14 must-see places to explore in Denver and the surrounding area

Dernière mise à jour de cet article le 22 March 2026

During a previous trip to the United States, we took the legendary California Zephyr train, which runs from Chicago to San Francisco. We made a one-day stop in Denver, Colorado. And I fell in love with the place right away. I left feeling frustrated that I hadn’t been able to explore the Mile High City more thoroughly. So, I decided to come back to spend a week to visit Denver and the surrounding area. 

Denver is a vibrant destination that combines outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, and unique neighborhoods. Whether you’re planning a short city break or a longer stay, Denver has plenty to offer.

In this article, I’ll show you what to do in and around Denver with 14 must-see spots. And of course, at the end of the article, you’ll find Kiki’s list—he has her own list, though it’s a little different from mine. 

1) Visit downtown Denver

Any visit to Denver starts in the city center. Visiting the magnificent Union Station, exploring the Larimer Square neighborhood, and touring the State Capitol Building and the Colorado Museum are must-see attractions during a visit to Denver.

For more details on things to do in downtown Denver, I invite you to read my article on visiting downtown Denver.

After exploring downtown, City Park is the perfect place to enjoy nature and museums.

2) Visit City Park in Denver

City Park is one of Denver’s largest parks. It is very popular among Denverites. In fact, it offers beautiful views of downtown and the mountains. It is also home to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. 

I found it very pleasant and, above all, huge. It’s perfect for a break in nature. On the practical side, there are plenty of free parking lots nearby.

3) Take a walk in Washington Park

Washington Park is a beautiful park that is very popular in Denver. It features two lakes, Smith Lake and Grasmere Lake, where you can go pedal boating or kayaking. You can also simply enjoy the peaceful views of the water. You can even walk around the entire park.

There are parking lots all around the park. However, several of them were full when I arrived. So I parked at the Denver South High School parking lot. I don’t think I parked exactly where I was supposed to, because when I came back, there was melted cheddar on my car. The message was clear!

4) Visit Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Morrison

If you’re looking for things to do around Denver, I recommend checking out Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Located about 30 minutes from Denver, this park is famous for its impressive rock formations and natural amphitheater. It also features hiking trails with stunning views. You can also attend concerts and yoga sessions.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Morrison is a must-see natural amphitheater for concerts and hiking near Denver

5) Visit the Buffalo Bill Grave and Museum in Golden

Near Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, you can visit the Buffalo Bill Grave and Museum.

After your visit, take a break at Lookout Mountain to enjoy the magnificent views of the Colorado plains.

6) Visit Dinosaur Ridge, Morrison

If you’re passionate about paleontology or just curious to see dinosaur tracks and fossils, I recommend visiting Dinosaur Ridge. 

It’s not every day you get to see dinosaur footprints and fossils!

7) Discover Evergreen Lake, Evergreen

Evergreen Lake, located about 30 minutes from Denver, is a beautiful spot offering a variety of outdoor activities. You can walk around the lake in about an hour. In winter, the lake turns into a natural ice rink where you can go ice skating and play hockey. 

For all the practical information you need about Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Buffalo Bill’s Grave and Museum, Dinosaur Ridge, and Evergreen Lake, I invite you to read my article on Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre and the surrounding area.

8) Visit the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Denver 

Want to see bison up close without getting out of your car? Then be sure to visit the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Denver. You can take a drive-through safari to see American bison. Plus, you can enjoy beautiful hikes in a classic Colorado setting.

You can find all the practical information in my article about the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Denver.

9) Visit South Valley Park, Denver

South Valley Park is a beautiful park located southwest of Denver, near Littleton in Jefferson County. The park is known for its spectacular red rock formations, similar to those found at Red Rocks Park.

These formations, millions of years old, offer a unique setting for hiking and photography. In fact, I’ve gone on several hikes in this park, starting from the South Trailhead parking lot. 

Coyote Song Trail 

The Coyote Song Trail is a 1-mile hike that runs from the South Trailhead parking lot to the North Trailhead parking lot. It’s absolutely stunning, winding through meadows and red rock formations. Plus, you’ll come across plenty of hikers with their dogs, all in a very friendly atmosphere. 

While on the trail, I also hiked Lyons Back, which gave me a chance to climb a bit higher and take in the Colorado scenery. This 0.4-mile trail is steeper than the Coyote Song Trail. 

