Ten Things To Do In Denver

Vacations are an important time in people's lives.  They often are the only chance many people get to get away from their job or hometown.  Choosing the best destination though is vitally important.  Deciding on a vacation destination is by far the most important decision for anyone looking to travel.  A great choice for almost anyone is to select the city of Denver, or the entire Rocky Mountain region, as their next vacation destination.  The area offers a great many chances to experience the outdoors, but the city of Denver itself is also a world class city that has more than enough attractions to entertain and interest even the pickiest of travelers.

A visit to Denver is often described as a visit to a really big small town.  The people are overall friendly and the community is organized in a way that welcomes visitors from all over the world.  Whether a visitor to Denver is coming on a business trip, a trip with their significant other, or bringing their entire family, they will find a great many options for entertainment available to them. 

Here is a look at ten things to do in Denver:

Denver Zoo
One of the best zoos in the United States, the Denver Zoo is popular with both locals and visitors to the city alike.  The Denver Zoo is home to over 4,000 different animals and a number of interesting habitats.  A stroll through the zoo offers visitors the chance to experience replications of various ecological systems from around the world.  There are also a number of hands-on exhibits and programs that give visitors the chance to see and sometimes touch various animals themselves.

Tiny Town
A great attraction in Denver for families with small children is Tiny Town.  This miniature community is perfectly sized for curious kids who are even allowed to crawl inside some of the structures and peek out the windows.  The highlight for most kids is the ride on the miniature train that tours most of the park.

Professional Sports
Denver is completely outfitted with all of the professional sports teams it takes to entertain almost any traveler.  Hockey fans can watch the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, baseball fans can watch Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies, the NFL's Denver Broncos are a favorite for football fans, and basketball fans can view the NBA's Denver Nuggets.  There are also a variety of lower level, or second tier, professional sports too including indoor football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, and more.

United States Mint
The United States Mint in Denver offers free tours every day, Monday through Friday.  While many people may think that the tour is only interesting to those with an interest in coin collecting, it proves popular with other visitors as well.  Taking part in the tour allows visitors to see the process of money making nearly from start to finish.  There is also a great deal of history to be learned too during the short tour, both from the knowledgeable guides and the exhibits housed in the building.

Platte River Greenway
Denver residents are extremely lucky to have a unique and well kept area like the Platte River Greenway at their disposal.  This is also a valuable resource for travelers coming to Denver too as it allows them a chance to get out and enjoy the outdoors and escape the more hectic world of shopping areas and tourist attractions.  The greenway is home to miles of trails where visitors and residents alike can walk, jog, run, rollerblade, or even bike to their heart's content.  It also acts as an effective and pleasant way to get from one area of Denver to another.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science
From the “Hall of Life” to the “Prehistoric Journey”, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a great place to learn about all things living.  The museum is routinely rated as one of the better science museums in America's west and it offers a number of creative and innovative ways to learn.  There are a number of subjects covered in the museum, from space and nature to Native Americans and local history, and the museum covers them all well.  The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is particularly appealing towards kids who show an interest in learning.

Lakeside Amusement Park
One of the nicer smaller amusement parks in the country, Lakeside Amusement Park is also one of the last remaining family owned amusement parks in the nation.  The rides are fun and aimed at a wide variety of age groups, and the park itself is also a wonderful location for a fun picnic lunch.  Visitors to Lakeside Amusement Park will notice one thing immediately, the lack of the long unbearable lines that greet visitors to more nationally recognized amusement parks.  There is a bit of a nostalgic feel at the park as many of the rides were more popular in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.  Parents appreciate that this is an extremely affordable way to spend the day for even a large family.

Colorado State Capitol
With a beautiful setting, a great deal of accessible history, and free tours for all who come, it is easy to see why the Colorado State Capitol building is one of the more popular attractions in Denver.  The tour has become quite popular, so it is advised that those interested reserve a spot ahead of time, especially if they are visiting at a time when school children may also be visiting.  There are actually two tours available, one that tours the bulk of the capitol and one that tours just the gold bell shaped dome, and both are extremely worthwhile.  A tour of the Colorado State Capitol is a great way to see wonderful architecture and a historical site at the same time.

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys is one of the more unique museums in the nation.  It is dedicated to all sorts of toys related to dolls, doll houses, and action figures.  There are many examples of rare and collectible toys on display as well as some of the most detailed handmade doll houses known to exist anywhere.  The nice think about the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys is that it really does appeal to both adults and children.

16th Street Mall
One of the best shopping areas in all of Denver, the 16th Street Mall offers great experiences and great stores to the visitors that choose to shop there.  This is an outdoor mall that runs approximately one and a quarter miles in length.  The mall has its own bus service with MallRide shuttle buses offering visitors the chance to get from one area to the other without walking.  A good deal of urban landscaping has been added and the area is popular with those looking to enjoy a quick bite to eat outside.  Shoppers will find a nice mix of national chain stores and local boutiques and shops too.  The mall is not just a destination for shoppers as there are a number of fine eateries located there, as well as a regular supply of street musicians too that can be enjoyed as well.

A visit to Denver is a great choice that anyone can make should they be looking for a fun destination to head to.  Denver offers a wide variety of activities and attractions, and has been entertaining visitors for more than one hundred years.  It shouldn't be too much of a problem for anyone with any interest to find something to do in the city of Denver.  The area is particularly inviting for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors or learning about history from America's westward expansion and old west days.