Fun Activities in Denver for Adults: 25 Top Picks

With a thriving arts scene, the perfect mix of city and nature vibes, delicious craft beer, and so much more, Denver is one of the most interesting cities in the country. In this article, we'll share the most unique and fun activities in Denver for adults.

From exploring one of the world’s most diverse botanical gardens and relaxing at a beer spa to enjoying local sports and getting active outdoors, the opportunities are endless. Whether you're an older or young adult looking for day or night activities, we've got something for everyone.

1. Stroll Through Larimer Square

If you want to explore the heart of downtown Denver, Larimer Square is the perfect place to go. This historic district and vibrant area is filled with dining, shopping, and entertainment. 

Larimer Square is also a fun area to hang out at night with delicious restaurants and lively bars, including Rioja, The Wild, and Tamayo. There’s also a popular comedy club, Comedy Works, well worth checking out for shows almost every evening.

2. Explore Denver Botanic Gardens

One of the most enjoyable activities in Denver for adults during the day is exploring the Denver Botanic Gardens, which features one of the largest plant collections in the country.

Stroll through picture-perfect themed gardens with countless exotic blooms, and take a rest on benches throughout to people-watch. There’s also an amphitheater that hosts shows during the summer.

3. Visit the History Colorado Center

One of the best things to do in Denver for adults who appreciate history is visiting the History Colorado Center, which is open daily. Discover Colorado's history through artifacts, stories, and art. You can also shop for regional food, crafts, and books.

4. Take a Brewery Tour

As the US state with the most breweries, Colorado is a beer lover’s paradise. And Denver’s beer scene is easily one of the best!

Explore the best of Denver’s craft beer on a Denver Microbrew Tour. There are a couple of tour options that take you through the lively Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood or the artsy River North Art District (RiNo). 

LoDo is ideal for those who want to learn interesting Denver history, while RiNo boasts some of Denver’s most unique street art.

You can also use the Denver Beer Trail map for a self-guided craft beer tour if you prefer. Some of our favorite breweries are Crooked Stave, Odell Brewing, Cerveceria Colorado, and Great Divide Brewing.

5. Relax at Oakwell Beer Spa

One of the best things to do for adults in Denver is to enjoy unique and rejuvenating spa services paired with local craft beer at Oakwell Beer Spa. Oakwell Beer Spa is an award-winning day spa where guests can relax differently with beer-inspired spa treatments and a cozy taproom oasis. Best of all, this is a great activity during the day or at night – open daily from 8:30 AM to 10 PM.

There are various spa packages, no matter what kind of experience you're looking for – whether with your significant other, a friend, or a larger group.

You can book your spa treatment online or walk in to enjoy the taproom and Zero Gravity Massage experience.

6. Check Out the Denver Art Museum

If you’re an art lover looking for fun activities in Denver for adults, be sure to check out the Denver Art Museum. This is one of the largest art museums in the United States, showcasing more than 70,000 diverse works from around the world.

At the Denver Art Museum, you can find the Indigenous Arts of North America collection and incredible pieces of Latin American Art. There are also regular events and programs, including creative classes, talks with artists, and artist takeovers. 

7. Go to Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a famous, open-air theater situated within a stunning rock formation. It’s just outside of Denver and offers an ideal escape from the city.

During spring, summer, and fall, you can enjoy regular live music and comedy shows. Red Rocks Park is also fun to explore and appreciate nature throughout the year.

8. Hang Out at Civic Center Park

Visiting Civic Center Park is one of the most versatile, fun things to do in Denver for adults.

This large green space is a great area to walk around. It's also surrounded by some of Denver's most iconic sites, including the State Capitol and the Denver Art Museum. 

During summer, Civic Center Park boasts 25,000 square feet of beautiful flower gardens. There are also summer festivals, concerts, and food trucks.

9. Make a New Recipe With a Cooking Class

Enjoy cooking or want to learn a new hobby? A cooking class is ideal!

Stir Cooking School offers a variety of hands-on cooking classes for dinner almost every evening. There are brunch classes on the weekends.

If you prefer to have the class at home, Denver Cooking Classes will bring the ingredients and instructions to you.

This is one of the best things to do in Denver alone, with friends, or on a date night.

10. Shop and Dine at Union Station

Union Station, also known as “Denver’s Living Room,” is an excellent place for adults to hang out. Not only is it a cool historic railway station in the lively downtown area, but it’s also fun for shopping, dining, and drinking.

If you’re visiting Denver for vacation, The Crawford Hotel in Union Station is one of the best places to spend the night.

11. Drive the Mount Evans Scenic Byway

(Only open seasonally)

One of our favorite day trips from Denver is heading to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway to explore outside of the city. This 49-mile winding byway sits 14,000 feet above sea level and is the highest paved road in North America.

Take a drive and enjoy some of the most stunning Colorado views. There are plenty of places to stop along the way to appreciate the scenery and take pictures.

To extend your adventure, you can also head a little further north to check out the incredible Rocky Mountain National Park.

12. See a Game or Concert at Empower Field

One of the best things to do in Downtown Denver for adults who love sports is to see the Broncos play at Empower Field. They play from August through December. There are also regular events and concerts at the stadium year-round.

With Empower Field's convenient location, there are many other fun things to do nearby before or after a game or other event.

13. Watch a Show at the Denver Performing Arts Complex

Another great spot to watch a live show in Denver is the Performing Arts Complex. In fact, this is the largest performing arts center in one building in the entire country.

