Denver City Highlights, Views & Hidden Spots Bus Tour

Union Station and LoDo

Union Station opened in 1881 and was rebuilt in its current form in 1914. Today it is a lively hub with restaurants, a hotel and the departure point for trains and buses, at the edge of LoDo, short for Lower Downtown, Denver's historic warehouse district. The area is full of brick buildings turned into galleries, shops and cafes.

Many people searching for the best things to do in Denver start here. The tour begins near Union Station, and the guide explains how the railroad shaped the city and how LoDo was revived as a neighbourhood after decades of neglect.

Larimer Square and the 16th Street Mall

Larimer Square is the oldest block in Denver and the place where the city began in 1858. Its restored Victorian buildings are lined with shops and restaurants and decorated with strings of lights. Nearby, the 16th Street Mall is a mile-long pedestrian street with a free shuttle bus and outdoor seating.

The guide points out historic details, including the buildings and stories that gave the city its Wild West character. If you are looking for a Denver walking tour or the best area for shopping and dining, these two streets are the places to note for later, and the tour shows you how they connect.

The Colorado State Capitol and the Mile High Steps

The Colorado State Capitol, with its gold-covered dome, stands at the edge of Civic Center Park. On its west steps, a marker on the thirteenth step shows exactly one mile above sea level, 5,280 feet, which gives the city its nickname, the Mile High City. Visitors take photographs on the steps and look back at downtown.

The area also includes the Denver Art Museum, whose angular Hamilton Building was designed by Daniel Libeskind and opened in 2006, and the Civic Center with its Greek-style amphitheatre. The tour passes these landmarks and often stops for photographs where the mountain views open up.

The U.S. Mint, the Big Blue Bear and hidden spots

The Denver Mint, a branch of the United States Mint since 1906, is known as one of the places where American coins are made. The guide tells the story of the famous robbery there in 1922, one of the boldest in the city's history. Another highlight is the Big Blue Bear, a 40-foot sculpture peering into the Colorado Convention Center.

The tour also includes lesser-known spots and local tips, such as where to see mountain views and where to find good local food later. The bus is small, so the guide can take you through side streets that larger vehicles avoid. Minimum age is 5, and each guest needs their own ticket.