With hundreds of restaurants and retailers, shopping and dining are obvious things to do on 16th Street Mall. However, there’s more than meets the eye at this downtown Denver attraction.
As a local food tour company, we’ve extensively explored 16th Street Mall and its surrounding city blocks. Use our guide to discover entertainment venues, museums, outdoor experiences and more. We’ve listed all activities geographically, starting at Union Station and ending at Civic Center Park.
But first, let us tell you about the best way to experience this mile-long pedestrian promenade: on our new 16th Street Mall Food Tour!
Best Things to Do on 16th Street Mall
Join Our New 16th Street Mall Food Tour
Our new 16th Street Mall Food Tour includes four delicious tastings from award-winning local restaurants! Sample flaky empanadas, a hearty bowl of bison chili, savory hoisin duck bao and creamy housemade ricotta. Between stops, your guide will also share fascinating bits about downtown Denver’s rich history.
Priced at $65 per person, this 2.5-hour walking tour is available on Saturdays starting at 10:30 am. Click the button below to reserve your spot:
Play Fun, Fast-Paced Dart Games at Flight Club
Flight Club is a great place for groups to celebrate birthday parties, corporate events and more. Reserve an oche lane to play fast-paced, multi-player dart games. Scores are tracked automatically — a good thing, as the drinks are flowing at this lively venue. Order signature cocktails paired with elevated bites like lobster elote dip, buffalo chicken sliders and sharable flatbreads.
View the Latest at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Exhibits frequently rotate at MCA Denver. Mountain⎯Hour⎯Face is its latest installation featuring the nature-inspired work of South Korean-born artist Suki Seokyeong Kang. Taking over the entire museum, it’s her largest showcase in the United States to date. Visit through May 4 to see her creative use of natural and industrial materials, and keep an eye out for upcoming exhibit announcements.
Taste Your Way Through Union Station
This historic landmark appears on the far northwest end of 16th Street Mall. Though a transportation hub for many, it’s also a fabulous place to dine. Try our favorite things to eat and drink around Union Station …
Or better yet, join our top-rated Downtown Denver Food Tour! Hosted daily from 1 to 4 pm, this guided experience includes five tastings from top local restaurants — including Ultreia, an award-winning Spanish eatery within Union Station. Tour pricing starts at $75 per person, with drink pairings available for an additional fee.
Catch a Concert at The Black Buzzard Inside Oskar Blues
Love craft beer and live music? Check out The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues, one of the best things to do on 16th Street Mall. Its basement level hosts local and up-and-coming bands of every genre. Comedians also often take the stage at this intimate venue, where the vibes just can’t be beat. Complete the experience with brisket-topped nachos, crispy catfish bites and more Southern-inspired eats, along with a round of ice-cold Dale’s Pale Ale.
Toast Lagers and Play Bocce Ball at Rhein Haus
For a quick trip to Bavaria, detour off the mall to 14th and Market. Here, you’ll find Rhein Haus, a German-style beer hall with lagers and dunkels on draft, a smorgasbord of tasty bites and bocce entertainment. Similar to shuffleboard, the multi-player game involves throwing larger balls at one smaller target ball. Share a friendly toast with your opponents and reserve a court for just $5 per person.
Dine and Shop Along Historic Larimer Square
Famed as the first city block in Denver, Larimer Square is as lively as ever. Dine on a sunny patio, pop into local boutiques and snap a photo of the Colorado flags decorating this historic downtown landmark.
This strip also features some of our favorite LoDo bars and restaurants — including Italian mainstay Osteria Marco, which we visit on our 16th Street Mall Food Tour.
Laugh It Up at Comedy Works
Since its doors opened in 1981, this Larimer Square fixture has hosted some of the biggest names in comedy. Purchase tickets to see upcoming performances, which also include local acts and rising stars. Note that Comedy Works is set within a basement level and seating is tightly packed. But you won’t mind being shoulder-to-shoulder after shared laughs and, of course, a couple of drinks.
