Denver, Colorado is a perfect tourist destination, especially in the pleasant months of April, May, September and October. Whether you are a nearby resident or a tourist looking for adventure, Denver offers you a perfect family holiday that covers fun, education, and enjoyment all rolled into one.
If you think the only thing to do in Denver is hiking, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Denver is fairly on flat land and houses a plethora of activities to keep your kids entertained just the way you want. The Mile High City has interactive museums, zoos, aquariums, theme parks, and many more interesting attractions.
Take a look at the top 10 tourist attractions in Denver for kids, to help you have a good time and your children a memorable experience.
Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo has already begun its summer hours from March 1st, and it opens bright and early at 9 AM. A zoo is always the right choice for a day out with your kids and Denver Zoo will amuse them as they get to see and learn about different animal species.
They have a sea lion demonstration at 2.30 PM every day. You also get to see exotic animals, birds, and reptiles. From the Indian peafowl to the Humboldt penguins, your kids will get a peek at diversity from all over the world. They also hold special events at the zoo. So, go check the website and plan a day there.
Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park is opening on April 20th to offer you and your kids a day of unlimited fun and frolic. It has more than 50 super fun rides, concerts, and is free for kids between 3 and 5 years of age.
The theme park also has an exclusive water park with exciting rides, rivers, waves, and also hosts a Fright Fest in October. If you’re planning a long stay in Denver, you can buy the season’s tickets, which will ensure more fun at much lesser prices and also include free meals.
Wings Over the Rockies
This is the official Air and Space museum in Colorado and is situated at what was formerly the Lowry Airport Base in Denver. If your kids are fascinated by the idea of aircrafts and want to learn more, this is the place to be.
It hosts Movie Times at 11.30 AM and 2.30 PM every day at the Harrison Ford Theater. You can also get the firsthand flying experience inside a cockpit with a pilot. Apart from this, numerous events keep coming up throughout the year which will make your day worthwhile.
Great Play
If you’re worried about the lack of physical exercise for your kids, Great Play is the perfect destination for you. It is an interactive gym for children where there are specific programs for kids, ranging from infants to pre-schoolers to schoolkids. Birthday parties are also organized here.
They make the activities exciting for children so that they can have the best experience while ensuring good physical health. They also hold events, classes, and camps for kids of all ages.
Rocky Mountain National Park
This national park gives you a prefect view of the Rocky Mountains, with their magnificent flora and fauna. Wildflowers, animals, and trekking paths welcome you to spend time in the lap of nature. It is about two hours away from Denver, but worth the journey all the way.
Picnic spots, fire grates, and wheelchair accessible trekking paths are all available in abundance here. Also a place to consider is the Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch where you can get a view of the magnificent mountains while enjoying the Pumpkin Festival.
Adventure Golf and Raceway
Adventure Golf and Raceway opens for the 2019 season on March 8th. Here, your kids can golf on three different 18-hole miniature golf courses and also enjoy the pleasures of go-karting. The place houses Colorado’s only outdoor electric go-kart course, which is sure to attract your kids.
Not just miniature golf, you can also host birthday parties and events here. This place will offer entertainment for both you and your kids. You can have a business meeting here, while your children are happily enjoying themselves. They also have an Adventure Club and Pit Stop concession stand for food and drinks.
Dinosaur Ridge
This outdoor museum is located near the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater and holds a showcase of dinosaur bones, relics, and footsteps. Jurassic Park fans will have a wonderful time exploring the creatures of the Mesozoic Era.
Stegosaurus bones and Iguanodon footprints are at display here. You can have a self-guided tour of the area and your kids will surely want to spend hours observing the showcases there. You can also organize guided tours, depending on what you prefer. It is open from about 9 AM to 4 PM, depending upon the season.
Hammond’s Candies
Denver has its own representation of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory in the form of Hammond’s Candies. This business started as a small family affair but has grown into an international brand. Your kids can enjoy a free tour of the factory where they can watch candies being made from start to finish.
