If you're thinking covered wagons, shoot-em ups in the street, and rough miners, think again. The Mile High City, situated at the foot of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, is a metropolitan city with lots of western charm. You'll find Denver and its surrounding suburbs to be family friendly with lots of exciting activities to keep you and the kids busy. Denver has 300 days of sunshine a year, so expect brilliant turquoise skies and spectacular sunsets as you vacation in the shadow of the Rockies.
1. Denver Zoo
2300 Steele Street, Denver, CO 80205
303-376-4800
First stop, the Denver Zoo located in Denver's City Park. Have fun learning about 650 animal species, or over 3,500 animals in naturalistic habitats. Shop at the Kibongi Market and dine at the Samburu Grill.
2. The Children's Museum of Denver
2121 Children's Museum Drive, Denver, CO 80211
303-433-7444
http://www.cmdenver.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=main
Learning through play is the museum's motto. Interactive playscapes, such as the Assembly Plant, the CMD Fire Station No. 1, or Arts a la carte are geared for children from newborn through age eight.
3. Elitch Gardens (Water and Theme Park)
2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204
303-595-4386
Elitch's offers thrill rides, free concerts, live shows, games and arcades, dining, and shopping! Still bored? Try the Island Kingdom Water Park's wave pool, slides, and 5-story treehouse.
4. Downtown Aquarium
700 Water Street, Denver, CO 80211
303-561-4450
http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumd enver/flash_content/index.html
A spectacular public aquarium featuring the famed Aquarium Adventure theme exhibits about earth's habitats, ecosystems, and conservation. Enjoy an unforgettable lunch or dinner at the Aquarium Restaurant seated around a 150,000 gallon aquarium filled with colorful fish species.
5. Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205
303-322-7009
The amazing interactive exhibits just for kids in the Discovery Zone are educational and fun. Lunch at the T-Rex Cafe or snack at the T-Rex Grab and Go. Watch shows at the Gates Planetarium and Phipps IMAX Theater.
6. Denver Botanic Gardens
1005 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
720-865-3585
http://www.botanicgardens.org/
Thirty individual gardens showcase native and adaptive plants. Let the kids burn off some energy as they explore the Children's Secret Path or have interactive family fun at the Discovery Room. Dine at the Monet Deck Cafe.
7. Denver Firefighter's Museum
1326 Tremont Place, Denver, CO 80204
303-892-1436
http://www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org/
Kids will enjoy kid size firefighter's equipment, playing fire safety video games, and exploring a fire truck. The Children's Gallery for parents and kids features computer kiosks, a puppet theater, a reading center, video center, and a special hop scotch!
8. Forney Museum of Transportation
4303 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216
303-297-1113
An amazing collection of over 500 historical transportation exhibits about anything on wheels! Don't miss Demo Derby Herbie from Disney's Herbie Fully Loaded movie. The Forney Museum Gift Shop offers transportation theme hats, t-shirts, autobilia, and more.
9. Denver Coliseum
4600 Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80216
720-865-2475
http://www.denvercoliseum.com/
The Denver Coliseum is the forum for outstanding family entertainment such as the National Western Stock Show, the circus, public ice skating, Native American pow-wows, and sports events.
10. Cherry Creek State Park
4201 South Parker Road, Aurora, CO 80014
303-690-1166
http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/CherryCreek/ParkActiv ities/
Situated on a large reservoir, Cherry Creek is a great place to bring a picnic lunch, your fishing pole, and hiking shoes. The paved airfield and frequency posts make flying your model airplane a breeze.
11. Sloan's Lake Park
25th & Sheridan, Denver, CO 80215
303-937-4638
http://www.denvergov.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.denv ergov.org/parks
Take a walk around the scenic lake on the 2.9 mile hiking trail. If that doesn't wear the kids out, try playtime at the children's playground. Watch out for the geese!
12. Colorado History Museum
1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
303-866-3682
http://www.coloradohistory.org/hist_sites/CHM/Colora do_History_Museum.htm
Discover what makes Colorado legendary via dioramas, historic photos, artifacts, and ever changing exhibits. Pick up more information about Colorado, Colorado crafts, and Indian Arts at the Museum Store.
13. Denver History Tours
2514 Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80205
720-234-7929
http://www.denverhistorytours.com/
Bring Denver's western heritage to life! Make an appointment for a guided tour of Denver, either by walking, bus, or car. Choose from tour themes such as a Women's History Tour or Denver's Frontier Days.
14. Colorado Sports Hall of Fame
INVESCO Field at Mile High
1701 Bryant Street Suite 500, Denver, CO 80204
720-258-3888
http://www.coloradosports.org/index.cfm
Honors Colorado sportsmen for their outstanding achievements and demonstrations of sportsmanship, leadership, courage, sacrifice, endurance, and power. Kids will enjoy trying on jerseys and gear at the Kids Zone Exhibit!
15. The Denver Puppet Theater
3156 West 38th Avenue, Denver, CO 80211
303-458-6446
http://www.denverpuppettheater.com/
The adventure begins when kids enter through the magical courtyard with its secret path and large fountain. This is a charming place where kids age three and up will enjoy watching a puppet show and decorating their own popsicle stick puppets.
16. Tiny Town Railroad
6249 So. Turkey Creek Road, Morrison, CO 80465
303-697-6829
http://www.tinytownrailroad.com/
A "kid size village and railroad" located in the southwestern part of Metro Denver, thirty minutes from downtown, located where the Denver-Leadville Stagecoach Stop was. Enjoy your ride on a miniature train through a miniature village!
