by Lisa Marie Mercer

Created on: March 12, 2009   Last Updated: May 15, 2009

Once upon a time, Denver's claim to fame was its distinction as a gateway city to the Rocky Mountains. Today, it's a vibrant, four season family playground, boasting an abundance of parks, museums, open spaces and cultural activities.

If you're planning a trip to the Rocky Mountains, spending a few days in the Mile-High City gives you a few days to acclimate to the higher altitude. However, be warned. There are many exciting, kid-friendly activities in Denver. Your kids won't want to leave. Denver has a moderate, year-round climate. When its snowing and cold in the mountains, it might be 40 degrees or higher in Denver. Come summer, if you're looking for a low-humidity family destination, visit Denver. Let's see what the city has to offer.

1. Denver Zoo

http://www.denverzoo.org/ 2300 Steele Street 303- 376-4800

Kids will love hearing about the history of the Denver Zoo. The story begins in 1896, when an American black bear cub named Billy Ryan was given to Mayor Thomas S. McMurry as a a gift. The mayor gave the bear to the city park manager, who started the zoo with the honorable Billy Ryan. In 1906, Mayor Robert Speer expressed his dislike of the "prison bars of the animal's cages. He hired a landscape architect to create a natural environment, consisting of waterfalls and trees. Today, animal lovers can view 3,500 different animals, representing over 650 species. A variety of kids activities take place throughout the year. The Denver Zoo's Endangered Species Carousel features 48 hand-carved animals.

2. Denver Museum of Nature and Science

http://www.dmns.org/main/en/ 2001 Colorado Boulevard

303-322-7009

As next door neighbor to the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is an exciting destination in its own right. Like the zoo, it also has an interesting history, which dates back to Colorado's mining era. In 1868, hearing rumors of gold, a man named Edwin Carter came to Breckenridge, Colorado. He was not misinformed. Unfortunately, he soon discovered that the mercury and cyanide used for mining was causing rather disturbing mutations in the local wildlife. For example, he saw two-headed goats and animals with odd body shapes. Carter believed that if mining continued, all of Colorado's wildlife would be extinct. As such, he taught himself taxidermy, in order to show future generations the type of animals that once roamed through Colorado's lands. Upon his death, his collection was donated to what would become Denver's first museum: The Museum of Nature

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