Denver is home to a wide variety of photo opportunities, whether you're looking for examples of stunning architecture or cultural sites that show off the best of local artistic expression. The Mile High City can cater to whatever kind of atmosphere you're looking to cultivate in your photo gallery.
To get the most out of your trip to Denver, you'll need to know the best spots to let your inner photographer shine and make an Instagram that your friends will want to look at. Take a look at the 10 most Instagrammable places in Denver.
- 1
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Check out an outdoor theatre
- Families
- Nightlife
- Photo
Read moreRed Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is a protected outdoor area complete with a theatre that was built into a rock structure that frequently hosts performances. The theatre itself is disc-shaped and cut directly into the rock with vertical rock faces extending up in the area.
The performances at the theatre here can vary quite a bit. Rock musicians are quite popular here, along with country music performers, though you'll find a bit of everything. Electronic music is less popular, however, as the bass has previously broken pieces of the walls. You'll find the park and theatre about 10 miles west of city centre.
Location: 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 720-865-2494
Map - 2
Larimer Square
Check out the oldest block in Denver
- Food
- History
- Nightlife
- Photo
Read moreWith its overhanging lights, Larimer Square is the first designated historic district in the city and has as much charm as it does shops and restaurants for you to visit. The nightlife is especially popular, with numerous lively bars open late amongst historic buildings with ageing brick that makes a perfect backdrop for photos.
When you visit the shops and chef-driven restaurants here, you'll find that they're mostly independently operated and offer unique experiences you won't find anywhere else. You can get to the square after just a short walk northwest of city centre.
Location: 1430 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202, USA
Open: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 9 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm
Phone: +1 720-805-1973
Map - 3
Union Station
Take pictures around the city's transport hub
- Food
- History
- Photo
- Shoppers
Union Station is a historic transport hub of the city, and it still offers trains and tours you can embark on along with a seasonal farmers market. The tours of the station itself will show you several historical spots, displayed art, and achievements of transport, all of which present great photo opportunities.
When you're at Union Station between mid-May and mid-October, you'll have the chance to visit the farmers market on Saturdays. Not only will the bustling marketplace make for a great photo opportunity, but you can find fresh produce directly from local growers. This station is just past the Central Business District northwest of city centre.
Map - 4
Colorado Convention Centre
Visit an impressive architectural achievement
- Photo
The Colorado Convention Centre is an impressive structure that features 6 halls within, a modernist exterior with lots of glass, and public art installations. Whether you go inside or just stay around the exterior, the sleek design of this convention centre can make for a great backdrop for pictures.
When you visit, make sure to take note of the public art installations around the convention centre. One of the most impressive is a 40-foot bear that's set up to appear as if they're looking in on the convention centre standing on their hind legs. You'll find it all in the Central Business District.
Location: 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA
Phone: +1 303-228-8000
Mapphoto by pelican (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 5
River North Art District
See where art is made
- Food
- History
- Nightlife
- Photo
The River North Art District is a trendy area that sports plenty of urban charm amongst its industrial revival looks, with plenty of bars, galleries, and shops amongst old warehouses. Just walking through the streets, you're likely to come across colourful murals that make excellent photo backdrops.
When you explore local bars, shops, and art galleries, you'll see sparks of individuality in each that are simultaneously different for each while all showcasing the spirit of Denver. If you can capture this for your Instagram, you'll have pictures that stand out. The area is located north of city centre by the crossroads of I-70 and I-25.
Map - 6
Pedestrian alley at Dairy Block
Stroll through a stunning alley
- Budget
- Families
- Photo
The pedestrian alley at Dairy Block is a unique functional art installation where you'll find numerous murals, an interactive lighted walkway, sculptures, and neon works. It runs the length of a single city block and features works done by 10 artists in total.
Walking through this alley will give you quite a few different photo opportunities. The 10 artists involved all had something unique to say, so you can actually add quite a variety of shots to your photo album all within a single city block. You'll find it in the Lodo area north of city centre.
Location: 1800 Wazee St, Denver, CO 80202, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 2 am
Phone: +1 303-309-4817
Map - 7
Denver Performing Arts Centre
See a theatre as impressive as its performances
- Nightlife
- Photo
The Denver Performing Arts Centre is a local theatre with impressive architecture implementing arching glass, colourful lights, and artistic sculptures. The actual decor can vary slightly depending on when you visit and what kind of performances are being held, but they're always something special.
To find something photogenic here, all you really have to do is point and shoot. You don't even need to actually buy a ticket, though you probably should. Keep in mind that you can't take pictures of the performances themselves. You'll find this arts complex on the west side of the Central Business District.
Location: 1101 13th St, Denver, CO 80204, USA
Phone: +1 303-893-4100
Mapphoto by Onetwo1 (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 8
International Church of Cannabis
Visit a particularly unique century-old church
- History
- Photo
The International Church of Cannabis is a church and religious organisation set within a 113-year-old converted Lutheran church with psychedelic murals. When you visit, you'll find quite a few interesting additions to this old church, like new murals that sport vibrant colours with psychedelic designs.
The church is open to the public at regular hours, so you can go inside and grab shots of the interior as well, which is bursting with colour in contrast to the mostly red brick you'll find outside. This church is located south of city centre in Washington Park West.
Location: 400 S Logan St, Denver, CO 80209, USA
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 4 pm to 8 pm, Friday and Sunday–Monday from noon to 8 pm, Saturday from 6 pm to 10 pm
Phone: +1 303-800-5644
Mapphoto by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 4.0) modified
- 9
Lula Rose General Store
Explore a quaint coffee shop
- Food
- Photo
- Shoppers
Lula Rose General Store is a coffee shop and local goods store that's remarkably inviting, with an aesthetic that offers charm and a laid-back atmosphere anyone can enjoy. The building itself is fairly small with large glass windows on most sides swimming the interior in natural light.
While pictures from the outside are often quite striking, you'll need to step inside to capture the atmosphere this friendly shop cultivates with its brick backdrop and wooden counter designs. You'll find it all on the north side of Congress Park east of city centre.
Location: 3434 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206, USA
Open: Daily from 7am to 2pm
Phone: +1 720-985-1846
Map - 10
“Love this City” mural
See an iconic mural
- Photo
The “Love this City” mural is one of the most photographed spots in the city, displaying a vibrant array of colours with the word Denver plastered in the centre. It uses a mixture of green, pink, purple, and brown for the background design while the lettering is done in orange and black.
When you're looking to grab a photo at this spot, you may want to time your visit appropriately. It's in a car park that can be quite busy at times with cars blocking it. Visiting early in the morning is typically your best bet. You can get there in western Curtis Park just north of city centre.
Location: 2314 N Broadway, Denver, CO 80205, USA
Open: 24/7
Mapphoto by Jules Antonio (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified