Denver is a great destination for families with lots of exciting things to see and do. Here are some fun things to do in Denver as a family:
Visit the Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo is a popular zoo located in Denver, Colorado, United States. It was established in 1896 and is spread over an area of 80 acres. The zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 600 species from around the world. Some of the most popular animals at the Denver Zoo include elephants, lions, tigers, bears, gorillas, and rhinos.
Apart from viewing animals, visitors can also participate in a variety of activities such as feeding giraffes, riding a train around the zoo, watching animal shows, and visiting interactive exhibits. The zoo also offers educational programs and camps for children and adults.
Denver Zoo is committed to conservation and works on a variety of projects aimed at protecting and preserving endangered species and their habitats. It is also involved in research and collaborates with other zoos and organizations around the world to advance animal welfare and conservation efforts.
Explore the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a museum located in Denver, Colorado, USA. It is a comprehensive natural history museum that offers a wide range of exhibits and educational programs related to anthropology, geology, paleontology, zoology, and space science. The museum has a collection of more than 1.5 million objects, including artifacts, fossils, minerals, and specimens of plants and animals.
The museum’s exhibits include displays on ancient cultures, such as the Egyptians and the Mayans, as well as on Colorado’s own prehistoric past, including exhibits on the state’s dinosaurs and the Ice Age. Additionally, the museum has a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and a variety of interactive exhibits designed to engage visitors of all ages.
The museum is open every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission fees vary depending on the age of the visitor and the type of ticket purchased, but discounts are available for students, seniors, and military personnel.
Take a trip to Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park is an amusement park located in Denver, Colorado. It first opened in 1890 and has been in operation ever since, making it one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States. The park is located on a 70-acre site that includes both theme park rides and a water park.
Elitch Gardens features a variety of thrill rides, family rides, and kids’ rides, including roller coasters, water rides, and attractions like the Tower of Doom and the Brain Drain. The park also offers live entertainment, including shows and concerts throughout the season.
The water park at Elitch Gardens features a wave pool, lazy river, and a variety of water slides, including the Mega Wedgie and the Turbo Racer. There are also several areas for younger children to play, including Kiddie Cove and Hook’s Lagoon.
In addition to the rides and water park, Elitch Gardens also offers a variety of food options, including traditional amusement park fare like hot dogs and cotton candy, as well as more substantial meals like burgers, pizza, and Mexican food.
Elitch Gardens is open seasonally, typically from May through October, and offers a variety of ticket options, including single-day tickets, season passes, and group rates.
Stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens is a public botanical garden located in Denver, Colorado. It spans 24 acres and features a variety of gardens, including a Japanese Garden, a Rock Alpine Garden, a Water Garden, and a Wildflower Treasures Garden.
In addition to its outdoor gardens, the Denver Botanic Gardens also includes a tropical conservatory, which houses plants from tropical regions around the world, and a greenhouse complex, which is used for research and conservation purposes.
The gardens offer a range of educational programs and events throughout the year, including classes on gardening, cooking, and floral design, as well as concerts, art exhibits, and children’s activities.
The Denver Botanic Gardens is open year-round, with hours varying depending on the season. Admission fees apply for adults, children, and seniors, with discounts available for members and residents of Denver County.
Catch a game at Coors Field
Coors Field is a Major League Baseball stadium located in downtown Denver, Colorado. It is the home ballpark of the Colorado Rockies, and was opened in 1995. The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,144, and is known for its unique features such as its high altitude (5,280 feet above sea level) and its expansive outfield.
Coors Field is named after the Coors Brewing Company, which is headquartered in Golden, Colorado, and is the official beer sponsor of the Colorado Rockies. The stadium has hosted numerous notable events, including the 1998 MLB All-Star Game and the 2007 World Series.
In addition to baseball games, Coors Field also hosts other events such as concerts and festivals. The stadium is known for its scenic views of the Rocky Mountains, which can be seen from certain parts of the ballpark.
Visit the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is a museum located in Denver, Colorado, USA. It is one of the largest art museums between the West Coast and Chicago and has a collection of over 70,000 works of art from around the world.
I was told by a Denver 4d schedule expert the museum was founded in 1893 as the Denver Artists’ Club and has since expanded to include two main buildings: the North Building, designed by architect Gio Ponti and opened in 1971, and the Hamilton Building, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind and opened in 2006. The North Building houses the museum’s permanent collection, which includes American Indian art, European and American painting and sculpture, Asian art, photography, and textiles. The Hamilton Building houses temporary exhibitions, as well as the museum’s administration offices.
The museum has a strong focus on art from the American West, including a significant collection of Native American art, and also features contemporary art and design exhibitions. The museum offers a variety of programs and events, including lectures, workshops, and tours, and has a restaurant and gift shop on-site.
Explore the Colorado State Capitol
The Colorado State Capitol is located in Denver, Colorado, and serves as the seat of government for the state of Colorado. It is a prominent building in the city and features a distinctive gold dome, which is covered in real gold leaf. The dome is modeled after the dome of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., and is a popular tourist attraction.
The Colorado State Capitol was constructed in the late 19th century and features a neoclassical design. The building is made of Colorado white granite and has four levels. The ground floor features the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, as well as a gift shop and exhibits about the history of the building and the state. The second floor houses the House of Representatives, while the third floor is home to the Senate. The fourth floor houses the Colorado Supreme Court and the offices of the Attorney General and other state officials.
One of the most notable features of the Colorado State Capitol is its 24-carat gold-plated dome, which was added in 1908. The dome stands 272 feet tall and is one of the most recognizable features of the Denver skyline. Visitors to the building can take a tour and climb up to the observation deck on the dome for panoramic views of the city and the Rocky Mountains.
The Colorado State Capitol is also home to several notable works of art, including murals by renowned artist Allen Tupper True that depict the history of Colorado and the West. Additionally, the building features several statues and monuments, including a statue of Colorado’s first African American lieutenant governor, George Brown.
Take a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in north-central Colorado, in the United States. The park covers an area of over 265,000 acres and includes the highest continuously paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road, which reaches an elevation of over 12,000 feet.
The park features a diverse range of landscapes, including alpine tundra, forests, lakes, and meadows, and is home to an array of wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and black bears. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife watching.
Some of the popular destinations within the park include the Bear Lake area, which offers several hiking trails and stunning views of the surrounding mountains; the Trail Ridge Road, which offers panoramic views of the park and the surrounding region; and the Longs Peak area, which is a popular destination for hikers looking to summit the park’s highest peak.
These are just a few of the many fun things to do in Denver as a family. Whether you enjoy nature, history, or sports, Denver has something for everyone.