19 Unique Indoor Activities In Denver To Try Next Time It Rains

Denver is one of the sunniest cities in the nation but rain still comes for a visit sometimes. Fortunately, Colorado’s capital is chock-full of things to do; indoor activities in Denver include paintball arenas, Michelin-star restaurants, bowling alley bars, and more! You can even create your own party venue with a Denver event space rental through Peerspace, the nation’s leading online venue rental marketplace. Let’s see what’s exciting to explore in Denver on a rainy day!

1. Take a tour of the Denver Mint

Come see where billions of US coins are made each year at the Denver Mint! As one of only two US Mints offering free tours, the Denver Mint invites you to explore the region’s history as a gold capital for the early United States. Even after the gold rush ended the Denver Mint remained important and is now the world’s largest coin-producing facility. Coin collectors will also love the gift shop, where you can find one-of-a-kind memorabilia to add to your collection! 

2. Host a movie night at a private screening room

Cozy Screening Room and Event Space in the Heart of Denver
Source: Peerspace

Movie nights are a great way to have fun with friends when the weather isn’t cooperating. If you have a large guest list a small living room won’t cut it. Make it a movie night to remember with a party venue rental, like this private screening room in Denver. Peerspace is one of the nation’s leading online marketplaces for special event space rentals, offering more amenities and flexible booking arrangements than Airbnb and other competitors! 

3. Check out Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf is an immersive art exhibition that explores the theme of quantum travel and all of the strangeness that implies. The 90,000 sq. ft. space is the collaboration of more than 30 artists and meant to inspire creativity in guests. After you’ve finished exploring the 70 art installations, grab a bite to eat at HELLOFOOD Cafe!

4. Play paintball or laser tag at the American Paintball Coliseum

Paintball isn’t off the table when it starts to rain in Denver. Not when the American Paintball Coliseum is open for business! Colorado’s largest indoor paintball, airsoft, and laser tag arena has 22,000 square feet of space. You’ll also find gear rentals, snack bars, party packages, and more to explore!

5. Break free of an escape room

Escape rooms are a great way to spend an hour or two hunting for clues and following a story to find your way out of a themed space. Most escape rooms have multiple rooms and stories for you to choose from, depending on your skill level, time commitment, and interests. Escapology is our top pick for Denver escape rooms as it’s the only one with a full bar and restaurant attached to it! Once you’ve found your way out enjoy themed cocktails and a selection of lunch and dinner menu items at the restaurant.

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6. Eat and play table tennis at Ace Eat Serve

Looking to beat the rain with food and sports? Ace Eat Serve offers a unique dining experience in Denver where you can enjoy dishes from across Asia, Happy Hour small plates, and drinks in one of three beautiful spaces. The restaurant also has ping pong tables you can reserve for one or more games. 

7. Find a new favorite restaurant

For a city its size, Denver is a fantastic food city, which will surprise a lot of locals! From Pan-Asian to Ethiopian, the restaurant scene here is far more than Mexican and American cuisine. Did you know that Denver has multiple Michelin-star restaurants to explore? Check out The Wolf’s Tailor, an American restaurant with artistic presentations focused on sustainability through a seasonal menu selection!

8. Visit the History Colorado Center

The History Colorado Center offers a diverse take on the state’s past, covering Indigenous history, natural history, and the modern era. After gaining a new appreciation for the Centennial State, head to Café Rendezvous for delightful brunch options. Like many of the major museums in the area, the History Colorado Center also has free days several times per year!

9. View art at the Colorado Photographic Arts Center

Lovers of the photographic arts should check out the Colorado Photographic Arts Center, located in the heart of Capitol Hill. They provide educational opportunities for photographers and host exhibitions, offer darkroom access, and bring in educators for workshops year-round! 

10. Visit the Downtown Aquarium

The Downtown Aquarium is one of the most popular indoor activities in Denver and for many good reasons! Colorado is not known for its beaches so getting the chance to explore marine life inland is guaranteed fun. The Downtown Aquarium has nine different exhibits, with a 400,000-gallon Sunken Shipwreck exhibit. You can even dive with the sharks and sawfish if you’re SCUBA-certified and feeling bold! 

11. Find a smash room to release stress

Smash rooms and rage rooms are some of the best stress-release activities around. They offer a safe place to cut loose and break things. You can smash individually or as a group and you can choose from a range of wrecking tools. Each smash package includes a mixture of items, including glassware and electronics. The Professional and Premium SMASH packages even include furniture!

12. Get tickets to Casa Bonita

Casa Bonita of South Park fame is a local favorite and well worth planning for, especially in the spring and summer, when rains ramp up. With cliff divers, a puppet theater, Mexican food, and some of the best sopapillas around, it’s so in demand you’ll need to book your tickets in advance. 

13. Tour the Colorado State Capitol

Denver’s Colorado State Capitol building is one of the centers of administration for the city. It’s also open to self-guided and guided tours for anyone interested in learning about the offices and structure. If you want to visit the Dome Observation area, you’ll have to sign up for the guided tour, however. 

14. Plan a costume party

Upscale Coffee Shop with an industrial Vibe
Source: Peerspace

Costume parties aren’t just for Halloween; you can throw one as a themed birthday event or a general gathering with friends. Give it a theme like 80s night or superhero birthday bash! All that you need is a venue with the right amenities and enough space for your guest list. Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with the limitations of an Airbnb when Peerspace has hundreds of dedicated party spaces. You could rent an entire coffee shop on Colfax for an evening, complete with a sound system and a barista to serve drinks!

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15. Go bowling at Lucky Strike Denver

With 12 bowling lines and an easy online reservation system, it’s no surprise that Lucky Strike is one of the top indoor activities in Denver on a rainy day. Each lane is lit with regular and black lights, with plush lounge seating while you wait your turn to bowl. Once you’ve had your fill of bowling, check out the deluxe arcade with its mixture of classic and modern games!

16. Go indoor rock climbing

Outdoor rock climbing is immensely popular in Colorado thanks to the nearby Rockies and amazing weather. When the rains do come climbers turn indoors to places like The Denver Bouldering Club, which has multiple locations throughout the metro area. Members enjoy perks like classes, all-hours entry, free guest passes, and more. That said, almost all indoor climbing gyms in Denver also allow day passes for guests to enjoy climbing on a rainy day.

17. Learn at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

City Park is home to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, one of the state’s largest museums. From paleontology to outer space, each visit offers a unique take on scientific topics through educational exhibits, films, and more. If you plan in advance, the Museum offers free tickets to the public a few times per year!

18. Catch a show at Buntport Theater

If you’re a fan of comedies, storytelling, and musical performances, check out Buntport Theater near the Santa Fe Arts District! They have shows happening year-round and many are pay-what-you-can, with drinks available on-site. Have a laugh and support a local theater for a rainy evening indoors!

19. Play indoor mini-golf at Holey Moley

Golf aficionados often get beat by changes in the weather but there are other indoor activities in Denver to explore for sports fans! Holey Moley is Denver’s first indoor miniature golf course. Located on 18th st in downtown, you’ll find 27 holes to play, with meals and drinks on hand for a delightful day putting. Holey Moley also has a 15-person karaoke room with a machine filled with hit songs!

Indoor activities in Denver: conclusion

stylish rooftop venue
Source: Peerspace

The Mile-High City has a long list of things to do when the rain clouds roll in. From Casa Bonita to free tours at the Denver Mint, you’ll never be bored waiting for the sun to come back. Along with the activity venues suggested here, consider searching for a space to make your own through Peerspace. We make it easy to have a fun time indoors with any of our amenity-rich Denver party halls!

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