The Top 5 Must-Do Family Activities in Denver

The Top 5 Must-Do Family Activities in Denver

Colorado is famous for being an adventure sports haven. Every year, thrill seekers from around the globe head there for some of the best skiing, bouldering and rafting the world has to offer.

But, did you know that Colorado—specifically Denver—is likewise an exceptional place for a family vacation? From outdoor activities that everyone can take part in to educational, interactive exhibits that will keep the kids entertained for hours, there’s no shortage of family-friendly fun to enjoy.

If you’re planning a trip to The Mile-High City this year, don’t spend all your time on the slopes! In this guide, we’re breaking down 5 of the best family things to do in Denver for parents and children alike.

#1 Fawn Over Fish at The Downtown Aquarium

Perched right on the banks of the Platte River is Denver’s Downtown Aquarium, the largest in the state with over 100,000 square feet of exhibit and event space. With more than 500 species of aquatic animals swimming freely through its tanks, pools and ponds, there’s something to excite any ocean lover or animal enthusiast. Take a stroll amongst the glass-walled and open-air enclosures to see if you can spot:

  • Sea otters
  • Sharks
  • Sting rays
  • Tortoises
  • Spiny lobsters
  • Fish of all shapes, sizes and species

Beyond this veritable abundance of sea life, Downtown Aquarium also offers a variety of special shows and events. After seeing everything the regular gallery has to offer, step into the special exhibits to experience:

  • A state-of-the-art 4D theater showcasing a variety of aquatically-themed short films
  • A secure, yet scary cage diving adventure where you’re lowered down into a tank of sharks and get to examine them from close range (Note: Children under eight can’t participate in the Shark Cage Experience)
  • Feasting tank-side on Denver delicacies as you take in the views of over 100 species of tropical fish encircling the Aquarium Restaurant’s dining room
  • A variety of other exciting activities, such as an aquatic carousel, underwater mermaid shows and meet-and-greets with a myriad of exotic animals

The Downtown Aquarium is the perfect way to learn about our oceans and the beautiful, brilliant and bizarre creatures that swim beneath them. It’s an exciting time for everyone from babies to grandparents and a must-do when it comes to family fun in Denver.

#2 Hop Aboard the Denver Trolley

Dating all the way back to 1911, Rocky Mountain Railroad Club Car Number 25 is one of the oldest family activities Denver has to offer. The train car is the last remnant of the once bustling Denver trolley system, the network of overland rail that used to serve the city’s downtown core and carry passengers to and from various shopping, business and entertainment venues.

Trolley service was mostly discontinued in 1950 and nowadays the car is more of a novelty than a daily mode of transportation—but it’s fun and well worth your time on any visit. The ride starts at Confluence Park and runs every half-hour from 10 am to 5 pm. