The Beautiful City of Denver has so many great things to see and do. So with the help of Mile High Mama’s Twitter followers and Facebook friends we have come up with a list of must-see and reasonably-priced attractions for families in Denver and the surrounding areas. These are just a few of the many great things Denver has to offer so
let us know your favorites too!
Where to Eat
2000 s. Colorado Blvd.
With more than 48,000 square feet, Dave and Buster’s provides fun for the whole family with food, drinks and games all under one roof. They have billiards, shuffle boards and plenty of arcade games to keep everyone entertained. Plus they serve everything from steak and salads to seafood and pasta. And you can choose from Eat and Play combo deals which come with a $10 game card!
6715 W. Colfax Ave.
Casa Bonita is one of Denver’s major attractions. They opened in 1974 and have been providing Mexican food and family fun ever since. Entering Case Bonita is like entering another world; the dining area surrounds a large waterfall where cliff divers perform throughout the night. They also have strolling musicians, puppet shows, an arcade and a “haunted” cave!
Five Denver Locations
Gunther Toody’s, an American Classic restaurant has been a Colorado favorite for more than 20 years. The ‘50s style restaurants offer juke boxes, root beer floats, arcade games and plenty of juicy burgers. The wait staff looks like the stepped right out of 1955 with their poodle skirts and saddle shoes. The prices are reasonable and they also have daily specials like the 5-cent burger!
2620 16th St.
The Little Man Ice Cream Shop is located in the Highlands neighborhood and has hand-made ice cream made with local ingredients. They sport vintage uniforms and an “anything goes” attitude. ´They also specialize in fountain sodas, floats, malts, shakes, banana splits and sundaes, great fun for the whole family! (Photo courtesy of littlemanicecream.com)
Where to play
City Park is Denver’s largest park. It has several lakes, flower gardens, a park and a hiking/jogging trail that is exactly one mile high! There are great mountain views and the park holds free summer concerts! This park is great after a trip through the Denver Zoo or the Denver Museum of Nature and Science which are located on the north east side of the park.
Washington Park is the place to be when the weather is nice! There are several trails, two playgrounds, and a pond that is great for feeding the ducks. The park is known for its beautiful flower gardens and in the summer, the fields are crowded with volleyball players and lawn bowlers!
Lions Park is located in Golden and has a large playground and sandbox as well as a fishing pond. The horseshoe pit and sand volleyball court are popular when the weather is nice, and you can reserve two large pavilions on either side of the park!
Where to visit
2121 Children’s Museum Drive
The Children’s Museum is located in the heart of Denver and provides kids a great hands-on experience. They have interactive exhibits for kids of all ages including things like dressing up like a firefighter and learning about their jobs and dressing up like a veterinarian, performing x-rays and saving animals. This museum is great for combining learning with play time!
2001 Blake Street
Coorse Field, the home of the Colorado Rockies baseball team is a great place to take the kids with tickets as little at $4! The stadium features a playground and chances to meet Dinger the mascot. You can also skip out on the games and head to the stadium for a tour! Tours are throughout the season (not during games) and cost $7 for adults and $5 for kids!
2300 Steele Street
The Zoo, a popular Denver attraction is located by City Park. The Zoo features an indoor rain forest and opportunities to see baby animals. It is open year-round and has special events for the holidays!
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2001 Colorado Boulevard
Denver, CO 80205
The Museum is a two story building that greets visitors with giant dinosaur skeleton! The museum features a planetarium, IMAX Theater and exhibits like the Hall of Life where kids can learn about being healthy!
Where to exercise
Cherry Creek Trail is a great trail that runs through Denver. It starts at the Northwest corner of downtown (Confluence Park, which connects to the Platte River Trail) and runs all the way down to Cherry Creek State Park, near Englewood. The trail stops by a few parks and allows for a great tour a Denver. You can even make a stop at REI, on Platte Street, a local outdoor store where kids can rock climb for $10.
The Clear Creek Trail is a 6.5 mile family-friendly multi-use trail. It is located just south of Interstate 70 and runs from Harlan to Youngfield Street winding through the scenic Wheat Ridge Greenbelt.
Lair O’ the Bear in Morrison (southwest of Denver) is a great place to have a picnic and hike in scenic Bear Creek Canyon. The hike is easy enough for kids but will still provide exercise. There is a stream the runs through the base of the trail and on your way out of Morrison you can stop in town for a bite to eat.
Where to take a day trip
1000 U.S. 36
Estes Park, CO 80517
71 miles from Denver is the Rocky Mountain National Park. There are more than 350 miles of trails, beautiful wildflowers, lakes and waterfalls. Enjoy a day in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and keep your eyes out for wildlife!
Cave of the Winds Road
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
The Cave of the Winds is about 90 minutes south of Denver. It’s a great Colorado attraction that gives tours of caves! There are three different tours that include the Discovery tour which is great for little ones because the cave it lit, and the lantern tour that requires visitors to use oil lamps to light their way as they venture through the pitch-black cave. The Cave of the Winds is a great family adventure through a natural wonder!
3330 Chuckwagon Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
The Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs, south of Denver, is where the West comes alive! Enjoy a barbecue and entertainment from the Flying W Wranglers. The Flying W Ranch is an actual working mountain cattle ranch located in the foothills of Colorado Springs. They have been specializing in authentic western food and western style entertainment since 1953. Kids are $12, adults are $22, be sure to make reservations!
Author: Mile High Mamas
Jaime Swartzendruber
Water World is a favorite for my family! If you haven’t been in years, check out the new children’s area – a fantastic gondola ride across the park too. The surf ride is slightly addicting, so don’t let your kids on it unless you want to spend a lot of time there 🙂
Kailyn H.
Wow that was very helpful. Thank you.