Denver Walking Tour: 16th Street Mall, Capitol & Hidden Gems

The Alma Temple, the Capitol's gold dome, and a fire station you actually enter

This is a walking tour of Denver covering 1.7 miles with a live English-speaking guide, hitting the Colorado State Capitol, Denver Art Museum, Civic Center Park, 16th Street Mall and a dozen other stops: some famous, some known mainly to locals. The guide takes you inside Fire Station No. 1 for a quick look at antique trucks and a souvenir. You pass the Denver Mint and the Curry-Chucovich house without entering, but stop for a food tasting at a local deli where the cookies are a draw. The tour runs about two and a half hours and operates in all weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each6 stops

1. Colorado State Capitol5m
2. Civic Center Park5m
3. Denver Art Museum3m
4. Denver Mint3m
5. Denver Firefighters Museum5m
6. 16th Street Mall5m

Explore Denver's landmarks and culture

• Start at Alma Temple
• Visit Colorado State Capitol
• Walk through Civic Center Park
• See World Trade Center piece
• View Denver Art Museum
• Snack at local deli
• Pass by Vance Kirkland Museum
• See curved civic building
• View Denver Mint exterior
• Pass by historic home
• Visit Fire Station No. 1
• Photo at Curry-Chucovich house
• Walk 16th Street Mall
• Tour historic hotel interior

The experience

The walk starts at the Alma Temple, a 1920s building with a controversial past and the letters "KPOF" still visible at the top. From there the route moves through Civic Center Park (the heart of Mayor Robert Speer's "City Beautiful" campaign from 1908), and climbs to the Colorado State Capitol, where you stand at the 1-mile-above-sea-level marker with the Rocky Mountains in view. The building's 24-karat gold dome is the landmark most people come to see.

The Denver Art Museum is the largest art museum between Chicago and the West Coast, with over 70,000 works. You'll see the "Big Sweep," a giant bronze dustpan and broom sculpture that sits outside. A stop at a local deli gives you a chance to buy a snack: their cookies are worth trying, though food is not included in the tour price. Fire Station No. 1 is a favorite moment: you walk inside briefly to see antique fire trucks and pick up a souvenir, though the full museum stays off-limits. The route also passes the Denver Mint (one of only four in the country and the largest coin producer in the world), the Curry-Chucovich house, Denver's oldest remaining residence, and a historic hotel built in 1902 that has hosted presidents since Teddy Roosevelt.

The walk ends on 16th Street Mall, a car-free stretch of 1.7 miles lined with restaurants, bars and shops. Because group size is kept small, the tour tends to sell out quickly. Dress for the weather (the tour runs rain or shine), and wear comfortable walking shoes. The route is wheelchair accessible, though it does require a moderate level of fitness and is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Tour escort with live English-language commentary.
• entry to Fire Station No. 1 to see antique fire trucks and grab a souvenir.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Information

Lasts 2h 20m, runs Saturday at 10:00, from US$ 27 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 10:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 201 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Best Tours of Denver LLC

Is this one for you?The tour is in English with a live guide, so it works best for travelers comfortable following commentary in English. Small group size means you move at a steady pace and get personal attention, which suits anyone who wants to learn Denver's history and architecture without the crowds of a larger tour.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Alma Temple and why does it matter on this tour?

The Alma Temple is a 1920s building in Denver with a controversial and eerie past. It's the starting point of the walk, and the guide points out the letters "KPOF" still visible at the top of the structure.

Do we go inside the Denver Mint or the Denver Art Museum?

You see the Denver Mint from the street (it's one of only four in the country and the largest coin producer in the world), but do not enter. The Denver Art Museum you view from outside as well, though you'll see the "Big Sweep" sculpture, a giant bronze dustpan and broom.

What happens at Fire Station No. 1?

Fire Station No. 1 is one of the tour's main stops. You walk inside briefly to see antique fire trucks and grab a souvenir, though you do not tour the entire museum.

How long is this walking tour and what is the total distance?

The tour is about two and a half hours long and covers 1.7 miles on foot through downtown Denver and Civic Center.

Is there a food stop, and what does it cost?

Yes, the tour includes a stop at a local deli known to locals as a hidden gem, where you can buy a snack and try their cookies. Food and beverages are not included in the tour price, so you pay separately if you order.

What is the Colorado State Capitol stop like?

At the Colorado State Capitol, you stand at the 1-mile-above-sea-level marker and take in a view of the Rocky Mountains. The building's 24-karat gold dome is the crown jewel of Denver and the most photographed landmark on the route.