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15 Places in Metro Denver to Visit Before Summer Ends
Discover the Best Summer Activities in Denver
Looking for new Denver hot spots to check out before summer wraps up? Luckily, the Mile High City has a little something for everybody. Whether you’re an aircraft enthusiast or a budding marine biologist, there’s something to spark your interest on this list of 15 places to visit in the Denver metropolitan area this summer.
1. Downtown Aquarium Where: 700 Water Street
The Denver Downtown Aquarium offers fun for the whole family. With a full-service restaurant, upscale bar, and numerous aquatic exhibits, it's an all-day entertainment destination. Explore the Sunken Temple ruins, Coral Lagoon, and a wharf habitat. Enjoy a 4-D theater and an aquatic carousel. Pro Tip: Summer Family Nights run from June 12th through July 20th, offering discounted exhibit tickets with restaurant receipts, free activities, animal appearances, and retail discounts.
2. Meow Wolf Denver Where: 1338 1st Street
Meow Wolf's Convergence Station is its largest permanent exhibition, often cited as Denver’s most unique performance venue. This immersive art experience spans 90,000 square feet, transporting visitors to new dimensions through interactive storytelling. Pro Tip: Check out summer events like the Global Dance Festival, Florist & Skullcrusher, Bedtime Stories, and Cat Dealers.
3. Santa Fe Arts District Where: 858 Santa Fe Drive
The Santa Fe Arts District, nationally recognized as an arts and culture center, features over 100 artists, galleries, studios, and theaters. Enjoy the First Friday Art Walks each month and food trucks on 7th and 9th Avenues. Pro Tip: Visit on the last Sunday of the month for a free gallery crawl from 11 AM to 3 PM, suitable for the whole family.
4. Balistreri Vineyards Where: 1946 East 66th Avenue
Invite friends for a wine tasting at Balistreri Vineyards. The family-owned winery, established in 1998, offers award-winning natural wines. Tastings are $20, including 15-20 wines and a complimentary tour. Pro Tip: Don't miss events like the Italian Wine & Movie Night on July 22nd, featuring a special movie menu during "At War With Love."
5. Clyfford Still Museum Where: 1250 Bannock Street
Explore the minimalist art of abstract expressionist Clyfford Still. The museum offers free admission and specialized family programs. Pro Tip: Current exhibits include "Awful Bigness" and "Abstract Expressions: Terrace Installations."
6. The Brown Palace Where: 321 17th Street
The historic Brown Palace offers more than luxury accommodations. Enjoy the famous Lobby Tea with handmade pastries and scones, served daily in the atrium. Pro Tip: From 4:30 PM to 8 PM, Monday through Saturday, enjoy cocktails in the atrium.
7. Empower Field at Mile High Where: 1701 Bryant Street
Catch a Broncos game or a concert at Empower Field, home to over 76,000 fans. Public tours are guided by Colorado Sports Hall of Fame employees. Pro Tip: Be aware of the clear bag policy and parking regulations.
8. Dairy Block Where: 1800 Wazee Street
Denver’s Dairy Block in LoDo offers shopping, dining, and entertainment. Visit coffee shops, co-working spaces, and the Maven Hotel. Enjoy live music, local art shows, and makers’ markets. Pro Tip: Use the directory for a convenient guide to the district’s businesses.
9. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Where: 7711 East Academy Boulevard
Founded in 1994 on the former Lowry Air Force Base, this museum features over 50 aircraft, including a rare WWII-era B-18A Bolo bomber. Pro Tip: Some packages offer unlimited free general admission for up to six guests.
10. Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art Where: 1201 Bannock Street
Travel through 150 years of art at the Kirkland Museum. The collection includes over 30,000 works by 1,500+ artists and designers. Pro Tip: Admission is $12, with discounts for seniors, students, teachers, and military personnel.
11. Forney Museum of Transportation Where: 4303 Brighton Boulevard
Explore over 800 historical transportation artifacts, including automobiles, buggies, motorcycles, and steam locomotives. Pro Tip: Free parking and on-site lockers are available. No bags or purses allowed inside.
12. Elitch Gardens Where: 2000 Elitch Circle
This dual theme and water park offers over 50 rides and events like “dive-in” movies and fireworks. Tickets include water park access. Pro Tip: Get a 2023 Fun Pass for unlimited admission through October 8th.
13. South Broadway’s “Antique Row” Where: 1100 South Broadway
South Broadway, or “SoBo,” is perfect for antique lovers, with 100 antique merchants and historic buildings. Pro Tip: Visit popular shops like Turn of the Century Antiques, Gallagher Books, and Finders Keepers.
14. Denver Union Station Where: 1701 Wynkoop Street
This historic landmark offers dining, shopping, and events like live music and farmers’ markets. Pro Tip: Check the event calendar for gatherings like Swifties at the Station and Fitness on the Plaza.
15. Mount Evans
Enjoy a scenic drive up the highest paved road in North America to the 14,130-foot summit of Mount Evans. Pro Tip: Timed-entry reservations are required during the summer months for Summit Lake Park.
