The Ultimate Denver Day Out Bus Tour  —
Red Rocks + City Tour + Little Man Ice Cream Included | 3–3.5 Hours

Experience Denver like a local on this fun and engaging day tour that brings the city's top sights, fascinating stories, and even a scoop of ice cream from the famous Little Man Ice Cream (included), together in one unforgettable adventure. Whether it's your first time in the Mile High City or you're looking for a fresh perspective, this tour is packed with iconic landmarks, stunning views, and a few hidden gems along the way.

​

Starting at the historic Union Station, you'll hop aboard a comfortable 14-passenger bus as your expert guide—part storyteller, part local insider—shares the history, legends, and quirks that make Denver unique. This is Denver's most complete half-day tour — combining Red Rocks, 19+ city landmarks, and Little Man Ice Cream in a single 3 to 3.5-hour guided experience. Your day out starts out at the breathtaking Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, where you can take in the views or explore on your own and ends with a visit to the vibrant RiNo Art District, home to some of the best street art in the country, with every stop in between designed to give you a real feel for the city. You'll pass by famous landmarks like Empower Field at Mile High, the Denver Central Market, the famous Dancer statues at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Coors Field, and more, all while hearing the stories of what makes each of these iconic Denver places special.

​

No Denver experience is complete without a taste of the local food scene, so we’ve built in a stop at the legendary Little Man Ice Cream, where you’ll enjoy a scoop of their handcrafted ice cream (included) served from a towering 28-foot milk can—a true Mile High icon. You'll also have the option to take a break at Denver Central Market, a lively food hall where you can grab a coffee, local, handmade chocolates, or a smoothie and soak in the neighborhood’s energy.

​

Your adventure wraps up back at Union Station, but if you're up for more exploring, you can choose to end your tour at Denver Central Market instead—perfect for those who want to dive deeper into the city’s street art, breweries, and local eats.

​

Join us for a day filled with great stories, must-see sights, and plenty of laughs. Book your spot today and discover Denver the fun way!

​

Why Travelers Call This the Best Half-Day Tour in Denver:

✅ Effortless Exploration: See 15+ major sights without the hassle of planning, navigating, or parking.

✅ Small Group Experience: Travel comfortably in a 14-passenger climate-controlled bus, ensuring a more intimate, personalized outing.

✅ Expert Local Guides: Engaging storytellers who bring Denver’s history, culture, and quirks to life.

✅  All-Inclusive Indulgence: Enjoy a handcrafted ice cream treat (included).

The Ultimate Denver Day Out Bus Tour Details:

Departure Time:

9:30 or 10:30 a.m.

​

May-October:

Daily

November-December & April:

Fri-Sat

​

Meeting Place:

Flag pole in front of Union Station (intersection of 17th & Wynkoop)

1. Start: The stunning Union Station

2. Visit the must-see Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre (30-minute stop: Choose your own adventure and explore at your leisure—climb the legendary amphitheater steps, visit the Music Museum, browse the gift shop, or capture breathtaking photos of the towering red rock formations and city skyline.)

3. Roll down the quintessential main street of Golden, Colorado after departing Red Rocks

4. Get a glimpse of one of the largest breweries in the US: The popular Coors brewery, famously brewed with Rocky Mountain spring water and with a picture of the Rocky Mountains on the can that turns blue when the beer is icy cold. 

5. Epic city skyline views from the Highlands: Take in Denver’s stunning panorama from this elevated vantage point. (optional photo stop)

6. The flagship REI store, housed in a historic tramway building & where adventure meets urban charm, at the historic confluence of the Platte River and Cherry Creek

7. Elitch Gardens amusement & water park

8. The striking Empower Field at Mile High: The Denver Broncos Stadium

9. Sweet Treat Stop at Little Man Ice Cream: Indulge in a scoop of their famous handcrafted ice cream, served from a 28-foot-tall milk can—a true Denver landmark. (Included in your tour!) 

10. Ball Arena's unique architecture: home to the Denver Nuggets & Colorado Avalanche

11. The Auraria campus: home to three Denver colleges

12. The Denver Performing Arts Complex's impressive Sculpture Park & amazing public art

13. Colorado Convention Center & the famous 40-foot Big Blue Bear (optional photo stop)

14. The bustling 16th Street pedestrian promenade

15. The vibrant RiNo Art District: Denver’s creative hub, filled with world-class street art, colorful murals, and an electric atmosphere.

16. The bustling Denver Central Market (optional stop: coffee, chocolate, smoothie, restroom)

17. Coors Field and a glimpse into Denver's beloved sports history

18. McGregor Square & the hidden history of the area that was once Denver's Chinatown

19. Denver Bus Tours End: back at Union Station

20. Optional: Guests may opt to depart the tour at the Denver Central Market. This is a great option if you'd like the opportunity to visit a few local breweries, explore street art more or grab a bite to eat. With this option you only miss out on the final two sights (Coors Field & the old Chinatown area)

*Route may vary from the above due to weather, road closures, construction, time of day, traffic, etc.

​

View the tour sites and itinerary on a map here.

Additional Bus Tour Info:

Meeting Place:

• The flagpole in front of Union Station. The flagpole is located on the west corner of 17th and Wynkoop

• Be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the tour departure time to ensure you don't miss the arrival and departure of the bus. Tours do start and depart on time.

• Union Station: 1701 Wynkoop St. Denver, CO 80202.

