My husband and I dream of owning a cabin someday and Breckenridge has long been at the top of our list. Only a 1.5-hour drive from Denver (I-70 traffic snares notwithstanding) this authentic mining town has everything I love: a world-class ski resort, the Blue River (a tributary of the raging Colorado River), an idyllic Main Street, gourmet dining, glittering boutiques, endless hiking possibilities and it is part of an 80-mile network of paved, motorized bike paths that connect other Summit County resorts like Dillon, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Vail. We have spent long, languid summer and fall days in Breck but here’s my confession: we have never been there once the snow flies. And if you love winter like I do, you know that Breckenridge is one of Colorado’s best famil...
“Mom, so where are we going for our surprise?” “I’m not telling. Be here’s a hint: the movie, Frozen.” “Ice castles? Are we going to see ICE CASTLES?” My kids nailed it on the first guess. And much to our delight, the giant Ice Castles in Breckenridge, Colo. are a cut right out of Disney’s musical fantasy where you’ll swear you’ve been swept away in an eternal winter with magic at every turn. Disclaimer: mangy reindeer named Sven not included. This is Brent Christensen’s fifth year building Ice Castles and his third go-around in Colorado (previous years were in Silverthorne and Steamboat). Conveniently located at 150 W Adams Ave. in downtown Breck adjacent to Blue River Plaza, the 1-acre frozen kingdom gives you yet another ...
One of the best things about living in the Denver area (Colorado) is that some of the big cultural attractions host FREE days for the residents. Always check in advance, as dates and times sometimes change. Enjoy! JANUARY Monday, January 13 – Denver Museum of Nature & Science Monday, January 20 – Denver Botanic Gardens Monday, January 20 – Martin Luther King Marade Monday, January 20 – National Parks Wednesday, January 22 – Denver Zoo Monday, January 27 – Hudson Gardens (Hudson Gardens admission the Gardens is always FREE). Friday, January 31 – Molly Brown House Friday, January 31 – Skiing in the City (11-1) at Skyline Park FEBRUARY Saturday, February 1 – Denver Art Museum Sunday, February 2 – Denver Zoo and Denve...
Ouray’s 2014 Ouray Ice Festival. Want to expose your kids to the fun and thrilling sport of ice climbing? The Ouray Ice Park and the City of Ouray are ready to showcase the world’s premier ice climbing event Jan. 9-12. The 2014 Ice Festival offers many opportunities for spectators and climbers to get off the bridge and play on the ice with a full schedule of events. There will be free clinics on the kid’s wall and all climbing equipment will be provided. Kids will need to wear a warm coat, warm pants, gloves and a hat. Be sure to go to http://ourayicepark.com/ for the full schedule. National Western Stock Show. The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo is a Denver tradition, honoring the country’s rich Old West heritage. Held January 11-26, 2014 at the National Western...
Happy New Year’s!! I don’t know what you plan to do on New Year’s Day – but I will be at the stores. There are amazing deals to be had in those post-Christmas sales. I have seen emails from too many to mention. I know I will be asked to spend some time in the Disney Store (where they are having their 1/2 yearly sales at 40% discounts), H&M for my teen (where it seems like the whole store is on sale), and an email the other day said 93% discount at the Discovery Store. Really?!?!? 93%? I love it! See you at the mall! History Colorado Center Explore Colorado’s history in the exhibit, Living West at the History Colorado Center. Zebulon Pika takes kids through the activities and sharing fun, interesting facts about life in the West. From 11/23/13-2/28/14 kids ...
Looking for something to do on New Year’s? Here’s your guide! Bovine Metropolis Theater Annual “On the Spot New Year’s Eve” game-based improv shows begin at 4 (for families), 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the 4 p.m. show, $30 for the 7:30 and 10 p.m. shows. 1527 Champa St., 303-758-4722, bovinemetropolis.com The Celtic Tavern The Ancient Order of Hibernians and Fr. Joseph Carrigan Division (AOH) present the fourth annual Irish New Year’s Celebration with music, food and family entertainment, 2-7 p.m. Festivities, honoring the Dublin, Ireland, time zone at 5 p.m., include a special toast, bagpipe salute and party favors. $10 suggested donation at the door. Proceeds benefit the Catholic Samaritan House and St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. 1801...
