Choose from 26 Fun Things to Do in Colorado
ShowingFilter 21-26 of 26 listings.
Denver Mint
The Denver Mint is one of a handful of facilities that produces US currency, and one of only two (along with the Philadelphia Mint) that offers tours to the public. Visitors can tour the massive Renaissance-style 1904 mint building to glimpse the coin-making process, explore exhibits on the history of money, or purchase authentic currency and commemorative coins in the gift shop.
The Basics
The United States Mint in Denver offers free tours for adults and kids over the age of seven. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for six tours daily, and tickets can only be picked up for that day. Security is tight in the building, so adults are expected to carry photo identification, and all visitors are subject to security screenings. Those who simply want to take in the impressive architecture from the outside can see the mint as part of a sightseeing tour of Denver.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Denver Mint tour is a must for history buffs.
- Tours of the mint last approximately 45 minutes.
- Arrive as early as possible to secure tickets, particularly during peak travel times.
- Photography is not permitted while on the tour, and cell phones must be turned off.
- Prohibited items include handbags, purses, backpacks, and strollers; no storage is provided, so be sure to leave these items in your hotel or the trunk of your car.
- The mint facilities are ADA accessible.
How to Get There
The Denver Mint is located off I-25 from exit 210A. Parking is available at meters and area public lots.
When to Get There
Tickets for the Denver Mint tour are limited, and during peak travel times"”spring and summer vacation, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and winter break"”they often run out early. Plan to arrive before the ticket booth opens at 7am to secure your tickets; tours are available Monday to Thursday.
Denver Mint by the Numbers
The Denver Mint went into operation in 1906 and produced some 167 million gold and silver coins in its first year. Today, the mint sometimes exceeds 50 million coins per day, and it also houses the largest stash of gold bars in the nation.
Address: 320 W Colfax Ave, Denver, Colorado 80204, USA
Hours: Tours are offered Monday through Thursday (excluding federal holidays) from 8am to 3:30pm
From $ 40
United States Air Force Academy
Thousands of visitors travel to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs each year, and the academy’s all-faiths Cadet Chapel is the most visited man-made attraction in Colorado. Among the best examples of modern academic architecture, the striking 150-foot-tall (46-meter-tall) chapel is designed with 17 spires created from aluminum, steel, and glass.
The Basics
Colorado’s US Air Force Academy is an exclusive university that accepts about 1,400 new cadets per year. As a visitor, you can take a self-guided tour of the campus and learn about the training that cadets go through here. The Barry Goldwater Air Force Academy Visitor Center has exhibits about the air force, a theater showing a 14-minute movie about life at the academy, and a gift shop.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The US Air Force Academy is a must for military-history buffs.
- The walk on the 0.3-mile (0.5-kilometer) paved nature trail from the Cadet Chapel back to the visitor center is mostly uphill and can be strenuous.
- Wheelchairs are available for use inside the visitor center only, and the visitor center and chapel are wheelchair accessible.
- Large bags and backpacks are not permitted inside the visitor center.
How to Get There
To reach the US Air Force Academy, located about 20 miles north of Colorado Springs, drive north on Interstate 25 and take exit 156. Visitors must arrive through the North Gate, and free parking is available at the visitor center and Cadet Chapel.
When to Get There
The US Air Force Academy and the Barry Goldwater Air Force Academy Visitor Center are open daily, and visitors are welcome to attend services at the chapel. Note that the chapel occasionally closes to the public for private services. A good time to visit is weekdays at 11:30am during the academic year to observe the cadets marching to lunch.
Going to the Chapel
The Cadet Chapel at the US Air Force Academy is a popular place to get married, but only academy graduates, active-duty Airmen in Colorado, and Purple Heart and Silver Star Medal recipients are eligible to use it. More than 100 couples are married in the chapel each year.
Address: U.S. Air Force Academy, Denver, Colorado, USA
From $ 749
Civic Center Park
Civic Center Park was created more than 100 years ago as the civic heart for the city of Denver. The urban green space is the site of the Colorado State Capitol, and arching footpaths across the park offer a chance to stroll among the gardens and marvel at the surrounding architecture, including the Denver City and County Building, the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Central Library. The park is also home to the Greek Theater and the historic Carnegie Library.
Recent revitalization efforts have turned Civic Center Park into a hub for local events including outdoor movies and Civic Center EATS, an annual, summer-long tradition in which local, gourmet food trucks convene at the park every Tuesday and Thursday during lunchtime.
Practical Info
Civic Center Park is located in the Golden Triangle Museum District of downtown Denver. It sits between Bannock Street and Broadway from west to east, and Colfax Avenue and 14th Avenue Parkway from north to south. The park is within easy reach of nearby attractions like the U.S. Mint, the Denver Art Museum and the 16th Street Mall, and it's easy to explore the park and the surrounding attractions using public transit or the local bike-sharing program.
