Denver Travel Guide

Red Rocks, in Morrison southwest of Denver, is a naturally formed red-sandstone amphitheatre: the towering 'Ship Rock' and 'Creation Rock' embrace the stage like arms, with acoustics so pure it is a National Historic Landmark. Since 1941, legends have played here; even without a show, visitors hike the trails, overlook the eastern Rockies and learn geology and music history at the visitor centre. For nature and live-music lovers, it is Denver's soulful nearby sanctuary.

The 16th Street Mall is the spine of downtown Denver—a ~1.2-mile pedestrian promenade planned with I.M. Pei, opened in 1982 as the liveliest public living room at the foot of the Rockies. Victorian façades, malls, restaurants and street performers line the way; the free MallRide shuttle links the sights. Summer terraces buzz, winter lights glow. For shopping, dining or people-watching, it is the first stop to feel Denver's urban pulse and a handy walk to Union Station and nearby museums.

The Denver Art Museum is one of the Rocky Mountain region's preeminent art institutions, composed of two contrasting buildings: the 1893 North Building, a seven-story Italianate castle by architect Marcello Piacentini, and the 2006 Frederic C. Hamilton Building by Pritzker Prize laureate Daniel Libeskind, whose tilted titanium-and-glass spires were inspired by the geometry of the Rocky Mountains and named by Time one of the world's strangest buildings. The collection of more than 70,000 works spans every continent and historical period, with particular strength in Indigenous arts of the Americas, Asian art, modern and contemporary art, and art of the American West. The Indigenous arts galleries display masterworks from ancient to contemporary Native American artists, among the richest such holdings in the country. The museum hosts traveling international exhibitions and public education programs and is a core of Denver's cultural life.

Water World is a large water park in the Denver metropolitan area of Colorado, covering about 26 acres and ranking among the largest aquatic amusement venues in the Rocky Mountain region. It features more than 50 water attractions, including high-speed slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and children's splash zones, catering to all ages. Signature thrill rides such as Turbo Vortex and The Voyage are famous for their adrenaline rushes, making the park a popular summer cooling-off destination. Open May through September, it hosts themed parties and live DJ events on weekends. Complete changing facilities, dining, and lounge chair rentals let families comfortably spend a full day, making it a classic Denver summer outing.

Six Flags Elitch Gardens is the only major theme park in Denver, Colorado, formerly the historic Elitch Gardens founded in 1880, one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States, now operated by the Six Flags group. The park covers about 160 acres with over 50 rides and roller coasters, including the famous Mind Eraser suspended coaster, Tower of Doom free fall, and Boomerang. The park also features a large water park area open in summer for visitors to cool off. Beyond thrill rides, the park offers family-friendly attractions and daily live entertainment shows, making it a popular summer destination for Denver and surrounding families. Located near downtown Denver along the Platte River, the park is easily accessible and an ideal place to experience the fun of a Colorado summer.

The Molly Brown House Museum, located in Denver's historic Capitol Hill neighborhood, is the former residence of Margaret 'Molly' Brown, the famous Titanic survivor. This Victorian-era home was built in 1889 and purchased by the Brown family in 1894, who lived there until 1932. Margaret earned the nickname 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' for her heroic efforts helping lifeboat passengers during the Titanic disaster, and her remarkable life story was later adapted into a Broadway musical and Hollywood film. The museum meticulously preserves the late 19th and early 20th century interiors, displaying the Brown family's original furnishings, artwork, and personal belongings. Guided tours reveal the extraordinary life of this remarkable woman, from her humble Missouri beginnings to Denver society prominence, her Titanic heroism, and her later work in the women's suffrage movement. The museum is one of Denver's most important historic landmarks.