If you’ve never visited Denver before, you’re in for a real treat. Whether you found cheap plane tickets to Denver, you’re using Denver as a jumping-off point for an adventurous trip to the Rockies, or you simply feel drawn to check out the biggest city in Colorado, Denver is a fabulous U.S. travel destination. From beautiful nature to amazing food to rich cultural attractions, there’s something for every type of traveler!
Don’t be surprised if you end up falling in love with everything Denver has to offer after just a short visit… but if your weekend getaway ends up leading you to a cross-country move to the mile-high city, you’re in luck! Not only is Denver a great place to live, but Move 4 Less Denver movers can help make your Denver long-distance move a total breeze.
That being said, we know a thing or two about what makes Denver such a great place to visit and stay. Read on for our top 10 must-visit Denver attractions for newcomers and tourists. (And possible future Denver residents!)
10 Must-Visit Places in Denver
1. Red Rocks Amphitheater
Called America’s Best Amphitheater by Rolling Stone, no trip to Denver is complete without visiting Red Rocks. It’s an open-air venue nestled between two naturally-occurring rock formations. Go to a concert, attend Yoga on the Rocks, see a film on the big screen, or hike near the amphitheater.
2. Rocky Mountain National Park
Get out of the city for a day (or two, or ten!) to take in the majesty of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s just an hour and a half drive from Denver and is home to unforgettable mountain views, hiking trails, picturesque lakes, wildlife viewing, and more. It’s a spectacular place to visit no matter how outdoorsy you are.
3. Nearby Ski Resorts
Colorado is home to some of the world’s best ski resorts, and Denver is close to many of them. You can drive to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Winter Park, and many other ski resorts in under two hours, making a ski day a great addition to your Denver winter vacay.
4. Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums between the West Coast and Chicago. The museum itself is an architectural wonder, and it houses over 70,000 diverse works from around the world. It’s open daily and makes for a great indoorsy activity.
5. Union Station
This beautifully restored historic landmark is now home to charming shops, unmissable restaurants, local breweries, and one of Denver’s finest hotels. It’s a great place to spend an evening or to have as your home base for your entire Denver trip. It’s also still a working station, with a variety of train, bus, and light-rail travel services to make getting to the next leg of your trip especially convenient.
6. Denver Botanic Gardens
Enjoy a different type of natural beauty. This public botanical garden spans 24 acres and is a great place to get out of the hustle of the city without going too far.
7. Larimer Square
The perfect city block for wandering, shopping, and sampling Denver’s local cuisine. This picturesque, pedestrian-friendly city block is a great place to spend a day of your Denver vacation.
8. 16th Street Mall
A mile-long pedestrian-friendly mall located in the heart of the mile-high city, packed with great restaurants, local shops, and other attractions. Pro tip: the MallRide shuttle buses are free and come every few minutes, so if the mile-long stretch is starting to feel too long in the Denver heat, take advantage! And be sure to stop at the Colorado State Capital Building for the true Mile-High experience – the 13th step on the west side is exactly one mile above sea level.
9. Denver’s Great American Beer Festival
Move over, Oktoberfest – Denver’s Great American Beer Festival is the biggest beer celebration on the planet. But even if you don’t happen to visit Denver in the fall when the festival is going on, don’t fret – Denver’s home to over 150 local breweries.
10. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
A true Denver bucket list destination whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or not. Located on the former Lowry Air Force Base, this sprawling museum is home to over fifty iconic aircraft and shockingly realistic flight simulators.
Of course, these attractions are just the tip of the iceberg! Denver’s natural beauty, active culture, and killer food scene all make Denver a great place to live and explore. If your work or sheer sense of adventure end up leading you to the Mile-High City more permanently, you can look into these moving services for Denver.