Address: 101 W 14th Ave., Denver, Colorado 80204, USA
Hours: Daily
From $ 40
Rocky Mountain National Park
The astounding natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains is exemplified and amplified in Rocky Mountain National Park, a hub of Colorado outdoor adventure. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, rafting, ziplining, and wildlife watching are just a few of the ways to experience the area’s magic. In the winter months, snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and other snow-sport lovers frolic amongst white-washed peaks.
The Basics
With numerous ways to experience the natural landscape of Rocky Mountain National Park, tours and guides are available to assist with making the most of your time there. Photo enthusiasts can try a photography tour or photo safari, while group bus tours provide an overview of the area. Elk watching and other nature tours are available in summer. More than 350 miles (563 kilometers) of hiking trails wind through the 450-square-mile (1,166-square-kilometer) park. Visitors can keep an eye out for wildlife including elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and the occasional bear. Cyclists follow Trail Ridge Road, while hikers can walk to lakes following the Bear Lake Trailhead, Fern Lake Trail, and easy walks to Calypso Cascades and Gem Lake. Guided adventures are available for all outdoor activities, and often include equipment rental and transportation.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Even summer’s mild temperatures drop in the evenings, so sweaters are worn year-round.
- Wheelchair-accessible areas can be found throughout the park.
- Inside the park there are two visitor centers: Fall River and Alpine. Outside the park, visitor centers are at Beaver Meadows, Kawuneeche, and Lily Lake.
How to Get There
Rocky Mountain National Park is about 70 miles north of Denver. Trail Ridge Road runs through the park (open May to October), and free shuttles run to trailheads and to downtown Estes Park. Grand Lake is the town closest to the park entrance (best accessed by car).
When to Get There
Alpine wildflowers fill the valleys in spring, and cross-country skiers hit the slopes here in winter. Summer is the most popular time to visit—and thus the most crowded—but all seasons offer outdoor activities and access to unbridled nature.
Address: Trail Ridge Road, Grand Lake 80446, USA
Hours: Open daily
Admission: US$20 for automobiles, US$10 for individuals
From $ 105
Winter Park
Even though Denver is the "mile high city," the city itself is set in the plains at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Denver ski resorts are often over an hour away from the city, and Winter Park is one of the closest at only 80 minutes from downtown. It's also the oldest and one of the largest ski resorts in the state, and one of its mountains"”Mary Jane"”is often considered to have the best moguls of any resort in the country. Like many other parts of Colorado, Winter Park is graced with over 300 inches of snowfall and 300 days of sunshine"”thereby creating ideal conditions for an active resort in the mountains.
The resort's elevation is notably high"”with a base at 9,000 feet"”and the summit trails officially top out at just over 12,000 feet. Aside from the 143 runs"”some of which are five miles long"”the small community of Winter Park is one of the nation's highest. Here you'll find dining, lodging, golfing, and a comfortable family amenities, and even when the snow stops falling in summer, the lifts keep running for mountain bikers looking to gain some speed down the trails.
Practical Info
Winter Park is located 67 miles to the north and west of Denver. Ski season is usually from November-April, with most years offering at least 150 days of skiing and snowboarding at the resort.
Address: 100 Winter Park Dr, Winter Park, CO, USA 80482, USA
Hours: Nov-April; Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm
From $ 125
Grand Lake
Grand Lake is a town in the Colorado Rockies that will literally take your breath away. At an elevation of 8,300 feet, the town is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, and is set on the shores of shimmering Grand Lake"”the largest in Colorado. The beauty and recreation here compete with the best in the state, where biking, hiking, golf, and fishing are just a few of the popular activities. In summer, the town is abuzz with outdoor enthusiasts all heeding the call of the mountains, and since Grand Lake sits at the National Park entrance, it also teems with visitors driving the famous Trail Ridge Road. When staying in Grand Lake, make a stop in the Kauffman House Museum for a dose of Colorado heritage. This classic log cabin opened as a hotel in 1892, and housed thousands of frontier travelers and settlers up until 1946. At night, catch a show at the legendary Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater, where it's surprisingly possible to find Broadway shows in a town of only 500 people.
Practical Info
Grand Lake Colorado is approximately two hours and 15 minutes from Denver. Snow is possible at any time of year due to the town's high elevation, and Trail Ride Road is usually closed from the middle of November-May. In summer, the full loop from Denver, to Grand Lake, to Estes Park, to Denver, is approximately 200 miles.
Address: Grand Lake, Colorado, USA
From $ 125