Denver is surrounded by the outdoors and alive with culture and activity.Whether your teen is artsy, outdoorsy, or into sports, we have all the recommendations for unique and fun things to do in Denver with teenagers.

We even threw in some free ones because if you are traveling with teens, who eat and eat, you are going to need to save some bucks somewhere. 

Some of the links in this blog are affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we will receive a commission at no extra charge to you.  

Things to Do in Denver with Teenagers

Denver is a great city to visit with teenagers. There are so many things to see and do that would be of interest to teenagers, including cultural attractions and museums, amusement parks, active indoor and outdoor activities, and free and unique things to do as well. 

Denver is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains and so there are many outdoor activities nearby.

We also have a section on day trips from Denver with your teenager that include these nearby outdoor experiences.

So let’s get started.

Cultural Things to Do with Teenagers in Denver

1. The Denver Art Museum

Okay so not every teenager is going to go for this. But if you have an art lover in your family, then the Denver Art Museum is a great place to spend a few hours.

Home to more than 70,000 works of art, Denver’s Art Museum is especially known for its indigenous art holdings.

The Museum is found near the Capitol building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

2. Street Art at RiNo and on Sante Fe

If your teenager is into art, but appreciates the commentary and urban setting that comes from Street art more than a museum, definitely check out the RiNo scene. 

RiNo was once the exclusive home to the Crush Festival, where 80+ artists were commissioned to make murals on buildings throughout the RiNo neighborhood.

While the festival is on pause, the result is that RiNo is home to over 500 murals of amazing street art. You can wander this area on your own or take a 2 hour street art walking tour to see the best of it. 

Or, if your teenager is more interested in checking out working artists, the Sante Fe district is full of cool galleries. And on the first Friday of every month the neighborhood is alive with art, food trucks, and live music. 

The Sante Fe district is easily accessible by the Light Rail Station at 10th and Osage. 

3. Denver Museum of Nature and Science

In City Park you will find Denver’s Museum of Nature and Science. The museum is of course home to exhibits on natural history, space and science. 

However over the years we have seen some amazing temporary exhibits including Sue, the T-rex and an extensive exhibit on famous rock-n-roll guitars that our teenagers absolutely loved. 

4. Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum

If your teenager is interested in aeronautics, then this is the museum for you.

With a collection of more than 50 aircraft, this Denver museum is a excellent place to learn about the history of aviation and space exploration

This museum is located in the Lowry neighborhood. Lowry was once an airforce base, hence all those available airplane hangers. The neighborhood is a bit out of the city center. But if you are using public transit, you can access it easily by taking the number 6 bus from 16th Street Mall.

5. Meow Wolf

Denver also has the very unique and surreal Meow Wolf. The 4-story immersive experience is home to 70+ installations. 

And if you are in Denver, this is a unique experience that your teenager will not forget.

Meow Wolf, which was started in Sante Fe, New Mexico, was all about opening up the art world to artists and thinkers on the fringe. And what they created was truly an experience akin to going down the rabbit hole in Alice and Wonderland. Not to be missed.

Amusement Parks in Denver

Spending a day at an amusement is one of our best tips for traveling with teens. There are several amusement parks in Denver that your teen will love.

6. Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park

Elitch Gardens is the best and most popular theme park in Denver. And trust us, as you come into downtown Denver your teen will immediately see the roller coaster tracks. There is no avoiding it. 

A historical site in Denver, the park opened in 1890. But don’t worry. All of the more than 45 rides are safe and ready for a day of thrills.

7. Lakeside Amusement Park

If your teen is less about thrills and more about the funky vibe, then Lakeside Amusement is for you. Family-owned and operated since 1908, Lakeside is by definition “old school.”

For us, a day at Lakeside is like a day at your county fair with its creaky rides, carnival games and good, but oh-so-bad carnival food. Think everything fried and on a stick!

If you are looking for a vintage day of fun, Lakeside has you covered.

8. Water World

If the city is hot, then consider taking a day at Denver’s Water World. Located in the Federal Heights Neighborhood, Water World includes 45 rides.

From a surf rider to several slides with big drops, Water World can make a perfect summer day in Denver for your teen. 

The season for Waterworld is typically Memorial Day to Labor Day.

9. Denver Zoo

While the Denver Zoo is not an amusement park, it definitely has a similar family-friendly focus.