The Denver Performing Arts Complex has 10 performance spaces to enjoy plays, concerts, and other events. It's also home to the Colorado Ballet, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and Opera Colorado. 

14. Have Fun at an Escape Room

An escape room is one of the best ways for young and older adults to spend time together and do something unique. 

Denver has a few escape rooms, including the popular and award-winning HD Escape Rooms. There are several immersive escape room options with varying difficulty levels, each featuring a series of puzzles to solve in order to find your key and unlock the room.

15. Visit Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is about an hour south of Denver in Colorado Springs and is one of the best places for a day trip to enjoy nature. It covers over a thousand acres of natural beauty with stunning, massive red rock formations. It's also been named a National Natural Landmark.

The park offers free entry every day of the year and is a great area for biking, hiking, and rock climbing. There are also several easy trails for more casual walking.

16. Play at Archery Games Denver

Archery Games Denver offers one of the best things to do in Denver for adults who enjoy adventure.

At Archery Games Denver, you can play dodgeball with a twist, where you play with bows and foam-tipped arrows. Bring a group of four or more friends, or join a public game when you arrive.

This is the ideal spot for birthdays, team building, date nights, and bachelor or bachelorette parties.

17. Go Ziplining with Denver Adventurers

One of the fun activities in Denver for adults during the day is ziplining through the Rocky Mountains.

Denver Adventures offers Colorado’s longest and fastest ziplines. Choose your adventure with zip lines ranging from 850 feet to over 1,900 feet long, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph and up to 250 feet above the ground.

Denver Adventurers is a 30-minute scenic drive from Denver’s city center. They also offer shuttle pick-up.

18. Play Pickleball

Older adults have been enjoying pickleball for years, and young adults are also catching on. Denver's pickleball scene continues to grow, with many places throughout the city to play.

Most of Denver's rec centers have pickleball courts, including Cook Park and Glenarm. Pickleball Food Pub in Westminster and Aurora are also fun spots to play, where you can also eat and drink afterward.

19. Have Ice Cream at Sweet Action

One of the best places in Denver to satisfy your sweet tooth is Sweet Action. This local favorite serves innovative and delicious flavors. From classic cookies and cream to lavender honey and vegan options, there's a perfect treat for everyone. There's also a cocktail bar in the back.

Located in the Baker neighborhood, Sweet Action is the ideal stop during a stroll down Broadway. Whether you're cooling off after a day of activities or capping off an evening out, Sweet Action hits the spot.

20. Attend a Local Event

No matter the season, Denver always has something going on. Local events are one of the best ways to enjoy the city and culture.

Here are some of our favorite seasonal events and activities in Denver for adults:

• Spring - Cinco de Mayo Festival, Civic Center Eats, and farmers markets
  Summer - Colorado Rockies, Summer Concert Series at the Botanic Gardens, and the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
  Fall - The Great American Beer Festival, Denver Arts Week, and hiking at Red Rocks
  Winter - Ice skating at the Downtown Denver Rink, NYE at Oakwell Beer Spa, and the Parade of Lights

21. Visit the Colorado State Capitol

One of the best adult things to do in Denver for a bit of history is visiting the Colorado State Capitol. This impressive building sits one mile above sea level, allowing you to enjoy an unbeatable view of the city. There’s even a marker on the steps so you can snap a photo at exactly 5,280 feet.

Free guided tours are available on weekdays, offering insight into Colorado’s political past and architectural beauty. Don’t miss the dome views or the chance to learn something new while appreciating the building’s gold-leafed details and grand design. It's a low-cost way to add something educational and scenic to your Denver bucketlist.

22. Take a Street Art Tour

Denver’s street art scene is bold, colorful, and always evolving. One of the best places to explore Denver murals is the River North Art District (RiNo). You can stroll on your own or take a guided tour to learn the stories behind the murals and artists who created them.

From giant, photo-worthy murals to politically charged pieces and abstract works, Denver’s walls are full of surprises. This is the perfect opportunity to take cool photos and see more of the city.

23. Appreciate Art at Meow Wolf

Step into another dimension at Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station, a massive immersive art experience that’s like nothing else in Denver. This isn’t your average museum. It’s part interactive exhibit and part storytelling adventure for an incredibly unique experience.

Explore four alien worlds connected through a sci-fi mystery, all while walking through neon tunnels, dreamlike installations, and psychedelic displays. It’s a great option for adults looking for something artsy, imaginative, and completely out of the ordinary. Give yourself at least a couple of hours to take it all in!

24. Listen to Live Music

Live music is the heartbeat of Denver’s nightlife, and there’s something for every genre and vibe. There are several live music venues in Denver, including Larimer Lounge or The Bluebird Theater for intimate shows and Mission Ballroom for bigger acts and a modern concert experience. Whether you’re into indie bands, EDM, jazz, or classic rock, Denver’s music scene delivers.

25. Have Drinks at a Speakeasy

One of the best adult things to do in Denver is having drinks at a hidden speakeasy. Retrograde is one of our favorite speakeasies and bars in Denver. William & Graham is also a cool spot that welcomes you through a faux bookstore.

Speakeasies are perfect for a date night or classy night out with friends. With moody lighting, creative menus, and a touch of mystery, they offer a unique twist on your standard nightcap.

Fun Activities in Denver for Adults: Final Thoughts

We hope you're excited about enjoying fun activities in Denver for adults. With relaxing experiences, shopping, dining, and getting active, there's something enjoyable for everyone – young and older!

Ready to relax at the most unique day spa in Denver? Book your spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa.