Family Travel

Check-out oodles of adventures in Colorado including where to find the best family travel getaways & Denver kid friendly activities.

Nightmare on Curtis Street: A Spooky Staycation at Denver’s Quirkiest Hotel

Here’s the thing about haunted hotels. I’ve always been fascinated by them but when push comes to shove, do I really want a ghost encounter giving me nightmares? That answer is a resounding “NO!” But Nightmare on Curtis Street,  on the other hand, is more up my haunted alley.  The Curtis- a DoubleTree by Hilton in the heart of Denver has dreamed up a fun staycation for Denver families to have a memorable…and fun Halloween! Their package includes: ·         Overnight accommodations on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013 on the 13th floor (which is “haunted” and has loads of spooky characters roaming around!)

“I’M GOING TO MAUI!”–When you win your dream vacation

A funny thing happened four years ago when I was selected as the grand prize winner of Microsoft Office’s nationwide contest to be their accredited blogger at the 2010 Vancouver Games: I started to think like a winner. B.O. (Before Olympics), my contest batting average stunk. When I’d enter to win something, I’d just assume I wouldn’t win and I never did. A.O. (Après Olympics) when I’d enter to win something, I’d assume I would win. I’d like to call this a winning mentality but here’s the thing: I haven’t won anything since then so I have been more of a one-hit wonder, “I-think-I’m-a-winner-but-have-loser-tendencies-type person.” Until last week.

Fall Calendar 2013: Denver Fall Festivals, Corn Mazes and Haunted Houses

EVENTS Elitch Gardens Fright Fest Oct. 5-27: “Family by Day, Fright by Night” is the theme. Not-so-scary activities are offered during the day on weekends including the Trick or Treat Trail. At 5 p.m. each Friday through Sunday the park is terrorized by Zombies with three new haunted attractions: Flesh Factory, Terror Chamber, and Seance. Tickets vary. 2000 Elitch Circle, elitchgardens.com October Fun at Park Meadows Oct. 5, 12, 19: Children’s activities include decorating pumpkins, arts and crafts, games and more, 2-4 p.m. 8401 Park Meadows Center Drive, Lone Tree, 303-792-5384, parkmeadows.com 2013 Historical Pueblo Ghost Walk

Fall colors: Five Colorado towns that glow gold

As other states start fussing over who has the better fall foliage — really, Arizona, trash-talking Vermont?! — Coloradans simply pack up their cameras and head out for the annual display that sets the gold standard for leaf peeping. You don’t have to go far to find aspen ablaze with orange and yellow or maples and oaks that turn orange and red. Head to the mountains in the next week or so, though, as the leaves have begun to change already. Here are five Colorado towns about to be transformed by fall colors, and a few ideas for what to do when you get there. ASPEN The view: Just because the Maroon Bells are the most photographed peaks in North America doesn’t mean you can’t get a shot of them, too. They’re popular for a reason — two 14ers snug against each other, s...

Five Great Early Fall Family Outdoor Activities

Labor Day has ended, the kids are back in school, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes have made their triumphant return to Starbucks. It’s also a great time of year to get outdoors with your family. It’s (usually) not so hot anymore, and the snow is still a good month or two away. Here are some ideas of great Denver-area outdoor family outings as we transition from summer to fall: Berry Picking at Berry Patch Farms It’s now prime raspberry picking season at this family-owned, organic farm in Brighton. Take a wagon ride to the berry fields and pick away. The people are friendly and the views are beautiful. Be sure to check out the chickens they have roaming around, too. Visit the website before you go to confirm that there are in fact raspberries to pick. Currently, families can pick on Tuesdays, Thur...

I Won A Trip to See Taylor Swift in Los Angeles: A Mother-daughter Adventure!

So you know those contests that they have on the radio: “Win a trip to see some super artist in some tropical sounding location.” I have to admit, that sometimes I think it is not really possible to actually WIN one of those trips. That, in addition, to the fact that I am probably the most unlucky person there is! I was at a “Live at Five” concert with Alice 105.9 radio station. I had gone because they had an artist performing there that had won American Idol, Lee Dewyze. I thought that in and of itself was pretty cool. Free concert! I’m in! While I was there I put my name on a piece of paper. They were giving away two trips – one to see Bon Jovi in New Jersey and the other to see Taylor Swift in Los Angeles. As I wrote my name down, I said out loud, ...

