Denver Guide » Attractions & Activities » Family Vacations
Denver Attractions & ActivitiesFamily Vacations
When school winds down, whether it's for summer, winter, or spring break, we yearn for an escape from the daily grind. We need to relax, yet we also want to create lasting family memories – let's face it, our lives are busier than ever and when we finally take time to get away, we want to make the most of it. Finding the perfect family vacation is a challenge. But our suggestions have appeal for both children and their parents, from amusement parks and historic sites to fine dining restaurants and upscale shopping neighborhoods. Cities do attract their fair share of the tourist trade, but you can still find less crowded spots and create family- and budget-friendly vacations.
Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center
Address: 6252 W 104th Ave, Westminster, CO 80020
Don't miss this one – the Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center was the first stand-alone insect zoo in the country, and it's awesome! The main exhibit, a 7000-square foot tropical conservatory, has about 1200 free-flying butterflies from around the world, plus hundreds of different plants, birds, turtles, frogs and...
Address: 2001 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
If you've got baseball in your blood, you have to make a pilgrimage to Coors Field. The baseball-only stadium came at a price tag of $215 million dollars, but locals say the cost was well worth it. The facility seats more than 50,000 fans and occupies 76 acres. Thanks to loyal fans, the famous ballpark sees a lot of...
Address: 1326 Tremont Pl, Denver, CO 80204-2120
The Denver Firefighting Museum occupies historic Fire Station No. 1, which was originally constructed in 1909 and was in use until 1974. Exhibits of firefighting equipment dating back to the mid 1800s, plus photographs, newspaper clippings, and assorted other related items provide an interesting angle on Denver's...
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Address: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205
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This museum has the largest draw of any cultural exhibit in the region. Denver Museum of Natural History offers an exhilarating look at the history of life on planet earth and also provides an overview of the universe. Exhibits topics include insects, gems and minerals, wildlife of Colorado and the world, and North...
Address: 2300 Steele St, City Park, Denver, CO 80205
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The Denver Zoo, as it currently exists, arose from humble beginnings – the gift, in 1896, of a young black bear to the mayor. From this small start, the zoo has mushroomed into an 80-acre refuge housing approximately 4000 animals. Habitats that mimic in-the-wild conditions shelter animal residents, who include great...
Address: 16831 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465
Part of the Morrison Formation, a vast belt of land rich in fossils that stretches from New Mexico all the way north to Canada, this site first became famous during the fossil rush of the 1870s-1880s. A 1.25 mile trail winds its way along a ridge and signs are posted to help you interpret what you see, which includes...
Address: 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211
Landlocked Denver might seem an odd sort of place to catch a glimpse of a shark or a sea turtle, but you can do just that at the Downtown Aquarium. The state of the art facility has hundreds of thousands of gallons of water in multiple tanks, which house hundreds of saltwater and freshwater critters from around the...
Address: 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204
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Historic Elitch Gardens first opened in 1890. Today, the park has a full range of modern rides, along with several roller coasters, including the Half Pipe, the only one of its kind in the United States. A portion of the grounds has been developed into Island Kingdom Water Park with about a dozen attractions: water...
The Children's Museum of Denver
Address: 2121 Children's Museum Dr, Denver, CO 80211
If you have kids – or can borrow some for an afternoon – you won't want to miss this museum! Hands-on exhibits encourage creativity and learning – kids love clambering over a fire truck, trying their hand at puppetry or dance, and building their own gizmos from common household recyclables. An art studio and a...
Address: 1800 W 89th Ave, Denver, CO 80260
Award-winning Water World is among the country's largest water parks with 64 acres of splashy fun. There are more than 20 rides – thrillingly steep slides, relaxing river tubing, and even a watery playground sized for preschoolers. If you plan to spend the entire day, consider reserving a cabana, which is furnished...
