TL;DR: To tour Denver like a local, explore its neighborhood bars, independent bookstores, museums, and casual restaurants, then head to nearby Mount Falcon Park for a hike. This guide brings together distinctive things to do in Denver, from offbeat attractions to relaxed weekend outings.
Denver’s fast expansion has ushered in a host of new bars, eateries, and hangouts that seem to pop up overnight throughout the Mile-High City. However, quite a few mainstays of Denver endure, beloved by locals and well worth checking out. From hidden gems to bustling nightlife, we outline how to tour Denver like a local here.
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What Are Some Quirky Hidden Gems in Denver?
Larimer Alley Cats
Tucked in an alley near Larimer Square lurk hundreds of ceramic kitties. Part of a city-wide initiative to spruce-up the underutilized and underappreciated alleyways, artist Kelly Monico installed these cat statues in June 2018. They can be seen lounging, climbing, and prowling around the space above the alley, and create quite an adorable spectacle! To find the kitties, start at Ocean Prime on Larimer St, continue northwest on 15th, and turn left into the alley right behind the restaurant. They provide an excellent photo op, and are sure to brighten your day.
Related: The Most Instagrammable Places In Denver
1up Arcade Bar
This 21-and-up arcade is an absolute blast. Packed with all the games from your childhood and complete with a full-service bar, it brings every adult’s dream to life. Play pinball and skeeball as well as classic video games like Mario Bros, Pac-Man, and everything in between.
Speakeasies
Denver has a few prohibition-era-style speakeasies that provide a truly unique experience. Enter through the back door of a stylish 1920s ice cream parlour to find Retrograde, a stylish underground cocktail lair in Uptown. Or, try a trendy drink at Williams & Graham, a craft bar hidden behind a bookshelf.
International Church of Cannabis
Tour Denver like a local at this psychedelic chapel. Members of the International Church of Cannabis, also known as Elevationists, commissioned Okuda San Miguel and Kenny Scharf to paint the interior and exterior of the building. It’s open to the public on Fridays through Mondays from 12-8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-8pm and is probably the most “Denver” thing in Denver.
Divino Wine Shop
Divino represents all that a neighborhood bottle shop can hope to be — classy yet welcoming, knowledgeable yet unpretentious, and always well-stocked. Dave Moore, founder and owner of Divino, wanted to make wine and spirits approachable for everyone and to provide wine-newbies with unique, delicious wines that won’t break the bank. Head over to this South Broadway staple and ask for a recommendation. No bottle is a bad bottle at Divino.
Where Can I Go for Nightlife & After-Work Spots?
Wynkoop Brewing Co.
Co-founded by former Governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, Wynkoop Brewing Co. was once one of only a few businesses in LoDo. Since the 80s, this brewery has been perfecting the art of craft beer, good times, and hospitality. Rub elbows with locals, Colorado natives, and transplants alike at this welcoming spot.
Meadowlark
This hidden gem situated in RiNo is one of Denver’s best-loved nightlife spots. Meadowlark hosts DJs, Indie bands, and more. People come in droves to dance, enjoy cheap drinks, or chill on the back patio in the afternoon sun.
Milk Bar
An award winning, underground nightclub, Milk Bar is the downtown locale to dance the night away. Costumes are strongly encouraged — so don your best vintage apparel and head below Broadway for a night to remember.
What Are Some Fun Weekend Activities?
The Mayan Theater
Since the 1930s, this quirky movie theater has showcased everything from art flicks to big box movies to foreign films. Declared a historic landmark by the city of Denver, the architecture of this building reflects the Art-Deco Mayan Revival style and represents one of only three theaters in the county with this designation.
Laws Whiskey House
Stranahan’s is the name most frequently associated with Colorado Whiskey, and many tourists make it a point to tour their whiskey house. Skip this well known spot and head south to Laws Whiskey House, a Colorado distillery quickly becoming a household name.
Denver Book Society
Browse the shelves at Denver Book Society, then settle in with a coffee and your next read. This Uptown bookstore and café hosts community events and book clubs, so it’s a pleasant stop whether you want a quick recommendation or an afternoon among fellow readers.
Clyfford Still Museum
While the Denver Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art house revered collections, the Clyfford Still Museum contains something else entirely. It showcases the extensive works of this introverted, renegade artist. Guests can view how Still’s life and style changed over time through this museum’s vast collection.
Hike Mt. Falcon Park
This park, only about 30 minutes from downtown, offers a mild-yet-challenging hike suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Catch spectacular views of Red Rocks Amphitheater, snow-capped Rockies, and the Denver skyline off in the distance.
Where Can I Go for Great Eats, No Frills?
Brewery Bar II
Home to one of the best green chiles in Denver, their take on the famous dish will delight your taste buds. This sinus-clearing, tongue-numbing bowl of hot green goodness is the perfect winter delicacy and model of Colorado cuisine.
Rosenberg’s Bagels
Situated in historic Five Points, Rosenbergs is a beacon of bagel-colored light in this western expanse. Prior to Rosenbergs, it was near-impossible to find a truly great bagel so far from the East Coast. But, rest assured, Rosenbergs fine-tuned the traditional New-York-style bagel — part crunch, part chew, total goodness.
Buckhorn Exchange
Looking for a truly unique dining experience that consists of more than ornate bites on satellite-sized white plates? Look no further than Buckhorn Exchange. It’s a national historic landmark and has been serving Denver residents since 1893. While locals obviously don’t eat here on the daily, it’s the perfect place to take out of town guests or treat yourself to the fine dining experience without the frill.
Pho 96
A quick jog down Federal opens up a world of international dining delights. Not to be missed is Pho 96: home to affordable, yet authentic Vietnamese food. Whether you want the best hangover cure in town, or are looking for a low-key spot to catch up with friends over a steaming bowl of salty goodness, Pho 96 hits the spot.
Related: Things to Do in Downtown Denver at Night
Find Your Dream Apartment in Denver
Now that you can tour Denver like a local, reach out to AptAmigo for a 1-on-1 apartment hunting experience. All you need to do is tell us your preferences, and we’ll compile a list of buildings you’ll love. Once you choose your top buildings from the curated list we created, we will schedule a day of tours and be there to ask all the questions you never thought to. The best part? It’s completely free.
Find Your Neighborhood: The Best Denver Neighborhoods for Young Professionals
* The original version of this article was first published on March 19, 2019.
