Mama’s Weekly Picks for Denver’s Best Events!
Mile High Mamas is thrilled to add Jennifer to our line-up! Jennifer has maintained a popular Yahoo group of the area’s best family-friendly activities and has established herself as one of Denver’s leading event gurus. Join us each Friday as she shares her favorite picks. Do you want Jennifer to consider one of your events for inclusion? Email her at jennifer@milehighmamas.com.
Recent weather aside, spring is in the air! The Arvada Kite Festival has been postponed until next week, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do this week. First and foremost, it’s First Friday! Check out the art scene on Tennyson Street in North Denver, or head down to Santa Fe or the Golden Triangle in Central Denver.
As with everything, call before you go. Prices and hours are always subject to change, and you just can’t hold me responsible if that happens. Of course, I hope that it doesn’t, and that you have a great time this week, exploring all the great things the Denver area has to offer.
Next week: Easter Egg Hunts!
Upcoming Free Days, because who doesn’t want to save money in this economy?
Friday, April 3: Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Park, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton 303-973-3705 or www.botanicgardens.org. The weather looks like it will be warmer toward the end of the week–just bundle those little ones up, and enjoy the first signs of spring.
Saturday, April 4: Free First Saturdays at the Denver Art Museum (free for Colorado Residents), 100 W 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver (in the Civic Center Cultural Complex, on 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock). 720-865-5000 or www.denverartmuseum.org. A new exhibit has just opened, featuring psychedelic art from San Francisco, dating back to before some of us were born. Far out, man.
Tuesday, April 7: Free First Tuesdays at the Children’s Museum, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., 2121 Children’s Museum Drive (Off of I-25 and 23rd Ave, near the Denver Aquarium), Denver 303-433-7444 or www.cmdenver.org.
First Friday, April 3
There’s always something funky going on at First Friday. It’s low-pressure art appreciation. Bundle up the kids in the wagon and bring something warm in the Thermos.
Tennyson Street, Tennyson Street between 38th and 44th Avenues, Northwest Denver www.denverartwalk.com
Santa Fe Drive, between 4th and 12th Avenues, Central Denver; Free Shuttle available from the Light Rail Station at 10th & Osage; Parking also available at West High School, for a small fee that directly benefits the high school. www.artdistrictonsantafe.com
Golden Triangle, On Lincoln, between Speer and 13th, Central Denver, www.goldentriangleofdenver.com
April 5, WeeCycle’s Hopscotch Hustle, Curtis Hotel in downtown Denver; www.weecyclecolorado.org
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Don’t miss out on the chance to make a difference at this mom and baby fashion show benefit. The Colorado Children’s Campaign found that since 2000, the number of children living in poverty in our state has increased by 70 percent. To help answer some of that need, WeeCycle distributes new and gently used essential baby gear–bouncers, swings, car seats, cribs, highchairs, the things that really add up–to low-income families with infants and toddlers.
Community Events
April 7, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Tuesday Tots at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, 56th and Havana, Commerce City, 303-289-0930 or www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal
Nature program for children ages 2 – 5; this month’s topic is Lil’ Green Thumbs, in celebration of Earth Day. Call for reservations.
Theater
April 4, tRUNks at the Buntport Theater Company, 717 Lipan Street, Denver; www.buntport.com or 720-946-1388
1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Box office opens at 12:30. Tickets are $5-$7, depending on what you roll (seriously). Discounts for those dressed in superhero clothes.
A crazy superhero show that takes place every other Saturday. Check out the website for a rundown on previous shows from this season. Shows are based, in part, on audience suggestion.
Through May 17: The Emperor’s New Clothes at the Denver Puppet Theater, 3156 West 38th Avenue, Denver. www.denverpuppettheater.com or 303-458-6446
Show Times: Thursdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. Tickets are $6.00. Group discounts and discounted ticket packs available.
Shows at the Denver Puppet Theater are appropriate for children ages 3 and older.
*Please note: The theater is closed Easter Week, April 6 – 14. Times also change during the summer months. Check before you go!
