Visiting Denver for the First Time? Here’s What To See and Do

At Union Station, you can get a sense of Denver’s past and present. That’s because the building has been around since the early 20th century, when it served as the city’s main transportation hub. However, renovations in recent years have completely transformed the station, turning it into a community gathering place complete with open seating for the many bars, restaurants, and cafés inside, where you can stop for a break inside one of Denver's top spots. Union Station is also a great spot to start a day of sightseeing; from here, you can join a Denver walking tour to explore lower downtown.

If it's your first time visiting Denver, prebook admission to the Botanic Gardens, one of the top attractions to explore. This peaceful property, located between Cheesman and Congress Parks, offers 24 acres (9.7 hectares) of well-manicured gardens both indoors and out and is open year-round. Combine a visit to the gardens with a stroll through the nearby Cheesman Park neighborhood, where you can admire the many elegant manors that line the streets.

Several Denver restaurants have received Michelin stars in recent years, cementing the city’s place as an up-and-coming destination for foodies. The city’s restaurant scene showcases Denver’s rich cultural diversity, with many eateries run by first-generation Americans; this is reflected in the wide range of different cuisines served at Denver's various restaurants. Make the most of Denver's culinary scene on a food tour and sample everything from local wine and craft beer to green chile-smothered burritos, bison burgers, Rocky Mountain oysters, and more classic Denver bites.

Denver is very much a sum of its parts, and by far one of the most interesting and eclectic areas of the city is RiNo (River North), otherwise known as the Denver Arts District. In this neighborhood, you'll discover new street art murals around every corner, though you can also find a brewery to spend some time in or check out one of the events that take place here throughout the year to immerse yourself in RiNo's vibe. For some added insight from a local guide, you can learn more about RiNo on a beer and street art walking tour of the area.

Many would say that craft beer and beverages are central to Colorado’s identity, which is no surprise: The state is home to more than 450 craft breweries and is the birthplace of brands including Coors and New Belgium got started. Get to know this side of Denver by visiting its many breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries—most of which offer non-alcoholic options as well—on a beer and brewery tour, many of which include multiple venues for tastings.

The Mile High City may be famous for its sunny weather, but museums are a great option if you’re wondering what to do in Denver on a snowy or rare rainy day. There are museums for all kinds of interests, from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to the Denver Art Museum (DAM) to the newly opened Museum of Illusions. Although, if you'd rather stay outside, the Denver Zoo is a great Denver tourist attraction for families (and animal lovers of all ages).

The best of Denver sightseeing combines active exploration with cultural and historical discoveries, and the Capitol Hill area is an ideal place for all of the above. This part of the city is home to the grand Capitol Building and several of Denver’s biggest museums, plus live music events and food trucks (when the weather's nice) and various cultural festivals year-round. For a quirkier option to learn more about Denver’s history, visit Capitol Hill on a guided ghost tour.

The great outdoors—and all the activities they allow for—form the foundation of Colorado’s state culture, so it's no surprise that one of the most common Denver travel tips you’ll encounter is to get outside and get moving. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to get active, both in the metropolitan area and nearby. You can join a themed walking tour or bike tour around Denver, or head a little ways out of the city to try Rocky Mountain ziplining or guided hiking excursions in the mountains.

Denver has a thriving arts scene, with shows of all kinds going on each week in the city’s many modern and historical events venues. Sports fans can attend a game at the Coors Field or Ball Arena, while theatergoers can see what's on at the historic Elitch Theater or watch a performance at the Ogden Theatre. Otherwise, head a little ways out of town to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an outdoor music venue known for its dramatic rock formations.

Denver is ideally located to give you easy access to the Rockies—just an hour and a half's drive outside the city. It's an easy day trip to explore Rocky Mountain National Park, or visit nearby ski towns such as Breckenridge and Vail.

For another outdoorsy road trip option, head south to Colorado Springs for a hike, where you can combine Pikes Peak with the Garden of the Gods, and see two of the Rocky Mountains' best known formations. If you haven’t rented a car, look for tours and excursions that include transportation so you can sit back and focus on the views.