Denver Walking Tour: Women's History & Downtown Highlights

Stand one mile above sea level inside the Colorado Capitol, then walk the streets a local knows.

A guided walking tour of Denver's downtown and historic neighborhoods, led by a local English-speaking guide through Larimer Square, the Colorado State Capitol, the Brown Palace Hotel and 16th Street Mall. The tour covers 2 to 3 miles on foot and includes entry to the Center for Colorado Women's History, where stories of women who shaped the American West reshape how you see the city's expansion. Choose between a small group or private tour. Gratuities for your guide are optional on the small group option and included on the private one.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Denver Art Museum10m
2. Colorado State Capitol15m
3. 16th Street Mall15m
4. Larimer Square15m

Explore Denver's history and highlights

• Begin at The Big Sweep sculpture
• Visit Center for Colorado Women’s History
• Tour Colorado State Capitol building
• Enter historic Brown Palace Hotel
• Walk along 16th Street Mall
• Get dining suggestions in LoDo neighborhood

The experience

Your tour starts at The Big Sweep, the iconic broom and dustpan sculpture outside the Denver Art Museum, where your local guide orients you to the city's layout and history. From there, the walk moves through downtown Denver's most layered blocks (from the Old West era through the 19th century to today) stopping at places that shaped the region and the people who built it.

Inside a 19th-century mansion, you'll explore the Center for Colorado Women's History, where the stories of women who drove westward expansion get their own room and their own weight. Then you stand inside the Colorado State Capitol, a striking building where you can mark the exact spot one mile above sea level. A detail the guide will show you. The Brown Palace Hotel's atrium comes next, a late-19th-century space built with a design that still turns heads. Finally, you walk the length of 16th Street Mall, a mile-long pedestrian promenade designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, lined with shops and restaurants where your guide can point you toward the best local spots in the LoDo neighborhood if you want to stay longer after the tour ends.

The walk covers 2 to 3 miles total, which means you're on your feet for most of the two hours. Bring sunscreen and a hat in summer. In winter, dress warm. Children under 6 join free. Those 6 to 11 pay the adult rate. The route is wheelchair accessible, and strollers work for infants and small children. Public transit stops are nearby if you need to get back downtown without walking.

What’s included

• A local English-speaking guide leading the entire route.
• entry to the Center for Colorado Women's History.
• a walk through the Colorado State Capitol exterior and interior.
• a visit to the Brown Palace Hotel atrium to admire its 19th-century architecture.
• a stroll along Larimer Square and 16th Street Mall with local recommendations for dining and further exploration.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private TourGuide in English · 10:00 and 13:00

Small Group TourGuide in English · 10:00 and 13:00

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day except Thursday and Friday at 10:00 and 13:00, from US$ 39.77 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: 10:00 and 13:00Sunday: 13:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Intrepid Urban Adventures - USA

Is this one for you?Book the small group tour if you want to meet other travelers and keep costs down. Choose the private tour if you're traveling with family or friends and prefer the guide's full attention and flexibility to linger at stops that interest you most.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: 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 Center for Colorado Women's History, and why is it part of this tour?

The Center for Colorado Women's History occupies a 19th-century mansion and tells the stories of women who shaped the American West during the Great Expansion: a perspective the tour uses to reframe Denver's history and the city's role in westward settlement.

What exactly is the Colorado State Capitol, and what will I see inside?

The Colorado State Capitol is a striking 19th-century building where you'll stand exactly one mile above sea level and learn about the state's political and architectural history from your guide.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the route are wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need them during or after the tour.

Who leads the tour, and what language is it in?

A local English-speaking expert guide leads the tour and shares knowledge of Denver's history, architecture and neighborhoods, plus recommendations for dining and exploring the LoDo area on your own.

What is 16th Street Mall, and why is it worth walking?

16th Street Mall is a vibrant mile-long pedestrian promenade designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, filled with shops, eateries and entertainment: a modern contrast to the historic buildings and neighborhoods you've just explored.