17 AMAZING Tours in Denver [December 2024]

If you are wanting a truly American experience while traveling through the United States, look no further than Denver Colorado!

Known for its rustic beauty, Denver lays at the gateway to the untamed Rocky Mountains. With scenery unlike anywhere else in the world, you are sure to get a new definition of what it means to explore the great outdoors. With stunning hikes, rock climbing, and white water rafting, you are going to see mother nature like never before!

If trekking isn’t your cup of tea, downtown Denver might be where your heart is! In the past decade, all eyes of America have been fixated on this Colorado town. With a booming art scene as well as culinary delights, this is the place to go to get in touch with offbeat color and local flavor!

No matter what you are searching for, you are sure to find it in Denver! With the right tour, you are sure to make the most of your holiday in this Colorado mountain town!

#1 – Rocky Mountain National Park Tour

Explore the wildlife and wilderness of Colorado!

Rocky Mountain National Park Tour

  • Hike with a local
  • Picnic on the Rocky Mountains
  • Cost: $$$
  • Duration of tour: 8 hours

No trip to Denver would be complete without going out to the wilderness and exploring the great Rocky Mountains! This tour will take you to the heart of the national park where you can view the highest peaks and the most stunning lakes in the area!

With a local guide, you are sure to only see the best of what the Rockies have to offer. By jeep and on foot, you are going to have a truly unique outdoor adventure. Top it all off with a picnic in view of the towering mountains and lush forests, and you have an experience that you will treasure for a lifetime!

Excited to visit Denver? Get excited to take an amazing day trip too!

#2 – Boulder Hike & Tour

Best day trip to Boulder!

Boulder Hike & Tour

  • Hike the trails near Boulder
  • Try local beer at a brewery
  • Cost: $$
  • Duration of tour: 4 hours

If you are looking for gorgeous hikes and craft beer then you have come to the right place! This day trip out of Denver to Boulder will have you trekking in view of beautiful rock formations and stunning scenery. Along this 3-mile hike, you will find some of the best places to sit back, relax, and crack open a beer.

At the end of the tour, stop by a local craft brewery and gulp down a refreshing cold beer. With great brews and amazing hikes, it is no wonder that Boulder is the happiest town in America!

Like good weather? These are the best times to visit Denver!

#3 – Whitewater Rafting Adventure

The best tour on the rapids!

Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Photo credit – Travelalberta.com

  • Fun for all levels
  • One of the fastest rivers in the country
  • Cost: $$$
  • Duration of tour: 4 hours

Leave the city behind, grab your paddle and raft down on some of the most beautiful rivers in the world! Have your choice of a river cutting through a canyon or stick close to Denver on one of the fastest rivers in the country!

You will be feeling the rush as you break through the waves, flying past gorgeous mountains, gold mines, and some of the stunning wildlife of the Rocky Mountains! No matter which rapids you choose, you are sure to have the adventure of a lifetime!

 

Colorado is Big! You have to decide in which part you’ll stay, which is why we created our Denver neighborhood guide!

#4 – Golden Colorado Scavenger Hunt

Play and tour Golden!

Golden Colorado Scavenger Hunt

  • Smart Phone Scavenger Hunt
  • Explore historic Golden
  • Cost: $
  • Duration of tour: 2 hours

Anyone can just walk around the historic neighborhood of Golden in Denver but with this smartphone scavenger hunt, the whole city turns into a board game as you explore all of the local sights.

Have the freedom to stop and go as you please as you visit places such as the Armory, Clear Creek and so much more. While you are learning about the history of Golden, turn your trip into a game as you gather clues on your quest.

Be sure to take a break at some of the great craft breweries while on your hunt, you will not want to miss their refreshing cold beers!

Pennsylvania is big! You’ll have to prioritize which places to visit when you go!

#5 – Rock Climbing Adventure

The best rock climbing tour in Denver!

Rock Climbing Adventure

Photo credit – Denveradventures.com

  • Rock climbing for all levels
  • Great views of Denver!
  • Cost: $$$
  • Duration of tour: 4 hours

Wanting to challenge yourself and go on a true adventure? Strap up and get ready to get vertical as you climb the Rockies! No matter if you are a beginner or a veteran climber, your professional guides are here to make sure you are perfectly safe as you scramble to the top of the face of the mountain!

After an exhilarating journey to the peak, you will be granted your reward, a stunning view over the city of Denver! For all those adventure seekers out there, this is a tour you need to make sure to book!

 

Not sure where to say? We’ve put together a list of Denver’s best hotels!

#6 – Buds and Beers Tour

Explore Dever's cannabis and beer culture!

Buds and Beers Tour

  • 420 Friendly Limo Bus
  • Craft Beer Tour
  • Cost: $$$
  • Duration of tour: 3 hours

We all know why you are really in Denver, the beer and the bud. You can get the best of both on this tour, taking you through some of the town’s best dispensaries and bars!

