Colorado’s capital, Denver is a year-round playground for many and a blast for kids of all ages, thanks to its wide range of kid-friendly attractions, including everything from interactive museums to incredible zoos and amazing aquariums to wide open parks and even more, much more. It’s easy to plan a family trip that combines nature, culture, educational opportunities and great outdoors. The only challenge is deciding what to see and do if you have just a few days in town. Here are a few suggestions of most popular activities in Denver kids will surely appreciate.
Downtown Aquarium
No trip to Denver is complete without a visit to the majestic Downtown aquarium, where you’ll have the opportunity to see plenty of marine life with more than 15,000 colorful fish, mammals and plants, including an exhibit of Sumtran tigers who adore swimming. For more adventurers the aquarium offers a memorable swim alongside a 250 lb, accompanied by Moray Eels, Guitar Fish, Red Drums and 400 of their closest friends. Other kid-focused activities, like petting zoos and educational activities are also available at Downtown Aquarium. Not to be missed is also the restaurant, where you can satisfy your hunger next to a variety of fascinating sea creatures.
Children’s Museum Denver
A perfect getaway to explore and learn at the same time, the intriguing Children’s Museum of Denver is a place to be. The museum has a variety of thematic areas, ideal for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers, who can spend hours there and not get bored even a minute. Within the museums children will also find a beautiful miniature ‘Community Market,’ allowing kids to act as shoppers, cashiers or shopkeepers. Admission to the museum is free to the public on the first Tuesday of the month.
Within close proximity to the museum is another kid-friendly Denver attraction, Elitch Gardens Theme Park, with exhilarating rides, including the adrenaline rushing Mind Eraser, a twisted-steel rollercoaster that spins, dives, drops, rolls and races along tracks.
Denver Zoo
With a commitment to education and conservation, Denver’s truly incredible Zoo never fails to dazzle children and adults alike. More than 3,500 animals in 650 species call the 80-acre zoo home. Kids will simply be thrilled by the zoo’s komodo dragon exhibit, crowd-pleasing primates in the Monkey Island and an amazing carousel made up of 48 hand-carved rare animals. Throughout the summer months, visitors can take advantage of exploring the zoo grounds during adventurous overnight outings. There is a train and shuttle available at an additional charge.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
After checking the Denver Zoo, you won’t forget a visit to Denver Museum of Nature & Science, just adjacent to the zoo. A spectacular interactive museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science invites all members of the family to explore the elaborate labyrinth of ancient fossils, as well as see Egyptian mummies and dinosaur skeletons. This is where kids can also garb themselves in astronaut trappings.
Colorado Springs – Garden of the Gods
A favorite among tourists and locals alike, the Colorado Springs or Garden of the Gods Park welcomes families with kids to have a wonderful experience. Picnic, biking, hiking, photography, rock climbing and horseback riding are just some of the many activities the picture-perfect park has on offer. Visitor and Nature Center has an observation deck and interesting hand-on exhibits.
Butterfly Pavilion
It’s true that there is a wealth of fun family activities to keep you busy in Denver, but the experience you’ll have at butterfly Pavilion is something unrivaled The pavilion is comprised of three sections butterflies, sea invertebrates and insects, each containing factual information about the creatures. From walking through a tropical rainforest habitat filled with free-flying butterflies to sniffing exotic plants to petting a sea star to holding a tarantula, Butterfly Pavilion will definitely make you smile.
Remember! The possibilities in Denver, Colorado are endless, so go wild, all of you!
