Whether you’re traveling somewhere else or staying home to explore, it’s always worthwhile to check out those spots that are unique to that place. These might be particular due to the natural environment, thanks to an artistic vision, or historic preservation.
With its large airport to the east and relatively easy access to the stunning mountain peaks to the west, Denver is the capital of the Rocky Mountain West. But what makes it special with one-of-a-kind things to see and do? We’ve picked 10 of our favorites. Let us know what we missed.
Stand on a step exactly one mile above sea level
While other state capitals may be at higher elevations than Denver (hello Cheyenne and Santa Fe), only the Colorado State Capitol can boast a marker that is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. There has been some dispute about which step — the geological marker or the etched 5,280 step — is the most accurate due to the shifting earth below the building. So snap a photo at both.
200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; capitol.colorado.gov
Cheer the cliff divers at Casa Bonita
Casa Bonita has been a big pink landmark since it opened in Lakewood in 1974, thrilling multiple generations of Coloradans with everything from cliff divers and arcade games to puppet shows, magic tricks, Mariachi music, Black Bart’s Cave, a wishing well and much more. Oh, and Tex-Mex food with a history of its own. “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone bought the place a few years ago and invested tens of millions of dollars to … keep it basically the same, much to the delight of locals who love the world-famous restaurant and entertainment complex. Today, you might have to wait months to get a reservation here, but the food has been vastly improved — and there’s nothing like it anywhere. The cliff divers alone are worth the price of admission.
6715 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood; casabonitadenver.com
Consider the abstract at the Clyfford Still Museum
Although the artist himself didn’t have a connection to Colorado, Clyfford Still asked his wife, Patricia, to find a city that would build a museum to showcase his abstract paintings — and only his paintings — after his death. Denver won the bid, and the museum opened in 2011. It should be noted that although the museum is dedicated to a single artist, careful curation means the exhibits change, so repeat visitors will see stunning new paintings and presentations on each visit. (Consider going during Music in the Galleries, when live musicians perform in the hall.)
1250 Bannock St., Denver; clyffordstillmuseum.org
Watch wildlife where weapons of war were made
For decades, the federal government manufactured chemical weapons and plutonium triggers at two enormous facilities on either side of Denver. Both were eventually decommissioned and have since been returned to the wildlife that once made their home there. Today, you can find a herd of bison, along with deer, bald eagles, prairie dogs, owls and other critters at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City. At Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Superior, you might see a herd of elk, deer, coyotes or raptors. Learn more about the arsenal in particular at its visitors center, which talks about the facility’s history as well as its future.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal, 6550 Gateway Road, Commerce City; fws.gov/refuge/rocky-mountain-arsenal. Rocky Flats,16500 W. 120th Ave., Superior; fws.gov/refuge/rocky-flats
Cowboy up at Rockmount Ranch Wear
People from all over the world buy Rockmount shirts and other Western-style gear online, but this is the only retail location, and it’s the original so the place is like a museum (and taxidermy gallery) inside. The creator of the classic snap-front Western shirt, Jack A. Weil, bought this 5-story building in 1946, and made the shirts right here. Musicians and other celebrities love to stop by when they’re in Denver, but anyone can show up to get their cowboy and cowgirl on.
1626 Wazee St, Denver; rockmount.com
Summit a 14,000-foot peak (by car)
Hiking a fourteener is on the life lists for many people, but there’s an easier way to scale two of Colorado’s famed peaks. You can drive to the tops of Mount Blue Sky (14,140 feet) or Pikes Peak (14,115 feet). The road to the summit of Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) will be closed for construction through 2025, but Pikes Peak’s paved — but curvy — road is often open most of the way in winter, and all of the way in summer. There’s a restaurant and gift shop at the top.
Pikes Peak Highway near Colorado Springs; coloradosprings.gov/drivepikespeak
Flip a coin at the United States Mint
Kids, before Apple Pay and plastic, people used metal money to buy things! There are six U.S. Mint operations in the country; four are production facilities, but only two offer public tours: Denver and Philadelphia. Denver’s is the largest coin producer and the tour includes seeing the historic spaces of this building that was originally modeled after an Italian palace. The history of money is fascinating. After the tour, head to the gift shop for commemorative coins or a piggy bank.
320 W. Colfax Ave., Denver; usmint.gov
Catch some cold at the National Science Foundation Ice Core Facility
The purpose of this unique government facility is to store and curate glaciated ice samples from Antarctica, Greenland and North America; it also loans out samples to researchers who are studying the ice. But anyone can visit the 13.67 miles worth of ice here, although you’ll have to schedule your tour months in advance and remain flexible as drop-in visits aren’t allowed. Bundle up! The tour does include a brief visit to the “cold rooms,” which get down to -32.8 degrees.
Federal Center Building 810, Lakewood; icecores.org
Get stimulated at Meow Wolf
Denver is home to one of four Meow Wolf locations in the U.S. and each one is unique with a made-up story of a fantastical or alien world, highlighted by the mind-bending work of creative artists. Here at Meow Wolf Convergence Station, you can walk through caves and labyrinths, and explore C Street. It’s much more interesting to enhance your experience with the Qpass, which provides more backstory on the multi-faceted stories and themes. There is food, drink, a gift shop and even a few quiet places to retreat to if you’re over-stimulated by this place.
1338 1st St, Denver; meowwolf.com/visit/denver
Rock out at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is special. It’s a favorite place for musicians to play, a bucket-list goal for many music lovers and a favorite place for locals to watch the sky change colors as the sun sets to the tunes of their favorite bands. Dedicated as an amphitheater in 1941, it also hosts movies and other events on the inside, while hikers can explore trails on the outside. Although the visitor’s center is currently closed for construction, it has included a timeline of the venue’s history in the past. For a list of announced concerts so far in 2025, see our Red Rocks guide.
18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison; redrocksonline.com/