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Take an informative, eye-opening tour of the historic Capitol Building, which covers the construction of this impressive piece of Colorado architecture, early Colorado history, the famous 24kt. gold dome and much more, including a stop at the Senate and House of Representatives’ chambers. A separate tour takes visitors to the top of the Capitol’s dome for an unparalleled view of the city and the Front Range. This is a popular tour, so reservations are recommended.
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Nearby Boulder is the home of this dream spot for tea lovers – the world’s most advanced tea production plant. Free hour-long tours, offered every day, will take you through the intricate processes behind Celestial Seasonings’ delicious concoctions. Of course, free samples are offered at every turn!
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Anyone with even the smallest sweet tooth will love this free tour, which gets you behind the scenes at Hammond’s, a company that has been making candy in Denver since 1920. You’ll come away with a newfound respect for the candy industry, plenty of free samples – and maybe a cavity or two.
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Admission to Hudson Gardens, a popular destination for adults and kids alike, is free from November through April. Late fall offers an abundance of autumnal beauty, while early spring offers delightful sights and smells as everything begins to bloom.
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The 165-acre park is one of Denver’s largest and consistently voted by locals as their favorite. Expansive lawns, manicured gardens and Smith Lake highlight the park with several trails, including one that goes around the perimeter of the park. This is an ideal setting for a picnic, tossing the Frisbee around or just hanging out in the sunshine.
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Denver’s history goes deep. Millions of years ago huge reptiles roamed the Front Range and today, you’ll find Jurassic dinosaur bones, such as Allosaurus, Apatosaurus and Stegosaurus at Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison. Take a free, self-guided tour that includes 16 interpretive signs that describe the fossil remains and other fascinating features of the area.
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The vibrant Santa Fe Arts District is filled with art lovers every first Friday, when more than 30 galleries open their doors and display the best local, national and international works.
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Remember, if you’re spending time in the downtown area, the 16th Street MallRide shuttle service is fast, frequent and always free. The shuttle operates every day as early as 5am on weekdays, 5:30am on Saturdays and 7am on Sundays/holidays. Service continues throughout the day with the last complete roundtrip every night at 1:35am starting at Union Station.
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For more than 20 years, the bandstand at City Park has played host to some of Denver’s greatest live jazz performances – and they’ve all been completely free. During the summer months, bring out your beach chair or picnic blanket and get ready for a foot-tappin’ good time.
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The first Tuesday of each month is free from 4pm to 8pm. The museum has 11 interactive Playscapes where children can shoot baskets, climb on an authentic fire engine, build toy railroads and go shopping in a mini-supermarket. This hands-on learning experience is an ideal destination for children ages 3 to 8 years old.
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There's nowhere else you're going to see a pair of inflatable, 16-foot-tall rubber bunnies, right? One of the Mile High City's most fascinating art locales, The Dikeou Collection is a private collection of contemporary art, with photography, drawings, sculptures, and installations by more than 25 artists from around the world. Free and open to the public, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.
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The Money Museum offers an opportunity to learn about the Federal Reserve Bank. And, best of all, it's free! Walk-ins are welcome and groups can make advance reservations. Photo ID required for visitors 18 and older. On your way out, don't forget to get your bag of shredded money.