You can pick up chocolates, cookies and also host your kid’s birthday party here. They also make delicious gift packages, which is a sure-fire way to make friends and family happy. Tour hours are 9 AM to 3 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 3 PM on Saturday.
Colorado Railroad Museum
If your kid is a train enthusiast like Sheldon, Colorado Railroad Museum is where you should take them. You can take rides on real locomotives around the place. Their special attraction is the Galloping Goose, a bus on train wheels. Visitors are allowed to ride it over Lizard Head Pass every alternate weekend.
This place has a Depot Museum and a rail yard of 15 acres, which houses more than 100 engines, coaches, and cabooses. There is also a library and roundhouse restoration facility that has a working turntable.
Downtown Aquarium
This beautiful place is a restaurant cum aquarium in Denver that has several exhibits of marine life that will fascinate your kids. You can enjoy your dining experience surrounded by unique marine creatures swimming by.
They have also built a shark cage with five different shark species and hundreds of fish for you to see. You can plan your trip here, host meetings and banquets, and obviously your kid’s special party. The restaurant is open from 10 AM to 9 PM on weekdays. It closes at 9.30 PM on weekends.
Anderson Farms
The best time to visit Anderson Farms is between September 19th and October 31st as they have a special Fall Festival to wow visitors. They also have several events like Terror in the Corn and Zombie Paintball Hunt.
Your kids can visit the pumpkin patch and corn maze, ride the barrel train, experience pedal karts, and also see the hay bale maze and kiddie coral. You can book online tickets and plan a trip in the summer, spring, or fall. You will not be disappointed any time.
Apart from these wonderful sites, there are several other places of attraction for kids in Denver. Be it the Children’s Museum, Botanic Gardens, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or the Adventure Golf and Race Way, Water World and Denver Art Museum, it has something of interest for every child.
Your kids can have a fun, educational trip while you enjoy the perfect family bonding time. With the summer season approaching soon, this is the right time to plan a trip. So, go ahead and enjoy your vacation.
Denver Trolley
This year’s Denver Trolley season is from May 23rd and will end on September 2nd. You can take your kids on a ride through the Mile High City in an open trolley car. What can be a better way to have a look around the city?
The trolley will take you on a tour through Confluence Park, Downtown Aquarium, Children’s Museum, and finally the Mile High Stadium. Along with the sights, you can enjoy a narration of the place’s history, from the beginning to the present day development. So, it will be entertainment and education rolled into one.
Firefighters Museum
We often view firefighters as heroes, so take your kids to the Denver Firefighters Museum for a unique experience. This historical building was used as an active fire station until 1974, after which it was turned into an interactive museum and exhibit center.
Kids can look at fire safety exhibits and participate in activities being held there. The best thing is that there your kids can slide down the fireman’s pole and also ride the fire trucks. You can also buy themed clothes and merchandise here.
Denver Skate Park
The Denver State Park is one of the many parks in and around the city. It is also known as COSkate. The best part about this place is that it is free for everyone and open every single day. All you have to do is bring your kid’s skating equipment and watch them have the time of your life.
Skateboarders, bladers, and bikers can enjoy their time in this park, but make sure you do not have pegs on your bicycle. The park is made of about 60,000 square feet of concrete skating ground, with the terrain made perfectly for talented young ones.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater
This outdoor venue is located about fifteen miles away to the west of Denver. It is a natural terrain having hiking and bike trails, which makes it a very good place to enjoy the delights of nature. It is a part of the Theatres and Arenas Division of Denver.
Red Rocks Park is famous for its educational displays, concerts, and the general ambience. It is considered the best place to do some quality star-gazing. The Visitor Center in this place also showcases a movie on its history, both geological and musical. You can also get satisfy your food cravings at Ship Rock Grille. The tours are conducted by appointment from 10 AM in the months of June to October.