Summary of Downtown Denver Attractions
No matter what you seek during your visit to a city, it is assured that you will find it in Downtown Denver. This vibrant urban hub encompasses several districts, including the city’s historic area, Lower Downtown, also known as LoDo in Denver.
Downtown Denver features a significant number of skyscrapers; however, they are distributed along broad avenues and interlaced with open squares, parks, pedestrian-friendly zones, and an excellent network of bicycle paths that contribute to a spacious atmosphere akin to a rural town.
In Downtown Denver, one can find historic buildings adjacent to nightclubs, museums neighboring shopping centers, and sports venues surrounded by bars, beer gardens, and taverns. This eclectic combination creates an engaging environment, making Downtown Denver an exceptional destination. Explore some, if not all, of these fifteen premier attractions while you are there. They are sure to impress.
1. 16th Street
Stroll, dine, or enjoy a serene walk free from disruptive traffic noise along the mile-and-a-quarter-long, pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall. This outdoor shopping district presents a broad promenade adorned with trees and potted shrubs, imparting a Mediterranean ambiance by day. At night, it sparkles with thousands of lights suspended above the street.
For those in search of shopping, there are over three hundred stores to explore. Alternatively, one may visit numerous cafés or bars with outdoor seating to enjoy a drink while observing the vibrant street life.
For individuals who prefer not to walk, a complimentary shuttle bus operates along the mall; however, one would miss the opportunity to witness the remarkable street performers entertaining in the mall’s squares, the fountains, and the cosmopolitan atmosphere.
2. Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
Distinctively, Downtown Denver is the only downtown area in any U.S. city that houses a theme park, and Elitch Gardens offers both exhilarating rides and water slides.
Experience the Brain Drain, a seven-story-high loop ride, get suspended upside down on the Mind Eraser, or feel the thrill of being propelled at eighty miles an hour on the Slingshot. Make a splash at the Cannonball Falls in the water park section, or experience a free fall from over sixty feet down the Mega Wedgie into the pool below.
Should your visit to Downtown Denver coincide with Halloween, do not miss the park’s Fright Fest—it promises to be a thrilling experience.
3. Colorado Convention Center
Even if you are not attending a convention, a visit to the Colorado Convention Center on 14th Street is worthwhile. This versatile venue hosts a theater and accommodates large exhibitions, shows, and concerts for up to twenty thousand attendees.
While numerous renowned figures may grace the Colorado Convention Center, the true crowd-drawer is the Big Blue Bear. This massive statue stands forty feet tall and peeks through the windows of the center, becoming an iconic representation of Denver and a remarkable photo opportunity.
4. Denver Microbrew Tour
While California is known for its grapes, raisins, and wines, Denver is famed for its abundance of beer. The city is home to numerous microbreweries, as well as larger brewing companies. Take a tour through Downtown and discover what sets Denver apart in the realm of brewing this beloved beverage.
Visit various brewery locations in LoDo and the Ballpark districts. Observe demonstrations detailing the brewing process for craft beer and hear intriguing anecdotes related to the city’s brewing history.
This tour is exclusively for those over the age of twenty-one. Please carry identification, as tastings are included.
5. Denver Pedicab
An enjoyable and unique method to explore Downtown Denver is via pedicab. These electric tricycles are operated by knowledgeable guides who provide engaging commentary as they navigate you through the area.
The guides will take you past numerous prominent Downtown attractions while you relax in comfort. Experience sites such as Larimer Square, the Pepsi Center, and the U.S. Mint, all from the cozy confines of your pedicab.
The tours last approximately one and a half hours and encompass multiple stops for visits and photographs.
6. Larimer Square
Larimer Square is not merely a historic location in Downtown Denver; it is the original epicenter from which the city flourished. After experiencing years of decline, the area has been revitalized, transforming it into one of the most popular and lively social destinations in both Downtown and Denver as a whole.
Upon arriving at Larimer Square, do not expect a conventional plaza. The Square comprises a block-long street lined with restaurants, boutiques, cafés, and clubs. The dining options extend beyond typical American cuisine, showcasing a distinctly Mediterranean influence with offerings ranging from French fare to Italian and Continental social dishes.
For night owls, the area boasts excellent wine bars, lively venues, and even a stand-up comedy club. The exceptional atmosphere is what unifies all these elements, making Larimer Square a must-visit in Downtown Denver.
7. Denver Art Museum
A contemporary masterpiece in its own right, the Denver Art Museum located on 14th Avenue Parkway is an architectural marvel characterized by geometric designs, housing an impressive collection of over seventy thousand individual works of art.