Discover the Best Summer Activities in Denver
Looking for new Denver hot spots to check out before summer wraps up? Luckily, the Mile High City has a little something for everybody. Whether you’re an aircraft enthusiast or a budding marine biologist, there’s something to spark your interest on this list of 15 places to visit in the Denver metropolitan area this summer.
1. Downtown Aquarium Where: 700 Water Street
The Denver Downtown Aquarium offers fun for the whole family. With a full-service restaurant, upscale bar, and numerous aquatic exhibits, it's an all-day entertainment destination. Explore the Sunken Temple ruins, Coral Lagoon, and a wharf habitat. Enjoy a 4-D theater and an aquatic carousel. Pro Tip: Summer Family Nights run from June 12th through July 20th, offering discounted exhibit tickets with restaurant receipts, free activities, animal appearances, and retail discounts.
2. Meow Wolf Denver Where: 1338 1st Street
Meow Wolf's Convergence Station is its largest permanent exhibition, often cited as Denver’s most unique performance venue. This immersive art experience spans 90,000 square feet, transporting visitors to new dimensions through interactive storytelling. Pro Tip: Check out summer events like the Global Dance Festival, Florist & Skullcrusher, Bedtime Stories, and Cat Dealers.
3. Santa Fe Arts District Where: 858 Santa Fe Drive
The Santa Fe Arts District, nationally recognized as an arts and culture center, features over 100 artists, galleries, studios, and theaters. Enjoy the First Friday Art Walks each month and food trucks on 7th and 9th Avenues. Pro Tip: Visit on the last Sunday of the month for a free gallery crawl from 11 AM to 3 PM, suitable for the whole family.
4. Balistreri Vineyards Where: 1946 East 66th Avenue
Invite friends for a wine tasting at Balistreri Vineyards. The family-owned winery, established in 1998, offers award-winning natural wines. Tastings are $20, including 15-20 wines and a complimentary tour. Pro Tip: Don't miss events like the Italian Wine & Movie Night on July 22nd, featuring a special movie menu during "At War With Love."
5. Clyfford Still Museum Where: 1250 Bannock Street
Explore the minimalist art of abstract expressionist Clyfford Still. The museum offers free admission and specialized family programs. Pro Tip: Current exhibits include "Awful Bigness" and "Abstract Expressions: Terrace Installations."
6. The Brown Palace Where: 321 17th Street
The historic Brown Palace offers more than luxury accommodations. Enjoy the famous Lobby Tea with handmade pastries and scones, served daily in the atrium. Pro Tip: From 4:30 PM to 8 PM, Monday through Saturday, enjoy cocktails in the atrium.
7. Empower Field at Mile High Where: 1701 Bryant Street
Catch a Broncos game or a concert at Empower Field, home to over 76,000 fans. Public tours are guided by Colorado Sports Hall of Fame employees. Pro Tip: Be aware of the clear bag policy and parking regulations.
8. Dairy Block Where: 1800 Wazee Street
Denver’s Dairy Block in LoDo offers shopping, dining, and entertainment. Visit coffee shops, co-working spaces, and the Maven Hotel. Enjoy live music, local art shows, and makers’ markets. Pro Tip: Use the directory for a convenient guide to the district’s businesses.
9. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Where: 7711 East Academy Boulevard
Founded in 1994 on the former Lowry Air Force Base, this museum features over 50 aircraft, including a rare WWII-era B-18A Bolo bomber. Pro Tip: Some packages offer unlimited free general admission for up to six guests.
10. Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art Where: 1201 Bannock Street
Travel through 150 years of art at the Kirkland Museum. The collection includes over 30,000 works by 1,500+ artists and designers. Pro Tip: Admission is $12, with discounts for seniors, students, teachers, and military personnel.
11. Forney Museum of Transportation Where: 4303 Brighton Boulevard
Explore over 800 historical transportation artifacts, including automobiles, buggies, motorcycles, and steam locomotives. Pro Tip: Free parking and on-site lockers are available. No bags or purses allowed inside.
12. Elitch Gardens Where: 2000 Elitch Circle
This dual theme and water park offers over 50 rides and events like “dive-in” movies and fireworks. Tickets include water park access. Pro Tip: Get a 2023 Fun Pass for unlimited admission through October 8th.
13. South Broadway’s “Antique Row” Where: 1100 South Broadway
South Broadway, or “SoBo,” is perfect for antique lovers, with 100 antique merchants and historic buildings. Pro Tip: Visit popular shops like Turn of the Century Antiques, Gallagher Books, and Finders Keepers.
14. Denver Union Station Where: 1701 Wynkoop Street
This historic landmark offers dining, shopping, and events like live music and farmers’ markets. Pro Tip: Check the event calendar for gatherings like Swifties at the Station and Fitness on the Plaza.
15. Mount Evans
Enjoy a scenic drive up the highest paved road in North America to the 14,130-foot summit of Mount Evans. Pro Tip: Timed-entry reservations are required during the summer months for Summit Lake Park.
