Have fun. Save money. Denver free days and free things to do in Colorado.

Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, Aurora (always free)

The beautiful Morrison Nature Center is a free park in Aurora, Colorado that is definitely worth checking out when you are in the area.

Buffalo Bill's Birthday (February)

Golden, Colorado celebrates Buffalo Bills birthday in grand style every year at Rock Rest Lodge. This free festival features re-enactments of the wild west days as well as great music, food, and western authors.

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs (always free)

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is probably the most beautiful small park in the state. Paved trails make it easy to wander around and check out the amazing cliffs and spires. Picnic areas, paved and unpaved hiking trails, horseback riding, a trading post, and a visitor's center with amazing views; Garden of the Gods is a great place to spend a day.

A Taste of Colorado (Labor Day Weekend)

A Taste of Colorado is Colorado's largest Labor Day Weekend festival. This festival highlights diverse cuisine from Colorado restaurants, offering bite size tastes to full meals.

Old Globeville Days and the Orthodox Food Festival (annually in July)

The Old Globeville Days Orthodox Food Festival celebrates Denver's international immigrant heritage with a diverse selection of free entertainment and international food. The music features outstanding performers of diverse folk heritage including an amazing Celtic performance. The incredible food selection is sample sized and you purchase tickets to try the samples. One of the best things to do in Denver on a warm mid-July weekend.

Mountain Fest

Mountain Fest. It’s as fun as it sounds.

Enjoy an afternoon of mountain-centric activities and discover all the exciting benefits of Colorado Mountain Club membership from noon to 4pm Saturday, March 25. This FREE event will be held at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street in Golden, Colorado. The festivities will kick off at noon featuring your 1st drink free from Upslope Brewing Company and Stem Ciders. Mountain Fest is the perfect way to get motivated and learn new skills and for spring and summer mountain adventures. This year’s event will feature, outdoor skills clinics, tours and a Beacon clinic in the American Mountaineering Museum, gear demos, open climbing , and CMC membership deals.

The highlight of the afternoon will be an expo featuring the CMC’s schools and courses: Wilderness Trekking School (WTS), Basic Mountaineering School (BMS), Fly Fishing School, Advanced Crevasse Rescue, Alpine Scrambling School, Intro to Hiking Safety, and Backpacking School. Volunteers will be on hand to give personal accounts about participating in CMC’s educational activities. Expo booths will also showcase CMC’s programs and initiatives: CMC’s Adventure Travel Program, Conservation, Youth Education Program (YEP), CMC Press, Denver Trails and how to get started Volunteering in the CMC. The membership booth will feature membership deals.

Free presentations and clinics will include: How to Properly Fit and Purchase Footwear by Adidas- Mountain Fest lead sponsor; Compass demo and clinic presented by Brunton- Mountain Fest sponsor; Climbing the 14ers; Rock Self Rescue; Avalanche Education; Wilderness First Aid; Ten Outdoor Essentials and Mountain Safety; Know Before You Go Avalanche Education; and a Highlight of the CMC’s Adventure Travel Trips from all over the world!

For a full schedule, please visit the CMC website at www.cmc.org/mountainfest

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the CMC for yourself or introduce friends and family to all the adventure the Club has to offer.

Copper Country Music Festival (Labor Day Weekend)

Each year over Labor Day Weekend, Copper Mountain Ski Resort hosts the free Copper Country festival, with two full days of country, blues, and folk music from top name performers.

Irish Snug Denver Happy Hour (Capitol Hill)

Happy hour at the Irish Snug just south of Denver offers cheap, quality food and more than affordable drinks. Their happy hour menu is offered every day from 3-7 and 10-12. A diner will encounter traditional Irish fare, such as corned beef sliders and sangers. If you don’t like Irish food, don’t worry. The Irish Snug also offers burgers, tex mex and sophisticated American bar food.

Hammonds Candy Tour (always free)

Hammond's Candies in Denver has been producing high quality hard candy and chocolates since 1920. The Hammonds Candy Tour shows you the process of creating and packaging Hammonds candy. After you enter the tour center and receive your tour sticker, free Hammonds candy samples are provided and you can take a hat if you like as well. You can browse the OOPS! room where Hammonds candy mistakes can be purchased for low prices. 

The tour begins by watching a short movie describing the Hammond's Candies company, it's history, and the candy making process. You then enter the production viewing area where you watch the workers create candy from start to finish. You then move to the packaging area and finish with another free sample to take home before you enter the store and gift shop.

Hammonds Candy Tour Hours:

Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday: 10am - 3pm
Closed Sunday. 

Where:

5735 N. Washington Street, Denver, Colorado.
58th Street between Washington Street and I-25.
 

For more information visit the
Hammonds candy tour site: 

Smithsonian Free Museum Day

Every year some of the best museums in the USA take part in the Smithsonian Museum Day. 

Denver Museum of Nature and Science (free days)

One of the top things to do in Denver with older kids, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a hands-on educational museum that kids love!

Zengo (Downtown Denver)

The first thing that hits you when you enter Zengo near the 16th Street mall in downtown Denver is the atmosphere. The low lighting, the expansive bar and the couches in the lounge all say one thing- "I am hip and young in Denver." 

Santa Fe Art Walk (first Friday monthly)

Denver's Art District on Santa Fe Drive features one of the more diverse collections of galleries in the United States, all situated within a short walking distance.

Celestial Seasonings Tour in Boulder (always free)

The free Celestial Seasonings tour is a fun way to learn about tea and tea making, while sampling the most popular Celestial Seasonings flavors!  A stop at the Celestial Seasonings tour is a favorite vacation destination if you're traveling to Colorado.