The Denver Zoo, located in City Park, has more than 4,000 animals, including gorillas, lions, elephants, and bears. However, our family favorite is definitely the giraffes.

Unique Things to Do in Denver with Teenagers

All of these activities are Denver staples and unique only to this Western city. 

10. Explore Larimer Square

Denver’s urban shopping experience centers around Larimer Square. Denver’s oldest block, Larimer Square, is the perfect place to see and be seen. Lined with Victorian houses, the square features unique boutiques and great restaurants.

Our favorite stop in Larimer Square is Garage Sale Vintage. This shop has sweet vintage clothes for your teen and a bar inside the shop for an adult pick me up. 

11. The Tattered Cover Book Store

The Tattered Cover is to Denver what Powells is to Portland. This iconic Denver book store opened in 1971. 

The original Tattered Cover is on Colfax across from East High School. But the store now has several locations, including a shop at Union Station and at McGregor Square, right next to Coors Field.

12. Denver Mint

Okay so there are actually six working mints across the United States. So this activity isn’t exactly unique to Denver, but it is still really cool. 

The Denver mint was established in 1863 by President Lincoln and has been producing coins continuously ever since. Since its inception, it has gone through several expansions and renovations and today it is one of the most modern and efficient mints in the world, producing billions of coins each year. 

The Mint is open to visitors. Mint Tours are offered Monday through Thursday (excluding observed federal holidays) at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

You can no longer get tickets in advance. Instead, you buy tickets at the Tour Information Window, which opens at 7 a.m. Tickets are sold first-come, first serve. Tours are free, but you must be 7 years old to visit. 

Things to Do in Denver with Teens: Activities Near Downtown

Denver is a true Western city. And as such, it takes its activity seriously. All of these activities are within the city of Denver.

13. Hike or Bike the Cherry Creek Trail

This 40-mile trail runs from Denver to Cherry Creek Reservoir, and is a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

Stop at Wheel Fun Rentals in Washington park to rent a bike and take the self-guided bike tour from their location, through downtown and out to Cherry Creek. 

The self-guided tour will take you around 4 hours and will allow you and your teen to see Denver on your own pedal power. 

14. Rock Climbing

If your teen wants to practice some rock climbing before heading out to the Rocky Mountains for the real thing, there are several indoor rock climbing gyms throughout Denver.

Where you climb might depend on your Denver neighborhood of choice. Earth Treks Climbing and Fitness is located in LoDo and has over 18,000 square feet of climbing. 

In RiNo, there is Movement Climbing and Fitness, which is 30,000 square feet. Or, if you are in the Capitol Hill Neighborhood, check out Evo Rock and Fitness with over 16,000 square feet to boulder, top rope and lead climb. 

15. Catch a Game with Your Teen: Professional Sports Teams in Denver

Several professional teams play in Denver, Colorado and all but one of these teams have stadiums in downtown Denver. 

The Denver Broncos, a National Football League team, plays at Mile High Stadium. The stadium is located in the downtown neighborhood

The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team. The team plays at Coors Field in LoDo. 

The Denver Nuggets are Denver’s National Basketball Association team. The Nuggets play at Ball Arena, which is located in downtown Denver off of Speer Boulevard.

The Colorado Avalanche are Denver’s National HockeyLeague team. The “Avs” – as they are known to fans – also play at Ball Arena

And finally, Denver has a Major League Soccer team, the Colorado Rapids. The Colorado Rapids actually play outside of downtown Denver in Commerce City. 

However, their stadium, Dick’s Sporting Goods Arena is still just a 10-20 minute drive from Union Station, depending on traffic.

Free Things to Do in Denver with Teens

16. Take a Free Walking Tour

Okay, free walking tours aren’t exactly free since you should definitely tip. But the Denver Free Walking Tour, which we just took a few months ago, was well worth the time (and tip).

The Tour meets at the State Capitol and takes you through the important sites in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, down 16th street, and past Union Station to Larimer Square.

The tour is a great first thing to do in Denver with your teen. We have family in Denver so we travel there a lot. And we recently took the tour with our teen and learned so much. 

It is typical to tip around $10-$15 per person for the free walking tour. 

17. Explore Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

The park is known for its stunning red rock formations and its amazing outdoor amphitheater. 

And for a little bit of 3TicketsPlease history, Red Rocks is where Faith went to her first ever concert, when she was, wait for it….just a teen. 

