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Known as the Mile-High City, Denver, Colorado is known for its clean, beautiful downtown area, its huge park system, 300 days per year of abundant sunshine, and of course, the view of the mountains. If you are new to the Denver area or are planning a vacation there, the following are the top ten things to do and see in Denver.

Things to do In Denver

Denver is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 United States census, a 19.22% increase since the 2010 United States census. It is the 19th-most populous city in the United States and the fifth most populous state capital. It is the principal city of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the first city of the Front Range Urban Corridor.

Capitol Building

Denver is the capital of Colorado, and the beautiful gold dome of the Capitol building is easy to find among the tall skyline of downtown Denver. The grounds are well-manicured and free tours are offered for visitors. Appropriately, the capitol has a point that is exactly 5,280 feet – a mile high.

Larimer Square

Not far from the capital is Larimer Square, the old downtown part of Denver. Several years ago, the entire area was refurbished and is now a popular shopping plaza with countless fashionable stores, a variety of restaurants and nightclubs, and a regular schedule of special events.

Lower Downtown

Also downtown is the scenic historic neighbourhood fondly known as LoDo, short for Lower Downtown. This charming 29-block section of town is home to preserved and restored homes and buildings that were part of Denver’s original settlement. Sprinkled in amongst the history are a number of stylish restaurants and shops.

Cherry Creek

In the community of Cherry Creek, you’ll find the next stop on our tour: the historic Tattered Cover bookstore. Enjoy browsing through this five-story building which includes three stories of books for sale, a top-floor restaurant, and a special section for autograph signings and other events. If it is in print, chances are you’ll find it at the Tattered Cover.

United States Mint

If, in addition to spending money, you’d like to see how money is produced, contact your local senator or Congressman and plan a visit to the Denver branch of the United States Mint. All coins for public circulation are produced at the Denver Mint. Tours must be arranged two-three weeks in advance, and a congressional permit is required.

Museums

If you like museums and learning about history, Denver offers two of America’s finest. The Colorado History Museum is full of artefacts and photographs that lead visitors through the history of Colorado’s pioneer days. And The Molly Brown House Museum is the colourful Victorian Home of the unsinkable Molly Brown, a survivor of the Titanic and Denver’s controversial “daughter of adventure.”

Six Flags Elitch Gardens

For outdoors and action enthusiasts, the colourful and exciting Six Flags Elitch Gardens is an amusement park with more than 45 rides and attractions, but also a historic garden full of an abundance and variety of flowers. Also at Elitch Gardens, you will find music, restaurants and entertainment for all ages.

Invesco Field

Sports fans will want to visit INVESCO Field at Mile High, formerly known as Mile High Stadium, home of the Denver Broncos. Bucky the Bronco, cast from a model identical to Roy Rogers’ horse, Trigger, stands 27 feet tall atop the team scoreboard.

Casa Bonita

Wrapping up the list of Denver’s top ten attractions is Casa Bonita, the family Mexican restaurant that boasts indoor caves, a waterfall, and even a cliff diver. Children and adults will enjoy exploring the building and visiting the prize room after dinner.

Natural Beauty

Denver is a beautiful city year-round; even in winter when the snow arrives, it passes quickly and the sun always comes out again.

Enjoy your visit to Denver; you’ll find that these top ten attractions are only the beginning.