10 Best Things to Do in Downtown Denver

At the Denver Art Museum, patrons can view modern art and unique travelling exhibitions, but the most interesting and robust exhibits are those that embrace diverse cultures. These include an African arts gallery, an Asian arts gallery, and a Latin American arts gallery. Those visiting the Centennial State would also be remiss if they didn’t catch the art central to Colorado’s roots: Western American art and the Indigenous art of North America.

The Denver Art Museum is in the Capital Hill area, near Civic Centre Park and other iconic Denver museums like the Molly Brown House, the History Colorado Centre, and the Clyfford Still Museum.

Take in the view of Denver from the hills of Commons Park. Because of its wide grassy lawn, the park is a draw for recreational sports leagues and weekend barbecues. Its proximity to the South Platte River and the Cherry Creek Confluence also make it a great spot to head out on a kayak or paddleboard into the slow-moving water.

If you travel to the northeast side of Commons Park, you’ll come across the Downtown Denver Skatepark. From the skatepark, you can also easily reach the nearby Railyard Dog Park to let your dog in on the fun.

Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art to see 1-of-a-kind rotating art exhibits from prolific artists. If you’re not an art expert or just want more information about how to interpret what’s shown, the museum offers free drop-in guided tours on Fridays and Saturdays. Or you can scan QR codes along the way to access the curated mobile tour guide.

During your visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art stop by the café for a snack or stick around for afternoon happy hours and enjoy a Denver-inspired cocktail like a green chilli bloody Mary.

Larimer Square is an eclectic plaza in Downtown Denver. The city block is a gathering place for shopping and dining. String lights and Colorado state flags strung across the street also make it a picture-worthy setting.

What are the can’t-miss haunts of Larimer Square? Get exquisite Mediterranean cuisine or steak for dinner, and locally made ice cream for dessert. Catch a late-night comedy show or go for drinks and dancing to round out the perfect evening.

The white granite façade of the Colorado State Capitol may be reminiscent of the United States’ capitol building, but the dome covered in real gold leaf is distinct from the Centennial State’s building. The gold leaf was added in 1908 to commemorate Colorado’s legacy during the gold rush.

Beyond a fantastic photo-op, visitors can drop in for a self-guided or free guided tour weekly, to see the inside of the rotunda for themselves, including a climb up to the famed dome.

The mile-long 16th Street Mall is a bustling hub of shopping, dining, and sightseeing. Along the pedestrian mall, you can find souvenir shops, a bookshop, a bowling alley, a film theatre, and seemingly endless dining options. In the centre of the mall are unique painted pianos for the musically inclined tourist or local busker to park at and play a tune.

One of the best amenities of the long walking mall, however, is the free Mall Ride shuttle. The bus stops at every crossroads along the way, making it easy to get where you need to go quickly.

In a centuries-old mercantile building is the expansive Wynkoop Brewery. The brewery was started by 4 men in 1988, one of whom would one day become state governor John Hickenlooper. When it first opened, the lower downtown (LoDo) area was hardly the trendy hub it is today.

Today, the brewery is still open, serving its famed craft beer and delicious pub food. Visitors can head upstairs to the billiards hall for a game or 2. If you’re interested in learning about the brew-making process, private tours are available upon request.

Coors Field, the home ballpark of the Colorado Rockies, is an iconic part of the lower downtown (LoDo) area. The stadium was constructed in 1995 during a sports boom in Denver in which the city landed a Major League Football team and built the Pepsi Centre (now Ball Arena) to host a National Hockey League team and National Basketball Association team in the same decade.

Today, the ballpark hosts all the Rockies’ home games and is known as a place to see stunning purple majesty sunsets. Pro tip: Head up to The Rooftop, an open standing-room area that also has a bar and concession stand, for the best views of the city.

Union Station is more than Denver’s train depot. It’s also a hub of high-end dining and shopping. Originally built in 1881, Union Station was most recently renovated in 2011 with the addition of the Crawford Hotel on the upper level.

There’s plenty to do in Union Station. Stop in the Great Hall for a cocktail as you watch travellers funnel in and out. Head to the Terminal Bar for a glass of wine before dinner. Meet friends for a mid-morning meal at one of several brunch spots. Or grab a cup of coffee to-go on your way to your next Downtown Denver stop.

The Daniels & Fisher Tower has historic roots in Denver, built in 1910 for the Daniels & Fisher Department Store. At the time it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

Today, locals know the building as the Clock Tower, where historic tours are held, and the Clocktower Cabaret has weekend shows. The cabaret typically hosts burlesque, drag, and dance shows. The Daniels & Fisher Tower is also available to rent for private events.