The park is a bit of a drive outside of Downtown Denver, at about 30 minutes drive. However, if you and your teen are checking out a concert at Red Rocks there is a shuttle from Downtown Denver and Capitol Hill out to the amphitheater. 

There is no admission fee to enter the park.

18. Walk 16th Street Mall

The 16th Street Mall is a pedestrian and transit mall that runs through the heart of downtown Denver.The mall features a wide variety of shops, restaurants, as well as public art. 

It was designed by I.M. Pei, and opened in 1982 as a part of a larger revitalization effort throughout the city. Since opening it has undergone several renovations and now walking it is a great (and free) activity.

There is also free shuttle service that runs the length of the mall. 

19. Grab a Photo with a Giant Blue Bear

If your teen is interested in social media stop by by Lawrence Argent’s sculpture, “I See What You Mean” and grab a photo.

The 40 foot tall blue bear peeking into the Denver Convention Center is entirely made of fiberglass.

Public art is a huge part of Denver’s revitalization. And this playful piece is a reminder to have some fun with your teen while they still travel with you.

Day Trip from Denver with Your Teen

20. Rocky Mountain National Park

If you are looking for a one-day trip from Denver to take with your teen, it should absolutely be to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park was established in 1915. The park covers a remarkable 265,000 acres, and is known for its diverse wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep, and moose. 

It truly has some of the most scenic views in the entire West. 

If your teen is interested in hiking, there are over 300 miles of trails in the park. Rock climbing and horseback riding are also available options.  

Maybe your teen just wants to have a scenic road trip and ride such popular routes as Trail Ridge Road, which reaches an elevation of over 12,000 feet. 

21. Go Whitewater Rafting

Colorado offers great opportunities for your teen to experience the thrills that only Mother Nature can provide.

Clear Creek is the closest whitewater rafting to Denver. The Clear Creek Whitewater tour starts in Idaho Springs, Colorado. The trip takes in the canyon and Colorado’s gold rush history.

The half day tour is only open to rafters age 13 and up. And you need to be in moderate physical health as this is an intermediate tour.

Don’t worry, the guides are experts and this experience is definitely perfect for parents and teens. 

22. Go Ziplining

Soar above the Colorado wilderness at The Edge Ziplining. The zipline course consists of 10 different zip lines. 

About a 40 minute drive from downtown Denver, The Edge is an easy drive and makes for a great half-day experience. 

Don’t fear, beginners are definitely encouraged to take on the course. 

Great Places to Eat In Denver with Teenagers

So there are too many great places to eat in Denver. We could go on and on. But we are just going to give you a few highlights of our quintessential Denver food haunts.

23. Casa Bonita

Casa Bonita is a Denver cult classic. Opened in 1974, the restaurant is known for its elaborate architecture, including a 30-foot waterfall, a cave, and cliff divers show. 

The restaurant offers Tex-Mex and traditional Mexican dishes. But let’s be honest, people don’t really come for the food. It is all about the kitschy atmosphere.

The restaurant was actually featured in an episode of the animated television series South Park. And when the restaurant fell on tough times, the creators of the show, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, bought the place.

The restaurant is currently going through renovations under Parker and Stone and will open again in May 2023.

24. Little Man Ice Cream 

Little Man Ice Cream was started in 2008 in a 28-foot-tall cream can. Yes, you heard us right.

The owners created their shop inside the oversize cream can, which quickly became a landmark in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver.

The shop gained a reputation for its unique flavors and high-quality ingredients. It has since expanded to include a second location in the RiNo neighborhood.

25. Slice Works

Okay, in truth there is nothing particularly quintessential about Slice Works. But if you are exploring downtown Denver with your teenager then you are going to need a recommendation for delicious pizza.  And Slice Works is just that.

Located just steps from Union Station in LoDo, Slice Works is the perfect pit stop for your teen after you have tackled all that the amazing city of Denver has to offer.

How to Get Around Denver

Denver has a public transit system that is operated by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). The RTD system includes bus, light rail, and commuter rail services that service the Denver Metro area.

The light rail system in particular is considered to be one of the best in the country, with six lines that cover a large portion of the city.

The light rail also connects you to many popular destinations on this list of things to do in Denver with your teen, including Coors Field, the 16th Street Mall, and of course Union Station, which acts as a hub for the light rail system.

