Here is a list of 50 cute date ideas to do in the Denver Area and surrounding area. I have categorized them in different genres such as nature & outdoors, arts & culture, community, and seasonal activities. I hope you find it helpful and please comment on things you have done or anything I have missed.



Nature & Outdoors
This is a short list of things we like to do outdoors, I plan on sharing specific post of things we have done and any tips for doing those attractions or activities.
- Hike at Garden of the Gods
- In Colorado Springs, you only need to pay for parking. There are overflow parking lots. However, I highly recommended to go early to avoid the busy crowds. The rock formations are unique and lots of great photo opportunities. Be sure to follow trail etiquette. The trails are not too difficult, but wear comfortable shoes. Bonus: It is dog friendly. To save more money, bring your own water and snacks.
- Explore Rocky Mountain NP & Estes Park
- Please note that RMNP is one busy park, depending onthe time of the year, you do need a timed entry parking pass (May 26-October 22). Please note that dogs are not allowed at National Parks. If you are visiting Colorado, please note that there is an elevation over 7500 feet. Be sure you have acclimated to the elevation and prepare yourself to prevent altitude sickness.
- We personally have gone during the winter time which is beautiful and less crowded, just note that the Trail Ridge Road are closed due to the winter.
- Snowshoe at Brainard Lake
- You do need a parking reservation to park in Brainard Lake Recreation Area. But there is no reservation required to park at the Gateway Trailhead. There is a day use fee if you enter via foot/bike.
- Picnic at Washington Park
- Washington State Park is a 155 acre park with two lakes; I recommend going there early or later for easier parking
- Bike along the Cherry Creek Trail
- A 24.6 mile trail out and back to Denver, it also connects to other trails if you are up for even a longer adventure. It is a great way to see Denver. You can start at Confluence Park, on the Platte River Trail and it allows you to see the center of Denver and see many local attractions.
- Hike at Chautauqua Park
- Located in Boulder. This park is pronounced “shuh-TAW-kwuh” which describes the area at the foot of Boulder’s Flatirons. There are over 40 miles of hiking trails can be accessed. You do have to pay for parking.
- Watch a sunset at the Red Rocks Amphitheater
- Be sure to check out Red Rocks schedule, you do not want to go there on a night where this is a concert
- Kayak/Paddle board at Chatfield Reservoir
- Located in Littleton, this reservoir is a main attraction for a variety of water related activities. It is also dog friendly. There is an entrance fee and please note that the ramps are open seasonally.
- Hike the Manitou Incline
- A great physical challenge of 2744 Steps in Manitou Springs. It can take people around 30 minutes – to 3 hours+ depending on your physical fitness. There are designated parking lots and free shuttles, just make sure to plan for extra time.
- Hike the Mayflower Gulch
- Near Frisco, Colorado – It is one of our favorite hikes. It’s 6.4 miles out and back, we like doing this in the winter with our snowshoes and our dogs. Great views and there’s historic log cabins to see.
- Visit the Denver Art Museum (DAM)
- You can check out the DAM on free days to really be budget friendly. It is free for kids under 18 years of age.
- Go to a first Friday Denver Art Walk
- The First Friday Art Walks are a signature event of Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe. It happens all-year-round that happens on the first Friday of every Month from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
- Go to a free summer concert at Civic Center Park
- In the summer there are free concerts, check out their website for the schedule
- Watch an outdoor movie
- Denver, Morrison, Golden, Aurora and surrounding cities all have outdoor movie events in the Summer. Be sure to check out the local websites to find events
- Stroll through Denver Sculpture Park
- Sculpture Park is an outdoor venue and public space at the edge of the Arts Complex. We recommend checking out this area when theres an event such as the Shakespeare Festival or workouts.
- Visit the Wings over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
- This Air & Space Museum in the Lowry area in Denver, Colorado. It is an interesting museum because it features historic aircrafts and interactive/immersive exhibits. Discounts available for Military members/families.