Hit the streets in style in your own 420 party bus, taking you to each stop! See how cannabis is grown and even get your chance to pick up your own stash of marijuana. End your tour with a visit to a brewery off the beaten path, serving the best beers in town!

We can convince you to visit California. See what our guide to California, USA has to say!

#7 – Denver Culture Pass

Unlock all the museums in Denver!

Denver Culture Pass

  • Visit of Denver’s best attractions
  • One ticket
  • Cost: $
  • Duration of tour: 72 hours

With this Denver Mile High Culture pass, you will have access to all of Dever’s top sites for one low price! While this may not be a tour, you will be able to visit some of the best museums in town at a low price!

For 72 hours, you can come and go as you please in some of Denver’s best art galleries and museums. With the freedom to spend as much time as you want to stroll through the sites, you can truly get the most out of your vacation!

Editor’s recommendation – You gotta check out the best flea markets in Denver!

#8 – Graffiti and Cannabis Tour

The best street art tour in Denver!

Graffiti and Cannabis Tour

  • Visit RiNo Art District
  • Stop at local dispensaries
  • Cost: $
  • Duration of tour: 2 hours

Denver’s own RiNo has made a name for itself as one of the top up and coming art districts in the entire country! Start your tour with visiting some of Denver’s famous dispensaries where you can buy cannabis-based products and relax in their onsite lounge!

The highlight of the tour is when you take out to the streets and explore RiNo’s vibrant art scene. With loads of street art to enjoy and your own local guide to point out all the best murals, this is the perfect way to see a different side of Denver!

#9 – Mountain Bike Tour

Bike through the Rocky Mountains!

Mountain Bike Tour

Photo credit – frontrangerideguides.com

  • Bike at any level
  • Explore the trails in the Rockies
  • Cost: $$$
  • Duration of tour: 4 – 8 hours

With your expert guide leading the pack, strap on your helmet and get ready to explore some of the best biking trails in the country! With your choice of so many different routes, you are sure to have a unique adventure uncovering a new side of Colorado!

From the famous Colorado Trail to the many routes along the Front Range, beginners and experienced bikers alike are sure to have a life-changing trip peddling through the Rocky Mountains!

 

If you’re going to Denver, take a look at some amazing things to do in Denver while you’re there!

#10 – Half-day Rocky Mountain Tour

Explore the wilderness from Denver!

Half-day Rocky Mountain Tour

  • Visit the Red Rock Amphitheater 
  • Gaze out from Lookout Mountain
  • Cost: $$
  • Duration of tour: 4 hours

Leave the city behind and get a taste of outdoor living on this half-day mountain excursion! From the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, you will get to see everything from dinosaur tracks to the famous Red Rock Amphitheater!

Get some of the best views of the Rockies as you ride along the Lariat Loop. From the top of Lookout Mountain, you will have some of the most stunning views of the Wild West and its untamed wilderness.

During your journey, you will also have the chance to enjoy the great outdoors with coffee or beer in hand, which is the only way to feel like a true frontiersman.

Do you want more Art or History? Find museums in Denver that fit your interests!

#11 – Winery Tour

The Best Wine Tour in Denver!

Winery Tour

  • Try up to 30 different wines!
  • Enjoy a gourmet lunch
  • Cost: $$$$
  • Duration of tour: 5 Hours

You and a group of up to 10 people are about to truly enjoy a taste of luxury on this premium wine tour of Denver. From vineyards to bars, you are going to find your self clinking glasses and sipping on some of the best drinks in town!

With luxury transportation, an expert guide, and even a gourmet lunch, the wine barely scratches the surface of all the things included in this trip! You will have over 30 different kinds of wines to taste and even an intimate look at the process of how these drinks come to be.

Not yet booked? Take a look at our favorite hotels in Downtown Denver!

#12 – Zip-line Experience

Fly Over the Rocky Mountains!

Zip-line Experience

  • Fly at speeds up to 60 mph
  • Get a beautiful view of the Rockies!
  • Cost: $$$
  • Duration of tour: 3 hours

Tired of the same old hikes and trails? Get a new perspective on the Rockies while flying at 60 miles per hour on a zip line! Just 30 minutes from Denver, this is the closest zipline course from downtown!

Located in the Rocky Mountain pine forest, you are going to be ziplining up to 200 feet in the air! While whizzing over the treeline, a whole new view of the mountains and forests will open up before you, a postcard-perfect shot you can’t find anywhere else!

#13 – Rocky Mountains Experience

Hike the beautiful Rockies!

Rocky Mountains Experience

Photo credit – Viator

  • Hike the Front Range!
  • Have an expert guide
  • Cost: $$$
  • Duration of tour: 4 hours

Get the both of best worlds as you hike smack in between where the city of Denver meets the Rocky Mountains. On the Front Range, you have the option to tailor-make your tour to suit however you want to travel!

