19 Best Things to Do in Denver in the Summer [2024] 

LOOKING FOR FUN THINGS TO DO IN DENVER IN THE SUMMER?

You’re in the right place! We spent four months living in Denver and loved experiencing all the best things the city has to offer during those warm, sunny months! We’ll take you from views of the stunning Rocky Mountains to the hottest summer events that even your kids will enjoy.

And we promise not to forget all the fun places to eat along the way, too!

19 Best Things to Do in Denver in the Summer

Denver is known as the Mile-High City because it is exactly one mile above sea level, and we’ve got a mile-long list of ways to enjoy this town! We always have such a fun time during our visits to Denver.

There is so much to do in the downtown area, plus just outside of town, there are lots of fun outdoor adventures.

Fun Things to Do in Denver in the Summer Outdoors

1. Go Wild at the Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo is one of the best places to visit in Denver, Colorado, in the summer. It’s home to 4,000 animals representing 650 species! I don’t know about your family, but we sure do love to spend a day at the zoo.

There are numerous interactive exhibits and animal shows throughout the day, so get a copy of the schedule when you get there. Some of our favorite animals during our trip to the Denver Zoo were the elephants, the Siberian tiger, and the grizzly bear.

There was also a baby Western Lowland gorilla there, and watching the baby was one of my kids’ favorite things about this trip to the zoo. They are still talking about all the different kinds of animals we saw there.

The zoo is a lot of fun, but keep in mind that it’s one of the most popular Denver tourist attractions in summer, so plan for crowds.

2. Washington Park

Washington Park is a beautiful 155-acre park in Denver that plays home to some of the most fun community summer activities in Denver. It’s also not uncommon to see people paddling in the water or doing yoga in the expansive green areas.

The tree-lined paths, lakes, and flower gardens in this beloved Denver park make it a surefire place to stop on your outdoor adventures through the city.

3. City Park

The City Park is home to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science as well as the Denver Zoo. A visit here is one of the many fun things to do in Denver as a family. Additionally, there are acres of picnic spots, lakes, walking trails, and playgrounds.

During the summer months, City Park holds free jazz concerts every Sunday, along with multiple festivals and special events throughout the year. If you’re looking for some time on the water, rent a paddle boat or kayak on Ferril Lake.

4. Larimer Square

Walking Larimer Street Square is one of our favorite things to do in Denver, Colorado, in the summer. This historic block is home to some amazing Victorian buildings that date clear back to the 1400s! There’s so much fun history to explore here, along with some modern boutiques, restaurants, and lounges!

We especially loved checking out the Walkway Gallery and the shoes for sale in John Fluevog Shoes. The shoes for sale there are so unique, and we had a fun time looking at the wild shoes there.

5. Mile High Flea Market

If you’re ever wondering what to do in Denver in the summer over the weekend, we definitely recommend visiting the Mile High Flea Market. The 80-acre outdoor market is open Friday to Sunday and features over 2,500 vendors selling everything from food to antiques and everything in between.

The farmer’s market is also an amazing place to enjoy during these warm months in Denver. Aside from delicious produce, they also have an amusement ride area where kids can have the time of their lives on Saturdays and Sundays.

Denver Summer Events

Sporting Events

Denver has so many different opportunities to catch a professional sports game in just about every time of the year. They have five different professional teams, so that should tell you something about the way Coloradans feel about their sports.

6. Go See the Denver Nuggets

We went to an NBA basketball game to watch the Denver Nuggets take on the Boston Celtics. I think this was one of Rowen and Raven’s favorite fun things we did in Denver. The energy of the hometown crowd definitely makes this outing worth it if you’re able to catch a game! My kids ran out of the arena yelling, “Go Nuggets, Go Nuggets!”

The NBA season usually wraps up at the very beginning of the summer, so unless the Nuggets are having an amazing season and make it into the playoffs, you might have to wait for a fall or spring in Denver visit to see this team play.

