Top Free or Cheap Things to Do in Denver

Other posts by MountainMama

Everyone’s looking for a bargain these days. And why not? The best things in life are free! The Mile-High City of Denver offers visitors some fabulous free things to do. Here are my picks:

Ride the 16th Street Trolley. The 16th Street Pedestrian Mall is the main thoroughfare in downtown Denver. Its 15 blocks are lined with dozens of shops and restaurants, and especially in the warm-weather months, there’s often streetside entertainment going on–from impromptu jugglers to musicians strumming guitars. The trolley that runs up and down the mall is free, so take a ride to get an overview of what’s along the mall, or to get from one end to another in a hurry.

Tour the U.S. Mint. Find out how money is made at Denver’s U.S. Mint building. Tours are free, offered on the hour from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make a reservation on the Mint’s website; reservations are highly recommended, though you can take a chance that there will be availability for a walk-up tour.

Denver Art MuseumTeach your kids at the Denver Art Museum. Families who visit the Denver Art Museum can ask for Family Backpacks, filled with activities, games and puzzles to do in several galleries, or Art Tubes, little mini-activities if you don’t have time tour the entire museum. Also, general admission to the DAM is completely free every first Saturday of the month. Otherwise, prices are $13 adults ($10 CO residents) and $5 for kids 6-18 ($3 CO residents).

Play at a park. Denver has more than 200 of them! Take a jog or ride your bike around Washington Park, with its pretty flower gardens in the summer. Bring the children to the swings and slides at Cheesman Park. Go fishing in Sloan’s Lake Park (adults need a fishing license; kids don’t).

Hit the trails. With more than 850 miles of off-street bike paths, it’s no wonder Denver residents are among the fittest in the nation! Make like the locals do on this vast urban trail system, and bike, walk, run or roller blade along the popular paved paths that follow Cherry Creek or the Platte River.

For more free or cheap things to do in Denver, check out the chock-full-of-deals website Mile High on the Cheap. Coupons, bargains, free admission and special MHOTC-reader promotions are compiled by in-the-know area residents and travel writers Claire Walter and Laura Daily.

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May 22, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, Family Travel, Travel News 

Comments

7 Responses to “Top Free or Cheap Things to Do in Denver”

  1. Shannon @ Custom Travel Experience says:
    May 22, 2009 at

    Wonderful building! I think I saw that in a movie already. Wish I can tour Denver with my family sometime. I think the best trip for the kids would be the one that is one part fun, one part educational.

  2. Kijubi says:
    May 22, 2009 at

    Definitely going to try out some of the bike trails. By the way, your link to DenverTrails.com is broken. That site is no longer up. Thanks for the post. Great for a visitor.

  3. MountainMama says:
    May 23, 2009 at

    Thanks for broken link notification. Will fix.

  4. Kim says:
    May 23, 2009 at

    Check out the events calendar at Tattered Cover bookstore. I especially like the Colfax location, it’s a converted theater. While the events are free, good luck getting out of there without falling in love with a book that you must take home.

  5. Andy Hayes says:
    May 24, 2009 at

    Isn’t Denver fantastic? From the fab first impressions to great food and friendly people, it is always a treat to visit.

    My favourite free thing to do is just wander down 16th Street Mall and just people watch. The window shopping is tempting too so be careful!

  6. quin browne says:
    May 25, 2009 at

    i’m moving back to denver, after years away… and my (now grown and protective) sons are shocked i want to live in lodo when i can be anywhere in a matter of minutes, where there is so much to do, over living in the ‘burbs.

    silly boys!

  7. Finding More Fun: Carnival of Family Travel, 05/27/2009 | Travels with Children says:
    May 27, 2009 at

    [...] Top Free or Cheap Things to Do in Denver at Traveling Mamas. [...]

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