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Whether you’re from Colorado, a newcomer to the state, or just passing through, you’ll want to show off all the quintessential places and spaces that make Denver unique—and what better way to do that than through your Instagram feed?
Sure, Union Station and the big blue bear (aka “I See What You Mean”) at the Colorado Convention Center are two obvious backdrops, but if you want to showcase your knowledge of the Mile High City and all its eccentricities, head to these 18 lesser-known Instagrammable locales.
Belles & Boots
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From the same management company that oversees My Neighbor Felix and Viewhouse, Belles & Boots opened in April with rooftop views of Coors Field. You’ll find the usual western saloon activities like line dancing and a mechanical bull, but we recommend ordering the Belle’s Boot—a concoction of rum, orange juice, cranberry, and pineapple that’s served in a boot-shaped glass. The $25 you paid for the drink will sting less when you snap the perfect photo underneath the bar’s boot-shaped disco ball created by Denver artist Abstruse. 1930 Blake St., Denver (Union Station)
Fort Greene
Tucked within Globeville, this brick fortress may not look like much from the outside, but behind its bubblegum-pink front doors lies one of the city’s coziest hidden gems. Grab a Kinds of Kindness (gin, vermouth, and pineapple amaro, $16) or a mocktail like the Day Queen (ginger beer, peach bitters, lemon, $6) from the bespoke 19th-century bar up front, and lounge out on vintage velvet couches surrounded by flora and paper poppies dangling from the ceiling. Or, venture back further into the venue’s various mood-lit rooms, each teeming with antique oddities, floating cloud sculptures, disco balls, and artwork available for purchase. If you don’t want strangers in your shot, book the bar for a professional photoshoot ($175 an hour). 321 E. 45th Ave., Denver (Globeville)
Bo Nix Mural
It’s been a disappointing few years for the Denver Broncos, but we are so back, baby. Quarterback Bo Nix led the team to its first playoff game in a decade during his rookie year (prompting an apology letter from our skeptical deputy editor Spencer Campbell), and now his face looms on Federal Boulevard outside Empower Field at Mile High. Created by two local graffiti artists (find them on Instagram under @demekxx_ and @dirtycityurbanexplorer), this is just the spot to prove to your followers that you’re daring to Bo-lieve again. 1660 N. Federal Blvd., Denver (Sun Valley)
Pedestrian Alley at Dairy Block
The historic 100-plus-year-old site that was once home to the former Windsor Farm Dairy processing plant is better known today as downtown’s Dairy Block—a micro-district that houses a plethora of shops, a food hall, and a hotel—and boasts the perfect backdrop for your Instagram feed. Our favorite Insta-worthy spot is the alley behind Milk Market, which not only features superb lighting, but also boasts a variety of statement-making details (like these cute cafe lights made of empty milk bottles) to highlight on your feed. 1800 Wazee St., Denver (Union Station)
Casa Bonita
We get it. Casa Bonita isn’t exactly the most under-the-radar attraction in town, but the iconic Lakewood eatery will be one of the Mile High City’s most coveted photo-ops for years to come now that the iconic Mexican restaurant—which closed in 2020 and was later bought by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone in 2021—is finally reopen. A picture in front of the pink palace’s famous facade is enough to merit your IG grid a bonafide local badge; but don’t rule out Casa Bonita’s kitschy, tropical interior for snapshots that will truly stir some nostalgia. Capture memories set to the backdrop of the venue’s beloved waterfalls, “starry skies,” and Black Bart’s Cave. (Bonus points if you’re lucky enough to pose with the mystery person in a gorilla suit.) 6715 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood
Spritz Pool Bar
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If you thought downtown was lacking pools, just look up. Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel opens its rooftop oasis during summer months, where you can grab margaritas and burgers from the accompanying bar. But we’re drawn to this spot because of the high-rise buildings that surround the pool, making the backdrop look more like the Big Apple than the Mile High City. Day passes are available for $35 for adults only, and the pool is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. New York who? 1550 Court Place, Denver (Central Business District)
Millennium Bridge
Built in 2002, this imposing pedestrian bridge, which connects LoDo to the Riverfront Park area, has become a signature landmark. Architecture nerds: This crossing is the first post-tensioned cable-stayed bridge. That means that when the bridge was built, the concrete deck was hardened before the cables that hold it up were tightened—creating an impressive feat of engineering. In addition to resembling the mast of a massive ship, the bridge offers sweeping views of downtown, Commons Park, the Platte River, and LoHi from the top. 16th Street and Chestnut Place, Denver (Union Station)
Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf Denver’s four-story immersive experience, Convergence Station, is a labyrinth of otherworldly mixed-media art from more than 100 Colorado-based creatives, meaning there’s endless Instagram bait around every corner. Explore the mysterious melding of universes for one-of-a-kind photographs inside the kaleidoscopic crystal cathedral, the retro RTD bus, the trippy Library of Ossuary, and so much more. For more traditional art, head to Meow Wolf’s Galleri Gallery, where you’ll find works from rotating creators (like nostalgic, ’90s-inspired oil paintings from Beau Carnes, on view through October 15.) 1338 1st St., Denver (Auraria)
