


There's a small, shallow riverside beach where families to splash in the South Platte during the summer months, and a short white-water section invites tubers and kayakers. This is the place to picnic, jog, play Frisbee, and feel like a part of everyday Denver life.

With verdant fields, dramatic skyscraper views and two colliding waterways – Cherry Creek and the South Platte River – Confluence Park is where Denver’s urbanites come to recharge. It's a worthwhile stop for a behind-the-scenes peek at how its magic sauces are made.Ĭonfluence Park is a great place to unwind – or splash about – in central Denver © fdastudillo / Getty Images 12.
#Things to do in downtown denver free
Family-friendly free tours of its downtown brewhouse are offered daily, on a first-come, first served basis (for visitors aged 12 and over only). Its exquisitely bold and balanced brews are among the country’s most celebrated, claiming 18 Great American Beer Festival medals. In a town known for its craft breweries, Great Divide Brewing Company is a powerhouse. Take a turn around the Great Divide Brewing Company

Planning tip: While the reserve includes walking and cycling trails, the bison area is only open to drivers, so bring wheels if you want to view the Arsenal's biggest inhabitants. Free guided tours of the refuge are offered too. Drop by the Visitor Center to pick up a map and check out its well-curated exhibit hall and hands-on "Discovery Room" for kids. Two lakes are popular weekend fishing spots, or you can take an 11-mile self-guided driving tour. Formerly home to a US Army chemical weapons production facility, this green space is now home to some 330 species of wildlife, including bison and bald eagles, and it's free to visit.įor walkers, 10 miles of hiking trails cross wetlands, woodlands and grasslands. Located on the outskirts of Denver, the 17,000-acre Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban refuges in the country. Meet a bison at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge See bison and other wild creatures at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge © Matt Dirksen / Getty Images/iStockphoto 10. The program attracts around 10,000 concert-goers each week, and many locals bring along picnic blankets and lawn chairs and dance in front of the bandstand. Held on Sundays from 6pm to 8pm, the concerts feature well-known bands playing everything from traditional jazz and blues to R&B and salsa. Who doesn’t love a free concert? Every summer since 1986, City Park Jazz has staged jazz concerts on Lake Ferril in City Park, just east of downtown. Explore the amphitheater, climb the 250 stairs to the top, check out the views, then hit the many miles of trails that wind through the red rock formations. However, it’s free to visit during the day, and well worth the 15-mile trip out from downtown Denver. The venue is renowned for its natural acoustics, and summer nights bring big-name musicians and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds at ticketed events. One of the most impressive music venues in the world, Red Rocks is a rock-framed outdoor theater nestled between towering red sandstone monoliths.
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You can hang out, work out or pretend you're a star all for free at Red Rocks © Capture Light / Shutterstock 7. Planning tip: Tickets are usually released in the morning on the day of the tour at the premises, but you may be able to secure a ticket in advance using the request form on the website. The experience is surprisingly engaging, as guides provide a detailed history of the mint and the manufacturing techniques behind the pennies in your pocket. The US Mint in Denver is the single largest producer of coins in the world – churning out about 7.5 billion coins a year – and free 45-minute guided tours of its facility run from Monday to Thursday. The 12 best day trips in the Rocky Mountains Get close to a fortune on a US Mint Tour Planning tip: If you're looking for a photo op, try the grand outer staircase, where the 13th step sits exactly one mile above sea level. The tour includes 15 minutes to wander within the dome – the view is worth joining the tour for all by itself. This handsome structure is home to the Governor’s office as well as the Senate and House of Representatives, and free 45-minute tours lead visitors through its hallowed halls, with guides sharing facts and fun tidbits about the building. With a gleaming gold leaf-covered dome that’s impossible to miss, the Colorado State Capitol is a must-see for history and architecture buffs.