As your guide leads you into the wilderness you will have the chance to bask in nature and take some picture perfect photos of the Rocky Mountains. Being just a short way outside of the city, this hike is the best way to spend a day in the great outdoors!

#14 – Denver RiNo Tour

One of the best food tours in Denver!

Denver RiNo Tour

  • Explore the RiNo Art District
  • Try up to 15 local Beers
  • Cost: $$$
  • Duration of tour: 4 hours

What was once a decrepit neighborhood of warehouses has been transformed into one of the hottest art districts in all of the United States. LoDa and RiNo are literally brimming with local culture in the form of street art and restaurants.

On this tour, you will have the chance to send your taste buds to heaven and drink some of the best beers in the country!

In the back alleys, you will discover an array of street art. Mesmerizing murals and graffiti as far as the eye can see! If you are looking to get in touch with local underground culture, then look no further than this tour to RiNo!

#15 – Denver City Tour

Walking tour in Denver

Denver City Tour

  • Explore Denver on foot
  • Travel with a local guide
  • Cost: $
  • Duration of tour: 3 Hours

With a small group size and a local guide who loves Denver, you will truly feel the intimacy of the city. Explore Union Station and continue your journey through downtown and the State Capitol.

After a few hours of a local showing you all of Denver’s best-kept secrets, end your tour by stopping off at The Art Hotel for drinks out on their terrace. For a closer look at downtown Denver and all of its sights, look no further than this city walking tour!

#16 – Complete Cannabis Tour

The best cannabis tour in Denver!

Complete Cannabis Tour

  • Explore Colorado’s cannabis industry
  • 420 Friendly Environment
  • Cost: $$
  • Duration of tour: 2 hours

While many tourists may come to Colorado saying they are there for the mountains and wildlife, we all know they are really in Colorado for the vegetation, or more specifically, the cannabis. If you are searching for an insiders look at the cannabis industry in Colorado, look no further!

This tour will be taking you to one of the premier dispensaries in the state: Seed and Smith. Enjoy an up-close look at the life of a marijuana plant and even discounts on cannabis products!

#17 – LoDa Scavenger Hunt

Explore Denver's Lower Downtown!

LoDa Scavenger Hunt

  • Smart Phone Scavenger Hunt
  • Explore the historic district
  • Cost: $$
  • Duration of tour: 3 hours

If you are tired of touring the same old historic buildings over and over, breathe some life into your trip! With this smartphone scavenger hunt, you can both learn about the history of Denver’s lower downtown and have fun while doing it!

You and your friends or family will be venturing to places such as Coors Field and Commons Park as you race to complete your quest! Even though you have a sense of excitement while playing, move at your own pace! Feel free to kick back and relax whenever the mood strikes of this flexible, self-guided adventure!

FAQs

How do I book a Denver tour?

When traveling through America you may find it difficult to get out of the cities. Find some of the best deals on tours taking you to the mountains at getyourguide.com!

How much do tours in Denver Cost?

Tours in and around Denver are surprisingly cheap, not many costs more than 100 USD. Generally, guides will take you out on the trails in the Rocky Mountains for just about 70 USD.

How long do tours in Denver last?

For excursions to the Rocky Mountains expect the tour to last anywhere from half to a full day. City tours, on the other hand, typically last 2-3 hours.

What should I pack?

Being high up in the mountains, tourists should expect 4-seasons in Denver. During the summer months, you should be able to get by with just a t-shirt, jeans, and warm clothing if you are planning on camping. During the winter expect the opposite extreme, layers, thermals, and heavy coats are a must.

Final Thoughts!

Denver has seen a tourism boom in recent years, not only due to them legalizing cannabis but also because of its thriving art and culinary scene. Factor in the stunning mountain ranges and rustic natural beauty, Denver is a city that truly has it all.

The obvious, major attraction to Denver is its location at the foot of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Traveling to this mountain town means you are signing up for a vacation full of excitement and adventure. With wildlife, hiking trails, and extreme sports, there are so many ways to experience the beauty of Colorado!

Many people traveling to Denver may not even find time to leave the city limits! With tons of bars, restaurants, and museums, you could spend weeks downtown without seeing everything this city has to offer! Over the last decade, Denver has made a name for itself as being the craft beer capital of the United States.

If you are looking to a great beer, chill vibes, and stunning scenery, Denver is calling your name!

*** Some of the links on Hotel Jules are affiliate links, which means if you do make a purchase, we may make a small commission (at no extra cost to you.) Thank you for using our links! Your support keeps the site going***

About the Author Emma Johnson

Emma Johnson lives to travel! Born in Washington D.C., Emma is a hotel connoisseur and a staff writer at Hotel Jules. An army brat, Emma got the travel bug early and has never been able to stop. Now, she has proudly visited 70+ countries and plans to visit every country in the world! Passionate about her ukelele (obviously) and her family, Emma eventually wants to retire in Thailand and write a book about all of her travel experiences.