Your Family Will Thrive in Denver

Tourism in Colorado has never been bigger. For the past five years, Colorado has set new records for its number of visitors, according to the Colorado Tourism Office. The state significantly outpaces the rest of the nation in its tourism growth.

And it’s no wonder. Colorado has it all, from a thriving arts scene, to some of the world’s best ski slopes in the winter. Year-round, the outdoor adventures in Colorado’s four national parks and tall mountain peaks are a bucket list come true, especially for traveling families.

You don’t have to venture all over the state to experience some of the most exciting family-friendly adventures, either. A vacation right in the heart of Denver brings plenty of fun for travelers of all ages.

Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Denver with the kids.

Outdoor Fun

Denver has the culture and arts of a big city, but a short drive from the skyscrapers, you can find stunning wildlife and open space.

Only 15 minutes from Denver city limits is the small mountain town of Evergreen, a true hidden gem. Bring the kids out on the water, go camping or hiking in the forest and stroll through the old-fashioned downtown to pick up your travel mementos.

But you don’t even have to leave the metro area to go camping. Chatfield State Park, open year-round, boasts almost 200 different campsites, a lake, impressive mountain views and plenty of hiking and biking trails.

This campground is perfect for families, because there’s running water and full bathrooms with showers (even a laundry facility), as well as a marina with food, and it’s only 10 minutes from the plethora of restaurants and stores in Littleton. It takes the discomfort out of camping, without sacrificing the views and serenity.

Oh, and it has a great playground overlooking the lake and mountains, where your whole family will want to hang out all afternoon.

Across the street from Chatfield State Park, don’t miss the massive wildflower garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Another way to get outside is to catch a movie in the park. You can find these free, family-friendly flicks around the state when the weather’s warm, but a favorite is in the Civic Center Park.

City Park is also a convenient way to get your toes in the grass. Here, you’ll find lakes, picnic tables, playgrounds, tennis courts and in the summer, live music.

Get Artsy

Denver is a booming arts and museum destination. The Denver Art Museum always makes an effort to reach out to kids (they will especially enjoy the interactive gallery, where they can currently make their own shadow puppets, create a stop-motion film and contribute to a oversized mural on the floor — painted with various body parts).

As for museums, the Children’s Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science are both excellent bets for families.

Browse the Mall

Denver’s 16th Street Mall is a quintessential tourist destination in Colorado. Visit it earlier in the day for a more family-friendly experience (after dark, it can get rowdy). Hop on a cart pulled by a bike, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, utilize the free mall tram or explore it on foot. This walking mall is lined with shops, restaurants and entertainment, from movies to bowling.

Get Close to Wildlife

Although you likely won’t see many elk and bighorn sheep in the city (although you will definitely have a good chance of a deer encounter at Chatfield State Park), your kids can visit with animals at the popular Denver Zoo and the aquarium.

Minutes north of Denver is the less expensive Butterfly Pavilion, an unusual, indoor tropical paradise located right in the Rocky Mountain region, where you will be surrounded by hundreds of fluttering butterflies. For the brave, kids 3 and up can even hold Rosie the tarantula. Kids who still want to get their hands dirty but don’t want to get that extreme can dig through bins of soil and compost and play with beetle grubs.

Stay Somewhere Special

You don’t have to fly to Europe to stay the night in a real castle. Denver’s Castle Marne, located right in Denver, is a dramatic, Victorian-inspired hotel that was constructed in the 1800s.

Or stay in Union Station, a historical train station that has been renovated into a quirky micro-city within a city. In the station’s bubble, you can find 13 different shops and restaurants, as well as the Crawford Hotel.

As a bonus, you can take the airport train straight from Denver International Airport directly to Union Station and not need to rent a car. There’s plenty to do inside and nearby ideally located Union Station. If your feet get tired, an Uber or catamaran is always available.

Save the money on a rental car and splurge on dinner at Elway’s, a steakhouse named after the famous Denver Bronco’s quarterback. Elway’s has a delicious kids’ menu and a reputation for the best steak in the state. This is a celebrity hangout, too, so who knows? You might see Elway himself — or at least his jersey, hanging on the wall.