Colorado is a haven for any tourist looking to enjoy the great outdoors, but when you’re visiting the capital city, there are plenty of places to go in Denver. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or touring our country’s great cities, a stop in Denver reveals plenty to do and see. Check out the best tourist attractions in Denver, Colorado, below for a mix of culture, shopping and excitement to get the full experience.

Giordano’s Favorite Places to Visit in Denver

At Giordano’s in Denver, our convenient location in the heart of downtown welcomes locals and travelers alike. When you’re looking for some things to do in Denver, rest assured there’s something for everyone. We agree with other visitors to the Mile-High City that these are some of the top attractions in Denver, so explore our favorites and make them yours on your next trip.

1. Denver Center for Performing Arts

Support one of the country’s most prominent nonprofit theater organizations and see a show by the Denver Center for Performing Arts (DCPA). The DCPA puts on performances across the city, giving you plenty of places to see a show in Denver. Their list of convenient locations includes:

• The Wolf Theatre
• The Ricketson Theatre
• The Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre
• The Jones Theatre
• The Garner Galleria Theatre
• The Ellie Caulkins Opera House
• The Buell Theatre
• Singleton Theatre
• Kilstrom Theatre

Get your tickets and enjoy everything from Broadway productions and classic plays to entertaining cabaret and unconventional shows that make a visit to one of the DCPA’s venues a unique experience.

2. Denver Convention Center

From boat shows to bridal shows, the Denver Convention Center is a one-stop shop for any visitor. Whether you attend a tattoo convention, a family-friendly event or something else, the Denver Convention Center is a cultural hub and one of the best places to celebrate pop culture and local experiences in Denver.

The Denver Convention Center is also home to a collection of public art and the Bellco Theatre. Explore the Denver Convention Center’s community-funded collection of public art, which encourages creativity and culture. Afterwards, visit the on-site Bellco Theatre to laugh until you cry at a comedy show featuring well-known comedians, learn something at a lecture series or lose yourself in the music of a concert.

3. Colorado State Capitol

When you take in Denver’s skyline, you’ll notice the golden peak of the Colorado State Capitol. One of Denver’s top tourist attractions, the Colorado State Capitol offers plenty for visitors to do, so plan your visit and:

• Get free tours of the building during the week.
• Appreciate the use of the entire known supply of Colorado Rose Onyx in the building.
• Get a closer look at the glistening gold leaf used on the building’s dome.
• See the House and Senate chambers mid-January through mid-May during the week.
• Stop on the 13th step to be exactly one mile above sea level.
• Experience public art in the building and around the grounds.
• Visit Lincoln Park, part of the Capitol Complex.

Whether you admire the little details of the Colorado State Capitol or take it all in on a tour, it’s undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking places to go in Denver, from its unique building materials to its cultural and historical significance.

4. Downtown Aquarium

Witness over 500 species of animals with a visit to one of the best tourist attractions in Denver, the Downtown Aquarium. Experience the traditional stingray touch tank and venture through the Downtown Aquarium’s exhibits, which include themes such as:

• North America: Discover the creatures that inhabit our continent in this exhibit. See some familiar animals and learn about ones you’ve never heard of before.
• Under the Sea: Stop by this exhibit with little ones to see the interactive mermaid show for a whimsical addition to your visit after seeing habitats that mimic caves and coral reefs from the ocean floor.
• At the Wharf: Learn about the fascinating adaptations that many animals have developed to thrive in the tides found at wharves.
• The Rainforest: Explore the different types of rainforests and the various animals that call these habitats their home.
• At the Beach: Find out about animals you may not have ever seen before, despite being just a stone’s throw from them.
• Coral Lagoon: See how the coral creates an ocean of calm for the animals that live there by protecting them from waves.
• Sunken Temple: Delve into the mysteries and wonders of ancient ruins and learn about the animals that have claimed them as their own.

With an upscale Dive Lounge bar, restaurant, fully equipped ballroom, 4D theater experience and more, the Downtown Aquarium has some unconventional spins on the classic aquarium experience. Kids will love riding the Aquarium Express or going on the Aquatic Carousel for some merry-go-round fun.

5. 16th Street Pedestrian Mall

Walk the mile-long pedestrian promenade in the Mile-High City’s 16th Street Pedestrian Promenade. Get some shopping in at local boutiques or well-known department stores, or walk around and take in the scenery of one of the top attractions in Denver. The 16th Street Mall offers so much to see and do, such as:

• The FreeRide shuttle buses that stop on every corner
• Plenty of outdoor cafes
• Access to Denver Pavilions, which are home to a dozen movie theaters
• Bridge access to Commons Park
• Horse-drawn carriage and pedicab rides after dark
• Daily events and entertainers along the plazas and fountains

These experiences make the 16th Street Mall more than a mall. It’s the potential for a day filled with exploring. Take in the downtown scenery or buy some last-minute souvenirs before touring the rest of the city.

6. Denver Art Museum

Originally the Denver Artists’ Club, the Denver Art Museum dates back to 1893. Since 1971, the museum’s home has been the Martin Building, an iconic structure that is the only completed building in the United States designed by Gio Ponti. Now, the museum is home to over 80,000 incredible pieces of artwork, which can be found in its collections:

• Arts of Africa
• Arts of Asia
• Arts of Oceania
• Arts of the Ancient Americas
• European and American Art Before 1900
• Indigenous Arts of North America
• Latin American Art
• Modern and Contemporary Art
• Photography
• Textile Arts and Fashion
• The Kirkland
• Western American Art

The museum also hosts regular events, which range from creative and sensory play sessions for kids to lectures and drop-in drawing sessions, along with fascinating exhibitions.

7. Rocky Mountain National Park

If you want to escape into nature, then the Rocky Mountain National Park is undoubtedly one of the best tourist attractions near Denver, Colorado. Covering 415 square miles, the park features over 300 miles of scenic trails that visitors can hike as they spy some incredible wildlife, such as bull elk, Canada lynx, North American wolverines and more.

If hiking isn’t for you, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in the park. From climbing to horse riding, you can experience the park in whichever way you choose. For those who prefer to explore by road, there are plenty of scenic routes that you can drive along, such as on Beak Lake Road, Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road.

If you want to stay overnight, you can also make a camping reservation. Whatever season you’re going in, there’s plenty to see and explore while you’re there — just be sure to check the trail conditions to ensure a safe trip.

The park is 66 miles from Denver, meaning you can drive there in just under two hours.

Grab a Bite at Giordano’s in Denver

Finish your day of exploring Denver tourist attractions with a meal at Giordano’s! Our stuffed style of deep-dish pizza puts a unique twist on a Chicago favorite that you don’t need to leave the Mile-High City to experience. Refuel between Denver’s best tourist attractions at our convenient downtown location, or end a day of fun with a filling meal. Get a stuffed deep-dish pizza complete with your favorite toppings, or try something else from our menu, like thin-crust pizza, pasta, salad, desserts and more.

Visit our Denver location or place your order online for the flavors of Chicago without leaving Colorado. Whatever you choose from our menu, you’re sure to get a mouthwatering meal that’s as comforting as it is delicious!