Family Adventures Around Denver

Garden of the Gods

This was an hour and a half from Denver and well worth the trip! We made a day of it by working/homeschooling from Colorado Springs in the morning at Third Space Coffee roasters, then carried on to the park. Garden of the Gods looks massive and could be a whole day in itself. We stopped in for the small loop to walk around Perkins Central Garden Trail a couple hours before sunset. This out and back loop is just over a mile, flat and easy with signs along the way labeling the rock formations. We even got to see the herd of bighorn sheep that grazes in the area. Definitely a highlight of my trip!

Red Rocks & Dinosaur Park

This trip is a quick drive—less than 30 minutes from Denver to Red Rocks Amphitheater. You drive looking at the beautiful mountains and then all of a sudden see these massive red rocks jutting out of the mountain. The amphitheater still has shows, which must be amazing under the stars, but we just walked around outside admiring the red rocks. We also popped inside to walk through the free museum, which had some history about the place and a giant wall map.

Directly across the street from the Red Rocks Amphitheater entrance, we stopped into Dinosaur Park. We just parked right there and walked around to see some dinosaur evidence along the way to the massive “Dinosaur Tracksite.” This is what it is called on Google Maps, and it is massive! The whole side of the hill is covered in dinosaur prints that were uncovered during some construction. You can also access this by driving around the park and heading to the Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center.

These two amazing places, so close together and close to Denver, are must-sees on your trip! The kids really enjoyed seeing actual dinosaur tracks in real life.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

This free park is just outside the city center, towards the airport. This is a drive-through park; while they do have some walking trails, to see the wildlife, you need to drive. The bison in this area have over 15,000 acres to explore, so the chance of seeing one up close is not guaranteed. We went twice and the first time, they were too far away to really see them. We did see a coyote and lots of prairie dogs. The prairie dogs are everywhere and our kids thought they were so adorable! You can even hear them if you crack open your windows. The second time we visited, we saw a whole herd of bison and a female, male, and baby crossed the road right in front of us! It was magical. This free, beautiful drive, just outside the city, is definitely worth doing.

Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park

During peak season, Rocky Mountain National Park has timed entries starting at 9 am and going until 2 pm. We got there early and drove in before 9. We entered through the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center entrance. Trail Ridge Road closes when it snows—you can call ahead for the status of the road. We arrived the day it closed so we drove until we had to turn around. This was still well worth the drive as you have several opportunities to pull over and take in the amazing landscape. You drive up to over two miles above sea level and have some great photo opportunities.

Leaving the national park, we stopped in Estes Park. This cute little town is home to the Stanley Hotel—which inspired The Shining and offers tours—but it is also home to a ton of elk! They were out and about in the town, the same way we would see squirrels on the East Coast! It was so amazing. Many people were getting out of their cars to get close-up pictures, but this is not advised as they are wild animals and could be aggressive. We stayed in our car and got lots of pictures of them lazing around.

Denver Art Museum

This place was massive and I wish we had more time to explore it. The museum has three buildings, all with multiple floors. They have a huge collection of art that is bound to please everyone. Our favorite was a local artists' rotating exhibit while we were there. It was interactive and great for kids. They also have a permanent space downstairs where kids can create their own art with materials inspired by the art they saw. Great indoor activity for families downtown. The art museum is also right down the street from the Capitol, so we drove by that on our way out of town. Kids under 18 get in free at this museum!

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

This museum is also massive. There was so much to see! The moment you arrive, you are greeted by giant dinosaur replicas and skeletons. Signage helps you identify them and learn more about them before you even enter the museum. Once inside, we explored the giant hall of gems and minerals (which I hear is expanding!), where we learned a lot about their local gems and minerals, including the rhodochrosite. Our kids also loved the Wildlife Halls on the second and third floors, where they got to see animals up close and learn about their habitat and the role they play. Every exhibit we saw had hands-on parts to keep it interesting and engaging!

The Stanley Marketplace

This food hall has lots of great food options. We enjoyed the build-your-own pho and the empanadas next door. The best part is everyone can get their own thing and you find a community table to eat at together. Don’t miss out on the amazing sea salt chocolate cookie at Miette et Chocolat. This place was very convenient and offered plenty of free parking right outside in their lot.

Little Man Ice Cream

This may be my favorite ice cream place ever—and I love ice cream! The local chain has multiple locations, but they are all a little different. We first tried Little Man at their outdoor-only location near Central Park, called Constellation. Even the rainy cold night didn’t dampen my enjoyment of this ice cream! We were hooked and had to go back. Next, we tried the Little Man Ice Cream Factory—there is an indoor slide and at times you can watch the production of ice cream. If you book ahead of time, they even have tours and classes you can book. Our favorite flavor was Salty Caramel PB, with Salty O coming in a close second. We also visited their original 16th Street location, shaped like an old-fashioned milk jug. This one was also only outdoors, and had another slide in the outdoor seating area. The walk along 16th Street and across several bridges was a beautiful one that could be an adventure in itself!

Ike's Sandwiches

This West Coast chain was a crowd pleaser for our family. The sandwich shop offers over 800 sandwich combinations with delicious bread and fresh ingredients. They offer vegan and vegetarian options, so it was easy to find something for everyone. Bonus: You get a lollipop with your meal!

Casa Bonita

We didn’t know this place existed until it was too late, so unfortunately I haven't been yet. You need to make reservations way ahead of time! It sounds like you go here for the experience of it—from face painting to themed rooms, it sounds more like an adventure than just dinner. Definitely on my list next time I get back!

Third Space Coffee

This coffee roaster in Colorado Springs was a great stop for our family. They have a large cafe area for people to gather and relax. They even have a bonus room for people to work and have a quieter space. The staff was friendly, and the coffee and cinnamon roll were delicious!