62 Things to Do in Denver, Colorado in 2024 (By a Local)
Every time I check out these posts online for Denver and other cities it feels like they completely miss the point. The majority of these pieces share where to go vs. what to do and this is why the lists are repetative, boring and not as helpful as they could be. I’m hoping that you’ll discover fun events, spaces and communities to connect and vibe with while you’re in Denver. Whether you’re a resident or just passing through. Here are 62 things to do in Denver, Colorado in 2024 (by a local).
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Cowtown Denver
Welcoming Communities and Spaces
Denver is a very welcoming and friendly town but it can easily become lonely if you don’t have a solid plan to meet new people. I’ve also observed that most people are going to the same places but not heading to events and spaces that would light them and make it easy to meet new people. With that in mind, I’ve share actual things to do at the venues that often make their way onto our top things to do lists. Here are 62 actual things to do in Denver, Colorado in 2024 (by a local)
Dance and Fitness Fun
Denverites love to get physical. It’s not a cliche, we truly love to work out and many fun activities are mixed with some type of “movement” Below are some of my favorite fitness and dance focused classes that I think you would enjoy.
- Groov3-If you love dance, hip hop and being in constant motion-Groov3 is the class for you. It’s accessible to attendees of all levels and the class is so welcoming. I’m obsessed with Groov3 and the different instructors around town are so sweet.
- Mile High Shufflers-The first time I danced with the Mile High Shufflers was at Meow Wolf and I was hooked. The crowd was so welcoming and fun to be around. If you love EDM and dancing-this is the place for you.
- Yoga on the Rocks-One of my favorite activities to participate in during the summer, Yoga on the Rocks gives aspiring and expert yogis a chance to get their shivasina on with hundreds, even thousands, of other yogis in a truly majestic space.
- Goat Yoga-I’m serious when I say that goat yoga is wildly popular in Denver. There are goat yoga classes held throughout town and at different unique events such as movie nights and other surprising event pairings. Tip: just know that those goats are yearlings and are a little heavier than you would expect.
- Denver Cruiser Rides-For bike enthusiasts who like to party on two(ish) wheels, the Denver Cruiser Ride is a long-standing Denver experience. Every summer hundreds of cyclists meet up at different points around town and then make their way to the final meeting point. Each ride has a theme and gives participants a reason to wear a costume.
- Denver Urban Skate-Roller skating has come back in a big way and Denver now has a community of people meeting weekly to skate around town. There are different starting points and levels of difficulty for the routes. You are required to wear a helmet and protective gear when participating.
- The November Project-This is a fitness collective/experience that I think started in Pennsylvania. Twice a week folks will meet up for a morning workout using the City as your gym. This is one of the best workouts in town and it’s 100% free. The attendees are also really nice.
Food Spaces and Unique Experiences
I’ve waited most of my life to be able to say this but, Denver is inching it’s way to being a city that offers a solid food experience. The spaces below contribute to this change and offer a diversity in food experiences that may be easy to find in other cities, but until recently were very difficult to find in Denver. I’m shouting out these food halls because I feel like not enough people know about them.
- Hecho en Westwood-Everything that Hecho en Westwood does, I love. Seriously. This is one of my absolute favorite community spaces in Denver. Hands down has the most delicious, fun and culturally important activations throughout the year. Check out the Cinco de Mayo weekend celebrations hosted there if you get a chance.
- CoArk Collective (Korean) Food Hall-I love Korean food and CoArk Collective Food Hall is an homage to delicious Korean food.
- La Plaza Colorado-The minute I heard about this project (years ago) I kept an eye out for the day it would open. If you love foods across Latin America-this is the space for you.
- Mango House-Many people would be surprised by the Metro area’s large population of diverse immigrant communities. Mango House is not only a space that provides resources, it also houses a food hall with several food concepts within it. You can eat your way around the world in this unpretentious space.
- Junction Food and Drink-This food hall opened up sometime during the COVID pandemic and I think that’s why people haven’t really heard about it. It’s one of my favorite food halls in town with great food, superb coffee and great programming for its customers.
Cultural Experiences
These are some of my favorite spaces to pop in and out of. Do make sure to read the descriptions of what to expect in the space.
- Vibes in the Park-For Black Denverites and folks visiting Denver Vibes in the Park is a whole mood.
- Museum for Black Girls-I remember when the founders of this wonderful project launched it. I’m pretty sure that it was in 2019/2020 right before you know what. It was so wonderful. A lot has happened since that time and this experience has made its way across the US and back. Check out the different events hosted in the space.
- Sessions at the Park-If you love live music and have been looking for a reason to hang out at Confluence Park a block from downtown’s REI, Sessions in the Park is that event.
- La Plaza Park-One of my absolute favorite events last year was the La Plaza Park Day celebration. There was great food, low-riders, music and cultural performances.
- Food is love-Make connections over a good meal with Crazy Hungry Asians of Colorado
- Attend a History Colorado Event-These experiences are some of the most thoughtfully curated cultural events by a museum in Denver.
