The best things to do for couples in Denver take place in some of the most serene outdoor landscapes in Colorado, so it's a popular destination for couples and honeymooners looking to enjoy a romantic vacation. Gardens and parks are plentiful in downtown Denver, where you can enjoy the greenery, share a picnic, and go for leisurely strolls or cycling trips on riverfront paths.

Creative date activities in Denver range from brewery tours and cooking classes during the day, to catching acrobatic, comedy, and burlesque performances in the evening. Check out our guide to find Denver’s most romantic places to spend some quality time with your partner.

What are the best things to do for couples in Denver?

  • 1

    Butterfly Pavilion

    Home to thousands of colorful butterflies

    Butterfly Pavilion
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Photo

    The Butterfly Pavilion features 5 exhibits with over 5,000 insects and invertebrate creatures from all over the world. Its 668 sq m tropical conservatory is where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll with 1,600 butterflies floating above you. It’s a phenomenal sight to see the dizzying colors of their wings flutter overhead. 

    The conservation center hosts interesting programs all year round, from macro photography to yoga sessions in a tropical rainforest. Tickets are cheaper online and have timed entry, so booking in advance is a great idea.

    Location: 6252 W 104th Ave, Westminster, CO 80020, USA

    Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +1 303-469-5441

    Map
  • 2

    Denver Botanic Gardens

    Twenty-four acres of nature

    Denver Botanic Gardens
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Photo

    With 50 gardens, it’s easy to lose track of time while meandering through the vast greenery of Denver Botanic Gardens. There’s a variety of environments, from a Japanese garden to a South African one, and you can enjoy art sculptures dispersed throughout the gardens.

    It’s said the gardens are enjoyable in any season, so be sure to keep this on your list year-round. Before visiting the gardens, check if any festivals or events are on as this is another way to really enjoy the grounds.

    Read more

    Location: 1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA

    Open: Daily from 9 am to 4 pm

    Phone: +1 720-865-3500

    Map
  • 3

    Confluence Park

    Expanses of greenery kissed by the Colorado sun

    Confluence Park
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families

    Confluence Park is known for its white-water features, where you get to enjoy activities such as kayaking and tubing in downtown Denver. There are biking and hiking trails that run along the Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, as well as baseball courts and soccer pitches within this urban park. You can also hop on the Denver Trolley for a 30-minute scenic ride along South Platte River.

    Confluence Park is just a 10-minute walk from notable landmarks such as the Children's Museum of Denver and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

    Location: 2250 15th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA

    Open: Daily from 5 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +1 720-913-1311

    Map
  • 4

    The Cherry Creek Trail

    Views of South Platte River along this cycling trail

    The Cherry Creek Trail
    • Couples

    Cherry Creek Trail spans over 40 miles in length, connecting several city parks and smaller towns around Denver. The paved pathway starts at Confluence Park in downtown Denver, where you get to rent a bicycle and cycle past the state capital building, Larimer Square, and the Colorado Convention Center.

    Along the way, you get to enjoy views along the South Platte River. Take your time to enjoy the scenery, and enjoy each other’s company. There are also great places to take selfies together as you go.

    Location: Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, CO, USA

    Map

    photo by AdobeStock_69608247 (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 5

    A horse-drawn carriage ride

    Downtown Denver from an intimate horse-drawn carriage

    A horse-drawn carriage ride
    • Couples
    • Families
    • History

    Irish Rose Drafts have been chauffeuring visitors on horse-drawn carriages since 1990, making it one of the oldest tours in Denver. The downtown Denver route starts with a pickup at the 16th Street Mall, followed by a tour of scenic areas such as Larimer Square and Skyline Park. It's a wonderfully romantic way of seeing the sights while tucked up against your sweetheart's side.

    Rides last between 30 and 90 minutes and can take you past the Capitol, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Holy Ghost Church, Trinity Church, Brown Palace, and Denver Art Museum. Carriage rides by Irish Rose Drafts are available every evening by reservation.

    Location: Court Pl & 16th St Mall, Denver, CO 80202, USA

    Phone: +1 720-470-9384

    Map

    photo by jenniferlinneaphotography (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 6

    Sommers-Bausch Observatory

    Free stargazing on Friday evenings

    Sommers-Bausch Observatory
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Single

    There’s little more romantic than a night under the stars, and Sommers-Bausch Observatory at the University of Colorado offers free stargazing session on Friday evenings, weather permitting. The observation deck features a number of telescopes, with lengths between 16 and 24 inches, as well as tripod-mounted binoculars to help you see the constellations and the moon.

    Sommers-Bausch Observatory’s open house sessions take about 3 hours. You also get to enjoy short films and sky shows at the nearby Fiske Planetarium after your stargazing experience.

    Location: Sommers-Bausch Observatory, 2475 Kittredge Loop Drive, Boulder, CO 80309, USA

    Open: Friday from 8 pm to 11 pm (9 pm to midnight during summer)

    Phone: +1 303-492-6732

    Map

    photo by MECU (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 7

    Cooking classes

    Gourmet cooking lessons for romantic inspiration

    Cooking classes
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Denver has plenty of culinary schools that offer classes for all levels, from date-night dishes to cocktail-making sessions for couples looking to hone their skills. Popular venues in downtown Denver include Sur La Table, The Seasoned Chef, and Cook Street School of Culinary Arts.

    Whether you want to learn how to cook authentic French delicacies or bake a mouth-watering cake, expert chefs are available at these culinary schools and can easily help you to impress your date. It’s not just an enjoyable evening, the recipes you learn can help you relive your memories at home.

  • 8

    Boulder Mountain Park

    Home to the Ann Armstrong Memorial Native Garden at Chautauqua Park

    Boulder Mountain Park
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Photo

    Boulder Mountain Park spans 45,000 acres of canyons and over 100 miles of hiking trails. One of its most popular routes is the Chautauqua Trail, which starts from Chautauqua Park’s Ranger Cottage. The canyon trail is about 0.6 miles in length and isn’t too challenging.

    If you’d prefer a less strenuous date, opt for horseback riding or relax at the Ann Armstrong Memorial Native Garden at Chautauqua Park. However you choose to enjoy it, the beauty of the Boulder Mountains is the perfect setting for romance.

    Location: Crown Rock Trail, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

    Map
  • 9

    A brewery tour

    A variety of craft beers at Denver’s top breweries

    A brewery tour
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Group

    The state of Colorado has about 350 craft breweries, with over 150 of them in Denver. The city is also where you can visit Coors Brewery, one of the world’s largest single-site breweries. Learn about Denver’s beer scene by joining a brewery tour, which often includes an in-depth look into the process of brewing, with beer sampling sessions along the way.

    Other prominent breweries in downtown Denver include Breckenridge Brewery and the Great Divide Brewery. Both offer tours, so check them out too for a unique date idea.

    photo by Eli Duke (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 10

    Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret

    Parisian dinner and show experience

    Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Instead of a traditional candlelit dinner date, try something unusual and attend a whimsical show at one of Denver’s unique restaurants. Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, located within the Daniels and Fisher Tower, is a Paris-inspired dining spot that hosts burlesque, comedy, acrobatic, and drag performances from 7.30pm onwards.

    They host a whole range of shows, so check out their website to see what’s on during your visit and buy tickets. Whatever you see, it’s sure to be a fun filled night to remember with your loved one. You might even find yourselves onstage.

    Location: 1601 Arapahoe St, Daniels and Fisher Tower, Denver, CO 80202, USA

    Open: Show times vary

    Phone: +1 303-293-0075

    Map
Penny Wong | Compulsive Traveler