For a day of Denver on a budget, build your downtown itinerary around Union Station, one paid attraction and the free 16th Street FreeRide. Union Station is about a 24-minute walk from Budget Inn Denver Downtown, a downtown Denver hotel; the station also connects downtown with Denver International Airport by train.
- Start at Denver Union Station, a downtown transit hub.
- Choose the Denver Art Museum or Downtown Aquarium as your main attraction.
- Use the no-fare 16th Street FreeRide to travel between Union Station and Wade Blank Civic Center Station.
- Leave time for a walk along 16th Street and its nearby downtown destinations.
Start near Union Station
Union Station makes a practical first stop because it combines downtown transit connections with an easy link to the airport. RTD’s A Line runs directly from Denver International Airport to the station, and the airport gives the train journey to downtown as 37 minutes.
Take a look around the station area, then use the 16th Street FreeRide to continue toward the center of downtown. The service runs between Union Station and Wade Blank Civic Center Station without a fare or ticket. For more on the station and its connections, see this guide to Denver Union Station’s trains and transit.
Choose a museum or aquarium stop
Choose one main indoor attraction for the middle of your day: the Denver Art Museum or Downtown Aquarium. The museum has clear general-admission prices and schedules, while the aquarium gives you another downtown option; check each attraction’s official site before planning around specific hours or tickets.
Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum’s general admission costs $22 or $25 for Colorado-resident adults and $27 or $30 for nonresident adults, depending on whether the day is peak or non-peak.
Admission is free for visitors 18 and younger and for members. General admission covers the Hamilton Building, Martin Building and The Kirkland, but not ticketed exhibitions. See the Denver Art Museum visit guide for more planning details.
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The museum is closed Wednesday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Its hours and prices can change, so check the official site before you go.
Downtown Aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium is another option for an indoor stop. Its ticket prices and opening hours aren’t included here, so confirm those directly before you set your schedule. A Downtown Aquarium guide covers planning a visit and getting there.
Plan lunch and a downtown walk
Use 16th Street to connect your stops on foot or aboard the free, accessible shuttle. Visit Denver describes the street as a mile-long, pedestrian-friendly route with shops, restaurants and attractions, giving you room to pause for lunch without adding a separate destination to your plan.
Several downtown spots sit a few short blocks from 16th Street: the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Larimer Square, Coors Field and LoDo. Pick a section that fits your route rather than trying to cover every stop in one pass.
Add an afternoon landmark
For an outdoor break after your main attraction, add Civic Center Park to the afternoon. The 16th Street FreeRide runs toward Wade Blank Civic Center Station, making the shuttle useful when you want to reduce the amount of walking between downtown stops.
If you would rather stay closer to the station area, Coors Field is another named downtown landmark. Both fit naturally into a day organized around Union Station and 16th Street, though this itinerary doesn’t include stadium access or event details.
Adjust the route for weather and events
Keep the day flexible by choosing an indoor attraction as your main stop and using the shuttle for the 16th Street stretch. The FreeRide runs seven days a week; buses operate from early morning to late night, with service every 4–12 minutes depending on the time of day. Schedules can change, so check RTD’s official site before you go.
Photography is allowed in the Denver Art Museum’s permanent galleries with flash off, but gallery signs or object labels identify any restrictions. Average school-sized backpacks measuring 17 by 13 inches and 6 to 8 inches deep are allowed; oversized bags are not permitted in gallery spaces, except for medical needs.
FAQs
Can you get from Denver International Airport to Union Station by train?
Yes. RTD’s A Line runs directly from the airport to Union Station. The airport lists the journey to downtown as 37 minutes.
Is the 16th Street FreeRide free?
Yes. The shuttle runs between Union Station and Wade Blank Civic Center Station, and you don’t need a fare or ticket.
Which days is the Denver Art Museum closed?
The museum is closed on Wednesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Its regular hours vary by day of the week.