I’m frequently asked by Denver moms what are my favorite things to do? Best restaurants? Fun places to take my kids? The Mile High City is bursting with choices, many of which are well-known like Elitch Gardens, Children’s Museum of Denver, Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall and Water World.
I’m teaming up with goodnessknows snack squares to bring you a few of my favorite haunts—from my best workout ever to my favorite library without any books. As you explore the Mile High City and beyond, be sure to take along these yummy snack squares that are made without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in the following flavors: cranberry, almond, dark chocolate; apple, almond & peanut, dark chocolate; peach & cherry, almond, dark chocolate.
Here are a few of my favorite haunts and be sure to share your insider tips to win a $100 VISA gift card!
Best library without any books. Tucked away in the basement of Denver’s Smiley Library Branch is the Northwest Denver Toy Library. Founded in 1980, this is the only toy-lending library in Denver where kids can literally check-out up to three toys for as long as three weeks. Toy Library hours vary and can be found on their website.
Coolest Pinball Arcade. Lyons Pinball Arcade – When it’s too cold to be outside, duck in for classic pinball and ’80s arcade games. Stop next door for a family-friendly lunch at Oscar Blues or head over to Lyons Soda Fountain where you’ll find one of Colorado’s oldest and best preserved soda fountains.
Best history lesson. Have you ever wondered about the stories of the places you pass? On Denver Story Trek you’ll explore the stories behind Denver’s historic landscapes and landmarks by taking a free tour that you design yourself by simply downloading an audio file. Honorable mention: Denver Free Walking Tours’ new two hour daily tours that leave at 10 a.m. daily, starting in Civic Center Park, then wind through downtown past more than a dozen of Denver’s distinctive landmarks, and end in front of Coors Field. No reservations needed and tours are every day – rain, snow, or shine. Tours are free but tips are appreciated.
Great Play of Cherry Creek
Honorable mention for younger kids: Great Play (Highlands Ranch, Cherry Creek)–This unique gym for kids 6 months-10 years old makes it fun while developing motor skills, sport skills, fitness and coordination in their patented Interactive Arena.
Best workout. Front Range Boot Camp. Full disclosure: I’m currently in hiatus due to my poverty and injuries but I’m chomping at the bit to get back to Front Range Boot Camp. Nestled in Arvada by Ralston Creek, the women-only workouts are customized to fit your ability level and range from crossfit to yoga to everything in between…and they’ll whip your bootie into the best shape of your life.
Apex Pool
Best places to go when it’s cold outside. Apex Center in Arvada. This recreation and entertainment center houses two ice rinks, an awesome indoor aquatic play area, climbing wall, gyms, indoor track, a FREE indoor playground and more. Refuel with goodnessknows as each serving contains 100 milligrams of naturally-occurring cocoa flavanols – the good stuff found inside cocoa beans
Best staycation. From Golden’s First Friday street fair in the summer months to strolling along Clear Creek Trail’s extensive trail system to feeding the chickens at the free Clear Creek History Park to Lion’s Park’s killer playground and sandbox to watching the adventurers at the kayak park, Golden feels like you’re miles from home. Head over to Woody’s Wood-fired Pizza for their lunch buffet or grab a pastry from the Windy Saddle Café while your littles frolic in the cozy play area for kids.
Best museum you may not have visited. Molly Brown House Museum. Learn about the life and times of “Unsinkable” Molly Brown in her restored Victorian home in Denver, Colorado. One of only a handful of sites nationally dedicated to the interpretation of a woman’s story, addmission to the Molly Brown House Museum is by guided tour only.
Best breakfast. Ever. Country Road Café is a 20-minute drive from Denver and this casual mountain-themed eatery in Kittredge serves up hearty breakfast dishes plus salads, burgers and sandwiches. Their breakfasts are legendary with fluffy basketball-sized pancakes, Smashed Mashes and several eggs benedicts, including my favorite, The Wildwood (homemade potato pancakes topped with two eggs, roasted pork, avocado, cheddar cheese, hollandaise, crispy onions and sweet jalapeño jam drizzle). This is our go-to place for out-of-town guests and we’ve never left disappointed. Or hungry.
Best place to become a meteorologist. National Center for Atmospheric Research. Learn about global warming, the 21st century’s hottest topic, at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. See a hailstone the size of a softball, watch as a miniature tornado is whipped up in front of your eyes, and get an up close look at how lightning is created. Grab a goodnessknows snack square and stroll along NCAR’s Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail with interpretive signs and if you’re ambitious, keep hiking along the extensive network of trails in Boulder.
Best place to play Pinocchio. At the Denver Puppet Theater, patrons (ages 3+) can watch plays by marionettes, play with over one hundred puppets, decorate your very own souvenir puppet ticket, shop in their puppets-of-every-kind gift shop and enjoy lunch or a snack in Zook’s Cafe and in their courtyard.
Best Toy Shops. Wizard’s Chest – Need some magic in your life? Take the kids to Wizard’s Chest in Cherry Creek. Check their calendar for upcoming events. Honorable mention: Into the Wind kite shop on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder boasts so much more than just kites and is a veritable kid’s emporium with enough toys to keep kids of all ages busy for a lifetime.
Contest
We want you to share your favorite things or places you’d add to our Denver Goodness Guide and we’re giving away a $100 VISA gift card to help you explore the Mile High City! This contest is in partnership with goodnessknows. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter as you #tryalittlegoodness. You may enter as many as five times.
CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER CHRISTINA A!
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
