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FREE DENVER TOURS
Dear DWT guests, friends, and family,
As of May 1, 2021, we've able to offer our free local tours again, so come on out and tour with a local!
Due to local and state COVID-19 protocols for tour operators, our team does need to implement a reservation system for the current tour season. This is to help with:
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Ensuring group sizes are smaller and within recommended maximums (our pre-COVID, walk-up, no reservation free tours often had 50+ guests)
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Scheduling extra guides on busier days to ensure guests aren't turned away whenever possible due to the tours filling up since they will be smaller groups
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Allowing guests to e-sign the waiver vs. taking additional time to have lots of people touching the pen & paper waiver onsite.
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To ensure we reach the four guest minimum for tours. Tours with fewer than four guests will be cancelled and guests will be contacted with alternative options.
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Communication: registered guests are sent helpful information and the cell phone number of their guide for a great tour day and our team has a way to reach guests if the starting location needs to change/shift slightly due to an event at or around the Capitol or the tour guide has an emergency and there is a change to the tour's departure time or a guide change.
While our 10 a.m. Denver downtown tours are free and operate under a pay-what-you-like tipping model, our third-party ticketing and booking system does have a $2.00 booking fee per guest. Thank you so much for your support and understanding on this.
Cheers and we hope to see you soon!
Jill, Matt and the entire DWT team
Tour Details:
Departure Time:
10:00 a.m.
Duration:
2-2.5 hours
Nov. 1-Apr. 30: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
May 1-Oct. 31: 7 days/week
No tours: Thanksgiving Day, or Dec. 25.
Difficulty:
Easy; flat
1.7 miles; plenty of stops
Meeting Place:
Front steps of the Colorado State Capitol
Free Walking Tour Overview:
Set out on our famous free walking tour, winding through the heart of downtown Denver as we visit Denver's top sights and landmarks and discover the stories and history behind them. Along the way, enjoy plenty of time to chat with your guide, ask questions, take pictures, and learn more about the Mile High City, past and present! Begin your historic Denver walking tour at the State Capitol building, and then we'll hit the pavement, strolling down the streets of the city center. Denver has some great highlights to scope out during your outing, including Larimer Square—the city’s oldest block—where you can admire the historic architecture of landmark 19th-century buildings.
We'll pass by world-class museums like the Denver Art Museum, an ultramodern complex known for its indigenous works collection. Hear about well-known Denver residents from centuries past, including founding father General William H. Larimer. Denver is known as a jumping-off point for skiing in the nearby Rocky Mountains, so take in the city’s beautiful natural setting as you gaze out at the snow-capped peaks.
Continuing on through Denver’s definitively walkable downtown, exploring LoDo and checking out the window displays of locally owned shops along the pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall. Stand outside the Denver Mint, which produces 10 billion coins annually, and hear about the plethora of entertainment options in town, from a river offering whitewater rafting to the country’s only downtown amusement park. Your tour with a local guide wraps up at one of Denver's most famous spots: Union Station. There's a bunch of restaurants, bars and shops that you can enjoy after you're done exploring LoDo and our beautiful Mile High City on foot.
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Additional Tour Info:
Meeting Place:
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The front steps of the Colorado State Capitol face west, towards the mountains and towards Lincoln St.
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Be sure to arrive by 9:50 a.m., at least 10 minutes prior to the tour departure time to meet your guide, check-in and sign the Waiver. Tours do start and depart on time.
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State Capitol: 200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO, 80203. You can use this address to guide you to the Capitol, but your GPS will likely take you to the north side of the building, NOT to the front steps and front of the building, so be mindful of that when you arrive.
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Tours still operate rain, snow, or shine and when events are happening at the Capitol or in Civic Center Park, and there are events almost every weekend in our warmer months.
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Please check our Facebook page the morning of your tour in cases of extreme weather for cancellation announcements or to see if there are any events going on that may require the starting location to shift slightly.
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Your local tour guide will be wearing a neon yellow Denver Walking Tours shirt. They may also be carrying a small green Denver Free Walking Tours sign, especially in less than ideal weather.
Pricing:
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Denver Walking Tours does not charge an up-front price for our free walking tours - we operate on a "pay-what-you-wish" gratuity model. Why? We aim to make experiencing Denver accessible to all guests, regardless of budget, and we think that you should decide how much your Denver tour experience was worth to you and what your host's time, talent and expertise were worth to you when your tour is finished and that any amount you choose to give should go directly to your guide.
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With your local tour guide (Jill, Alyce, Jordan, Annie, Lydia, Misha, Ana, or Janine depending on the day you join us) working for gratuities only, you know we are going to go the extra mile to make sure that you have a GREAT Denver walking tour, enjoy your experience, learn something new, answer any questions you have, and give great local recommendations. If you enjoyed your tour experience, just tip your amazing guide what you feel their time was worth to you!
Ages:
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All ages are welcome! Will your kid(s) like the downtown Denver 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 all ages. Your guide is trained and experienced in working with youth. Youth ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Odds & Ends:
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Wheelchair and stroller accessible.
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Reservations are required. Reserve your spot here.
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Parties of 7+ guests must book a private, pre-paid Denver tour, as our 10 a.m. tours are designed for individual visitors or small groups of six or less visitors to ensure a safe and engaging tour experience.
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There is the Free 16th St. Mall shuttle that can take you back to the start of the historic Denver tour, if needed. It runs every few minutes.
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Don't forget to bring water, wear very comfortable walking shoes, and dress in layers for Denver's ever-changing weather!
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Also, see our FAQ page for a ton more info on our free walking tours.
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Touring with a local is a great activity to do on one of your first days in town! Please note that due to the Denver walking tour duration and building regulations, we're only able to go inside Union Station.
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If you are not feeling well or have any cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay home and follow government guidelines for self-isolation and medical care.
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Please bring a mask with you and wear it if required in line with the most up-to-date COVID guidelines, which can be found here.
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This walking tour has a four guest minimum in order to operate. Tours with less than four guests will booked will be cancelled and guests will be contacted with alternate options.
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The temperature must be above 20 degrees in order for this walking tour to operate.
Tour Itinerary:
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10 am. Start: The Colorado State Capitol
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Denver Public Library
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Denver Art Museum
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Civic Center Park
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City and County Building
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Approximately 11 am. U.S. Mint
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Denver Convention Center
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Denver Performing Arts Complex (and restroom break)
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Larimer Square
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16th Street Mall
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12 - 12:30 pm. Free Denver Tours End: Union Station
Tickets for the free/pay-what-you-wish tours are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
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Ruben B. "Our tour guide was Sherry Moon and she was an absolute pleasure! Very knowledgeable and truly loves the city's history. Recommended to all our friends and anyone going as their first event to get familiar with the city and it's little secrets including the free buses for mall street which came in VERY handy! Thank you guys!" Read full testimonial.
Denver Tours
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