The Best Time To Visit Denver

Denver is definitely a four season location. The summer months of June to August are typically the warmest and sunniest, making them ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and visiting all the pedestrian areas of downtown Denver.

The fall months of September to November are also great to visit, as the weather is still mild. The the fall foliage is also beautiful in Colorado at this time of year.

If you’re looking to ski or snowboard, the winter months of December through March are the best time to visit. If your teen hasn’t skied before we have the best ski resorts in Colorado for beginners. 

Denver is known for its 300 days of sunshine per year. So there really isn’t a bad time to visit the Mile High City. 

Where to Stay in Denver 

Denver is a vibrant Western city with many different neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm.

We recommend several apartment style hotels to stay in Denver. We use apartments as a part of our budget saving tips so we can eat more meals in, which saves a ton of money.

Some popular neighborhoods for visitors to stay in Denver include:

Downtown 

Downtown is the heart of the city and a great place to stay if you want to be in the midst of the action. There are many hotels, restaurants, and attractions in this area, including Elitch Gardens theme park and the 16th Street Mall.

A very affordable downtown apartment is Renu Downtown Denver. The two bedroom apartments with fully kitchens typically run around $170 per night. If you select this apartment, you are truly at the heart of it all.

One of our favorite things about Renu is they have bikes rentals that are available with the apartment.

LoDo (Lower Downtown) 

The historic neighborhood of LoDo is known for its trendy bars, restaurants, and music venues. The 25 blocks that make up LoDo are the oldest in Denver.

Some of the best to stay are in LoDo.

LoDo is close to Denver’s major attractions including the Denver Art Museum and Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, Denver’s Major League Baseball team.

LoDo is also the area around Union Station. If you are coming into Denver by train from Denver International Airport to Union Station, you will find yourself in LoDo.

In LoDo a great apartment choice is Kasa Union Station. The apartment has two-bedroom apartments that are perfect for families.

Just seven minutes from Union Station, this apartment is perfect for the family arriving via the light rail from Denver International. Wifi is free and there is an outdoor pool.

RiNo (River North)

RiNo is an up-and-coming neighborhood known for its art galleries and breweries. It is a bit further from downtown, but it is easily accessible by public transit.

Given the trendy nightlife of this area, it can be a bit louder on the weekends. Still we are confident that your teen will love the bohemian and eclectic vibe of RiNo. 

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is home to many of Denver’s historical landmarks, including the Colorado State Capitol Building and the Denver Mint. 

Capitol Hill has traditionally been a diverse neighborhood with a mix of older homes and apartments. Capital Hill is also known for its bustling commercial area.

In the past, Capitol Hill was not an area we would recommend to families to stay in Denver with their teenagers.

However, in recent years, the area has seen an influx of new residents, many of whom are young professionals and families.

With an increase in property values and a much safer neighborhood than in the past, Capitol Hill is know a good choice.

The benefit of the recent transition is that Capitol Hill is the best area to stay in Downtown Denver if you are on a budget. And despite its interesting past, it is definitely safe now.

Uptown

If your time in Denver will center around City Park, which houses the Denver Zoo, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, then you should definitely consider Uptown. 

Just east of downtown, Uptown is the neighborhood most adjacent to Denver’s City Park.

Uptown also has Restaurant Row, a stretch of pubs, coffee shops, and eateries that spans from Broadway to City Park.  

Highlands Area

Right across the river from Downtown is the Highlands Area of Denver. The Highlands offers a unique blend of urban and suburban living. There is a vibrant dining and nightlife scene. This part of Denver is also known for its charming bungalows and quaint shops.

If you are looking for a more laid-back, suburban feel with easy access to downtown, the Highlands might be a good fit. If you are looking to rent a larger vacation property with a kitchen and outdoor space, then Highlands is a great choice.

Be aware that the Highlands tends to be more expensive than other areas of Denver. However, if Highlands is your neighborhood and you are on a budget we recommend the LoHi, or lower part of Highlands.

Within the LoHi neighborhood, Kasa Comma is a great choice. The building has two bedroom apartments. And they even have a washer and dryer, key when

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for other teen exclusive travel ideas. We have great suggestions for 30 things to do in Rome with teenagers. And as Disney family, we can help you decide which Disney Park is best for your teenager.

Or maybe you need gift ideas for your traveling teen. We have 60+ of the best travel gifts for teenagers.