Score a Hole in One at Holey Moley Golf Club
Play a round of mini golf at Holey Moley Golf Club, an adult-oriented venue with challenging and creative courses. Expect pop culture references from the ‘80s and ‘90s, along with plenty of photo ops. Karaoke adds to the entertainment and big-batch cocktails (one of which is served in trophy) keep the party going. Bar bites like buffalo wings and cheeseburger sliders round out the menu.
Visit The Clocktower Cabaret at the Daniels & Fisher Tower
When it debuted in 1910, the Daniels & Fisher Tower was one of the tallest buildings in the West. Today, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an iconic landmark along 16th Street Mall. The tower is also now home to The Clocktower Cabaret, which hosts burlesque shows, comedy acts and live music. Access its intimate theater by taking the elevator down to the basement level.
Ice Skate, Sip Beers and More at Skyline Park
In the shadow of the Daniels & Fisher Tower lies Skyline Park. Ice skating here is one of our favorite things to do in Denver in winter. Come summertime, it transforms into a beer garden with free games including mini golf, corn hole, ping pong and more. Live music also often appears on its event calendar and with three grassy blocks, there’s plenty of space to post up amid downtown’s skyscrapers.
Defy Gravity at the Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is full of mind-bending installations that make for fantastic photo ops. Mirrors and upside-down props challenge gravity, while angled rooms seemingly shrink your size. Hold on tight as you enter its spinning tunnel, which is sure to leave you dizzy. Puzzle games and other fun interactive displays make this one of the top things to do on 16th Street Mall.
Solve Clues and Beat the Clock at EscapeWorks
EscapeWorks is one of the best activities for co-workers, families and groups of friends. Lean on each other’s abilities to solve puzzles and find clues in one of five engaging escape rooms. Themes include Blackbeard’s brig, a prohibition-era speakeasy and an Egyptian tomb, plus the extra-tricky casino heist and vampire hunter challenges.
See a Show at the Denver Performing Arts Complex
The Denver Performing Arts Complex is located on 14th and Arapahoe, just a couple of blocks from the mall. Wander this way to view the expansive campus encased by a distinctive glass roof. It houses ten venues including the Boettcher Concert Hall (home to the Colorado Symphony), Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Dazzle jazz club and more. For the full experience, book tickets to see a range of performances.
Attend a Summer Event at Sculpture Park
Sculpture Park is a large public space that’s part of the Denver Performing Arts Complex. It’s impossible to miss, with the 60-foot-tall Dancers sculptures at its center. Visit for summer events like outdoor concerts and movie screenings, or simply to enjoy a picnic on its grassy lawn.
Strike a Pose at the Denver Selfie Museum
Similar to the Museum of Illusions, the Denver Selfie Museum is packed with photo ops. Strike a pose with funky props and fill your social media feed with the help of 25 themed backgrounds. Tripods are available to solo visitors and also help with capturing the perfect group shot. For an even more interactive experience, book its scavenger hunt which involves snapping selfies at iconic city landmarks.
Have a Drink at 54thirty, the City’s Highest Rooftop Bar
We have several favorite rooftop bars, but the views at 54thirty are especially tough to beat. This stylish, open-air lounge appears on the twentieth floor of Le Méridien hotel, located on the corner of 15th and California. Soar up the elevator and be greeted with a panorama of the city and expansive Front Range. It’s especially pretty at sunset, the perfect time for cocktails and a few globally-inspired bites.
Enjoy Cheap Drinks and Free Pool at Tarantula Billiards Bar
Tarantula Billiards Bar & Grill offers one of the best happy hours in Denver. Pop in between 3 and 7 pm daily for $4 domestic beers and $6 well drinks — a steal in the downtown area, especially. Happy hour purchases include free pool, which is also offered on Sundays through Thursdays. Foosball and shuffleboard add to the entertainment at this longtime dive.
Sample Colorado Specialties at West Saloon & Kitchen
West Saloon & Kitchen is one of our top-recommended restaurants on 16th Street Mall — namely, for its Colorado specialties. These include pork green chile served in bowls and smothered on steak-cut fries, along with Rocky Mountain oysters. For some true cowboy cuisine, pair this notorious dish of deep-fried bull testicles with one of 36 beers on tap. Yeehaw!