Before you give up hope, be sure to check out the Denver Summer League Roster, as some off-season games may be happening while you’re in town.

7. Attend a Colorado Rockies Game

There’s nothing quite like visiting a baseball stadium during the dog days of summer. A visit to Coors Field to enjoy a Rockies game is truly one of the best Denver things to do in summer. It’s one of our favorite outdoor activities to enjoy in the city.

Baseball games are a blast, but combine that with the classic ballpark food and the ambiance that a Denver sunset will bring, and a summer night like this can’t be topped!

    Denver Summer Concerts

8. Catch a Concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater

Rolling Stone Magazine calls Red Rocks Amphitheater America’s best amphitheater. It’s a world-renowned concert venue and one of the coolest places to visit in Denver, Colorado, in the summer.

Top-notch artists like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, John Denver, the Rolling Stones, U2, and more have performed here over the last several decades. That said, it’s likely some big names will be visiting during the summer you’re passing through, so be sure to check the schedule!

Aside from concerts, the amphitheater also screens classic and modern films throughout the summer. Add a family movie night under the stars at Red Rocks to your must-do in Denver summer activity list! It’s an adventure you won’t soon forget and one we hope to experience soon!

Red Rocks also has a fun visitors center where you can learn more about who has performed there and the history of the area. This is one of the most iconic and fun things to do in Denver.

9. Watch a Live Performance at Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens is another popular music venue for Denver summer concerts. The gorgeous gardens typically play host to ten concerts at their UMB Bank Amphitheater throughout June, July, and August.

Evenings al Fresco is another fun event the gardens host a few times a month throughout the summer. If you attend one of these events, your visit to the gardens will be enhanced by live performances by local artists.

10. Experience the Denver Summer Festivals

Denver doesn’t mess around when it comes to their summer festivals! As essential as Denver summer camps, there are so many lively festival celebrations happening in the city throughout the summer.

Trying to hit each of them would be one of the most crazy things to do in Denver! Here’s a quick peek at some of the best Denver Summer festivals.

Denver Day of Rock

Denver Day of Rock is a one-day festival that takes place in the LoDo District in support of Amp the Cause. It’s a free, family-friendly celebration full of music showcased on four different stages throughout the district.

Five Points Jazz Festival

Denver’s Five Points neighborhood is home to some amazing Jazz clubs that featured the likes of greats like Miles Davis back in the day. Five Points Jazz Festival is a free one-day event that features ten stages showcasing both national and local Jazz musicians.

Juneteenth Music Festival

The Juneteenth Music Festival also takes place in the Five Points neighborhood in June. This two-day music festival celebrates the anniversary of the official ending of slavery and the beginning of African-American independence in the United States.

Aside from some amazing music, the festival hosts a parade, an impressive local vendors market, and food trucks dispensing delicious food!

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

The arts are alive and well in Denver, and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival is proof! This festival showcases local artists and offers them a venue to share and sell their work.

This festival is one of the best Denver things to do in July. Live music and children’s activities are also fun parts of this festival’s happenings.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is the largest Dragon Boat Festival in the United States and is definitely one of the most unique and fun things to do in Denver during the summer! The free festival takes place in late July in Sloan’s Lake Park, celebrating Asian and Asian American heritage.

The heart of the festival is the actual dragon boat competition. More than 50 teams design elaborate dragon boats and then race each other across Sloan Lake.

Races take place throughout the day. The festival also features live entertainment, craft centers, and lots of yummy food, all celebrating Asian culture.

We love visiting festivals like this with our kids. It’s a wonderful way to learn and celebrate the customs of other cultures without having to visit the other side of the globe!

Underground Music Showcase

The Underground Music Showcase is Denver’s largest and longest-running music festival. The festival spans over three days, including some epic outdoor performances and over a dozen indoor venue shows as well. All together, music lovers can enjoy 100s of sets during this amazing festival!

