8 Things to Do In and Around Denver Colorado – FAMILYTRAVELSUSA

1. Learn About Denver with a Downtown Walking Tour. One thing we have learned about city travel is that taking a tour early on is a good way to get familiar with a new place. A walking tour is a fun way to see the sights and gain historical knowledge about the place you are visiting. Over the years, we have enjoyed walking tours in cities all around the USA and Denver was no exception. Our group of 8 met up with our tour guide from WeVenture near the Capitol Building. Over the next two hours, our guide shared the history and stories behind the buildings as we wandered along.  

The tour starts at the mile-high marker on the steps of the Capitol Building, which we learned is one of several markers based on recalculations and the application of new measuring technology. Moving along, it was interesting to learn about the architecture of the Greek Theater at Civic Center Park, the giant Blue Bear at the Colorado Convention Center (kids won’t want to miss this), and to see the ornate interior of the Brown Palace Hotel. In fact, taking this tour on our first full day in Denver gave us the opportunity to make a reservation for the popular afternoon tea at the Brown Palace a few days later. The walking tour ended at Union Station, a busy spot for both travelers and locals. If you enjoy walking tours, it’s a great first day activity. We used the Free MallRide after our tour to shorten our walk back.  

For flexibility, we opted to purchase & download the Denver RiNo Street Art Mural Tour by WalknTours. The self-guided app allows you to stroll at our own pace. The nice thing about walking through the RiNo district is that there are plenty of places to grab something to eat or drink along the way. The Catbird Hotel turned out to be the perfect base for exploring the RiNo district. Read more about the street art scene in Denver plus two other cities in the USA with amazing art.   

The hotel lobby was surprisingly full when we showed up for our Monday reservation. A harpist set the mood in the towering atrium as we were seated at a table with a cozy couch and chairs. The menu had four choices, starting with the least expensive Brown Palace Signature Tea up to the decadent Bubbles for Four. All come with a choice of tea and a tiered serving platter of scones, finger sandwiches, and individual desserts. In case you were wondering, you won’t leave hungry!

We booked our journey for 9:15 a.m. with seats in the Vista Dome car. Based on our recent train experience in Alaska, we knew we would be spending much of the ride on the open, outdoor viewing platform. Seating in the Vista Dome car gave us the flexibility to order from the breakfast menu, enjoy the view through the large windows, and step outside throughout the ride. Other options include the First Class Lunch and Dinner Train, or coach class seats. No matter where you sit, riding the Royal Gorge Route Railroad through the towering rock walls is a one-of-a-kind experience. If you spend the night in Cañon City, stop in the Bean Pedaler for coffee and Pizza Madness for lunch. We spent the night before our ride at the Parkview Inn Motel, conveniently located just across the street from the train depot.

Then head outside to explore! There are over 20 miles of trails, which include the Central Garden Trails that wind through many of the rock formations. There is a parking lot nearby (in addition to the Visitor Center lot), just know it’s crowded and you may have to wait for a spot.  Other ways to explore the park include a free audio tour, or as part of a segway, e-bike, or even a horseback tour. No matter which you choose, just enjoy this spectacular, natural attraction. The park was a convenient stop for us on the way back to Denver from our Royal Gorge Route Railroad adventure.  

So what is there to do at Red Rocks if you aren’t attending a concert?  Start with the Visitor Center, home to the Red Rocks Hall of Fame and the gift shop. Then walk into the amphitheater, where you will likely find both tourists and locals, some using the steep seating area for their daily exercise routine. Make time for a hike on one of the trails. Red Rocks is one of the popular Denver Mountain Parks, and offers several hiking trails that bring you up close to the stunning scenery. We hiked the Trading Post Trail in a clockwise direction, a 1.4 mile loop that starts near the Trading Post building. Even if you don’t hike, stop and enjoy the view from the back patio of the Trading Post (with nearby parking close to the trailhead). As with all outdoor activities in and around the Denver area, keep in mind the altitude may impact your activity level when walking or hiking.  And while you are in the Red Rocks area, don’t miss a stop at nearby Dinosaur Ridge. Kids of all ages will enjoy seeing preserved dinosaur footprints either through a tour or a self-guided walk. We combined our morning at Red Rocks with lunch in nearby Golden.

We arrived at the Chautauqua Trailhead midday on a Sunday and it was busy. On summer weekends, avoid the busy parking area with a free shuttle that runs from various stops around Boulder. The area is home to a range of hikes for all levels, and I definitely noticed the altitude even while we were hiking the easy/moderate Flatiron Loop Trail. There are five flatirons which can be reached via several trail combinations. For a more challenging hike with a rewarding view, check out one of Boulder’s hidden gems- the Royal Arch Trail. This trail is a 3 mile loop of mostly stairs, and a massive natural arch at the summit. Visitors can stop in to the General Store afterwards for a snack or drink. Here’s a resource if you are looking for accessible hikes in the Boulder area. 

Less than two miles across town is the Catbird Hotel. This dog-friendly, colorful hotel is perfectly located to explore RiNo. I loved the colorful, comfortable furniture scattered around the lobby and the efficient use of room space with under-bed storage and a compact kitchen area. The rooms are designed with amenities for long-term stays that include cooking supplies and laundry facilities. The hotel is also home to a popular rooftop bar. There is a nightly amenity fee including one breakfast, access to the fitness center, hydration stations, and more. 

And there are plenty of great food choices around the city. We loved the Table Bites and Boards & Bruschetta menu choices at Postino, the food hall at Denver Milk Market with something for everyone, the bacon fried rice and coffee from Lekker Coffee and Watering Hole, and dinner at Aloy Modern Thai. Plus the homemade breakfasts at the Queen Anne were an excellent way to start the day!  

For our next trip, I will definitely add the Denver Botanic Gardens and the uniquely shaped Denver Art Museum to our list of things to do in downtown Denver. For kids, the Denver Firefighters Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science are popular. I’ve also read that the National Ballpark Museum close to Coors Field is a hidden gem for baseball fans. Of course,  you can’t go wrong with exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, less than 2 hours from Denver!