Photo: Robert Kash / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
If you are going to Denver anytime soon then you will be happy to know that this a great place to go on vacation. Denver is not just about skiing, there is so much more. In fact, in this article we have omitted the ski resorts so we have room to cover so many other great recommendations in Denver. We will cover the ski resorts in their own article. From fantastic restaurants to museums, gardens, and other spaces to visit, Denver is a great city to enjoy. If you are traveling with family and friends and are looking for some fantastic ideas of where you should visit then consider some in the list below. Here you will find some great ideas of where would be the perfect place to spend an afternoon in Denver, Colorado.
# 10 – Denver Botanic Gardens
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If you want to spend some time around nature and flowers when your looking for things to do in Denver then consider visiting the Denver Botanic Gardens. This is a place where you can see a wide collection of different plants. You will have beautiful surroundings and you can walk around outside and enjoy the sunshine and get to see some beautiful flowers and garden space. It is a great place to go with the family or if you are just with your loved one. It is a learning atmosphere but can be very romantic as well.
# 9 – Denver Zoo
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If you are looking for animals on your trip to Denver then check out the Denver Zoo because you will see many different things here. There is a great gift shop to pick up some cute souvenirs. They have an African Lion, penguin, American flamingo, turtle, tiger, otter, elephant, and other animals to see. If you are going with the family and want the kids to stay entertained and have some fun then this place would be perfect to plan a trip to.
# 8 – Denver Art Museum
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As we continue our 10 best things to do in Denver list we take a look at a spectacular art museum. The Denver Art Museum is considered to be one of the largest art museums around, between Chicago and the West Coast. There is plenty of Indian art to observe, textile art, and ocean art, along with other excellent pieces. If you are looking for a family friendly place to visit then this would be a perfect place to consider. If you want to see something new, memorable, and interesting, then pay a visit to the Denver Art Museum.
# 7 – Sam’s No. 3 Downtown
Photo: Photo by amirali mirhashemian
This is one of the most popular restaurants to grab a bite to eat in Denver. If you are looking for something downtown that is going to have fantastic food then head on over to Sam’s No. 3 Downtown restaurant. This is a fantastic option if you want to go to brunch. It is thought of as the best diner in the region. You can order for delivery or pick-up, or join a wait list right now if you want to dine-in with them. It has been serving the community around Denver for decades and there is some delicious food to find on the menu. You can order things like steak and eggs, BLT for breakfast, biscuits and gravy, chorizo tacos, chili and eggs, and many other items. There is something for everyone on the menu here.
# 6 – Red Rocks Amphitheater
Photo by Alex Mertz
If you can catch a live show at the Red Rocks Amphitheater then you should make a point to do that. This is an amazing place to watch some live music because of the surroundings and the great acoustics. If you enjoy music and seeing live music shows then this is the best place to think about checking out. When you are in town and looking to see around Denver, Colorado, then you might want to see who is playing at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. They also have other events there as well, so it is worth it to check it out and see what might be going on that you would like.
# – 5 Maggiano’s Little Italy
Photo by Pel
Craving some delicious Italian food? Then head on over to Maggiano’s Little Italy because this place is fantastic. You will get nothing but great comfort food here and true Italian favorites. You can reserve a table or order online some of their delicious food items. They are serving things like calamari, tomato caprese, sausage and peppers, meatball sandwich, Chicken Parmesan, and many other delicious options. If you want straight Italian comfort good and great prices then grab a meal here when in Denver.
# 4 – Visit Washington Park
Photo: Jeffrey Beall / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Make a plan to visit Washington Park. This is one of the best parks in the region and it is a free area to visit. If you want to save money and have a family friendly atmosphere then Washington Park would make a great choice. There is over 100 acres for this park and you can find many jogging paths, gardens, and there are two lakes. If you want to relax, spend time outside, and want to be by the water and in a garden space, then consider Washington Park for a visit when in Denver.
# 3 – 16th Street Mall
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Do some shopping at one of the best malls in Denver, which is the 16th Street Shopping Mall center. You can reserve parking now online and choose from a variety of stores to browse in and shop from. Find H and M, or Banana Republic, and other venues. If you want to get something while on your trip to Denver as a memory, or do some general shopping, this is where you can find something great. But be prepared to do some walking and put on some comfortable walking shoes.
# 2 – Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Public domain
If you want to have a great time with the kids then go over to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. This is where you will find a lot of great natural history. They are open again now and you can find many things to learn about, from space science and zoology, to earth sciences, and much more.
# 1 – El Five
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El Five restaurant is one of the best in Denver and if you want Eastern Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine then you do not need to go looking any further. They serve great food here and it would be a very romantic place to go on a date if you are traveling with your loved one. There is space for having brunch or dinner, or drinks at the bar. Order a hummus plate or Moroccan lamb sausage, cheesecake mousse, or chocolate baklava. There are many delicious items on the menu and great prices too. If you want a top place to eat, check out El Five.
