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Top 10 things to do near Denver Airport
Find out some of the best things to do around Denver Airport, whether you’ve just arrived in Denver or have a layover with a few hours to spare.
Found yourself in Denver International Airport (DEN) with time to spare between flights? You don’t have to waste your time wandering aimlessly around the terminals or trying to get online on dodgy airport WiFi. Follow along for 10 of the best things to do near Denver Airport.
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1. Denver Zoo
- Distance from DEN: ~30 minutes.
- Price: $26 for adults, $23 for seniors, $19 for children aged 3-15.
- Open hours: 10 AM to 5 PM daily, entry gates close at 4 PM.
Zoos are always a big draw wherever you go, and the Denver Zoo is no exception. Here, you’ll find 14 different habitats packed with hundreds of different species from all around the world. Just walking around the zoo can easily take you a few hours. On top of that, there are educational activities and events to take part in for the full experience.
Lions, tigers, and elephants are always crowd favorites, but you’ll also find gorillas, flamingos, penguins, rhinos, and hippos roaming the zoo. Visiting the Denver Zoo is easily one of the most engaging, family-friendly activities you can take on in Denver, and it’s easily worth the 30-minute drive from the airport.
2. Denver Botanic Gardens
- Distance from DEN: ~30 minutes.
- Price: $15.75 for adults, $12 for seniors, $11.50 for children aged 3-15.
- Open hours: 9 AM to 4 PM daily.
If you prefer plants over animals, consider adding the Denver Botanic Gardens to your list of things to do while in Denver. There’s always something in full bloom, no matter when you visit, with hundreds of unique plant species spread throughout themed gardens in a 24-acre area.
3. Denver Museum of Nature and Science
- Distance from DEN: ~30 minutes.
- Price: $25.95 for adults, $22.95 for seniors, $20.95 for children aged 3-18.
- Open hours: 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is arguably the most popular museum in Mile High City. The museum offers not only thousands of unique pieces in permanent exhibitions, but also temporary exhibitions, educational activities, an infinity theatre, and a planetarium.
The infinity theatre shows animal and history-related films throughout the day, the planetarium holds themed tours and laser shows, while temporary exhibitions give you something new to see in the museum every time you visit. Keep in mind that the price above is only for general admission, while many other activities cost extra.
4. Denver Art Museum
- Distance from DEN: ~30 minutes.
- Price: $27 for adults, $24 for seniors, free for anyone aged 18 and under.
- Open hours: 10 AM to 5 PM daily. 10 AM to 8 PM on Tuesdays.
The Denver Art Museum, located in Downtown Denver, inside the Civic Center, is the biggest art museum in Colorado. It features more than 70,000 unique works of art from a variety of periods ranging from ancient to modern times.
On top of the pieces that are permanently there, the museum holds temporary exhibitions, events, educational activities, and even art workshops. This makes it a perfect place to visit with family, even if you have young kids.
5. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
- Distance from DEN: ~25 minutes.
- Price: Free.
- Open hours: From sunrise to sunset daily.
With Denver being located on the foot of the stunning Rocky Mountains, spending all of your time inside would be a sin. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge offers you a way to immerse yourself in the nature and wildlife right on the edge of the city.
The refuge offers 20 miles of hiking trails, free nature programs, an archery range, and exhibits at the visitor center. You can even fish seasonally at Lake Mary and Lake Ladora for a small extra fee.
6. Barr Lake State Park
- Distance from DEN: ~30 minutes.
- Price: $4 for a daily pass, $10 for a vehicle pass.
- Open hours: 5 AM to 10 PM daily. The office is open 9 AM to 4 PM daily.
Barr Lake State Park is best known for being a bird-watching hotspot in Denver. 370+ bird species can be seen in the park, which includes America’s national bird — the iconic bald eagle. On top of that, you can also see a number of mammals and reptiles here, which includes elk, red foxes, coyotes, rattlesnakes, and snapping turtles.
That’s far from the only thing the park has to offer, too. In the 2,715-acre area, you’ll find more than 20 miles of hiking trails, a visitor center, 60 picnic sites, and, of course, Barr Lake itself.
7. Four Mile Historic Park
- Distance from DEN: ~25 minutes.
- Price: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for youth aged 7-17, free most Saturdays.
- Open hours: 10 AM to 4 PM Friday to Sunday.
The Four Mile Historic Park offers an authentic homestead experience right in the heart of Denver. The 12-acre area includes a working farm, the park itself, and the Four Mile House Museum, which is the oldest standing structure in Denver.
The park offers educational activities tied to the history of Colorado as well as nature exploration, guided tours, and field trips.
8. 16th Street Mall
- Distance from DEN: ~30 minutes.
- Price: Free.
- Open hours: 24/7.
If you want to spend your flight delay or layover with some shopping, there’s hardly a better place in Denver than the 16th Street Mall. This pedestrian mall, located in Downtown Denver, spans 1.25 miles through 16th Street, with free shuttle rides going from one end to the other.
On top of 250+ stores, you’ll also find events, restaurants, and bars in the mall. It’s the perfect place to get some souvenirs, grab a meal, or get anything you might need for the remainder of your trip.
9. Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
- Distance from DEN: ~25 minutes.
- Price: $19.95 for adults, $15.95 for seniors, $12.95 for youth aged 4-16.
- Open hours: 10 AM to 5 PM daily, 12 AM to 5 PM on Sundays.
If you want to learn more about aerospace before taking your next flight, you can head from the main terminal of Denver Airport right to Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. The museum features exhibitions from the history of flight, including exhibits dedicated to the Wright brothers, the Apollo program, and Boeing cockpits.
The museum is located in a hangar from the former Lowry Air Force Base and now boasts more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space. You can also take guided tours, educational classes, and even flight schools where you can learn the basics of pilot training.
10. Explore the airport
- Distance from DEN: 0 minutes.
- Price: Free.
- Open hours: 24/7.
If you don’t want to leave the airport but have a few hours to spare, there are plenty of things to do within the Denver International Airport itself. You’ll find multiple restaurants, cafes, and bars spread throughout the airport. There are also plenty of shopping options and even art exhibitions here.
If you simply want to relax, you can get into one of several lounges in the airport or book a massage. There’s even a hotel attached to the Jeppesen terminal if you want to use this time to take a peaceful nap.
Stay connected, no matter what you do
Having mobile internet makes exploring Denver much easier. Whether it’s for using rideshare services, finding your way around with map apps, or simply keeping in touch with family and friends on social media.
Denver Airport WiFi won’t work as soon as you leave the building, but you can stay connected anywhere by getting an eSIM for the USA. It’ll keep you connected anywhere in the country, so you’ll have a steady internet connection no matter how many tourist destinations in the USA you visit.
All Holafly eSIM for the USA plans include unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, so you’re to never lose connection. On top of that, buying and activating an eSIM only takes a couple of minutes, so you’ll be able to get connected in next to no time and spend the time between flights meaningfully instead of roaming aimlessly around the airport.
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
