If you feel like you spend at least $50 every time you leave the house, the Dive team put together a list of our top ten favorite (mostly) free activities in Denver:
1. Take advantage of free days at Denver institutions
The Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo, Colorado National Parks, and many of Denver’s art museums all offer free days throughout the year. If you play your cards right (and plan a little in advance), you could go to around 50 free events in Denver in 2026.
2. Go to Baby Goat Night at New Terrain
Four times a year, Guided Goat Hikes brings baby goats (and adult Nigerian Dwarf goats) to New Terrain brewery, where patrons can pet, feed and generally just vibe with real, live goats for free.
3. Drive around and sing
Driving around aimlessly is a lost art, and it’s just as much fun now as it was in high school.
Ride though Golden and remind yourself that you live in a postcard. Drive all the way down Colfax and practice your karaoke song as loud as you can. Roll down the windows and tell the construction workers they’re doing a good job and being very brave.
4. Walk around and look at art
Whether it’s the Art Walk on Santa Fe, mural-spotting throughout the city or theorizing which quirky architecture you can free solo without having to call the fire department (we’re looking at you, Populus Hotel), there’s personality everywhere for those with eyes to see.
5. Dissociate at the thrift store*
Smoke a little when you get there if that’s your thing. Flip through the racks until you feel safe to go home. Bring home whatever treasures or free fashion inspo you find.
*This one may or may not be free, depending on how much willpower you have.
6. Play at an open jam
No matter if you’re a kava-loving deadhead or you play a mean blues guitar, Denver has an open jam for you. Bring your instrument (or just a positive spirit and an open mind), and groove to your heart’s content.
7. Protest at the Capitol
Freedom may not be free, but raising awareness with a strong message written on the biggest piece of paper you own certainly is.
8. Volunteer literally anywhere
Prove all those “everyone wants a village, but no one wants to be a villager” naysayers wrong. Pick a cause you care about (like The Rescue Mission, the Denver Animal Shelter or Keep Denver Beautiful, to name just a few) and see if they offer any volunteer opportunities. Give however many hours you can, and feel more connected to your community as a result.
9. Go to the library
If you already have a government- or school-issued ID that proves you live here, you can get a library card at any Denver Public Library location for free. Then, you can 3D print whatever your freaky little heart desires (without scandalizing the makerspace librarians of course).
10. Walk the entire Platte River
The paved South Platte River Trail stretches for about 45 miles. If you’re feeling ambitious, time yourself walking 90 miles round trip and DM us with how long it took you. If you’re a scaredy cat chicken, just do one of the popular segments and give really vague answers when anyone asks you for details.
