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My Bucket List Of Things To Do In Denver

My favorite way to plan a trip is to make an epic bucket list. I’ve got a trip to Denver coming up and there are so many things to see in Denver that it’s taken me more than a month to write this. If time and money were no obstacles, here’s everything I’d do in Denver:

See what Meow Wolf is all about

An art installation inside Meow Wolf's
Kate Russell | Courtesy of Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf’s “Convergence Station” opened in the fall of 2021 and, honestly, I’m no sure what it is. Art installation? Portal to another world? A dream land?

We’ll go with art, a four-story art exhibition with more than 70 installations. It was created by 110 collaborating artists and over 300 creatives.

Pet the Blue Bear

The city is renowned for its public art, like the 40-foot-tall “I See What You Mean” bear at the Colorado Convention Center. Metro Denver collects more public money for the arts, per capita, thank any other U.S. city. Impressive, right?

The 40-foot-tall
Photo courtesy Visit Denver

I had no idea Denver was such an arts city until I started checking out what the neighborhood around one of my hotels was going be like. So. Many. Murals. Neighborhoods I could explore include RiNo (River North) Art District, District on Santa Fe, East Colfax, and Confluence Park.

Pose on the 13th Step

The Colorado State Capitol is exactly one mile above sea level at the building’s 13th step. It’s the kind of trivia that I’m a sucker for.

Related post: Find more epic things to do in Colorado on my Colorado Bucket List

Sip Glühwein and be merry

The Mile High City does Christmas up big, especially with 2020 nullifying a lot of things. I’ve been browsing the huge list of holiday events and things to do, and made my wish list…as if I could spend the entire season exploring.

A couple browses a booth at Denver Christkindl Market.
Photo courtesy Visit Denver

Among my list include: The Denver Christkindl Market, an outdoor German holiday market where I can have that authentic Glühwein (mulled spiced wine) or maybe a German bier; I can get a little campy at Camp Christmas, which has been described a 6-acre fantastical wonderland outdoors of lights and music; Blossoms of Light, Denver Botanic Gardens’ epic sound-reactive light displays;

Have some memorable dining experiences

If I read that a place is akin to an experience with Willy Wonka, I’m already intrigued. When I stumbled across The Inventing Room Dessert Shop in my research, I knew I had to reserve a visit to see (and taste) molecular gastronomy in action.

Another Denver eatery that sounds pretty unique is Super Mega Bien, a Latin American restaurant that serves its food dim sum-style. Sound tasty and memorable.

Afternoon tea at the Brown Palace

I’ve never had high tea, but if you’ve seen other bucket lists of mine, I always include one. They always sound so fancy. Some day, my friends, some day.

The exterior of Brown Palace in Denver
Photo courtesy Visit Denver

In Denver, the Brown Palace is well known for its daily afternoon tea featuring delicate finger sandwiches, scones, and miniature pastries accompanying a choice of gourmet tea served in a silver teapot. During the holiday season, you can also enjoy a special breakfast with Santa at the hotel every Saturday from the end of November to the end of December.

See ice from Antarctica

I just recently learned about the National Ice Core Lab, so even if tours hadn’t been suspended due to covid, it’s way too late for me to book a tour. But maybe you can someday?

The lab is a repository for samples of ice sheets collected in Greenland and Antarctica. Researchers come to collect samples to use in their own labs, using the ice to learn more about our planet’s past and the history of its climate. Word is, there are more than 10 miles of ice cores at the facility!

Look for the elves and gnomes

I was already planning on us going to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science since we can be admitted free thanks to the reciprocal membership program (through our Family Membership at Omaha Children’s Museum).

I learned a fun fact that’s going to enhance the visit: There are at least eight mythical people, likes elves, hidden in wildlife dioramas.

Stay in the Ghostbuster Room

The colorful lobby of The Curtis Hotel in Denver
Photo courtesy The Curtis Hotel

The Curtis Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton, has 13 floors and each has a unique theme and unique pop-culture-infused art installations. Each floor has a suite, too, including the Ghostbuster Suite on the 13th floor. Yeah, the 13th floor. Dun dun dunnnnnn.

Drive by the Enchanted Hart Haus

Every once in a while, I come across a truly unique residence when I’m traveling (I’m still pondering one in Eureka Springs, Ark.)

Anyway, Denver has its own unique abode, located at 1415 Syracuse St. in the East Colfax neighborhood. Enchanted Hart Haus is a private home, so it’s more for gawking from the street but the artist/homeowner has created a folksy display of mosaic tiles representing the four elements. 

What’s missing?

Your turn! What are some of the can’t-miss things of Denver? Leave a comment with your favorite restaurant, attraction or quirky hidden gem.

A Denver Bucket List - Memorable things to see, dining experiences to try, and unique places to visit in Denver, Colorado

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