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Things to do in Denver: downtown and Red Rocks

Things to do in Denver: Union Station and Larimer Square downtown, and Red Rocks as a separate foothills outing.

Give Denver two different kinds of time: a downtown day around Union Station and Larimer Square, and a separate outing to Red Rocks in Morrison. Then choose an indoor stop for fossils, art or music history. Here are six options, including the access checks that keep a good plan from turning into a wasted journey.

1. Denver Union Station

Start downtown in a building that is more than somewhere to catch a train. Union Station brings historic architecture, places to eat and shops together in Lower Downtown. Look around first, then sit down for coffee or a meal instead of treating it as a quick photograph stop.

Good to know

  • Use the station’s dining directory to choose between a quick bite and a sit-down meal.
  • Restaurants and shops have their own hours; check the individual listing if you are counting on an early breakfast or late dinner.

2. Larimer Square

Larimer Square is the next downtown chapter: historic buildings, shops and restaurants beneath its familiar string lights. It is a place to look slowly at the street and then choose somewhere to eat. Pair it with Union Station rather than giving it a separate travel day.

Good to know

  • Find the district at 1430 Larimer Street.
  • Check the restaurant and retailer directory for individual hours and reservations.
  • If driving, the district’s parking garage entrance is on Market Street; check current charges before parking.

3. Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

The red rock formations make this worth considering even when you are not going to a concert. Walk into the amphitheatre when public access allows and take time to look at the landscape around the venue. It is in Morrison, so give it a separate outing rather than treating it as another downtown stop.

Good to know

  • Daytime admission and parking are free; ticketed events are a separate visit.
  • Check access before travelling: concerts, preparations and private events can close the amphitheatre.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes; reaching the venue from parking can involve a hike.
  • Arrange your outward and return transport before leaving downtown.

4. Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Go here for the longer story behind the landscape. Prehistoric Journey follows life from ancient seas through dinosaurs and into the rise of mammals, with fossils and reconstructed habitats to help you picture the changes. It is a good choice if you want an indoor afternoon with more to explore than one display.

Good to know

  • The museum encourages buying admission online in advance; check current prices and hours.
  • The planetarium, theater and certain temporary exhibitions require separate timed tickets.
  • Find the museum at 2001 Colorado Boulevard; plan this as a separate stop from your downtown walk.

5. Denver Art Museum

Choose this when you would rather spend the afternoon looking at art than adding another outdoor excursion. General admission covers the museum campus, so you can shape the visit around the galleries that interest you. Check the exhibition program first and give yourself permission to see less, more slowly.

Good to know

  • General admission is free for visitors aged 18 and under.
  • Some exhibitions need an additional ticket; check what is included before buying.
  • Check the current weekly schedule and holiday closures before setting off.

6. Colorado Music Hall of Fame

If Colorado’s musical history interests you, look at the Hall’s current exhibit at the Colorado Convention Center. It celebrates the artists, venues and moments behind the state’s music scene. This is a conditional stop to plan around an available program, not a museum you should assume you can walk into every day.

Good to know

  • The exhibit has moved from the Red Rocks Trading Post to the Colorado Convention Center.
  • Access is through convention events, Bellco Theatre performances, selected Hall programs and public art tours; check eligibility and arrangements directly.
  • The exhibit is free in the access settings described by the Hall, but that does not mean the associated event or tour is necessarily free.

Quick tips

  • Start with Union Station and Larimer Square; choose one museum rather than trying to fit every indoor stop into the afternoon.
  • Check Red Rocks access before arranging transport, even if you are not attending a concert.
  • Want company? Check upcoming events in Denver on Socroo below and find someone to go with.

Upcoming events

Things to do in Denver in winter Denver Union Station Larimer Square Red Rocks: getting here and access Museum of Nature & Science: visit information Denver Art Museum Colorado Music Hall of Fame: current exhibit