Dogtastic times in dog-friendly Denver
Denver is a very walkable city, with lots of things to see as you explore its pretty streets and parks. It also has a bustling cultural scene, with lots of breweries and great looking bars and restaurants.
The highlights for us were the amazing Capitol and grounds as well as all the outdoor art, especially the ‘big things’! We really enjoyed wandering around the city and were lucky enough to have visited when there was a free music event over a long weekend in the park by the Capitol so got to chill out each evening, listening to music and enjoying food truck treats with Beats.
As Denver has quite a warm climate with plenty of sunny days each year, even in the cooler months you’ll be able to find plenty of places to eat that have outdoor / patio seating. In summer however, expect high temperatures which will make it less comfortable to walk and dine with your dog. As we visited in summer there are a few places in this list that Beats was allowed to visit, but ended up staying at the hotel due to the heat…
THINGS TO DO
Colorado State Capitol and Park
The State Capitol is a beautiful building that sits at the tops of a very large and pretty park. As you an your dog climb the steps to take in the view, keep an eye out for the step carved with ‘One Mile Above Sea Level’ and make sure you get a snap. Its a good reminder of how high you are!
Big smile for a mile high…
The park itself is really nice to walk through, has lots of paved pathways and interesting features to explore. Watch out if you have a dog that likes to chase squirrels as we saw plenty of them!
Other attractions you can see in this area if exploring by foot include the imposing City and County Government Building with its huge, curved exterior that sits at the opposite end of the parl.
The impressive curved City and County Government Building
On each side of the park are two further large curved Greek Amphitheatre structures, one with a pond called the Voorhies Memorial (which Beatle wanted to take a dip in as it was a hot day…) and the other with its ‘Bronco Buster’ sculpture. Behind the second Amphitheatre sits a cool, but odd piece of outdoor art called ‘The Yearling’ which depicts a life sized horse standing on a gigantic red chair…
The beautiful Capitol building and surrounding park is a great place to explore with a dog
Museum and Cultural District
From the Capitol district you can walk through to this area and there is lots of great oversized art to enjoy with your dog as well as plenty of grassy spots.
Your first stop is the ‘Justice for All’ sculpture outside the Carr Justice Centre (it’s to the left of ‘The Yearling).
Then make your way around the back to the architecturally striking Denver Art Museum. We spent quite some time walking around this large, open air space looking at this building from different angles, checking out all of the different outdoor art and lounging on the seats in the plaza.
The Denver Art Museum looks good from every angle!
My favourite piece of outdoor art had to be the giant dust pan and brush, (officially know as ‘Big Sweep’ which is located right out front.
Try not to get swept away by this fab art!
There are other art pieces here too, including the ‘Wheel Sculpture’ which sits outside the Public Library.
Head around to the back lawn and you’ll see the next big thing… the Scottish Angus Cow and Calf.
Time to mooooove along…
Keep walking around the block and you’ll see the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art and the Clyfford Still Museum (which has a blue sculpture out front).
If you’re feeling peckish, you’ll also find some cute cafes in this area.
Downtown Denver
Stroll down the 16th Street with your dog and take in the highlights of downtown as you explore this mile long pedestrian Mall. Here are a few of the highlights for you and your best bud to sniff out along the way….
To get started, begin at the south end of the Mall. Your first stop is the huge ‘Denver’ sign located in the Denver Pavillions. Take the elevator, or walk up to the top level to get a selfie with it in the background.
The pretty Pavilions area on 16th Street
In the Alleyway on the opposite side of the street (next to the Paramount Cafe) we found this cute ‘Welcome to Denver’ mural.
Love a vibrant mural!
As you continue to walk up 16th Street you’ll see many different shops and restaurants. As you reach Arapahoe Street you’ll see a large structure, called the Daniels & Fisher Tower, which is a two-thirds replica of the Campanile of St. Mark's in Venice.
Take a left at Larimer Street and head down a block until you reach the pedestrian area. Overhead you’ll likely see flags or decorations of some sort, and the brick buildings make this a really attractive street. The street isn’t that big, but its definitely worth visiting for the variety of shops and eateries, most of which have outdoor seating.
Larimer is one of the prettiest streets in Denver
Larimer Street marks the end of 16th Street Mall, but keep going up until you reach Union Station (located on Wynkoop Street). I couldn’t find anything definitive about if dogs are allowed inside, but regardless, the building is really impressive from outside
Heading back towards the city, take 18th street and stop by the The Milk Market and Dairy Block in the LoDo area. While dogs can’t go inside, its worth taking turns to walk through to see the different art. There are some yummy food options in here too, and they have some seating in the alley behind the building (as well as some cute outdoor photo ops).
From here, head across to 20th and Blake to see Coors Field. While the main entrance and sign is on this corner, if you head to the opposite side of the stadium you’ll find yourself entering a large open air amphitheatre that has a big screen and a few bars / eateries with outdoor seating.
As you make your way back towards the centre of town, stop by the Serena Williams ‘Got Balls?’ mural which can be found on the corner of 22nd and Larimer.
Big Blue Bear
Outside the Denver Convention Centre is the very cool giant Blue Bear. Looking like a cheeky guy who just wants to get a peek at what’s happening inside, you’ll find lots of great photo ops here. He’s easy to find with a google search, and is only a ten minute walk from the Denver Pavilions.
It’s hard to be subtle when you’re a gigantic blue bear!
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Cherry Creek State Park
Only 30 mins outside of Denver is Cherry Creek State park. With a whopping 107 acres of fenced areas designated as a dog off-lash area that includes a mix of trails, open areas and areas to swim, your dog will never be bored when visiting! For more information about the park, including opening times, regulations and entry prices, click here.
Denver Terrors Tour
If you like spooky tours and you ain’t afraid of no ghosts, then you might want to take the Denver Terrors Tour. During the tour you’ll visit several sites around Capitol Hill and Denver’s Millionaire’s Row neighborhood to hear all about the haunted history of the city. Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join you - and who knows what their dog intuition might pick up on…. For more info click here.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Red Rocks Amphitheater is famous for its big name concerts and acoustic's, but you can also visit it with your leashed dog during non-event days. While there you can also enjoy some of the hiking paths, see the stunning scenery and maybe even stop for a picnic. For more information about visiting Red Rocks click here.
Visit a Brewery
Colorado is well known for its craft beer and it has a large number of breweries that welcome well behaved dogs. For a list of dog-friendly breweries in Denver (and if they allow dogs indoors or only on their patios), you can click here.
IN SUMMARY
While Denver doesn’t have as many pet friendly attractions you can do with your pet as nearby Colorado Springs - what it does have is lots of amazing areas that you can explore together. And did I mention all of the ‘big’ things to see… these were definitely a highlight for us to find. We also loved the Capitol Park area, with all of is architecture - ranging from older, more historical buildings to the ultra modern and contemporary museums and outdoor art.
When we visited in summer it was really hot so unfortunately Beatle couldn’t join us for some of the activities we did. So if you want to make the most of your time in this area with your dog then I’d suggest visiting on the shoulder seasons.
For more information on visiting Denver with your dog click here.