- Go to the Tattered Cover Bookstore
- Unfortunately, Barnes and Noble has recently purchased this local chain. It still is a great spot to stroll for a book or to just check out the atmosphere.
- Go to the Denver Botanical Gardens
- There are some free days, with a military or student ID you can go with a discounted admission. You could also do a city pass or find a Groupon.
- Check out Mango House in Aurora
- A unique shared space for refugees and asylees. There are some religious gatherings and events. We have gone there specifically for their restaurants.
- Check out the Museum of Contemporary Arts (MCA)
- The MCA Denver rotates exhibitions every few months, so each visit is a unique experience. They also have a cafe & Bar is on the roof top, which provides great views of Denver. There is Happy Hour on Tuesday – Thursday.
- Participate in a community art project
- Go to a local gallery
- Go to a trivia night at a local bar/pub
- Big fan of trivia, most bars/pubs have nights specific for Trivia
- Go to a local comedy show
- Go to a lecture or public talk
- Check out thrift & consignment shops
- Denver has a great Thrift, Vintage and Consignment shop scene. Multiple areas with great shopping. I am a big fan of South Broadway.
- Go to a dance class
- Go to a sip-and-paint class
- Go to a DIY pottery class
- Volunteer at a local non-profit
- Please note that most non-profit organizations require registration and onboarding prior to volunteering. However, most are pretty quick and some only require one member to do the training and can invite other people when you volunteer.
- Visit a christmas market
- Go ice skating at skyline park or at evergreen
- Snowshoe in Leadville to Tennessee Pass Cookhouse
- Do a winter drive
- Just be sure to be prepared for the roads depending on the time of the year. If you come during the winter time, be sure to have a reliable car, winter tires/snow chains
- See the holiday lights at the Denver Botanic Gardens
- Check out the Christmas lights at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds
- See the ice castles in Cripple Creek
- See the ice sculptures in Breckenridge
- Go tubing at ECHO Mountain
- Go to a hot spring
- Do a free walking tour of downtown denver
- Stroll through different neighborhoods of denver (highlands, LOHI, etc.)
- Go to a local farmers market
- Drive a scenic byway drive (many in co)
- Driving through the scenic byways is breathtaking – however, not for the faint of heart – have a person who is confident driving off mountain ledges and canyons
- Alpine Loop
- Guanella Pass
- Mount Blue Sky (aka Mt Evan’s) Byway
- Peak to Peak
- Driving through the scenic byways is breathtaking – however, not for the faint of heart – have a person who is confident driving off mountain ledges and canyons
- Do the Denver Beer Trail
- Denver has an extensive list of breweries, check out the interactive map to explore: https://www.denver.org/food-drink/breweries/
- Pedal boat ride at City Park
- Check out free Jazz concert at City Park
- Check out the peach festivals (Lafayette, Palisade, or Fort Collins)
- Peaches are serious in Colorado. Something we learned real quick! Palisade Peaches are delicious and worth checking out the festivals in August. If you can go to Palisade, we highly recommend it. However, if you do not want to do the longer drive: Fort Collins or Lafayette offer a great festival as well.
- Camp at a state park
- Lots of options for a variety of camping. Colorado has RMNP, many state parks and national forests. This allows to have a mix of developed campgrounds and dispersed camping options. Some require reservation and some are first-come-first-serve, so plan accordingly.
- Go mountain biking or road biking on many of Colorado’s trails
- Colorado has so much to offer for mountain bike trails for novice to expert. My husband’s skills are much more advanced than mine – but there are a lot out there that can suit all skill levels. His specific favorite is Buffalo Creek State Park. Boreal Pass in Breckenridge is beginner friendly. Most of the ski mountains are open in the summer for mountain biking. If mountain biking is not your speed, there are also great gravel trails and road biking. One trail we frequent is Waterton Canyon Trail.
We truly love what Colorado has to offer in terms of variety. Get out there and try a new experience with your partner. Happy exploring.
