Outdoors · Denver · United States
5 best outdoor things to do in Denver
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Denver Botanic Gardens and City Park and Denver Zoo. Together the 5 picks below take roughly 9–11 hours across 5 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 5
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 9–11 hours
- Areas
- Morrison, Cheesman Park and City Park
Outdoors in Denver
Landmark · Morrison
1.Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Climb to the top row for sunset views of Denver and the plains; on concert days the amphitheatre closes to visitors in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2 hours, or an evening for a concert
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- After dark
- Outdoors
Garden · Cheesman Park
2.Denver Botanic Gardens
Visit in June or July for peak bloom, or in December for the Blossoms of Light display.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Couples
- Kids
- Outdoors
Park · City Park
3.City Park and Denver Zoo
Combine the zoo and the Museum of Nature & Science in one day; they are at opposite ends of the park.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Park · Washington Park
4.Washington Park
Bring a picnic on a summer weekend for some of the best people-watching in Denver.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
Waterfront · LoDo and Union Station
5.Confluence Park
Follow the Cherry Creek Trail from here for an easy bike or walking route through the city.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- History
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Morrison | Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre | 2 hours, or an evening for a concert |
| Cheesman Park | Denver Botanic Gardens | 2 hours |
| City Park | City Park and Denver Zoo | Half a day |
| Washington Park | Washington Park | 1–2 hours |
| LoDo and Union Station | Confluence Park | 1 hour |
Booking and timing
Of these 5, 3 free, 1 low cost, 1 mid-priced. Book ahead for Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. The longest visit is City Park and Denver Zoo; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre: Concert tickets sell out quickly for popular shows; buy from the official site.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Morrison and Cheesman Park): Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre → Denver Botanic Gardens, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (City Park): City Park and Denver Zoo, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Washington Park and LoDo and Union Station): Washington Park → Confluence Park, at least 2 hours.
The best months to be outside
- September: highs of 25°C (77°F), about 6 rainy days, busy crowds. Often the best month: warm, dry and clear, with golden aspens in the mountains from mid-month.
- October: highs of 18°C (64°F), about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds. Crisp, sunny days and the first snow of the season possible by month's end.
- November: highs of 11°C (52°F), about 5 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cool to cold with occasional snow; ski resorts usually open for the season.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- LoDo and Union Station — Restored warehouses, the station hub, Coors Field and sports bars
- LoHi and the Highlands — Restaurants and rooftop bars on a hill with skyline views across the river
- Cherry Creek — Upscale shopping centre, boutiques, galleries and polished hotels
- Baker and South Broadway — Vintage shops, dive bars and live music along South Broadway
More of Denver
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Denver?
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. An open-air amphitheatre set between two towering sandstone monoliths in the foothills west of Denver, famous for its acoustics and concerts by everyone from the Beatles to U2.
+Which of these are free in Denver?
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Washington Park and Confluence Park.