The Top 10 Tourist Traps In Denver

If you're traveling to Denver and search for Denver tourist traps, you'll likely come across a bunch of "must see" and "must avoid" articles. It's fun to plan a trip to a city you've never been to and it can be hard to decide on which things are worth setting aside the time to see. While the term "tourist trap" often signifies that a traveler should avoid it at all costs, that's not necessarily true for everyone. Just because something is a tourist trap doesn't mean it's not worth it at all.

As a Denver local who has lived here since I was a few months old, let's go through some of the top mentioned destinations in Denver. Based on experience, local lore, and everything in between, let me help clarify a few things about Denver's top "tourist traps."

10. The Buckhorn Exchange

Tourist Trap? Yes

While most sites will tell you to not miss the experience and history of The Buckhorn Exchange, it's just one of those things that locals like to brag about. It's true that Buckhorn is Denver's oldest restaurant, opening in 1893, and it simultaneously boasts itself as a historical landmark and American frontier museum. In fact, five US presidents have dined at the Buckhorn including Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan.

But is it really worth setting time aside for? If you want Colorado history, a bunch of taxidermy, and wild game meats (elk, buffalo, fowl, rattlesnake, alligator), the Buckhorn would probably be really fun. You can't forget those legendary Rocky Mountain Oysters. But, if you're not looking to go wild on bull testicles and spend well over $100 a person, you can skip the Buckhorn.

9. Coors Brewery

Tourist trap? Yes and no

The Coors Brewery is one of those love-hate things, even for locals. While most online outlets will say the brewery is a waste of time because you only get small samples and you have to make reservations, one could argue that if you're not a fan of beer then why would you go? Personally, I have been on the Coors tour several times including last Summer. There is a decent gift shop, the site is interesting, and yes you do get samples. I'm not much of a beer drinker so I can always take or leave the Coors tour and if you're the same, you can also take or leave it.

Personally, if you're going to venture up to the town of Golden where the brewery is, there are tons of more fun and exciting things to do in the area other than the brewery tour. Don't miss out on the Woody's Wood-Fired Pizza buffet, the Colorado Railroad Museum, or even just venturing around the Colorado School of Mines campus. The Mines Museum of Earth Science is actually pretty cool and it's free.

8. Denver Mint

Tourist trap? Yes

Now... if you're into museums and American history type outings, you'd probably love the Denver Mint. If you reserve a spot up to 30-days in advance, you can learn the history of how the United States Mint produces coins, as well as tour the Denver facility. There's a gift shop that's open to the public and gives you the chance to look at limited-edition coins and souvenirs.

Sounds like a tourist dream, right? Well, that's because it is. I have been to the Denver Mint once in my lifetime and it's because one of my mom's friends was visiting from overseas. Also be advised if you're a museum hungry Denver tourist, you can only tour the Denver Mint from Monday-Thursday from 7:30am to 3:00pm. The Mint also doesn't provide parking and they don't allow rideshare pickup and drop-off around the facility.

7. Elitch Gardens

Tourist trap? Yes and no

The internet will tell you Elitch Gardens is a small theme park with limited rides and an expensive ticket price. Well, as a Denver native, the internet isn't 100% wrong about Elitch's. Denver's primary downtown amusement destination since 1995, Elitch Gardens started as a small farm, zoo, and amusement park in Northwest Denver in 1890. The park moved to its prime location right on the South Platte River in 1995 and quickly became a Six Flags park until 2006. As of 2026, the park is still operating as Elitch Gardens and includes the Island Kingdom Water Park.

The bottom line about Elitch's is if you're in Denver during the Summer and Fall and want to go to an amusement park in the heart of downtown, go ahead and spend the $73. If you like amusement parks you will have fun. As a local who endured middle school trips and sibling outings to the park, I'll just say I haven't been there in probably 25 years.

6. Downtown Aquarium

Tourist trap? No

Originally opening in 1999 as "Colorado's Ocean Journey," the aquarium has gone through a bit of rebranding over the years. Sitting right across from Elitch Gardens along the South Platte River, the aquarium hosts freshwater and saltwater marine life, along with tigers and a stingray petting zoo.

I'd wager that locals don't even like going to the Downtown Aquarium, so I don't see how it could be a tourist trap. Every time I have ever been to this place, it's never been crowded. It's definitely something to do if you want to drop $30. There's also an Aquarium Restaurant, a 4D theater, aquatic carousel, and a train.