• Tours operate rain, snow, or shine and when events are happening at or around Union Station.​

• Your local tour guide/driver will be wearing a neon yellow Discover Denver Bus Tours shirt and will arrive approximately 5 minutes before your tour's scheduled departure time in your comfortable 14-passenger shuttle bus with a picture of the Denver skyline on the side.

​Ages:

• Ages 6+ are welcome!  Will your kid(s) like this Denver bus tour and exploring LoDo and other areas of Denver? That really depends on your kiddo(s)! Our Denver sightseeing tours are suitable and designed to be enjoyed by ages 6+. Your guide is trained and experienced to keep the experience and stories fun and engaging for everyone. Youth ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

• Regrettably, this tour cannot accommodate infants, toddlers and young children ages 5 & under due to state, safety and car seat regulations. Lap children and any other unticketed passengers are also not permitted under any circumstances.

​​​

Odds & Ends:​

• The shuttle bus is not wheelchair and stroller accessible and cannot accommodate car seats.

• Don't forget to bring water and dress in comfortable layers for Denver's ever-changing weather for the photo stops! 

• Also, see our FAQ page for a ton more info on our Denver bus tours.

• Touring with a local is a great activity to do on one of your first days in town!

• If you are not feeling well or have any cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay home and follow CDC guidelines and common sense and seek appropriate medical care.

• This tour has a four guest minimum in order to operate. guests will be contacted with alternate options for any tours with less than four guests booked.   

FAQs:​​

• Q: What is included in the Ultimate Denver Day Out tour?
  The Ultimate Denver Day Out includes 3 to 3.5 hours of guided sightseeing in a climate-controlled 14-passenger shuttle, led by a local guide. The tour covers 19+ downtown Denver landmarks, a stop at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, and a scoop of ice cream at Little Man Ice Cream — Denver's most iconic local creamery — all included in the ticket price. Along the way your guide shares the fun stories behind the history, architecture, and insider knowledge that bring Denver to life. Every guest receives round-trip transportation from Union Station, and your guide's local recommendations for the rest of your Denver trip. Gratuity, food and drinks beyond the included ice cream, and personal purchases at any stops are not included.

• Q: Does the Ultimate Denver Day Out go to Red Rocks?
  Yes — a stop at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is one of the highlights of the Ultimate Denver Day Out. The tour includes approximately 30 minutes at Red Rocks, giving guests time to take photos, take in the iconic views of the sandstone formations and Denver skyline, and experience one of Colorado's most visited landmarks. If you would like more time at Red Rocks — including time to visit the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, check out the trails, or explore the café and visitor center — the Red Rocks Express is a better fit, as it includes 45 to 50 minutes at Red Rocks specifically. Both tours depart from Union Station and include round-trip transportation with no car required.

• Q: Is Little Man Ice Cream included in the tour price?
  Yes — a scoop of ice cream at Little Man Ice Cream is included in the price of the Ultimate Denver Day Out for every guest. Little Man Ice Cream is one of Denver's most beloved local institutions, known for its giant silo-shaped building at 2620 16th Street in the Highlands neighbourhood and its long lines of loyal locals. Your guide will bring the group to Little Man mid-tour, where you can choose your flavor and enjoy your scoop before continuing the second half of the experience. Guests with dietary restrictions should note that Little Man offers dairy-free and vegan options. No additional purchase is required — the scoop is on us.

• Q: How long is the Ultimate Denver Day Out tour?
  The Ultimate Denver Day Out is 3 to 3.5 hours from departure to return at Union Station. This makes it the longest of Discover Denver's public bus tours and the most comprehensive single-day Denver experience we offer. Departure is in the morning from Union Station, with a stop at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre and a mid-tour stop at Little Man Ice Cream along the way. If you are short on time and looking for a quicker Denver overview, the Discover Denver Bus Tour covers the city highlights in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

• Q: What is the difference between the Ultimate Denver Day Out and the Discover Denver Bus Tour?
  The Discover Denver Bus Tour and the Ultimate Denver Day Out cover many downtown Denver landmarks, but they are meaningfully different experiences. The Discover Denver Bus Tour is 1 hour and 45 minutes, focuses entirely on downtown Denver, and is priced from $35-39 per person — making it the best choice for visitors who want a comprehensive city overview in a shorter amount of time. The Ultimate Denver Day Out is 3 to 3.5 hours, visits different sights in downtown Denver, adds a visit and stop in the RiNo Art District, adds a stop at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, includes a scoop of Little Man Ice Cream, and is priced at $69 per person — making it the best choice for guests who want to combine the city tour and Red Rocks in a single outing without booking two separate experiences. Both tours depart from Union Station, are led by a local guide, and accommodate a maximum of 14 guests per tour. If you are trying to decide between the two, a good rule of thumb is this: you can do both tours, as they are meant to compliment each other, wihtout duplicating what you see. If you only want to or have time to do one: choose the Discover Denver Bus Tour if you have limited time in Denver and want flexibility, and choose the Ultimate Denver Day Out if you want to see the city and Red Rocks in one seamless half-day experience. The Ultimate Denver Day Out Tour is consistently our highest-rated tour and the one guests most often describe as the best Denver day trip experience they had.

​

​

Tickets for bus tours are non-refundable and non-transferrable unless Early Bird tickets or Flex ticekt are purchased.