Though the DAM might lean heavily on its Rocky Mountain roots (it's perhaps best known for its holdings in Native and Western American art), rest assured its collections cover the spectrum. Seek out, for instance, Monet’s "Waterloo Bridge" and Sandy Skoglund’s startling large-scale installation "Fox Games" depicting a fantastical dining room.

With dozens of horticulturally distinct collections set indoors and out on 20-plus acres, the Denver Botanic Gardens proves an oasis in what is, after all, the high desert. Peruse thousands of plant species from across the globe, like cacti and rainforest orchids, and don't miss glass artist Dale Chihuly’s "Colorado" which graces the pond in the Ellipse Garden.

The Kirkland is a mesmerizing shrine to the decorative arts of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Peep iconic modernist furnishings (see: Irving Harper’s marshmallow sofa and Pierre Paulin’s ribbon chair) and exquisite Art Nouveau and Art Deco housewares. Located in the studio of its late namesake, Vance Kirkland, the collection is displayed salon-style—which means that you’re surrounded on all sides by irreplaceable objet d'art.

The ever-so-dramatic sweep of its rugged sandstone formations has made Red Rocks a beloved venue for concerts of all stripes since its inauguration in 1941. It also serves as one of the world’s most breathtaking gyms, where runners get super-sweaty attempting to tackle the seemingly endless staircases and hikers hit the trails through the surrounding 868-acre park.

Her famous unsinkability aside, Margaret Brown led a remarkable life for a woman of her time. Visitors to this Victorian manor (saved from demolition in 1970) will find the docents’ stories about the Titanic survivor’s years as an actress and a civil-rights activist no less compelling than the opulent period decor. The Molly Brown House offers self-guided tours as well as special events throughout the year.

This epicurean food hall became an instant landmark when it opened in 2013 with a dream team of vendors. It's hard to pick favorites, but that said, an order of scallop tartare with harissa and ginger yogurt at Acorn and a croissant churro with dulce de leche from Reunion Bread Co. are among the absolute musts.

Comical, creepy, racy, relentless (and whatever else they may be), the exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art are always provocative. With works displayed across five galleries, a shop, library and rooftop cafe, the space is as pretty as a picture (although we can't guarantee that all the pictures will be pretty).

This turn-of-the-century terminal is a destination for architecture buffs and foodies in addition to rail riders. Admire the majestic, barrel-vaulted Great Hall while sipping local craft beers in the Terminal Bar or cocktails on the mezzanine of the glamorous Cooper Lounge. Score a seat at Stoic & Genuine’s chef’s counter to indulge in seafood classics or treat yourself to a feast at Mercantile Dining & Provisions, where farmhouse substance meets cosmopolitan style.

This single-artist museum warrants exploration, not only to view almost the entire oeuvre of the radical abstract expressionist, but also to admire the masterful architecture. You won’t need much more than an hour to take in the tranquil surroundings as well as the large-scale canvases that defined Still’s contribution to modern art.

Adults aren’t just babysitters at this kid-friendly museum jam-packed with dinosaur skeletons, mummies and IMAX 3D flicks. Plenty of the exhibits and planetarium shows appeal with all-ages subject matter—think Dead Sea Scrolls, Russian folk carvings or black holes. If you’re making a day of it, skip the onsite café in favor of a lakeside picnic in nearby City Park.