family hanging out by confluence river in Denver

There’s lots of things to do in Denver Colorado. Denver offers a vibrant mix of outdoor adventures and unique experiences.

I’ll show you several fun places that are family friendly and are free or inexpensive. These are my favorite places to visit in Denver.

Hang out by the South Platte River.

There’s two adjacent parks in downtown Denver that are popular in the Summer. Confluence Park is an urban park that sits next to the South Platte River in Denver‘s Lower Downtown (LoDo) district. It’s right across from REI and a lot of people picnic on the grass or play frisbee with their dogs, and listen to music. When it’s really hot outside you’ll find kids playing in the river along with tubers and kayakers wading down the small rapids. There’s a nice view of the overall park and river when standing on the Speer Boulevard bridge.

large crowds of people gather at Confluence park in downtown Denver on a summer day.
Confluence Park gets very busy during the hot summer days. It’s free and easily accessible to everyone.
A woman watches a kayaker paddle down the river at Confluence Park in Denver.
This is a great relaxing spot along the South Platte River at Confluence Park.
a group of people gather on the rocks at Confluence Park in Denver.
The water in the South Platte River is a nice relief from the hot summer weather.

Commons Park is bigger and it’s where you’ll find people playing volleyball, exercising, and laying in the grass. The parks also hosts a music festival every May called Golden Hours. During the winter months, kids will go sledding down the hill. It’s my favorite park in Denver because it’s relaxing, offers great views of the city, and is a close walk towards downtown.

friends gather during the Golden Hours music festival at Commons Park in Denver.
Friends gather during the Golden Hours music festival at Commons Park
A man walks across a slack line in Commons Park in Denver
Commons Park is a place where nature enthusiasts go to play and relax.

Walk down the 16th Street Mall.

In the heart of downtown Denver is the 16th Street Mall (1.25 miles) which runs along 16th Street from Wewatta Street (at Union Station) to the intersection of 16th Avenue and Broadway (at Civic Center Station). It’s not quite 5th Ave. in NYC but it’s the main urban area in Denver where tourists and locals stroll to grab a bite to eat and partake in one of the local festivals. During the winter months you can go ice skating on the rink behind the Daniels & Fisher clock tower on Arapahoe and 16th.

people enjoying some chairs that look like tops on the 16th Street Mall in Denver.
The 16th Street Mall is under construction at the moment but they are bringing back these chairs that spin and tilt.
A man relaxes in a chair next to the fountains at Union Station in Denver.
The fountains at Union Station are a popular spot in the summertime.
A mother and daughter ice skating on the 16th Street Mall.
Ice skating on the 16th Street Mall.

Note: For the best views of downtown, you can walk up to the top of the Millenium Bridge, which is a block north of Union Station.

Shop for art and eat tacos at the Art District on Santa Fe.

Looking for a creative space to roam and look at art and take in some culture? The Art District on Santa Fe has a thriving art scene with over 30 galleries, studios, and shops. There’s also a Latin American art museum where they host Day of the Dead performances in their back lot every year on the first Friday in November. Inside you’ll discover Latin American art on display from local artists. Many of the galleries have multi level floors of art displayed from paintings, photography, sculptures, and ceramics. Every First Friday of the month is where you’ll find even more artists work hanging and some even display their work outside when the weather is nice.

For a quick bite to eat I recommend El Taco De Mexico on the corner of Santa Fe and 7th Avenue. It might not look like much inside but the food is delicious. The tacos are the best in the city in my opinion.

An artist sets up a flyer on the wall in the Art District on Santa Fe.
Every First Friday in August they close the main street on Santa Fe to display more tents with clothes and art as well as street performers and musicians.
Shoppers walk out of the Denver Art Society gallery in the Arts District on Santa Fe.
The Denver Art Society is a highlight in the Arts District on Santa Fe. It has multiple levels of art on display and musicians perform there regularly.
El Taco De Mexico
El Taco De Mexico gets very busy at night so go early to grab some tacos.
low riders on display at the Art District on Santa Fe.
Every First Friday you can see low riders and classic cars on display.

Take a nature walk at City Park.

City Park is a big urban park that’s only a 10 minute drive east of downtown Denver. There’s two lakes you can walk around and there’s plenty of grass to host a picnic with your friends. Theirs Jazz festivals every Sunday during the summer months. Another great thing to do in Denver is to see the animals at the Denver Zoo next door and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Walk behind the Denver Nature and Science Museum for scenic views of the city, a great spot to view 4th of July fireworks.

Note: Fall colors look beautiful during Autumn but watch out for Geese poop.

Fall Colors at City Park in Denver
Fall Colors at City Park
Crowds listening to music at Jazz in the Park at City Park, things to do in Denver.
Crowds listening to music at Jazz in the Park at City Park

Watch some live music

Denver has some fabulous music venues. Skip the big arenas and go to smaller theaters like the Bluebird Theater, The Gothic Theater, The Ogden Theater, Mission Ballroom, and Ophelias Electric Soapbox. Let’s not forget Red Rocks, the best outdoor amphitheater in the country.

These are just a few of the things to do in Denver. It’s an eclectic city that’s more than just a gateway to the Rockies. Curious about my wedding work? Check out my portfolio here.