

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