Summer Brew Fest

Denver knows a thing or two about breweries, so you can imagine that Summer Brew Fest is quite the event. Unlike many of the other festivals noted here, this one does require a ticket, and prices range from $59-$69, depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

The festival takes place at Mile High Station and allows beer fans to sample some of the best brews in the area. VIP packages even include a beer and cheese pairing if you want to go all out!

Arts and Culture in Denver in the Summer [Museums, Galleries & Landmarks]

11. State Capitol

Did you know that at the Colorado State Capitol, you can stand exactly one mile above sea level? The 15th step of Denver’s State Capitol Building is engraved with “One Mile Above Sea Level,” although there is some debate about which of the steps will put you at exactly one mile above sea level.

Regardless, this is one of the most unique and fun things to check off your Denver to-do list!

You can also tour the building on your own or with an organized group. Be sure to check out the Colorado Rose Onyx, a rare rose marble found in a quarry in Colorado that is found throughout the building. In the rotunda, there are eight beautiful murals to honor Charles Hoettcher and a beautiful staircase.

If you’re visiting with kids, check out our guide to Denver with kids.

12. Union Station

Union Station is a historic landmark, and a visit here is one of the most memorable things to do in Denver during summer vacation.

Still used as a transportation hub today, Union Station is full of some of the city’s top restaurants and bars, as well as the Crawford Hotel. The Crawford Hotel even offers tours of Union Station, but you’ll need to make your reservation ahead of time.

The station is located in the LoDo neighborhood, a lively area known for trending shopping and dining options. It’s a wonderful spot to take some time to soak up the sun and explore this fun area in Denver in the summer weather!

13. Santa Fe Art Walk

One of the fun things to do in Denver, Colorado, every first Friday of the month, is to wander the Santa Fe Art Walk. The art district hosts thousands of people during these events as they visit art galleries, studios, co-ops, and more. You will find the bulk of the art galleries between 5th and 11th Avenues.

Our favorite stop was at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. They had beautiful displays of art, and they had a great hands-on art studio in the back that was open to the public. My kids and I had a great time making our own pieces of art in the studio.

Parking was totally crazy around the event. We had luck parking at West High School, which is just a couple of blocks away from Santa Fe Street. If you are going with kids, try not to take a stroller if possible. The streets and galleries are very crowded.

14. Buffalo Bill  Museum and Gravesite

The Buffalo Bill Museum and gravesite is located just up the road from Red Rocks in Golden, Colorado. The museum is the perfect place to explore and learn more about William F. Cody, who earned his nickname “Buffalo Bill” from his skills as a buffalo hunter.

They even have a fun spot to eat, Pahaska Tepee Café, that offers a variety of buffalo entrees!

Also, Lookout Mountain, where the museum is located, provides some amazing views. Be sure to visit the observation deck outside the museum to enjoy the beautiful splendor of Denver in the summer! This overlooks the Great Plains and the Rockies, as well as the downtown area of Denver.

After you make your way through the exhibits and savor the views, be sure to take the short walk from the parking lot to the Buffalo Bill’s final resting place.

15. Museum of Contemporary Art

Known as MCA Denver, the Museum of Contemporary Art is located in downtown Denver. Standard admission is the small price of $12 for adults, but if you visit after 5 p.m. on weekdays, you can get in for only $5!

There’s no cover charge for children, so this is one of the best free things to do with them.

The exhibits are always changing, but each offers a special look into Colordao culture as well as the perspective of its talented artists. It’s the best place to visit if you enjoy thought-provoking artwork!

16. Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is one of the most interesting places to visit in metro Denver in the summer. The exhibits and collections showcased here are both captivating and educational.

Oftentimes, kids aren’t overly excited to spend time exploring a museum, but when they have a collection on the Skeletal World of José Guadalupe Posada, they may change their tune!

17. Browse the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

If you’re traveling with kids and want to visit a museum, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is definitely the top choice we would recommend. Many of the exhibits here are more striking and exciting to visitors of all ages as opposed to art museums.

