Love This City mural.
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Unlock the Mile High City's Imaginative and Expressive Scene
Denver has blossomed into a cultural mecca, offering a palette of experiences for the discerning art enthusiast. From street art that transforms urban landscapes into open-air galleries, to world-class museums housing global treasures, Denver's artistic soul pulses through its urban landscape. Whether you're drawn to the raw energy of live performances, the contemplative spaces of curated exhibitions, or the dynamic fusion of culinary and visual arts, Denver invites you to experience its creative vibe.
Chalk Art Festival.
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Craving creativity? Make your first stop in Denver the River North (RiNo) Art District. As a dynamic, one-mile area known for its impressive street art and murals, RiNo encompasses several historical neighborhoods, including Cole, Elyria-Swansea, Five Points and Globeville.
Tip: Located along the South Platte River Trail, RiNo is easily accessible if you’re cycling to and around the neighborhood.
As The Mile High City’s creative hub, this lively, walkable neighborhood boasts an industrial-chic vibe (think trendy lofts, rooftop bars, and foodie eateries), thanks to its roots as the city’s former warehouse and industrial center. And it offers a cool mix of creative businesses. You’ll find painters and designers here. But you’ll also discover architects, furniture makers, craft brewers, photographers, winemakers, and small-batch coffee roasters. In other words, RiNo is a creator’s dream—whether you’re a local or a visitor passing through.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival.
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To explore the RiNo area on foot, you can take a self-guided walking tour or book a guided, themed excursion like Denver Graffiti Tour, RiNo Beer and Graffiti Walking Tour or RiNo Arts District Food Tour. If you’re in town on the First Friday of every month (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.), stroll with locals on an Art Walk to snap photos of RiNo’s vibrant street art as your only-in-Denver backdrop.
Denver Central Market
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After your tour, explore RiNo's art galleries, jazz bars, restaurants, working studios, and brewpubs dotting the area. Catch contemporary dance performances at Wonderbound. Stop for dinner at Safta if you love Mediterranean food or at Federales, an open-air tequila and taco bar. Not sure what you’re hungry for? Pop into the Denver Central Market—a renovated 1920s building where local chefs and artisans showcase their talent with colorful murals and art installations as a vibrant backdrop.
Denver’s cultural treasures range from iconic museums to lesser-known gems—all worth a visit for art enthusiasts.
Triplets: Clyfford Still Museum.
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Clyfford Still Museum
Serious art aficionados will want to visit The Clyfford Still Museum, dedicated to the abstract expressionist painter Clyfford Still. This cultural gem houses 95% of the artist's lifetime output. The two-story, 28,500-square-foot building, designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture, is itself a work of art featuring a textured concrete exterior and light-filled galleries. Get an unparalleled opportunity to trace the evolution of Still's work, from his early figurative paintings to his groundbreaking abstract canvases.
CHACdoor in the Art District on SantaFe
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Denver Art District on Santa Fe Art
As a haven for contemporary art lovers, the Art District on Santa Fe explodes with artistic creations at every turn, from the Museo de las Americas focused on Latino culture to the free Center for Visual Art (managed by Metropolitan State University of Denver) to Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (with monthly shows featuring art exhibits and live entertainment). This vibrant neighborhood comes alive during the First Friday Art Walks, when galleries stay open late, often showcasing artist talks and new exhibitions.
Tip: For a more personal experience, consider attending Third Friday events, where you can have more one-on-one time with artists and gallery owners.
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
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From large-scale productions to intimate shows, the city's theatrical landscape offers a diverse menu of artistic experiences to whet your creative appetite.
South Broadway Mayan Theater
Local Theaters
Beyond DPAC, which serves as the epicenter of Denver’s cultural scene, you’ll find plenty of local theaters worth checking out. Enjoy professional-level productions at the Cherry Creek Theater Company located in the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, offering a mix of classic and contemporary plays and musicals in an intimate setting. The Lone Tree Arts Center (an accessible Denver suburb near I-25 and Lincoln Ave.) offers a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly venue for theater-lovers. Enjoy intimate shows—including local productions and touring acts—in its 350-seat theater or catch special presentations on the outdoor terrace.
Bluebird Theater
Live Music Venues
Call all music-lovers! You can’t leave Denver without checking out the city's vibrant live music scene. For instance, the iconic Bluebird Theater’s cozy 500-person capacity creates an intimate concert experience with a charming, vintage atmosphere. The venue’s historic character shines through its three-tier layout, featuring a balcony that offers sweeping views of the entire stage, often featuring up-and-coming artists. During the warmer months, head to Levitt Pavilion Denver, a nonprofit that fosters community through its free summer concert series. Located in scenic Ruby Hill Park, the outdoor amphitheater offers a welcoming atmosphere and a diverse lineup of musical acts.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
If you love live music in a unique atmosphere, you must plan your trip around an upcoming concert at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre. (It sits about 30 minutes west of Denver but it’s definitely worth the drive.) As a spectacular marvel of cinnamon-colored sandstone, this National Historic Landmark has earned a world-famous reputation as a one-of-a-kind outdoor concert venue.
No matter what type of artistic experiences you seek in Denver, save on your creative adventures with discounted tickets. AAA members can snag reduced admission tickets for popular attraction, opening doors to savings across the city. Or consider a Denver CityPASS or Mile High Culture Pass. These money-saving passes offer reduced entry to some of Denver's most beloved spots, including the Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, and other popular attractions.