The museum’s collections encompass various genres, featuring Asian, European, and African art, alongside its acclaimed exhibition of American Indian artistry. The gallery hosts both permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as workshops, lectures, and live art demonstrations.
8. Skyline Beer Garden
The Skyline Beer Garden offers a spacious open-air social venue on Arapahoe Street in Downtown Denver. Encompassing forty thousand square feet, the garden features a mini-golf course, ping-pong tables, and live music, while serving a variety of Colorado-produced craft beers.
In addition to its beverages, the Skyline Beer Garden presents a diverse street-food inspired menu featuring tacos, apple enchiladas, and ice cream offered by the pint.
During early afternoons from 4 pm to 6 pm, the venue hosts “Meet The Maker” tastings and giveaways, establishing Skyline as Downtown Denver’s permanent beer festival.
9. Money Museum
For those fascinated by currency, the Money Museum located on 16th Street in Downtown Denver is a worthwhile visit. The museum features impressive displays, including stacks of cash totaling thirty million dollars.
Interactive exhibitions provide insights into the history of American currency, while informative videos cover various finance-related topics. Visitors can even design their own currency using computers available on-site. Don’t forget to take home a unique souvenir—a bag of shredded currency—on your way out.
All museum visitors aged eighteen and older are required to present some form of identification for entry.
10. Union Station
Union Station serves multiple purposes beyond transportation, as the century-old renovated landmark building is filled with a variety of eateries, shops, and bars.
While it remains possible to catch a train from Union Station, visitors can also access Amtrak services, the 16th Street Shuttle, and Downtown’s complimentary RTD Metroride.
If a night out at a train station has never been an option for you, it certainly should be. Experience the Union Station’s chic Cooper Lounge for sophisticated cocktails and upscale dining, or enjoy happy hour at the Terminal Bar.
11. Coors Field
Attend a major league baseball game at Coors Field located on Blake Street in Downtown Denver, home to the Colorado Rockies team, who frequently achieve sell-out crowds of up to fifty thousand spectators.
Coors Field offers much more than just baseball. The stadium features merchandise shops, boutiques featuring Rockies gear, burger joints, craft beer establishments, and even an on-site microbrewery, along with a fine dining experience spread across six tiers.
The stadium also hosts numerous public events and a variety of major music concerts throughout the year.
12. Civic Center Park
Take a refreshing break with a walk through Civic Center Park along 14th Avenue. The spacious pathways wind through lush lawns, enhanced by more than twenty-five thousand square feet of flower gardens, fountains, and statues.
This park is a favored location for events and festivals, as well as a venue for political demonstrations. It features a Greek amphitheater that hosts various live performances, and it also serves as a delightful spot for a picnic on the grass.
Be sure to observe the twelve bronze animal heads mounted on poles, representing the signs of the Chinese zodiac—these are quite distinctive.
13. Molly Brown House Museum
Surviving the sinking of the Titanic, few are as renowned as Molly Brown. Not only was she a significant figure of her time, but she was also a prominent activist and philanthropist, ahead of her era.
This museum, affectionately known as the House of Lions due to its decorative lion statues, was constructed in the late nineteenth century and possesses significant historical value.
Within the museum, visitors can find approximately ten thousand exhibits, artifacts, and memorabilia connected to her life and the middle-class society of Victorian Colorado. From personal jewelry and clothing to furniture, the museum offers a captivating educational journey into a past era.
14. Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
For a unique atmosphere and charm, visit Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox for an evening out. This vibrant venue situated on 20th Street in Downtown Denver was previously a brothel and now serves as a bar and restaurant.
Recently renovated, the building has been transformed, featuring modern sound and lighting systems, a stage for live performances, and an exceptional menu.
Enjoy flavorful food while admiring provocative artwork and listening to live music in what is likely the world’s only Gastrobrothel—an experience unique to Downtown Denver.
15. Denver Firefighters Museum
The Denver Firefighters Museum, located on Tremont Place in Downtown Denver, features exciting exhibits that will surely captivate visitors.
The history of the Denver Fire Department dates back to the 1880s, and the museum showcases artifacts from when firefighters bravely responded to blazes in horse-drawn carriages.
Climb aboard a wagon, don a helmet, and learn more about the courageous individuals who have been extinguishing fires in the city for nearly one hundred fifty years. The people of Downtown Denver cherish their heroes, and you will too.
