Q: Are the Denver free/pay-what-you-wish walking tours really free?

Denver Walking Tours does not charge an up-front price for the free/pay-what-you-wish tours. We operate on a pay-what-you-wish gratuity model, meaning you decide what the experience was worth to you and tip your guide directly at the end of the tour.

Our pay-what-you-wish model exists because we believe experiencing Denver should be accessible to everyone, regardless of budget. Your guide hosts the tour for gratuities only, which means they go the extra mile to ensure you have a genuinely great experience. If you loved your tour, simply tip your guide what you feel their time, talent, and local expertise were worth. Please note that our third-party booking platform does charge a small $2 booking fee per guest at the time of reservation — this fee goes to our ticketing system, not to Denver Walking Tours or your guide. The tour itself has no set price and if you choose not to tip, that's okay too, we still hope you had a great experience.

Q: How long are each of the tours offered by Denver Walking Tours?

 

• All of our small group, public tours are about 2 hours in duration. This includes our free/pay-what-you-wish tours, our Twisted History tours, our Denver After Dark ghost tours, and our Denver Street Art & Graffiti tours. Each tour has a dedicated page on our website with more information on duration and walking distance

• Private tours vary, are up to each group booking a private tour and are 1-4 hours in duration.

• The free/pay-what-you-wish Denver Walking Tour runs 2 to 2.5 hours and covers 1.7 miles at an easy, flat walking pace with plenty of stops along the way. 

Q: Where do the Denver Walking Tours start?
 

• Free/pay-what-you-wish Denver Walking Tours depart from the front steps of the Colorado State Capitol, facing west toward the mountains and Lincoln Street. The Capitol address is 200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80203.

• Twisted History tours depart from the flagpole in front of Union Station. The flagpole is located at the intersection of 17th & Wynkoop Streets. The address of Union Station is 1701 Wynkoop St.

• Denver After Dark ghost tours depart from SE corner of W. 13th Ave. & N. Gilpin St. This location is on the north end of Cheesman Park.

• Denver Street Art & Graffiti tours depart from The Denver Central Market Parking Lot. The address is 2669 Larimer St.

• Private tours - various departure locations, including from the location of your choice, you hotel, meeting locaiton, etc.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your departure time so you can meet your guide, check in, and introduce yourself. Tours depart on time. Your guide will be wearing a neon yellow Denver Walking Tours shirt. 

Q: What neighborhoods do Denver Walking Tours cover?
 

• The Free/pay-what-you-wish Denver Walking Tours covers the heart of downtown Denver, moving from Capitol Hill through the Civic Center and into LoDo — Lower Downtown — finishing at Union Station.

• The Twisted History tours cover the top sights and landmarks in LoDo (Lower Downtown)

• Denver After Dark ghost tours are located in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood

• Denver Street Art & Graffiti tours are located in the RiNo (River North) Arts District, one of Denver's hottest, most colorful neighborhoods

• Private tours are located in various neighborhoods and can be customized for each group who books one.

Q: Do I need to book in advance for Denver Walking Tours?

Yes, reservations are required for all Denver Walking Tours, including the free/pay-what-you-wish 10 a.m. tour. We accomadate walk-up guests whenever possible, but we can't guarantee a spot if the tour is at capacity

Booking in advance through our website takes just a few minutes and comes with several benefits: it keeps group sizes smaller and more personal, allows us to schedule additional guides on busier days so you're not turned away, lets you sign the liability waiver digitally at checkout, and means your guide has your cell phone number to text you the morning of your tour to confirm everything. It also gives our team a way to reach you if the starting location needs to change due to an event, or if there is an emergency change to your departure time or guide. Please note that the walking tours also requires a minimum number of guests to operate. In the rare event a departure does not meet this minimum, guests will be contacted two hours ahead of the tour start time with alternate options.

Q: Are the Denver Walking Tours good for kids?

Yes! All ages are welcome on most all of our Denver Walking Tours, with two exceptions:

• The Twisted History Tour is ages 16+ due to adult content (please reach out prior ot booking or book a private tour if you have a guest less than 16 years old who wants to participate)

• The Denver After Dark Ghost Tour is recommended for ages 10+ due to its spookier, mature historical content but we trust you know your kids best and we have had kids younger than 10 on the tour.

The tour routes are all flat, stroller and wheelchair accessible, and guides are trained and experienced in working with youth of all ages.

Whether your kids will enjoy the tour really depends on their individual curiosity and attention span — the walking tours are 2 to 2.5 hours of standing, walking and storytelling, with stops at landmarks. Guides are skilled at keeping commentary engaging for mixed-age groups, and there is plenty of time for questions and photos at each stop.

Youth ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.