17. Casa Bonita
6715 West Colfax Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80214
303-232-5115
http://www.casabonitadenver.com/
An exciting and magical all-you-can-eat Mexican restaurant featuring over thirty attractions, mazes, caves, cowboy shootouts, and more. Can you smell the aroma of frying sopapillas, a wonderful desert of fried dough filled with honey? Enjoy a fabulous family atmosphere and live entertainment!
18. Water World
1800 West 89th Avenue, Federal Heights, CO 80260
303-427-7873
http://www.waterworldcolorado.com
Currently listed on the Travel Channel as one of America's Top Water Parks, kids of all ages will enjoy tube rides, thrill rides, and slides. Wally World is just for the littlest ones and their parents. If you get hungry, enjoy a picnic, or try out the treats at the eleven food stands.
19. Celestial Seasonings Tea Company
4600 Sleepytime Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
303-530-5300
http://www.celestialseasonings.com/visit-us/index.ht ml
Enjoy a free tour of the production facility and the herb garden. Original artwork is an added attraction in the gallery. Sample various tea flavors, then enjoy lunch at the delightful Celestial Cafe.
20. Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys
1880 Gaylord Street, Denver, CO 80206
303-322-1053
Housed in the Pearce-McAllister House is a wonderful museum dedicated to educating kids about the visual arts. Be enthralled with beautiful dollhouses, all kinds of dolls, a miniature circus, miniature trains, planes, and cars. Attend an English afternoon tea hosted by the Oak and Berries Tea Room on Tuesday-Saturday.
21. Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
7711 East Academy Boulevard, Denver, CO 80230
303-360-5360
http://www.wingsmuseum.org/index.php
Trace the history of flight travel at the Timeline of Technology exhibit. Discover the science of flight, aviation radio, and original aircraft designs built by master craftsman, Fred Howard. Kids will love the interactive History of Rocketry exhibit.
22. Dinosaur Ridge
16831 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO 80465
303-697-3466
Want to see some real dinosaur bones? Take a hike or a bicycle ride along the Interpretive Trail at the famous Dinosaur Ridge, a National Natural Monument discovered in 1877. See over 300 foot prints of long extinct creatures, bones, and fossils of plants and insects.
23. Black American West Museum
3091 California Street, Denver, CO, 80205
303-482-2242
http://www.blackamericanwestmuseum.com/index.html
Learn about the contributions Black Americans made to the West. Exhibits highlight the town of Deerfield, the Buffalo Soldier, pioneers, and cowboys. The museum is housed in the former home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first Black woman doctor in Colorado.
24. Four Mile Historic Park
715 South Forest Street, Denver, CO 80246
720-865-0800
http://www.fourmilepark.org/index.php?/museum/
The Museum housed in the Four Mile House, the oldest house in Denver, once served as a stage stop and inn for travelers on the Cherokee Trail. Only four miles from downtown Denver, it's now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Explore life in the pioneer days.
25. Native American Trading Company
213 West 13th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204
303-534-0771
http://www.nativeamericantradingco.com/home.html
A unique gallery of beautiful Southwestern and Native American art, featuring dolls, pottery, crafts, jewelry, and baskets. A highlight is the photogravures of Indian people by Edward Sherrif Curtis circa 1899-1927, and the fine collection of Mata Ortiz pottery.
26. Denver Skatepark
2205 19th Street, Denver, CO 80202
http://www.denverskatepark.com/
A fantastic skateboard park featuring bowls, moguls, and plenty of banks, rails, curbs, and ledges. What's new? The Snakerun! Bring your own skateboard or just come to watch.
27. Boondocks Fun Center
11425 Community Center Drive, Northglenn, CO 80233
720-977-8000
http://www.boondocksfuncenter.com/public/northglenn/
Loads of fun with go-karts, bumper boats, laser tag, a huge arcade and the fantastic MaxFlight Simulator! A kid friendly menu awaits you at the Back Porch Grill when the crew gets hungry.
28. Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center
6252 West 104th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80020
303-469-5441
The "first stand alone non-profit insect zoo in the country" is a perfect mix of science education and family fun. The tropical conservatory houses over 1200 free-flying butterflies. Kids will fall in love with Rosie, a Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula.
29. Mr. Biggs
9670 West Coal Mine Avenue, Littleton, CO 80123
303-972-4344
http://www.becooldoright.com/lt/
Enjoy BattleTech Firestorm, a simulator pod for player to player combat against the giant armored Mechs and Laser Jam-Urban Assault, an interactive laser tag game in a futuristic setting. For the younger set, try the three story foam factory featuring 20,000 colorful foam balls all moving by command from mechanical and hand operated devices.
30. United States Mint
320 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80204-2693
303-405-4761 EW56Bhttp://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/index.cfm?flas h=no&action=StartReservationWH6PDZ6EFP
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/index.cfm?flash=no&action=StartReservation
Kids will be fascinated by the process of making coins! Warning: this is not to be tried at home! Learn about the history of the Mint and the craftsmanship of coin manufacturing. Pick up some souvenirs in the Gift Shop. Reservations are required.
Time to get ready for an old fashioned rootin' tootin' good time with the kids at these fantastic fun spots! With the high altitude and crystal clear skies, don't forget your sunscreen, and take it easy for a couple of days until you adjust to the altitude. With thirty destinations to choose from, you may have to extend your stay!