Frequently Asked Questions About the Denver Free Walking Tour:

Meeting Point & Directions:

• The front steps of the Colorado State Capitol face west, towards the mountains and towards Lincoln St.

• 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 introduce yourself. Tours do start and depart on time.

• State Capitol address: 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 to navigate to the front steps when you arrive.

• 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. ​

• Your local tour guide will be wearing a neon yellow Denver Walking Tours shirt and in less than ideal weather they may also be carrying a small green Denver Walking Tours sign. 

Pricing & Pay-What-You-Wish Model:​

• Denver Walking Tours does not charge an up-front price for our pay-what-you-wish 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 guide's time, talent and expertise were worth to you when your tour is finished and that what you choose to give should go directly to your guide.

• With your local tour guide hosting your tour 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!

• While our Denver downtown tours departing at 10 a.m. (May-Oct) and 11 a.m. (Nov,-Apr.) 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, as this goes to TicketingHub, not Denver Walking Tours or your guide. 

  • Reservations through TicketingHub ensure group sizes are smaller (our pre-pandemic, walk-up, no reservation free tours often had 50+ guests), allows our crew to schedule extra guides on busier days to ensure you aren't turned away whenever possible due to the tours filling up, allowsyou to e-sign the waiver upon website checkout vs. taking time at the start of the tour, allows us to send helpful tour information and your guide will text you the morning of your tour to ensure you have everything you need for a great tour day and our team has a way to reach you if the starting location needs to change due to an event at the Capitol or your guide has an emergency and there's a change to the departure time or a guide change.

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Can I bring kids on the Free Denver Walking Tour?

• Age Requirements: All ages are welcome on the Free Denver Walking Tour!  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 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

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Odds & Ends:​​

• Reservations are required. Reserve your spot here. 

• 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. 

• There is the Free 16th St. shuttle that can take you back to the start of the historic Denver tour, if needed.  It runs every few minutes.  

• Don't forget to bring water, wear very comfortable walking shoes, and dress in layers for Denver's ever-changing weather! 

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

• 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.

• 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.

• This walking tour has a four guest minimum in order to operate. Although it's rare, tours with less than four guests will booked will be cancelled and guests will be contacted by 8:30 a.m. the morning of the tour with alternate options.

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Other Free Denver Walking Tour FAQs:

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Q: What time does the free Denver tour start?

• From May 1 through October 31, the Free Denver Walking Tour starts at 10:00 a.m. From November 1 through April 30, the tour starts at 11:00 a.m. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure because the tour leaves on time.

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Q: Where does the Free Denver Walking Tour start and end?

• The Free Denver Walking Tour starts at the front steps of the Colorado State Capitol, at 200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80203. The tour ends at Denver Union Station in LoDo.

• The Capitol's front steps face west toward the mountains and Lincoln Street, so be sure to go to the front steps rather than the north side of the building.

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Q: How long is the Free Denver Walking Tour?

• The Free Denver Walking Tour lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. The route covers about 1.7 miles and includes frequent stops to hear stories, take photos, ask questions and explore Denver's landmarks.

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Q: How far do you walk on the Free Denver Walking Tour?

• The Free Denver Walking Tour covers approximately 1.7 miles. The route is easy and mostly flat, with plenty of stops along the way. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

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Q: Do I need to book in advance for the Free Denver Walking Tour?

• Yes. Reservations are required for the Free Denver Walking Tour. Reservations must be made at least one hour before the scheduled tour start time. We recommend booking as early as possible because tours can fill up and, alternatively, in the rare instance when there is a day when less than 4 guests signed up in advance, we need to cancel the tour. Reservations also allow us to manage group sizes, send tour information and provide a way for your guide to contact you on the morning of the tour.

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Q: What sights do you see on the Free Denver Walking Tour?

• The tour includes 11 major Denver sights, including the Colorado State Capitol, Civic Center Park, Denver Public Library, Denver Art Museum, City and County Building, U.S. Mint, Denver Convention Center and Big Blue Bear, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Larimer Square, 16th Street Mall and Union Station. The tour also explores parts of downtown Denver and LoDo.

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Q: Is the Free Denver Walking Tour good for first-time visitors to Denver?

• Yes. The Free Denver Walking Tour is a great introduction to Denver, particularly for first-time visitors. It combines major landmarks with fun Denver stories, history, architecture, art, culture and local stories, and your guide can also provide recommendations for things to do, see and eat during the rest of your stay.

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Q: Is the Free Denver Walking Tour wheelchair and stroller accessible?

• Yes. The Free Denver Walking Tour route is wheelchair and stroller accessible. The route is easy and flat, although guests with mobility concerns should let their guide know if they need accommodations.

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Q: Does the Free Denver Walking Tour operate in bad weather?

• The Free Denver Walking Tour generally operates rain, snow or shine, including when events are taking place around the Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Park. In colder months, the tour operates only when the temperature is above 20°F. If weather or another unusual circumstance affects a scheduled tour, Denver Walking Tours will contact affected guests.

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Looking for Free Things to Do in Denver?

• A free walking tour is a great way to experience Denver without paying an upfront admission price. Our pay-what-you-wish Denver tour takes you through downtown, Civic Center and LoDo while introducing you to Denver history, architecture, public art and local stories. It's an especially good choice for first-time visitors who want to get oriented before exploring more of the Mile High City on their own and... our guides can recommend and give you more info on other great free things to do in denver - just ask!

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