Kids are big fans of the exhibits here showcasing the natural history of the planet and its inhabitants through pieces like Mysteries of the Ice Ages and Egyptian Mummies. Not to mention the Discover Zone, which offers hands-on activities kids of all ages are sure to enjoy on a hot day in Denver in the summer.

18. History Colorado Center

We love to learn along our travels because we homeschool our kids. It’s always a treat to discover places like the History Colorado Center. This fun spot will offer your family a real taste of Colorado through interesting historical artifacts and artwork throughout the museum.

We really appreciate how the interactive exhibits both entertain and educate visitors. A visit here is a fun way to stay cool for an afternoon but leave having learned something about the history of the Centennial State.

19. Check out Some Fun Places to Eat in Denver in the Summer

Steuben’s

Steuben’s has mastered the art of American comfort foods. Their buttermilk-battered fried chicken and waffles are the talk of the town! The restaurant space converted from an auto garage has a ‘60s-era vibe that the entire family will enjoy.

We loved the steubie snacks, braised pork that is deep fried and covered in powdered sugar, both sweet and smoky!

And you can’t go wrong with their lobster roll. We’ve eaten our fair share of seafood throughout the country, and it was one of the best we’ve had! Kids will love the menu here, too!

Mad Greens

Mad Greens has been around for nearly 20 years, providing Denver with fresh, fast, and healthy cuisine. We enjoyed the Broccoli Cheddar and Thai Chicken and Rice soups. The Ty Cobb and the Mad Caesar salads were amazing as well. The ingredients were so fresh and made us feel great.

We also really loved the Kids Awesome Box.  That is literally the name on the menu, and it is AWESOME! It has all sorts of yummy local food the girls loved, and it is conveniently placed in a box perfect to take home for leftovers.

We definitely recommend this spot for families looking for a quick and healthy meal while enjoying all the fun things to do in a Denver, Colorado summer!

Sweet Action Ice Cream

Every family has one sweet tooth, so go ahead and pencil in a stop at Sweet Action Ice Cream. This place makes all of its ice cream by hand, starting with fresh Colorado dairy and then transforming it into small batches of some of the most unique flavors we have heard of.

Their flavors change daily (check their website to see their current menu), so there is always something new to try. During our visit, we tried cherry jalapeno, chile lime sorbet, caramelized pear, milk chocolate, and after-dinner mint. It was a deliciously fun time!

Biju’s Little Curry Shop

When we stumbled upon Biju’s Little Curry Shop, we were pretty inexperienced when it came to Indian food. Luckily, the staff was more than helpful in recommending what we should get, including recommendations for Rowen and Raven. We went with the coconut curry chicken and the sampler bowl.

The meals come in large portions filled with protein, lentils, or potatoes with chutneys and yogurt over rice. Whether you’ve been eating Indian food for years or you’re feeling adventurous and want to give it a try, Biju’s is a great place to visit.

Denver in the Summer Weather

Is Denver hot in the summer? Yes! You can expect a mixture of hot and rainy weather during summer in Denver. Denver’s semi-arid climate will bring average high temperatures from June through August somewhere between the mid-80s and low 90s.

Thanks to the long days during this time of year, June through August are the months where Denver sees the most sunlight but also some of the most rain. Hot Colorado weather in the summer gets cooled down with 14 to 18 days of rain each month throughout the season.

The intensity varies, sometimes sprinkling with little moisture and other times as heavy rain with severe thunderstorms.

Famous for its snow, the Denver area sees frosty precipitation through the winter months and as late as Memorial Day in May, but by the time the summer months come around, it’s not a concern.

FAQ: Denver in the Summer

Conclusion: Denver in the Summer

Denver in the summer is a blast. There are so many wonderful things to do in this city. We had so much fun during our months spent living in the Mile High City, and we hope that by sharing our favorite ways to enjoy Denver in the summer, you will learn to love this spot, too!

Whether you’re just looking to enjoy the landscape in one of the parks, want to party hard at one of the festivals, or learn more about the city through its museums, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Denver in the summer.