Attend a Performance at the Historic Paramount Theatre
Built in 1930, the Paramount Theatre is rich in Art Deco ambiance — and like the Daniels & Fisher Tower, it appears on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a seat on the mezzanine level for great views of the stage, which hosts a range of performers. Renowned musicians, stand-up comedians and other entertainment fill its event calendar, which features some of the best things to do on 16th Street Mall.
Knock Back Beers and Knock Down Pins at Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike is one of several attractions at the Denver Pavilions, an entertainment complex along 16th Street Mall. Head to its third floor and into the modern bowling alley which features a dozen lanes, classic arcade games, pool tables and plenty of screens to catch the game. This high-energy venue, which becomes 21+ at night, also offers a solid pub grub menu and pitchers of local craft beer.
Learn and Be Inspired at the Museum for Black Girls
The Museum for Black Girls celebrates the vast contributions of Black women, from historic figures to pop culture icons. More than twenty interactive exhibits frequently rotate and feature artwork, artifacts and multimedia displays, as well as plenty of photo backdrops. It’s an affirming experience for Black women, especially — but all can be inspired and learn from this Denver Pavilions attraction.
Catch a Movie on the Big Screen at Regal Theatre
On the third floor of the Denver Pavilions lies a Regal UA cinema location, one of the best things to do on 16th Street Mall. Stop in to see the latest box office hits — which are even more impressive in its 4DX theatre, complete with motion-enabled chairs and other immersive effects. This attraction also offers discounted matinee showings, a full bar and, of course, ultra-buttery buckets of popcorn.
Marvel the Collection at the American Museum of Western Art
The American Museum of Western Art is housed within the historic Navarre building, set on the corner of Tremont and Broadway. Made up of the private Anschutz Collection, it displays more than six hundred drawings, sculptures and various styles of paintings. These works spotlight the places and people that form the American West, both historically and today. Attend a guided tour to fully appreciate the collection, available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Dress Up for Afternoon Tea at the Brown Palace Hotel
The historic Brown Palace Hotel is a lovely place for visitors to stay in Denver. But it’s frequented by locals, too — namely, during its afternoon tea service. Take a seat in its stunning atrium lobby to enjoy glasses of bubbly, freshly brewed pots of tea and a tower of sweet and savory bites. Melodies from its grand piano add to the elegant ambiance. Be sure to dress up a touch for this special experience.
Visit the Family-Friendly Denver Firefighters Museum
Tucked away on 14th and Tremont, the Denver Firefighters Museum is one of the best things to do in Denver with kids. Interactive exhibits allow children to learn and play, though the extensive collection will also appeal to history enthusiasts. Tour the old fire station to discover the accomplishments of the Denver Fire Department and how equipment has drastically evolved for safety and efficiency over the years.
Peer Inside the New Populus Hotel
Populus debuted on the corner of 14th and Colfax this past fall. Already, it’s become a recognizable city landmark — largely, because there’s no other building in Denver like it. The hotel takes inspiration from Colorado’s aspen trees and incorporates natural, eco-conscious materials. In fact, it claims to be the first carbon positive hotel in the country. Peer inside or head up to the rooftop to enjoy open-flame cooking and signature drinks from Stellar Jay, one of our new favorite cocktail bars.
Explore the Attractions at Civic Center Park
Civic Center Park is the southeast endcap of 16th Street Mall. This large green space is flanked by two notable landmarks: the Denver City & County Building and the Colorado State Capitol. Stand on the latter’s thirteenth step to be exactly one mile above sea level, and take a free tour to enter its iconic golden dome.
This spacious urban park also features scenic gardens and seasonal events. Some of our favorites include Christkindlmarket, PrideFest and the Cinco de Mayo Festival, one of the best things to do in Denver in spring.
Hop On and Off the Free MallRide Bus
Phew! You’ve made it to the end of 16th Street Mall. Obviously, this mile-long promenade is pedestrian-friendly. However, if your feet could use a break and your arms are tired of carrying all those shopping bags, I have good news. The MallRide bus is entirely free and easy to navigate with frequent stops between Civic Center Park and Union Station. Hop on and off wherever best suits you.
