Families can also enjoy plenty of outdoor activities via Denver's extensive park and urban trail systems. Finally, you and your kids can partake in one of Denver's four major professional sports teams without ever leaving the city limits.
Some of things to do in Denver with your kids are expensive, while some are free. Some are indoors, while others are outdoors. Some take all day, while others take less than half-an-hour. However, they all have two things in common: they are all uniquely Denver and they are all fun for the entire family.
Children's Museum of Denver
2121 Children's Museum Drive
303-433-7444
Finally, there's a place where children can go and not have to worry about touching things. In fact, touching things, and interacting with things are encouraged at the Children's Museum of Denver. This great family destination offers a wide range of ever changing, extremely interesting displays. There's also an art center featuring kid-sized easels and a magnetic alphabet wall. The museum caters to children 8-years old and younger. There are even interactive activities for babies. Give your kids two to four hours to see and do everything. Keep an eye on your kids' feet as some areas of the museum prohibit shoes but require socks.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
2001 Colorado Boulevard
303-370-6400
Denver Museum of Nature & Science is home to several permanent collections dedicated to everything from mummies to dinosaur fossils. From time to time, and for an additional fee, you can check out various limited-time-only exhibitions. Speaking of additional fees, the museum is also home to an IMAX theater and the Gates Planetarium. If you and kids get a little famish, you can always dine at the T-Rex Cafe. The museum is open every day except Christmas and you'll need about four hours to tour the entire facility.
Denver Zoo
2300 Steele Street
303-376-4800
Carve out about half a day to see the more than 3,500 different animals residing inside the renowned Denver Zoo. Some of the naturalistic habitats the animals call home are the Predator Ridge, Tropical Discovery, Primate Panorama, and Bear Mountain. While you're there, don't forget to check out the fascinating Dragons of Komodo exhibit. For an extra dollar, kids can ride the zoo's carousel. For extra two dollars, they can ride the Zoo Train. Log on to the zoo's Web site for feeding schedules as well as times for demonstrations and animal shows.
U.S. Mint
320 W. Colfax Avenue
303-405-4758
The U.S. Mint is perfect for school age children as it combines American history and awesome machinery. There are six mints in the United States but only the Denver and Philadelphia mints offer tours. The tours are rather short and sadly, in this day and age of heightened security, a lot less intimate than they once were. Still, it's fascinating to learn how coins are made and the tour is free. You'll need to make reservations in advance but you can do so on-line. Also, bring as little with you as possible (leave cameras, cell phones and strollers behind), and don't be late. Finally, make sure you ask for samples!
Platte Valley Trolley Ride
15th Street & Confluence Park
303-458-6255
The Platte Valley Trolley Ride is a 25 minute jaunt that takes passengers past Confluence Park, REI, the Children's Museum, and Invesco Field at Mile High. Tickets for trolley rides are $4 for adults and $2 for children. The trolley operates Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from mid-April through Halloween. The first ride is at 12:00 p.m. and the last ride is at 3:30 p.m. You'll want to catch the trolley at 15th street and Confluence Park.
Six Flags Elitch Gardens
2000 Elitch Circle
303-595-4386
Six Flags Elitch Gardens is situated in the heart of Denver and offers visitors a chance to experience thrill rides, kids rides, and even water rides. Elitch is also home to the Kingdom Water Park. This family-friendly amusement park offers plenty of games, an arcade, and special concerts and events. Before visiting, check their Web site for hours of operation. Keep in mind that the water park closes during inclement weather.
Denver Firefighters Museum
1326 Tremont Place
720-865-5000
The Denver Firefighters Museum not only contains exhibits about firefighting but it also offers guests the opportunity to see real-life firefighting equipment up close and personal. Museum tours are self-guided but gallery guides are available for both adults and children. If you don't like that idea, a three-minute orientation film plays on a loop on the museum's first level. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $6 while children's admission, ages 1-12, is $4.
Lakeside Amusement Park
4601 Sheridan Boulevard
303-477-1621
At Lakeside Amusement Park you'll find trains, a merry-go-round, a drop tower, bumper cars, and the world famous Cyclone Coaster. For small kids, there's the Kiddies' Playland featuring 16 rides especially designed for the little ones. All in all, the park boasts 37 fun-filled rides. Located adjacent to Lake Rhoda, the Lakeside opened in 1908 and is one of the country's oldest amusement parks. For hours of operation and for height requirements visit their Web site.
Water World
1850 W 89th Avenue
303-427-7873
A real treat for kids, Water World is home to 46 "water adventures" featuring slides, tubing areas, and wave pools. One of the country's biggest water parks, Water World is just 15 minutes north of downtown Denver. The park prides itself on offering more family tube rides than any other park in the country. There are three play areas for small children and picnicking is more than welcomed. The park is generally open from the end of May through Labor Day but check their Web site for exact hours of operations.
Honorable Mentions - Sports, Parks, & Bike Trails
Denver is one of 13 U.S. cities with teams in all four major sports leagues and one of only four cities in which all the teams play within the city limits. The Denver Broncos of the NFL play at Invesco Field at Mile High, the Colorado Rockies of the MLB play at Coors Field, and both the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL and the Denver Nuggets of the NBA play at the Pepsi Center.
Denver is also home to more than 200 parks. Your children can play on the swings and slides at Cheesman or you can take them fishing at Sloan Lake. And don't forget about taking a walk or riding your bike around Washington Park. The best thing about Denver's parks is they are absolutely free.
If your kids like to ride their bicycles then Denver is the city for them. There are over 850 miles of off-street bike paths, or as the city of Denver calls them, the urban trail system. Besides bicycling you can walk, run, or roller blade. Better yet, the trails are free for you and your family to use and there are no motorized vehicles to worry about.
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