The Denver Puppet Theater is a funky little hidden gem in North Denver. Puppets truly are art, and take on a life of their own (but not in a creepy, Poltergeisty way). Definitely worth a visit.
Ongoing Exhibits
Animal Grossology
The Wildlife Experience, 10035 Peoria, Parker. www.thewildlifeexperience.org
Adults, 7.95; Seniors, 6.95; Kids 2-12, 4.95: Free for kids 2 and under.
This exhibit ends April 26th; learn all sorts of disgusting things about animals from around the world. The kids will love it!
Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver. www.dmns.org
Adults $11, Seniors and Children 3 – 18 $6;
Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters
Exhibit runs though May 13th
Explores how catastrophic phenomena occur and how they affect people around the world. My second grader gives this a mighty thumbs up.
Expedition Health
Opens April 4th
An interactive, personalized experience allowing visitors to see how the choices they make affect their individual health. Entrance to this exhibit is included in museum admission but does require reservations. Reserve online at www.dmns.org or call 303-322-7009.
The Psychedelic Experience: Rock Posters from the San Francisco Bay Area, 1965-71
The Denver Art Museum, 100 W 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver www.denverartmuseum.org
Exhibit runs through July 19th. Posters, videos, and music from psychedelic San Francisco. Groovy.
Littleton Fine Arts Committee’s Eye of the Camera Exhibition, Best of Show
Littleton Historical Museum, 6028 S. Gallup Street, Littleton
Runs through May 3; Winners of the 2008 Eye of the Camera Exhibition will be displayed
FREE
General Fun Stuff That’s Almost Always Available
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Viewing Tours
Rocky Mountain Arsenal, 56th and Havana, Commerce City
303-289-0930 www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, Enter at 56th and Havana, Commerce City.
Wildlife Viewing Tours: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday; Tours are FREE, but call for reservations.
Tours of the wildlife refuge on the former Rocky Mountain Arsenal. You can also hike on your own, and explore the National Wildlife Refuge that way.
Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory
4600 Sleepytime Drive, Boulder
Factory tours on the hour, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sunday.
Tours are 45 minutes; no children under 5 in the factory; tea samples, gift shop.
Denver Mint – www.usmint.gov
Colfax and Cherokee in Denver
Mint tours on the hour, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed on federal holidays). Reservations recommended.
See coin production in action. Security is tight, so check the website for restrictions
Colorado State Capitol Building – 303-866-2604 www.colorado.gov
Colfax and Broadway in Denver
Tours run 9:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on state and federal holidays)
Tours are 45 minutes; watch local government at work and see an historic building.
Coors Brewery – 303-277-2552 www.coors.com
13th and Ford in Golden
Tours are 45 minutes, beer samples for those 21 and over. I know, it seems so kid-inappropriate. But it really is a great place for kids to see how things are made.
Anheuser Busch Brewery – www.budweisertours.com
2351 Busch Drive in Fort Collins
Tours are 1 hour, beer samples for those 21 and over, see the Clydesdales.
More from Mile High Mamas
- Mama’s Weekly Picks for Denver’s Best Family-fun Events!
- Mama’s Weekly Picks for Colorado’s Best Family-fun Events!
- Denver’s Top Mama-Recommended Summer Activities
Mile High Mamas Recommends
- Pictures of the Week: September 16, 2010 (Plog Photo Blog)
- Denver Post’s call for Obama to choose Richardson (eLetters)
- Denver’s klipp chosen as architect for Nature & Science Museum’s latest addition (Artmosphere)
Mile High Mamas Marketplace
- Hometown Favorites 1960's Nostalgic Candy Gift Box, Retro 60's Candy, 3-Pound (Amazon | Grocery, Health & Beauty)
- Napoleon Total War Limited Edition (Amazon | Computers & Office)
"Rubber Mulch is a unique product that consists of granular rubber particles, also referred to as rubber chunks, nuggets and shredded rubber. Playgroun..."