Things To Do
Denver Zoo
Who doesn't love animals!? We have beautiful days here year round. Remember you are at high altitude, you will burn and you will get dehydrated. Sunscreen and water are your best friends.
Buell Theatre at Denver Performing Arts Complex
While you may not want to catch a show, if you want to check out Downtown Denver and see where we got engaged, you can check out the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It is a walk through pedestrian zone. You can easily walk around Downtown Denver from here and check out areas such as the 16th Street Mall.
Elitch Gardens
It is not Disney, but it is still a fun filled time with roller coasters and sometimes concerts and shows.
Denver Art Museum
World-class art in amazing spaces in the heart of Denver! Liebeskind-designed Hamilton Building, renowned collections including European & American painting, contemporary art, and more. Hands-on activities, artist demonstrations, family-friendly programs and tours, café and museum shop.
Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens is a public botanical garden located in the Cheesman Park neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. The 23-acre park contains a conservatory, a variety of theme gardens and a sunken amphitheater, which hosts various concerts in the summer.
Casa Bonita
If you are a fan of South Park, you have heard of Casa Bonita. It is in fact a real place. The food isn't great, so maybe eat a snack before or after, but the experience is fun. Cliff divers, a mariachi band, and much more.
Butterfly Pavilion
Everyone loves a day with nature.
Blue Mustang (Blucifer)
It is weird and kind of creepy, but when you are leaving/ going back to DIA, do not forget to look out for Blue Mustang, known to locals by the nickname Blucifer is a cast-fiberglass sculpture of a mustang located at Denver International Airport. Colored bright blue, with illuminated glowing red eyes, it is notable both for its striking appearance and for having killed its creator Luis Jiménez when a section of it fell on him at his studio.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an open-air amphitheatre built into a rock structure near Morrison, Colorado, 10 miles west of Denver. There is a large, tilted, disc-shaped rock behind the stage, a huge vertical rock angled outwards from stage right, several large outcrops angled outwards from stage left and a seating area for up to 9,525 people in between. At its height, the amphitheatre sits at 6,450 feet above sea level, and the surrounding Red Rocks Park covers 868 acres. The amphitheater is owned and operated by the City and County of Denver, Colorado and is located in Red Rocks Park, part of the Denver Mountain Park
Rocky Mountain Whitewater Rafting
For the adventurous type, head up I-70 and have a whitewater rafting adventure.
Bear Creek Horse Ranch and Stables
If you want to truly experience the west and Colorado's natural beauty, try it out horseback riding. At this Stable located in Bear Creek Lake Park they can accommodate small or large groups for horse rides with miles of trails set in over 2600 acres of beautiful parkland with its natural habitat, preserves and wildlife. This experience is good family fun and a great adventure.
Stanley Hotel
Do you like the Shining? Do you like Dumb and Dumber? Do you like beautiful mountain towns with rich landscape and a large hotel where many movies were filmed? Go check out the Stanley and downtown Estes Park. It is beautiful year round and is right next to the Rocky Mountain National Park, so you can venture on a day drive into the beautiful mountains of Colorado while there. Did I mention the Stanley is haunted and we have caught orbs moving on camera while we visited there? It is super fun!
Rocky Mountain National Park
The Rocky Mountains are beautiful beyond belief. Did you know the lyrics "purple mountains majesty" were coined after inspiring views in Colorado? If you want to take a beautiful day trip, head to Estes Park and drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park. If you get to a high enough altitude, you may even experience some snow...yes in July!
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Cave of the Winds is a unique experience and is quite beautiful. You need to drive down to Colorado Springs to visit it, but it is worth the trip. Especially with other attractions in the Springs, such as Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Manitou Springs (the Salem of Colorado), Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak, to mention a few. Also, if you are a South Park fan, you can probably get a man-bear-pig T Shirt from the gift shop.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Located in Colorado Springs, on the side of the mountain, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is quite the trip. If you want a great hike and a trip to the zoo combined, this is just for you. While you are in the Springs, check out Cave of the Winds, Manitou Springs (The Salem of Colorado), Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak.
Garden of the Gods Visitor Center
If you venture down to Colorado Springs, at the very least, take a drive through Garden of the Gods and stop at the trading post at the edge of the Town of Manitou. This is a beautiful red rock park that is a wonder to look at. You can drive through, hike, and even climb rocks while there. Once done, grab an ice cream cone at the rustic Trading Post. Don't forget to check out Manitou Springs after you leave Garden of the Gods.
Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
The Penny Arcade is a great throwback that your kids might enjoy. While there, walk around historic Manitou Springs. Don't forget to bring an empty water bottle to fill up with the natural spring water. It is unique to the area and definitely not like any water you have ever tried before. This is a unique town, home of much of the Colorado Wiccan population (or so they say), but everyone is friendly and welcoming. Check out this unique little town while visiting other attractions near there such as Garden of the Gods and Cave of the Winds.
Pikes Peak
While you can no longer ride the cog railway up to the top, you can drive up to 14, 115 feet above sea level to the top or take a shuttle to the top and experience a beautiful journey to the top of a mountain. While there you can get a souvenir and try a high altitude donut.