Postcards to Denver from a 10-Year-Old and His Mom

From western New York: “The farm has ten chickens and two bunny rabbits. My chicken’s name is Geraldine. The rabbits are Sam and Matilda. I miss our dog. She would have so much fun here, but we were worried she would eat the chickens.” “I forgot what it feels like to stay in bed long enough to listen to the birds, watch the sun move across the room and let my muscles stretch awake one at a time.” From Snowmass, Colorado: “Mom and Dad made us go on a hike. Why does anybody like hiking? You go up and up and up, and they keep saying it’s beautiful, which… who cares?! Then mom counts her mosquito bites. It would be more fun if we could bring the dog.” From Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado:

Labor Day 2013: 10 ways to celebrate summer’s end in Colorado

Labor Day carries a lot of weight as the unofficial end of summer, considering the crush of festivals, picnics, concerts and parties that get piled onto the three-day weekend. But figuring out which events you should attend doesn’t have to feel like work. Here’s our quick-hit guide to doing Labor Day 10 ways with a minimum of fatigue. 1. Get high at Mount Evans The window of weather that allows motorists to drive 60 miles west to the top of Mount Evans’ 14,264-foot summit is quickly closing, so if you still haven’t experienced the highest paved road in North America, this weekend is your last chance (until next year). On the way, stop at Echo Lake or Summit Lake to hike, fish or marvel at the stunning mountain and alpine tundra ecosystems. $10 per vehicle. 303-567-3...

Denver Deal: Labor Day is Ski Sale Season!!

If you and your family are planning to ski this winter – now is the time to be thinking about deals and where you will want to ski. Jr. Trade in Program Colorado Ski & Golf (Ski & Sport) locations offer a  uniquely affordable ski rental program was created to insure that children’s equipment is as modestly priced as possible. After the first season’s rental, a complete package for used equipment that includes skis, boots and poles is only $49.99 per year. A mandatory binding check adds $15. Equipment can be exchanged as often as needed during the season to make sure the size and fit remains comfortable—free. The first year kids are registered in Junior Trade In, the cost is $99.99 for used equipment and then each year, a refit into a different set of used equipment is 50 perc...

Curating for the curious: Big fun at Colorado’s small museums

Colorado may boast 300-plus days of sunshine a year — even TV weathercasters know that — but there are also fine reasons to stay indoors, especially when it comes to the state’s myriad museums. We’re not talking about the big cultural draws such as the Denver Museum of Nature & Science or the Denver Art Museum. Both are fine institutions, but really, do either of them offer a gander at a Cold War-era B-1 Lancer bomber or the goosebump-inducing noose used on the last prisoner hanged in Colorado? Nope. This is where a variety of small museums take center stage. Ranging from the unique to the downright offbeat, here’s a roundup of off-the-beaten-path slices of history that are worth a visit.

Summer Adventures in the Boulder Area

Mountainous, Organic, Natural, Hip, Green, Fresh Air, Outdoorsy, how would you describe your neighbors to the North? As a mom of three, let me take you through some of the family friendly activities that you must know about. Some things that are just so fabulous you will have to get in your car and find yourself driving this way. Of course, if you prefer to bike, that would be fine too. What do ponies, humongous hay bales, a crazy zip line, sand in crevasses of your body that you didn’t know you had and one extremely large turkey have in common? – Sunflower Farms, of course. Located just south of Longmont, no summer is complete without a trip to this old fashioned farm. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy. My animal lover can’t get enough of feeding the goats. She’s been h...

Camping With Toddlers -The Ultimate Camping Experience

Camping. Where the daily grind is no more and the stresses of life are obsolete. Where the days linger on and the night waits for dusk to silently drift away. The air is fresh where you camp. The world is still and the surrounding silence is soothing. You stand outside and take in as much of the scenery as you can. You breathe deep breaths of fresh air, close your eyes and smile. This is life. Then someone cries.