- Black Denverites Have BEEN Here-Visit the third floor of the Blair-Caldwell Library and learn all about African-American history in Denver. I may have teared up when I was there.
- Buy local-Shop at one of Denver’s farmers markets.
- Sip your way around town-Linger over a great cup of coffee while sitting on a patio while meeting new people at one of the friendliest coffee shops in Denver.
- Attend a Slam Nuba event-Slam poetry is one of my absolute favorite art forms. Maybe it’s because it incorporates community participation, painful truths and music. I’m hoping that more people will find their way to a Slam Nuba event sometime this year.
Arts and Theater
Theater kids rejoice! If you love theater, dance or any other interactive creative space-Denver has so many places to experience.
- Dance with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance or watch one of the company’s performances.
- Think of Spectra Art Space as Meow Wolf’s young cousin or step-sibling.
- Watch a production at Su Teatro Theater.
- Spend several hours experiencing Meow Wolf. It’s an interactive art experience that may require you to crawl, touch or listen one of the many displaces in the space. Enjoy a cocktail or mocktail when you’re done.
- Check out the Dikeou Collection a permanent art display located in a totally random part of downtown Denver. You do have to reserve a time to view the space.
- Watch art get projected onto downtown Denver’s Clocktower via the Night Lights Denver display.
- Watch a theater production at the Denver Center for Performing Arts.
Enjoy One Denver’s Many Sports Teams
We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to professional and semi-professional sports teams. Then we have some surprisingly competitive college teams in different disciplines. Here’s a list of experiences to enjoy.
- Watch a Denver Nugget’s Game in person. They’re always so damn good.
- Root for the Denver Broncos. I still have no idea who our quarterback will be for the 2024 season.
- Scream for the Colorado Avalanche. These games are so fun, don’t forget to wear layers.
- Listen to the cannon boom at the Colorado Rapids after they score a goal.
- Enjoy a day at Coors Field soaking in the sun while eating your way through the stadium.
- Party at a Colorado Mammoth game. Do they still have the hot tub?
Wander Around the Neighborhoods
One of my favorite things to do is to learn more about Denver on a micro level. There are numerous neighborhoods throughout town with vibrant mini neighborhood centers.
- Enjoy live music in West Wash Park at one of the small venues along Broadway.
- Wander around RINO and discover the many murals that decorate the walls of many buildings in the neighorhood.
- Head to South Pearl Streets Farmers Market
- Hang out with the bougie Denverites in Cherry Creek North
- Dance your butt off at a music festival held at Levitt Pavilion in Ruby Hill
Head to One of Denvers’ Beautiful Parks
Denver has a massive parks system from small cozy experiences to the crown jewels of the parks systems there’s a park located close to most residents. Many have programming that encourages residents to use the parks in different ways than just “hanging out”
- Enjoy a wonderful meal at Civic Center Park during Civic Center Eats
- Washington “Wash” Park-Paddle Boats Swan Edition. These paddle boats are a surprisingly affordable and a good time on the lake.
- Bring a picnic and enjoy Jazz on the Park
- Walk around Sloan’s Lake
- Ride your bike down to Cherry Creek Reservoir
Close to Denver
There are so many interesting places and experiences to enjoy a short drive away from Denver. Listed below are one to two hours from Denver.
- Visit the Great Stupa next to Fort Collins
- Take the gondola up the mountain in Breckenridge
- Hang out at Outer Range Brewery’s upstairs patio while visiting Frisco
- Walk up and down Pearl Street Mall in Boulder
- Be in awe while you explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park
- Head down Colorado Springs to visit Garden of the Gods
- Hike up the 2,000 steps of Manitou Incline and then recover afterwards in the cute town.
- Soak in the hot springs caves at Indian Springs Resort in Idaho Springs
- Rock out at one of the music festivals in Lyons Colorado
- Take the ski train to Winter Park and hang out for the weekend
Trips a Bit Further From Denver
Now it’s time to hit the road and make your way to experiences that may require a longer travel day or an overnight visit.
- Walk across the highest suspension bridge in the United States the take the Royal Gorge Train
- Run through fields of lavender during the annual Lavender Festival in Palisade, Colorado
- Love peaches? Eat and drink your weight in peaches at the Palisade Peach Festival
- Take Amtrak from Denver to Glenwood Springs for a “Hot Springs” weekend
- Explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park-A park that many Coloradans who grew up here didn’t know about until recently. It’s the Grand Canyon’s little sister.
- Sip your way through wine country close to Grand Junction.
- Slide down the majestic Great Sand Dunes
Things to Do in Denver, Colorado in 2024
Denver has so many things to do that it can be overwhelming deciding what to do first. I’ve often said that you Visit Philly and Experience Denver. What I mean is that Denver is best experienced through participating in one or several of the many amazing spaces and events that are hosted throughout the year.