Warm to the Glow of Blossoms of Light. Nightly, Nov. 29, 2013 through Jan. 1, 2014, 5:30-9:30 p.m. More than one million colorful lights are on display at Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield throughout the holiday season. At York Street, seasonal entertainment is presented on select evenings. A synchronized holiday light and music showcase illuminates the UMB Bank Amphitheater, and themed gardens enhance the experience. At Chatfield, twinkling lights illuminate a variety of paths throughout Colorado’s countryside; a shorter route takes visitors directly to the children’s play area, while an extended path allows visitors to explore the Green Farm barn and silo before continuing to the children’s area and homestead. Also featured: seasonal entertainment and hayride...
My daughter Hadley and I recently had what felt like a” New York Moment” in Denver. We’re suburbanites and venture downtown every couple of months but usually for an express purpose–not to just wander and explore. We walked for miles, only slowing down to eat, shop and savor the many, many Colorado moments. A few of our favorites included: Christkindl Market Visit the 13th annual Denver Christkindl Market in the heart of downtown Denver on the 16th Street Mall. Once upon a time, I served an 18-month-long LDS mission in Switzerland and this quaint German Christmas market’s music, food, holiday lights and old-world vendors made me relive the fairy tale. Hadley and I bought handmade Christmas decorations, drank cinnamon-spiced hot chocolate, devoured cinnamon-sug...
Family getaways into the mountains can be amazing and relaxing, at least once you arrive! Kids and car rides can lead to chaos or make wonderful family memories. The challenge of spending time in an enclosed car space with little physical movement can be difficult for even short rides. Any parent can have a panic attack if facing hours in a car with kids. Sure you could just pop in a DVD, but why not establish car time as a unique time to bond, learn to use car time creatively and quietly, or actually learn something. Most importantly, remember to have fun! Quiet Activities
It’s a Wonderful Life. Do you love this Christmas classic as much as my husband does? I recently surprised him with a date night to see this story brought to life as a 1940’s radio broadcast at Miner’s Alley Playhouse in Golden. I’m admittedly not a huge fan of the movie but fell in love with the charming and hilarious cast who made us laugh ’til we cried and ignited an appreciation for idealistic George Bailey as he received divine intervention one Christmas Eve. This 130-seat theater was quaint, the acting superb and the audience interaction was fun (have you ever been playfully given Jelly Bellies by the actors prior to a show?) Go early and join the cast for holiday songs and Christmas stories. Now through December 22 with performances every Friday and Saturda...
If you celebrate Christmas, the holiday season shows what kind of person you really are: the real or fake Christmas tree kind of person. I see the benefits in being a fake tree person, I suppose. You make only a one-time purchase, and no traipsing through 5 feet of snow or having your eyes frozen shut à la Audrey Griswold. My husband and I were even fake Christmas tree people for the first few years of our marriage, but last year we were won over again to becoming “real tree people.” Throughout my childhood, our family and another family went Christmas tree hunting together every winter at a snowy Pennsylvania tree farm. We would bet on who could find the best Christmas tree and “tag” our options with crumpled up tissues my mom and her friend had stuffed in their jacket pockets. Once we fo...
Special Screening of Girl Rising. It might be the most important documentary you’ll ever watch. On Wednesday, Nov. 6th, the non-profit Water For People Presents Girl Rising: A Celebration and Screening. As we continue to address the challenges of the water crisis, both in Colorado and across the developing world, there is an ongoing need to empower women and girls. This will be a great local event to begin that conversation not only around how girls are affected by the water crisis (and poverty) but also around what we can do to make an impact. Be sure to view the Girl Rising trailer here. Popcorn will be provided for the screening; light appetizers will be available at the cocktail hour, as well as a cash bar with wine, beer, and cocktails. Tickets are $10. 6-9 p.m. at Galvanize,...