Denver, Colorado is a walkable, outdoor city with 300 days of sunshine, brilliant blue skies and breathtaking mountain scenery. Founded in 1858 as a gold mining camp, Denver is located at the base of the majestic Rocky Mountains, 5,280 feet (1,609 meters) above sea level – exactly one mile high. Denver offers urban adventures for all ages, spring, summer, fall or winter.
Explore The Mile High City without ever needing a car. Getting into the city center is easy with direct rail service from Denver International Airport to Denver Union Station, just steps from the 16th Street Mall free shuttle that runs through the heart of the city center. Here are 10 great reasons to visit Denver.
RED ROCKS PARK & AMPHITHEATRE
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is famous for its one-of-a-kind outdoor concert venue that is surrounded by giant, ancient rock formations. During the day, Red Rocks is a free city park with easy hiking trails and a visitor center that includes a Performers' Hall of Fame. Legendary musicians like The Beatles (1964) and U2 (1983) have performed here, and today, the summer concert series from May through October presents the best artists in jazz, rock, pop, bluegrass and more. Seeing a concert under the stars is a magical experience. Red Rocks Park is located 30 minutes west of downtown Denver.
DENVER UNION STATION
Denver Union Station is a transportation, dining, shopping and entertainment hub, all centered around the Crawford Hotel. The station is a fun gathering place for locals and visitors in the city center - eat a breakfast burrito at Snooze, sip a beer at the Terminal Bar, sample the locally sourced cuisine at one of the unique restaurants, shop a bit or have a hand-mixed cocktail at Cooper Lounge. Direct rail service connects Denver International Airport (DEN) to this landmark in just 37 minutes.
DENVER BEER TRAIL
Take a self-guided tour along the Denver Beer Trail and sample the craft beer paradise in The Mile High City. Explore the featured breweries, most of which are in the walkable city center, and you will find everything from Stouts to Lagers and all the flavors in between. Or, leave it to the experts on a guided brewery tour!
ROCKMOUNT RANCH WEAR
Rockmount Ranch Wear is the historic shop in downtown Denver where a true Western icon, Jack A. Weil (1901 - 2008), invented the first cowboy shirt with snaps instead of traditional buttons and helped popularize Western wear as legitimate American fashion. Many of the Rockmount designs are worn by movie stars and music legends, all with the signature design of diamond snaps and sawtooth pockets.
LARIMER SQUARE
Historic Larimer Square is Denver's oldest city block, home to the first saloons and businesses in The Mile High City. Today, the Victorian buildings have been transformed into shops, wine bars and the highly-acclaimed, chef-owned restaurants. Look for the sparkling lights strung across the street, relax at an outdoor cafe or bar, taste the best of cuisine created by local chefs or find unique clothing and accessories in the boutiques.
DENVER ART MUSEUM
The Denver Art Museum is home to a famous collection of Indigenous art. Explore the bold contemporary art inside and out of the new Frederic C. Hamilton building, designed by world-famous architect Daniel Libeskind. The museum, located in downtown’s Golden Triangle Creative District, also offers free general admission on the first Saturday of every month and is free for kids under 18 at all times. The Golden Triangle is also home to galleries, fine-art studios, specialty stores and museums including Clyfford Still Museum and the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.
HISTORY COLORADO CENTER
Denver's History Colorado Center features exhibits and programs that tell the stories of Colorado and engage visitors in the past, present and future of the Rocky Mountain West. Enjoy interactive exhibits like a virtual ride in a real Ford Model T, test your skills on a ski-jump simulator or set off dynamite in an 1880s hard-rock mine.
UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS – RINO, ART DISTRICT ON SANTA FE AND MORE!
Rent a bike and explore Denver's creative art districts that surround the city center. Discover the River North Art District (RiNo), which is rapidly becoming the hotspot for artists, foodies and designers. While retaining its industrial character, RiNo offers colorful street art murals and art galleries, craft breweries on the Denver Beer Trail, live music venues and urban food halls like Denver Central Market and The Source. Visit unique eateries and boutiques in the Highlands neighborhood, just north of downtown or the Art District on Santa Fe, which is home to more than 100 galleries, artist studios and creative businesses. Denver’s art districts also celebrate the first Friday of each month with art walks where galleries are open late.
CHERRY CREEK
Cherry Creek Shopping Center is home to more than 160 restaurants and stores including Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Abercrombie & Fitch, Levi’s, Michael Kors and Hugo Boss. Visit shopcherrycreek.com/passport to download your “Passport to Shopping” offering discounts for more than 60 stores and restaurants. Head across 1st Avenue to find the charming, tree-lined streets of the Cherry Creek North neighborhood, featuring galleries, boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, unique hotels and more. Cherry Creek is located just 15 minutes southeast of downtown.
DENVER ATTRACTION PASSES
Purchase a Mile High Culture pass or Denver CityPASS for the best way to explore some of the city’s most fascinating attractions at a bargain price. Purchase at the Tourist Information Center or online at denverattractionpass.com. Attractions include the Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Clyfford Still Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Zoo and more. Stroll through the lush oasis of Denver Botanic Gardens; explore the life and work of the abstract expressionist Clyfford Still, considered one of the most influential painters of the 20th century; or, experience the Denver Museum of Nature & Science where you can get as close to a T-Rex dinosaur as you dare.
