Top Rated Attracties in Denver

This museum is one of the city's most popular attractions, drawing almost two million visitors a year. There are permanent displays on North American Tribes, Egyptian mummies, dinosaurs, and minerals, all stunningly detailed and vast. The museum also hosts traveling exhibits such as Ramses II and Imperial Tombs of China. An IMAX cinema, gift shop and cafe are also on-site.

This is a place where a child's natural urge to experience the world hands-on comes together with art and science projects, building materials and imagination. The museum includes nine interactive Playscapes including the CMD Fire Station #1, My Market, Center for the Young Child, Under My Feet and Over My Head, The Assembly Plant, Making the Team, Arts a la Carte, Around the Block, and Alphabet Soup. There are also several programs, activities and special events held throughout the year. Check the museum's website for a complete listing of upcoming events.

This library, a post-modern structure full of turrets and odd geometrical shapes, is a bastion of knowledge. Internally, the academic atmosphere of each study area is indicative of individual moods. Six of the ten floors of the library are open to the public. Keeping with the tradition set in 1894, the library still has a world-class children's facility. The library is a regional depository for government publications. It offers extensive genealogical resources as well as historical books, photographs, art, and memorabilia chronicling the American West. The library also offers fiction and non-fiction texts, periodicals and computers allowing free Internet access. Tours are available.

Experience the great outdoors at Denver Botanic Gardens. Sprawling over three acres (nine hectares), this natural oasis is replete with several themed gardens. Stroll along bonsais at the Japanese Garden, or enjoy a fairytale-like experience with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Storybook Gardens. Xeriscape Demo Garden is great to gather tips on home gardening and horticulture, while the Rock Alpine Garden showcases a unique topography. Take a guided tour and marvel at the verdant landscape dotted with exotic flora, lawns, waterfalls and ponds. In addition, these gardens offer several botanical exhibitions, illustrations and workshops that are both fun and interesting.

Where else can you visit polar ice caps, a tropical forest, the African Savannah, and a jungle all in one day? The spectacular Denver zoo offers state-of-the-art habitats featuring more than 3500 animals representing 600 species. Visit with sloths, tree frogs, and a moray eel at the indoor Tropical Discovery exhibit. Or wander through the seven-acre Primate Panorama exhibit. From cold climate penguins to tropical flamingos, Bird World will inspire your appreciation of winged things. It is open 365 days a year.

This 314-acre expanse of garden, greenery, fountains, ponds and fine sculpture, located just east of downtown, is home to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Built in the early 1900s as part of the popular City Beautiful movement, the park served Denverites as a civic refuge and swimming retreat. The lake beach no longer exists, but the historic boathouse, seen on many area postcards, remains. Three playgrounds, picnic tables, tennis courts and a public golf course are all available.