MapVivid
Colorado State Capitol and around
A day in Denver · 9:30–16:30 · 4 stops
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mapvivid.com/denver/itineraries/colorado-state-capitol-and-aroundA walking day around Colorado State Capitol, Civic Center Park and Denver Art Museum, with a lunch break nearby and Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art to end the day.
Every stop on Google Maps: open the list
Morning
9:301Colorado State Capitol ↗1 hWeekdays
Gold-domed capitol on the Mile High step
- Find the Mile High marker on the 13th step
- Bring ID for entry
↓ 6 min walk
10:302Civic Center Park ↗30 min
Beaux-Arts park between the Capitol and city hall
- Good photo spot with the Capitol behind
- Events run in summer
↓ 2 min walk
11:153Denver Art Museum ↗2 h 30 minAllow a few hours
Major art museum with a striking Libeskind wing
- Free for kids under 18
- Check for free-day offers for residents
Lunch
13:45Lunch break nearby · Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps ↗
↓ 7 min walk
Afternoon
15:004Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art ↗1 h 30 min
Dense salon-style decorative arts collection
- Guided tour recommended
- Photography limited
Good to know. Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
Denver tips
Cultural
- Sample craft beer: Denver has a big brewery scene, and neighbourhoods like RiNo and LoHi are packed with taprooms; the Great American Beer Festival is held here.
- Embrace outdoor weekends: Locals spend weekends hiking, skiing and biking in the Rockies, so trails and I-70 are busiest on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Try green chile: Colorado-style green chile, a pork and roasted pepper stew, is a local staple smothered over breakfast burritos, burgers and fries.
Local Hacks
- Catch a Red Rocks show: Concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre are legendary; outside show times, locals climb the stadium steps for a workout with a view.
- Wander RiNo murals: The River North Art District is full of street murals, galleries and food halls; Larimer Street is the best spine to walk.
- Beat I-70 traffic: Ski and hiking traffic on I-70 is heavy on winter and summer weekends, so leave very early or travel midweek to save hours.
Saving
- Enjoy free outdoor icons: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is free to visit outside events, and city parks like Washington Park and City Park cost nothing.
- Skip downtown parking: Light rail and RTD buses are cheaper than downtown parking, and Union Station connects to many lines and the airport train.
- Look for free museum days: Several Denver museums and the Denver Botanic Gardens hold free or reduced admission days through the year, so check their calendars.
Security
- Respect the altitude: Denver sits about a mile high, so drink extra water, go easy on alcohol at first and take it slow on your first hike or bike ride.
- Watch for summer storms: Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning build fast over the Front Range in summer, so start hikes early and be off summits by midday.
- Never leave valuables in cars: Car break-ins are common at downtown garages and trailhead parking lots, so take bags with you or keep them out of sight.
Transportation
- Take the A Line: RTD's A Line commuter train runs between Denver International Airport and Union Station downtown, avoiding expensive airport taxis and parking.
- Hop the free MallRide: Free MallRide buses run along the 16th Street Mall between Union Station and Civic Center Station, perfect for crossing downtown.
- Rent a car for the Rockies: Trailheads, Rocky Mountain National Park and ski towns along I-70 are easiest by car, though Snowstang buses serve some resorts in winter.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack layers year-round: Weather swings quickly in Denver, and a sunny afternoon can turn chilly at night, so bring a fleece or light puffer even in summer.
- Expect sunny winters: Snowstorms come through, but bright sunshine often melts snow in the city within days, so pack warm layers and sunglasses.
- Protect yourself from UV: The thin air at high altitude means stronger sun, so wear sunscreen, a hat and lip balm, especially on mountain trips.
Planned with MapVivid. Opening hours change, so check each place before you go. This day, with the map: mapvivid.com/denver/itineraries/colorado-state-capitol-and-around
Day 2 of 29:30–16:304 stops
Colorado State Capitol and around
A walking day around Colorado State Capitol, Civic Center Park and Denver Art Museum, with a lunch break nearby and Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art to end the day.
Opens Google Maps with every stop of the day, ready to save to your own list.
Morning
109:30 · 1 hGold-domed capitol on the Mile High step
- Tip: Weekdays
2 tips
- Find the Mile High marker on the 13th step
- Bring ID for entry
📷 Photos
6 min walk
210:30 · 30 minBeaux-Arts park between the Capitol and city hall
3 tips
- Good photo spot with the Capitol behind
- Events run in summer
- Walk to the Art Museum next
📷 Photos
2 min walk
311:15 · 2 h 30 minMajor art museum with a striking Libeskind wing
- Tip: Allow a few hours
2 tips
- Free for kids under 18
- Check for free-day offers for residents
📷 Photos
Lunch
Lunch break nearby · 13:45
Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps7 min walk
Afternoon
415:00 · 1 h 30 minDense salon-style decorative arts collection
3 tips
- Guided tour recommended
- Photography limited
- Combine with the Capitol area
📷 Photos
Take this day with you
Add the stops to your calendar
Times are local time in Denver. Apple Calendar adds every stop at once (Outlook too). Google Calendar adds one event per link.
Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.