Many people first move to Denver seeking convenient access to Rocky Mountain weekend getaways, afternoon hikes with bird’s eye views, and adventurous alpine lake swims — all while producing photos that will garner envy from sea-level friends and family. But, don’t forget that Denver itself is a picturesque city with a unique skyline that blends modern and classic architecture. What’s more, Denver’s vibrant, creative scenes derive from the colorful murals, life-size sculptures, and kooky, yet awesome businesses all around the Mile High City.
Discover all of the photogenic wonders of this city on our list of the top Instagram spots Denver offers.
Related: Weird Denver and Things to Do in RiNo
Must-Visit Instagram Spots in Denver
Denver Union Station
Parts of this classic Denver icon date back to 1881, with the bulk of the station’s Neoclassical style hailing from 1914. The off-white building, topped with neon orange signage, beckons travelers, transplants, and natives from far and wide. Snap a picture outside of this historic building, or head inside for even prettier architecture and photo ops.
The building’s interior aesthetic is crisp and white, with plenty of natural light that highlights dramatically arched windows, ornate wall sconces, and dark wood furnishings. Day time photos work best inside, while the building’s exterior truly pops against a sunset or night sky.
The Confluence Denver
This luxury apartment boasts one of the best pools in town. The heated, frameless window pool overlooks Confluence Park, Downtown Denver, and The Rocky Mountains, making this rooftop one of the best Instagram spots in Denver. Grab a Colorado craft brew and soak up one of our city’s 300 days of sunshine in this high-end swimming pool. Bonus points for silly pool floats!
International Church of Cannabis
Even if you’re not a practitioner of Elevationism, this technicolor church is a sight to see. What was once an abandoned Lutheran church is now a converted, modern house of worship that celebrates the spiritual contributions of the green goddess, Mary Jane. Multi-colored murals that beg to be photographed adorn the ceilings and walls.
Larimer Square
Thousands of stringed lights hover above historic buildings along Larimer Street in the heart of Denver’s bustling downtown. At night, the entire block comes alive. Dine on the open air patios of Larimer’s renowned restaurants, or sip champagne and watch the Denver evening sky paint a watercolor sunset. The best photos on Larimer are taken in the evening or during special events when the city adorns the lights with flags, pennants, or holiday decorations.
RiNo
As Denver’s population began to boom once again in the early 2000s, River North (RiNo for short) sought to re-imagine its warehouse spaces instead of tearing them down. Now one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the Mile High City, eye-catching street art that makes for some of the most Instagrammable shots around town decorate the industrial blocks. Take a walking tour of RiNo and keep an eye out, murals everywhere just beg to be captured in a photo.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
A backdrop of monolithic red rock frames this this Amphitheater where classic bands like The Beatles and Rush as well as modern, internationally acclaimed musicians like Pretty Lights and The Lumineers performed. There’s really no bad time of day to take a photo here. During the day, the towering rock formations contrast brilliantly against the blue sky, and at night the rocks come alive thanks to perfectly placed light fixtures.
The Denver Museum of Contemporary Art
This Denver staple consistently showcases unique, attention-grabbing exhibits full of bright colors, wild patterns, and asymmetrical shapes. Dive in and experience original art like never before. From large-scale installations to intricately detailed works, MCA displays it all. And, you’ll score a totally unique, one-of-a-kind backdrop for your next Insta profile pic.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Beat the winter blues by hanging out at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ indoor greenhouse. High humidity and balmy temps give your skin a dew-kissed appearance even during the harshest winter days. Stroll amongst the lush green tropical trees, taking in the brightly colored flowers and twisting vines that interweave throughout the greenhouse.
Denver houses a variety of people from all walks of life: musicians, artists, chefs, entrepreneurs, athletes, and activists. They continually leave their marks in the form of architecture, businesses, art, and more, making this place one truly Instagrammable city to call home.
Live Near the Best Instagram Spots in Denver
Thanks for reading our list of the best Instagram spots Denver has to offer. If you want these spots right in your backyard, let AptAmigo find the perfect apartment for you. Reach out to us, and tell us your living needs, then sit back and relax while we take care of everything else.
Read Next: Luxury Denver Apartments with Unique Amenities
* The original version of this article was first published on September 16, 2019.
Abigail is a freelance writer who loves exploring new places, especially in the Southwest, and lived in her van during the Covid-19 pandemic. When she's not working on writing gigs to support her #vanlife endeavors, she loves packrafting alpine lakes, floating lazy rivers, and trail running.
