denver attractions

Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is one of America's most beautiful urban centers. The city features the nation's largest municipal park system and a variety of important cultural institutions.

Denver is also home to three sports stadiums, 300 restaurants, a restored historic district filled with 90 bars and brewpubs, a variety of galleries and shopping centers, and three college campuses. For more information about the mile-high city, visit www.denver.org.

16th Street Mall

Explore the shops and outdoor cafés on this mile-long pedestrian promenade, located just a few blocks north of the Denver Art Museum.

Colorado Historical Society

Discover everything there is to know about Colorado. Sites include the Colorado History Museum and Byers-Evans House Museum, which are part of the Civic Center Cultural Complex. Learn more at www.coloradohistory.org.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Explore 23 acres with more than 32,000 varieties of plants. For more information, visit www.botanicgardens.org.

See the world's most advanced digital planetarium and much more. For more information, visit www.dmns.org.

Denver Performing Arts Complex

Ten theatres provide seating for a total audience of 10,000 for the theatre, symphony, opera, and ballet. For more information, visit www.denvercenter.org.

Denver Public Library

The Michael Graves–designed central public library offers activities and small art exhibits. It is right next to the Denver Art Museum on 13th Avenue. Check out denverlibrary.org.

Denver Zoo

Visit the fourth most popular zoo in the nation. Get the details at www.denverzoo.org.

Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

See a nationally recognized collection of 20th-century decorative arts, a survey of works by 170 Colorado artists, and a retrospective of painter Vance Kirkland. For details, visit www.kirklandmuseum.org.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Denver's contemporary art museum is located at the corner of 15th Street and Delgany in Lodo. For more information, visit www.mcadenver.org.

Public Art in Denver

You can download a map and information about public artworks in Denver at www.denvergov.org/public_art_program. Or contact the Denver's Public Art Program at 720-865-4313 or www.denvergov.org/publicart.

State Capital

Take a tour of the gold-domed Colorado State Capital building. For more information, call 303-866-2604.

U.S. Mint

See where American money is made. One of three United States Mints is just blocks from the Denver Art Museum. For details, visit www.usmint.gov/mint_tours.