Butterfly Pavilion features 5 exhibits with over 5,000 insects and invertebrate creatures from all over the world. Its 668 sq m tropical conservatory is where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll with 1,600 butterflies floating above you. The conservation centre hosts interesting programmes all year round, from macro photography to yoga sessions in a tropical rainforest. Admission to the Butterfly Pavilion costs around $12 per adult and $8 per child (2 to 12 years old).

With 50 gardens, it’s easy to lose track of time while meandering through the vast greenery of Denver Botanic Gardens. There’s a variety of environments, from a Japanese garden to a South African one, and you can enjoy art sculptures dispersed throughout the gardens. It’s said the gardens are enjoyable in any season, so be sure to keep this on your list year-round. Before visiting the gardens, check if any festivals or events are on as this is another way to really enjoy the grounds.

Confluence Park is known for its white-water features, where you get to enjoy activities such as kayaking and tubing in downtown Denver. There are biking and hiking trails that run along the Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, as well as baseball courts and football pitches within this urban park. You can also hop on the Denver Trolley for a 30-minute scenic ride along South Platte River. Confluence Park is just a 10-minute walk from notable landmarks such as the Children's Museum of Denver, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and Downtown Aquarium.

Cherry Creek Trail spans over 40 miles in length, connecting several city parks and smaller towns around Denver. The paved pathway starts at Confluence Park in downtown Denver, where you get to rent a bicycle and cycle past the state capital building, Larimer Square, and the Colorado Convention Center. Along the way, you get to enjoy views along the South Platte River.

Irish Rose Drafts have been chauffeuring visitors on horse-drawn carriages since 1990, making it one of the oldest tours in Denver. The downtown Denver route starts with a pickup at the 16th Street Mall, followed by a tour of scenic areas such as Larimer Square and Skyline Park. The Everything Ride ($343) is ideal if you want to explore the city’s landmarks in under 2 hours as you get to pass by the Capitol, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Holy Ghost Church, Trinity Church, Brown Palace, and Denver Art Museum. Carriage rides by Irish Rose Drafts are available every Friday and Saturday by reservations.

Sommers-Bausch Observatory at the University of Colorado offers free stargazing session on Friday evenings, weather permitting. The observation deck features a number of telescopes, with lengths between 16 and 24 inches, as well as tripod-mounted binoculars to help you see the constellations and the Moon. Sommers-Bausch Observatory’s open house sessions take about 3 hours. You also get to enjoy short films and sky shows at the nearby Fiske Planetarium after your stargazing experience.

Denver has plenty of culinary schools that offer classes for all levels, from date-night dishes to cocktail-making sessions for couples looking to hone their skills. Popular venues in downtown Denver include Sur La Table, The Seasoned Chef, and Cook Street School of Culinary Arts. Whether you want to learn how to cook authentic French delicacies or bake an entire cake, expert chefs are available at these culinary schools and can easily help you to impress your date.

Boulder Mountain Parks span 45,000 acres of canyons and over 100 miles of hiking trails. One of its most popular routes is the Chautauqua Trail, which starts from Chautauqua Park’s Ranger Cottage. The canyon trail is about 0.6 miles in length and isn’t too challenging. If hiking is too strenuous for a date, opt for horseback riding or relax at the Ann Armstrong Memorial Native Garden at Chautauqua Park.

The state of Colorado has about 350 craft breweries, with over 150 of them in Denver. The city is also where you can visit Coors Brewery, one of the world’s largest single-site breweries. Learn about Denver’s beer scene by joining a brewery tour, which often includes an in-depth look into the process of brewing, with beer sampling sessions along the way. Other prominent breweries in downtown Denver include Breckenridge Brewery and the Great Divide Brewery and Tap Room.

Instead of a traditional candlelit dinner date, try something out of the box by enjoying whimsical shows at Denver’s unique restaurants. Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, located within the Daniels and Fisher Tower, is a Paris-inspired dining spot that hosts burlesque, comedy, acrobatic, and drag performances from 7.30pm onwards. General seating costs about $25, while VIP tickets cost $35, which includes a tiara or fedora at check-in and the opportunity to join the performers during the show for a special treat.