RiNo Street Art
Situated in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, the RiNo Art District is arguably one of the most vibrant areas of the city, full of history, culture, and some of the best restaurants and bars around. It’s only fitting then that the buildings on these downtown blocks are just as engaging, adorned with colorful murals painted by local artists. While many of the pieces are commissioned by businesses as well as the district’s artist programs and mural festivals, others are simply the work of graffiti artists who are putting their stamp (quite literally) on the Mile High City. The alley behind Denver Central Market is a good place to start (where you can also find “Talk Denver To Me,” by Adam Vicarel and Ashley Joon), but if you’re looking to learn more about the city’s street art scene, don’t miss the Denver Graffiti Tour. Throughout RiNo
Moonflower Coffee
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After opening as a coffee cart in 2023 and undergoing a year-long closure due to zoning issues, Moonflower Coffee reopened in February—this time for good. Find Asian-inspired drinks, like the Japanese hojicha milk tea or the Filipino ube latte, and relax amidst exposed brick and vintage books. Once you’re done with your day’s work or your latest book, make sure to snap a pic in front of the red velvet couches or beneath the lampshades that dangle from the ceiling like clouds. 4200 W. Colfax Ave., Denver (West Colfax)
“Wish You Were Here” at the Ramble Hotel
While the libations at Death and Co. are Instagrammable in their own right, the Ramble Hotel’s rooftop bar, the Garden, is arguably the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail on a warm summer evening—and score a new profile pic. Smile in front of the bar’s neon “Wish You Were Here” sign, and post it—we guarantee your followers will, in fact, wish they were there. 1280 25th St., Denver (Five Points)
Babe’s Tea Room
An afternoon tea or brunch session at this bright LoHi cafe presents the perfect opportunity for shameless selfies. Pose pinkies-up on the flower-adorned patio or inside the luxurious, jewel-toned interior, surrounded by your towering assortments of macarons, scones, and other sweet treats. Visit the new location in Golden, which opened last summer, for a photo in front of the mural reading “I got you babe” by Alexia Barreiro. 2401 15th St., Denver (Highland); 1027 Washington Ave., Golden
The Greenhouse at Denver Botanic Gardens
Any photo taken in the Denver Botanic Gardens is bound to be Instagram-worthy, but the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory is the place to be during golden hour—just before sunset—where the light shines through the glass windows and saturates the tropical plants (of which there are more than 3,000). 1007 York St., Denver (Cheesman Park)
Rare Bird
Perched atop the Halcyon hotel, Rare Bird trades downtown’s steel skyline for leafy views of Cherry Creek. The vibe is more garden party than concrete jungle, thanks to an abundance of flowers, shrubbery, and a cocktail list worth lingering over. Whether you fill the frame with flora or one of the bar’s neon signs (options include “Welcome, you odd bird” or “Birds birds birds”), you’re guaranteed to leave with something good enough for your grid. Does Fido have his own Instagram page? Visit on the last Wednesday of the month for a dog-friendly happy hour benefitting MaxFund. 245 Columbine St., Denver (Cherry Creek)
“Love This City” Mural
Whether you’re a new resident of the Mile High City or just passing through, posing in front of this now-iconic (and polychromatic) mural lets your followers know: It’s Denver or bust. Find it at the junction of Broadway, Arapahoe Street, and Park Avenue West—and then thank artists Remington Robinson, Pat McKinney, Pat Milbery, and Jason T. Graves for adding an extra splash of color to your feed. 2314 N. Broadway, Denver (Five Points)
Hudson Hill
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One of Denver’s many beloved cafe-bar hybrids, Hudson Hill should be on your radar for the atmosphere alone. Located in Capitol Hill, the upscale yet casual bar and coffeehouse serves house-blended java, extra flaky croissants, refreshing cocktails, and small plates underneath a canopy of hanging plants. Settle in to a spot at the bar, or get comfy on one of the midcentury-inspired sofas and enjoy your beverage (and the scenery). 619 E. 13th Ave., Denver (Capitol Hill)
Cheesman Park
Once a cemetery—and possibly still haunted—this 80-acre plot of land is an idyllic area to soak in the sunshine and add some green to your ’gram. Spanning from Downing Street to York Street, the park features rolling hills and a neoclassical-style pavilion. Bonus: You can legally consume full-strength beer and wine in all Denver parks, so bring a blanket, a book, and a picnic. 1599 E. 8th Ave., Denver (Cheesman Park)
Flora
This quaint coffeeshop-cocktail bar opened on the ground floor of a luxury apartment building late last year, and the vibe is just as opulent as the residences above it. Founded by Daniel Masters, owner of Hello Darling, Flora’s bohemian atmosphere is the perfect spot for a coffee catch-up or a WFH sesh. Sip on a banana oat matcha, a blackberry sage mocktail, or an espresso martini under the pampas grass hung from the ceiling or by the giant pink floral mural. 380 W. 12th Ave., Denver (Civic Center)