5. Coors Field

Tourist trap? Yes

Listen, we all know the only reason people go to Coors Field is to see the other team or have a day at the ballpark. No one is actually going for the Colorado Rockies, including a lot of locals. Coors Field has very much become a tourist destination and a lot of people who visit Denver might as well buy a cheap ticket and spend the day at the ballpark. I love Coors Field and it's honestly always been a great ballpark. But the Rockies' ownership has turned the park into a tourist destination, capitalizing on the amazing views, the beautiful field, and the unique concessions. Let's not forget the opening of The Rooftop bar that offers standing room only tickets just to hang in the bar.

It doesn't matter that the Rockies continue to be one of the worst teams in baseball, people will buy tickets regardless of the team just to experience Coors Field.

4. Snooze, an AM Eatery

Tourist trap? Yes and no

If you're a breakfast and brunch lover, you've probably seen Snooze on your "must see" lists for Denver. With 14 locations across the state of Colorado, including Denver International Airport, Snooze can be a great place to go for a tasty omelet and mimosa. It is also a great place to be put on a 2 hour waitlist for a table.

I've been to Snooze more times than I can count, including when my friends from Illinois were visiting, but I will never intentionally pick Snooze if it's just a random day. The wait times are just too long no matter which location you go to and the food isn't anything that spectacular. There are several other local breakfast/brunch spots that are just as good with less people such as Denver Biscuit Company, Lucille's, The Original Pancake House, and The Lobby.

3. Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Tourist trap? Yes

I am a rare Colorado local in the sense that I am one of the few who dislikes Red Rocks. In all honesty, I have skipped concert tours that I really wanted to go to because I saw it was going to be at Red Rocks. Parking sucks, the food options are overpriced and limited, there's not enough bathrooms, the venue barely holds 9,500 people, and good luck if you go to a show during hail season. But on the plus side, you can hit up the free Red Rocks museum and get a free water or soda if you sign up to be a designated driver.

But my personal feelings aside, Red Rocks has become a concert destination that is on people's bucket lists. A lot of people love this place and its history, dating back to 1906. As my lifetime has done on, more and more people want to travel to see shows here and experience the town of Morrison. They love it so much that the town negotiated with the amphitheatre to enforce strict noise curfews and decibel limit, complete with hard cut-off times for shows. If you love concerts and have Red Rocks on your bucket list, have fun. Just be prepared to be with thousands of other people who don't know where they're going because they also traveled here just for that one show.

2. Casa Bonita

Tourist trap? 100% Yes

Anything you search about Denver travel will pop up Casa Bonita as a must-see destination. Especially after the creators of South Park purchased and revamped the place post-Covid, people are flocking to Casa Bonita for its improved food and decor and for every possible photo op. I mean come on, who doesn't want to go to a restaurant that has a waterfall inside?

Locals, including me, will happily tell you stories about the pre-Hollywood vibe - how terrible the food was, the musty smells, the haunted rooms, and the peeling paint. The truth is no one ever went to Casa Bonita for the food. Everyone went for the spectacle and because of how utterly ridiculous the entire concept was. I will agree that Casa Bonita is nothing but a tourist trap, but it's our tourist trap. I haven't been since before Covid so I don't know what Trey Parker and Matt Stone have done to it, but I've heard the food is actually good now. If you can swing a reservation, it's worth going just to experience it. After all, it was in a South Park episode.

1. 16th Street Mall

Tourist trap? 100% yes

I know it's all over any article about traveling to Denver and I know people love walking around downtown. Basically, this is Denver's equivalent to what Times Square is in New York City - a place every talks about and everyone feels like they have to see. Complete with a free "Mall Ride" shuttle, it is a prime place to do some shopping, buy Colorado-themed souvenirs, and be in the heart of the city. It's also a great place to come up close and personal with Denver's infamous homeless population, find needles on the ground, and see a bunch of empty storefronts.

I am a 16th street hater down to my core and I never look forward to when I have to venture to this area. The city is trying to revamp 16th Street after lengthy construction killed most of the mall, but we'll see how it goes. If you're coming to Denver and something you want to see happens to be at the mall, go for it. But don't waste the time to go just for the mall itself.