Attractions in Denver Colorado, USA: What to Do and Where to Go

Outdoor Activities

From springtime to fall, Denver offers countless outdoor activities, such as bicycling, skating, hiking and walking. The city features numerous parks and green areas, as well as 870 miles of biking trails. Several streets have a bike lane for those who prefer to ride to and from work. So, take your bike out and start pedaling!

 

 

 

Red Rocks Amphitheater

Located less than 15 miles from Denver, you'll find a mountainous area, known as Red Rocks Park. In this park, there is an incredible amphitheater used for concerts and other cultural events. It's one of the most stunning venues, of its type, in the world. Red Rocks Amphitheater is an open-air venue surrounded by awe-inspiring 295ft high rocky landscape. It is a popular concert venue with a capacity for up to 9500 people. Besides the amphitheater, the park offers trails and lots of opportunities for bird and wildlife watching. At certain times of the year, there is also a guided tour which is always a fun and informative experience.

Art

Denver has a fantastic art district, home to numerous modern galleries, which promote and sell the work of several artists. There are many nationally renowned museums and it has the second largest Performing Arts Center, after the Lincoln Center in New York. Denver has a vibrant art scene due to the work and involvement of some grass roots organizations, which have lobbied the local government to create a special tax where a percentage goes to the promotion of artistic activities in the area. Two of the city's most renowned museums are the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the latter is one of the largest museums in the United States.

Winter Park Resort

Winter Park is one of the best places for skiing and snowboarding in the state of Colorado. This alpine ski resort is located about an hour and a half away from Denver. Here, you'll find all kinds of services for skiers, including convenience stores, eateries, as well as ski apparel stores and equipment rental shops.

 

The park features three interconnected mountain peaks offering varying degrees of difficulty. You can also book individual or group lessons. If you don't feel up to the big challenge, you can still practice on the foothills. Additionally, the park is home to one of the largest and most successful ski programs, for people with disabilities, in the world.

If you're not fond of skiing, but you still want to visit the park, you can also come during the summertime and go mountain biking, hiking, or just relax and have a picnic. The park has bike rentals and even mountain bike lessons, and there are numerous trails for all levels of biker to enjoy. For those who want something a little tamer then why not have a game or two of minigolf.

 

 

Eldora Mountain Resort

Located 75 miles from Denver, Eldora Mountain Resort features 680 acres of terrain for skiing. In total there are 50 different trails that range in difficulty, including some trails specifically for beginners. Snowboarding and ski lessons are available in the area and there are also numerous restaurants and equipment rental stores.

Eldora is really popular among local skiers, and even though it is still relatively unknown with the international crowd, it's an excellent choice for beginners and experienced skiers alike. It's one of Denver's smaller ski areas and has a fun-filled family atmosphere.

Echo Mountain Park

Echo Mountain Park, located 31 miles from downtown, is one of the slightly cheaper places for a ski vacation in Denver. During the summer months people come to enjoy many other activities, such as mountain biking and hiking in the park's 241-acres of land. Whenever you visit Echo Mountain Park, do not forget to bring the right clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen lotion. The park also offers ski lessons and ski equipment rentals. One of the main highlights is that the slopes are actually floodlit, making it possible to go night skiing as well!

Elitch Gardens Theme Park

Located in downtown Denver, this enormous theme park has all kinds of thrill rides, including several roller coasters, all within a 70-acre property. The park also has a botanical garden and several green areas, as well as a full calendar of concerts and events. From May to September, Elitch Gardens opens its fantastic water park that has toboggans, a lazy river, picnic pavilions, and many other attractions. The park remains closed during the wintertime due to the snow.

 

Rocky Mountain National Park

There is so much to do and see at the Rocky Mountain National Park. The park encompasses almost 360 miles of scenic trails, ideal for long walks, hikes, biking and horseback riding. It also features breathtaking lakes and streams, some of which can only be accessed on foot. Within the park, there is a free bus transportation system, which takes you to the most popular spots but it's only available during certain months of the year.

 

 

Whether you want to take wonderful photos of the stunning scenery, see the endemic wildlife or enjoy a hike, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of Denver's most unique attractions and one that you should definitely consider visiting, especially if you're traveling with children. The park has five visitor centers and several designated campgrounds. You can also go rock climbing and mountaineering during the summer months.

 

 

Denver Zoo

Ranked among the four best zoos in the United States, the Denver Zoo has a population of 4 thousand animals and 700 different species from all over the world, including pachyderms, birds, reptiles, and fish. It has restaurants and picnic areas, so bring your own food if you like. Climb aboard the Pioneer train with your kids, or watch wildlife presentations at the outdoor amphitheater. The zoo also offers a wealth of educational programs and hands-on activities for children. It is located within City Park, Denver's largest urban park.

 

MillerCoors

Denver and the surrounding cities are well-known for their production of about 100 different kinds of beer. The MillerCoors plant, located in the area, is one of the largest beer producers worldwide. It offers tours of the plant where you can learn all about the brewing process. If you're over 21 and have an ID card to prove it, you can taste and compare the different kinds of beer produced here. Find out why Denver is dubbed the Napa Valley of Beer!