Swallow Trail 

To get back to the parking lot, I took the Swallow Trail, an absolutely incredible 0.8-mile trail. You’ll walk through meadows with stunning views of the rock formations (again and again, but you never get tired of them!). 

Prairie Falcon

At the end of the Swallow Trail, I took the Prairie Falcon Trail for 0.2 miles before heading back onto the Coyote Song Trail and returning to the South Trailhead parking lot. 

 

For practical information, you can park either at the North Trailhead or the South Trailhead. Just be sure to pick up a map before you start your hike. They are available in the parking lot (next to the restrooms). 

I think South Valley Park is my favorite park in Denver. Plus, it’s free. It’s also located near Deer Creek Canyon Park, which was unfortunately closed when I visited.

10) Visit Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora  

Cherry Creek State Park is a large park located southeast of Denver in Aurora. It features a reservoir where you can go sailing, fishing, and paddleboarding. There are also trails for biking and hiking.

I went to Tower Loop to walk along the reservoir to Pelican Point via the Smoky Hill Trail (1.65 miles one way). However, I had to turn back at Dixon Grove because the trail was closed. First disappointment.

To be honest, I was pretty disappointed because there was a lot of trash along the edge of the reservoir. I don’t know if it’s related to the huge campground located inside the park. However, it’s not common to see that much trash in parks in the United States.

So after that disappointment, I hiked the Pipeline Trail (0.71 miles).

You can connect to the Wethland Loop (1.22 miles), which is what I did.

Second disappointment. For starters, there wasn’t a soul in sight, which isn’t exactly reassuring when you’re in the middle of a forest. On top of that, I was walking through a swarm of grasshoppers, with the sound of gunfire from the shooting range in the park in the background. In short, as you can imagine, I didn’t fall in love with this park—far from it!

For practical information, the Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to pick up a map. You can also ask for recommendations on hikes to take. Finally, admission to the park is $11 for the day.

In short, I wasn’t impressed by this park.

11) Take a walk in Chatfield State Park, Littleton

Chatfield State Park is located southwest of Denver, near Littleton. It centers around Chatfield Reservoir. You can enjoy water activities such as boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There is also a beach where you can go swimming. 

There are many hiking trails in the park. In fact, the Chatfield Trail is one of the most popular trails, offering beautiful views of the reservoir and the surrounding mountains.

Admission to Chatfield State Park is also $11 for the day.

12) Visit the Carson Nature Center and South Platte Park in Denver

The Carson Nature Center and South Platte Park in Denver is a nature discovery center located along the South Platte River. It features educational exhibits on the local ecosystem. It is open only from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM Tuesday through Friday and from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

In addition, there are several hiking trails to explore in this beautiful setting, including the most famous one, the 2.5-mile Mary Carter Greenway Trail.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Nearby, you’ll find plenty of shops, including a wonderful bookstore where I loved spending time.

13) Visit Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs, about an hour and 15 minutes from Denver in the state of Colorado. This natural park is famous for its spectacular red sandstone rock formations, which reach heights of up to 100 meters.

Garden of the Gods was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. As a result, it’s very popular with tourists. In fact, it was the first time I’d seen so many people during my week in and around Denver.

Garden of the Gods Visitor Center

Start your visit at the Visitor Center, which features exhibits on the region’s geology, wildlife, and cultural history. Next, stop by the large gift shop. There’s also a theater where you can watch a movie, but you’ll need to buy tickets.

Admission to Garden of the Gods is free. Once inside the park, you can drive along the one-way scenic route. You can pull over at the parking lots to go for a hike.

Perkins Central Garden Trail

The Perkins Central Garden Trail is a loop trail approximately 2.4 kilometers long that winds through the heart of the park. It offers spectacular views of some of the most impressive rock formations, including the Kissing Camels, the Siamese Twins, and the Three Graces.

On this hike, you can connect to other trails, which are usually loops. In fact, I did the Upper Loop Trail.

To hike the Perkins Central Garden Trail, park at the main parking lot (Lot 2). Be sure to note down your parking spot number—otherwise, you might have a hard time finding your car later. Since there’s no paper map available, you’ll need to check the map signs each time (or take a photo of them).

If you have the time and energy, you can also start this hike at the Visitor Center and follow the road to the main parking lot (P2).

1909 Trolley Tours

You can take a 45-minute bus tour that will take you through the park along the scenic route.

My driver was incredibly kind and passionate about his work. It was a pleasure to listen to him and take in the magnificent scenery, especially at Pikes Peak, one of Colorado’s most famous mountains. We also drove past Balanced Rock.

