Best Places to Take Pictures in Denver

With 300 days of sunshine and a skyline framed by the spectacular Rocky Mountains, it's no wonder that Denver has attracted a wide array of talented photographers over the years. We've put together a list of some of our favorite Denver spots to get perfect shots.

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Downtown/Lower Downtown (LoDo)

16th Street Mall

THE VIEW: This mile-long pedestrian promenade is always buzzing with energy and activity. Designed by I.M. Pei, the 16th Street Mall is made of colored granite in the pattern of a diamondback rattlesnake. The Mall is lined with 28 outdoor cafes and more than 50,000 flowers are planted along the tree-lined path each year. Get a shot of the historic D&F Clocktower on 16th and Arapahoe, or the Denver Pavilions' 20-foot high sign that spells out "Denver" and is lit at night.

Denver Union Station

THE VIEW: Not quite as many trains pass through Denver Union Station as they once did in its heyday, but the beautiful 1914 building still attracts photographers with its Beaux Arts-style design, expansive interior and stone clock tower. Get some shots of the building's inspiring façade, surrounded by LoDo's skyscrapers and refurbished historic buildings.

Larimer Square

THE VIEW: Larimer Square is Denver’s urban shopping district where Victorian buildings house specialty boutiques and unique chef-driven restaurants with one-of-a-kind stores and distinctive fashion offerings. It's a great place for taking street photos because there's always something going on.

Confluence Park

THE VIEW: Denver was founded at this park, which marks the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. There is always a lot of activity here: two of the city's longest bike trails merge here and there are frequently kayakers shooting rapids on the South Platte with the skyline of Denver in the background. To get the city skyline in the background, Confluence is best photographed in the afternoon.

'I See What You Mean' (aka Blue Bear)

THE VIEW: Head down to the Colorado Convention Center for a photo beneath "I See What You Mean," aka "The Big Blue Bear." The sculpture, created by local artist Lawrence Argent, stands a whopping 40 feet tall, and appears to be curiously peering into the Convention Center lobby. Position your subject underneath the bear, stand back about 50 feet and point and click. Voila - a true "Only In Denver" photograph.

Meow Wolf Denver

THE VIEW: If you're looking for something otherworldly, you'll find it at Meow Wolf Denver's Convergence Station, the Santa Fe, New Mexico-based arts and entertainment company’s new permanent installation. The reptilian sculpture outside the building is only the beginning. Inside, you'll discover immersive, mind-bending art across the four alien worlds of C Street, Eemia, Ossuary and Numina. Just point the camera in any direction.

Larimer Square

Confluence Park

Blue Bear

Meow Wolf Denver

River North Art District (RiNo)

Street Art

THE VIEW: Denver street artists have been brightening the urban landscape for decades. And while you can find vivid murals all over the city, RiNo has been the epicenter of late. Some walls even change weekly. One of the most-photographed murals, "With Love From Denver," (2314 N Broadway #100) is part of a series that can be found around the city. Book a walking tour with Denver Graffiti Tour to learn the stories behind the neighborhood's murals, graffiti and street art.

Capitol Hill/Golden Triangle Creative District

Civic Center Park and Colorado State Capitol Building

THE VIEW: Civic Center Park is a pleasant oasis in the heart of the city with expansive green lawns and flower gardens with the magnificent gold-domed Colorado State Capitol Building in the distance. There are several "Old West" statues in the park by Alexander Phimister Proctor including a cowboy on a bucking bronco that make great settings of "old and new" west. The views from the park can include the Denver Art Museum, the City & County Building or Denver's modern skyline.

Denver Art Museum

THE VIEW: The eye-popping Daniel Libeskind-designed Hamilton Building at Denver Art Museum is a true icon for the city and an extremely popular spot for visitors and locals alike to get their pictures taken. Its bold, jagged look was inspired by the Rocky Mountains and geometric rock crystals found in the foothills near Denver. If you're behind the lens, you may have to get a low-angle shot to capture its grandeur in full.

Street art in River North Art District in Denver, Colorado

Street Art in RiNo

Capitol Building

Denver Art Museum

Uptown

City Park

THE VIEW: While you're in City Park, you'll be treated to unbeatable views of Denver's skyline, framed by the spectacular Rocky Mountain Front Range. You may not find a better panorama in all of Colorado. The best time for a family photo is just before dusk ("the magic hour," as the pros call it), as the sun begins its gorgeous descent behind the mountains.

Anschutz Family Sky Terrace

THE VIEW: The Anschutz Family Sky Terrace in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science offers unparalleled views of The Mile High City. See well above the trees in City Park with the downtown skyline and the capitol dome in the distance. On a clear day, you will see views from Mt. Evans to Longs Peak. The best time to go is a cloudless morning when the Museum opens for the day. Bonus: The museum has solar telescopes set up on the Terrace on select mornings.

Other Parks & Scenic Spots

Rooftop Patios

THE VIEW: Take a break, admire stunning views of the mountains and skyline, and have a drink on one of the many rooftop patios like 54thirty Rooftop at the top of the Le Méridien Denver Downtown hotel or check out the pool deck at the Halcyon hotel in Cherry Creek. Dine at top restaurants like Linger and El Five in Lower Highland (LoHi), which also offer million-dollar views. And for a more laid-back experience, try Avanti F & B, an innovative food hall in LoHi, or The Woods, a full-service restaurant and beer garden, in RiNo.

Denver Botanic Gardens

THE VIEW: Denver Botanic Gardens is a 23-acre oasis in the middle of the city that has 45 different gardens (some 33,000 plants), as well as one of the nation's top 10 conservatories. Everywhere you point your camera will capture nature at its most glorious.

Washington Park

THE VIEW: Denver's favorite park is extremely photogenic, with two lakes, two formal flower gardens, bike and pedal boat rentals and thousands of joggers and bicyclists. Washington Park is a great place to capture the spirit of this city that loves the outdoors and recreation.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

THE VIEW: Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is a 9,000-seat amphitheater that is carved out of 300-foot high red sandstone monoliths. Besides the amphitheater, there are acres and acres of huge red rocks in dramatic formations. Everyone from the Beatles to Bruce Springsteen has played "the Rocks." Get some shots of the venue and stage, but also get some panoramic pics of Denver and the plains from the top of the Amphitheatre.

Dynamic Variation: