Downtown Denver is abuzz with activity, both night and day. Go kayaking on the Platte River, shop at the downtown boutiques and malls and revel in the lively atmosphere in the latest wave of hip bars and brewpubs.

The downtown district has long been the core of the city of Denver. It is still the beating heart of the state capital. It’s also the city’s busiest shopping quarter. Stroll down the mile-long 16th Street Mall and browse the stores in the Denver Pavilions, a retail and entertainment complex that also features several dining options as well as a movie theater.

For some culture, stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, which is housed in a striking contemporary building that resembles a glass box. Inside, it hosts ever-changing exhibits and features a rooftop café garden.

Look for the golden-domed Colorado State Capitol building on the southern edge of downtown. Watch as tourists pose on the front staircase, where one step is inscribed with the words: “One mile above sea level.”

Follow the 16th Street Mall all the way to the north end to reach Commons Park, a pretty green space along the river. Explore the neighboring historic Lower Downtown (Lodo) district, known for its elegant Victorian architecture. The historic buildings feature trendy bars, restaurants and boutiques. It’s particularly well-known for its brewpubs, some of which feature on the downloadable Denver Beer Trail. While here, watch a baseball game at the iconic Coors Field and visit the neoclassical Union Station, a renovated, fully functioning train station housing independent stores, a hotel and restaurants.

Free parking in Downtown Denver is very hard to find on weekdays, so it’s better to travel on foot or by public transportation. Use light rail or RTD buses to get downtown from the suburbs. Once here, ride the free 16th Street Mall shuttle. It’s also possible to get around using Denver’s B-cycle bike-sharing program.

Vacations are about doing things you delight in as well as things you've never undertaken before. Are you ready to try your hand at some sensational new experiences?

Kick off your trip to Downtown Denver by checking out a few of these things to do:

• Urban Adventure Quest - Denver LoDo
• Denver Haunted Pub Walking Tour - LoDo
• Dining at Hard Rock Cafe Denver with Priority Seating
• Vacation Photographer in Denver
• Guided Snowshoeing Adventure in the Rocky Mountains
• Disc Golfing

For a more complete list of activities, take a look at our Downtown Denver things to do page.

*Savings based on all vacation package bookings with Flight + Hotel on Expedia.com from January through December 2020, as compared to price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages. For Free Flight or 100% Off Flight deals, package savings is greater than or equal to the current cost of one component, when both are priced separately.