Denver, Colorado: 5 Outdoor Adventures in the City

Denver was one of the first cities in the U.S. to implement a large-scale bicycle-sharing program and it’s been a hit ever since. Rent a bicycle at any B-cycle station and pedal over to the Denver Zoo to view hundreds of animals from around the world. Just a short distance away is the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, full of fascinating and educational exhibits, an IMAX theater and a planetarium.

A day of fun on the water awaits at Confluence Park in Lower Downtown (LoDo), where you can paddle the whitewater chutes while enjoying views of the Denver skyline. Take a lesson from a local outfitter if you’ve never tried kayaking – it’s fun and easy to learn. Other summer activities include tubing down the river, sunbathing on the shore and walking along the trails that line the park.

Rent a pedal boat or bicycle at Washington Park – known for its two lakes and beautiful gardens. Stop and smell the roses (and hundreds of other flower varieties) at a recreation of the gardens at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, walk or bike around lakefront trails, let the kids play at the playgrounds or catch a game of tennis or croquet – Washington Park is a full-day’s outing.  

The River North Arts District (RiNo) is well-known as the city’s hub of creative activity, evidenced by the ever-changing street art you’ll see on the sides of buildings. Take a pedicab tour around Denver’s most popular attractions, then get out and explore the shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants in this unique district.

Don’t let anyone tell you that watching sports is a passive activity – Denver is home to seven professional sports teams, and when you’re jumping out of your seat and high-fiving your neighbor, you’ll feel the excitement for yourself. Check out Colorado Rockies baseball, American football with the Denver Broncos, hockey with the Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids soccer, Colorado Mammoth lacrosse, Denver Nuggets basketball and more. 

Denver is easy to get to via Denver International Airport, which offers non-stop service to London, Frankfurt, Munich, Tokyo, Mexico City and Reykjavik. Direct rail service connects Denver International Airport to Denver Union Station, located in the heart of downtown Denver.