I highly recommend this experience—I have wonderful memories of it. To make a reservation, visit the Visitor Center or the official website. You can also take Jeep tours.

Trading Post

To wrap up this wonderful visit to Garden of the Gods, you can stop by the Trading Post. It’s actually a huge gift shop, art gallery, and restaurant all in one. I tried the bison “classic burger,” and it wasn’t very good. But to each their own!

If you’re looking for something to do near Denver, I highly recommend visiting the Garden of the Gods. I really had a great time there.

14) Explore Rocky Mountain National Park

I visited Rocky Mountain National Park during a recent trip to the United States. This national park is located about an hour and a half from Denver and features majestic mountains, hiking trails, alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife.

Check out all my tips for visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in this article. Plus, if you’re planning to visit national parks, I invite you to download this guide with all my tips for a successful and stress-free trip!

Trip from Denver: Yellowstone National Park

If you have a few days to spare, you can combine a visit to Denver with a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Located about an 8-hour drive away, Yellowstone offers spectacular scenery, including geysers, lakes, and impressive wildlife. It’s a great way to extend your trip for nature lovers and those who enjoy the great outdoors after exploring Denver and its surroundings.

You can start in Denver and take a road trip that begins with Rocky Mountain National Park, then heads to the Black Hills and the Badlands. From there, you can continue on to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Our best road trip in the U.S.!

How long should I plan to spend visiting Denver and the surrounding area? 

You’ll need a week if you want to visit Denver and the surrounding area. If you just want to visit downtown Denver and its museums, allow two days. Then, set aside a day to visit the Red Rock Amphitheater and its surroundings (Evergreen, Dinosaur Ridge, Buffalo Bill’s Grave and Museum). I spent half a day at each of the parks, going on several hikes. But it really depends on your fitness level and how much time you have.

Was a week in Denver too long? Definitely not—I loved my week of sightseeing in Colorado.

Where to stay in Denver? 

During our first trip to Denver, we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station, located behind Union Station. On this second trip to Denver, I stayed at the Hampton Inn in downtown Denver for the first night. It was just a 12-minute walk to 16th Street Mall (which was still under construction) or the State Capitol. I recommend booking this hotel if you don’t have a car. Plus, the breakfast is very good.

Next, to explore Denver and the surrounding area, I stayed at the Residence Inn Denver Highlands Ranch, a 20-minute drive from Union Station. This hotel is ideally located for visiting parks in southern Denver, such as Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater.

The room was very well appointed, featuring a fully equipped kitchen and even a dishwasher. It was a handy touch, but I really appreciated that the hotel provided dishwasher tablets for free and emptied the trash every day. There’s also an outdoor pool, and breakfast is different every day.

Finally, the staff is incredibly friendly and always ready to help if you have any issues (like a sore throat!). I highly recommend booking this hotel if you’re in Denver!

Kiki’s thoughts on his visit to Denver and the surrounding area

Of course, Kiki has his own little list of things to do—or not to do—in Denver. 

1) When picking up your rental car, be aware of any additional fees you may be charged. It might be tempting to suddenly have to pay a surcharge for drivers under 25, but don’t be afraid to admit that you’re actually a few years older. 

2) If your rental car suddenly develops a crack in the windshield, don’t panic. As long as it doesn’t obstruct your view, you can keep driving. The rental company won’t hold it against you; in fact, they’ll likely recommend that you keep the same vehicle. 

3) Bring tissues—lots of them. The air conditioning in the hotel and the car will put your nose to the test, and you’ll be constantly coming down with a cold. A red nose is inevitable.

4) Visiting parks is a highlight, especially the maps, which are essential for finding your way around. If looking at a map feels like deciphering hieroglyphics to you, it’s a good idea to ask someone for advice before blindly getting lost on a hiking trail. Luckily, Kiki has a built-in compass and loves reading maps! 

5) Think you understand English? Get ready to not understand a single word, depending on which part of the U.S. the tourists are from. You then have two options: Either you ask again, but the result will be the same and the situation will be even more awkward, or you flash your best smile and keep quiet. But don’t worry: Denver locals are very easy to understand.

As Sophie already mentioned in the article, Kiki is also sure to return to Denver. And we’ll be doing so for an incredible road trip that we’re planning just for you, dear readers. No, of course, we’re not doing it just for you, but we’ll keep sharing Sophie and Kiki’s adventures with you!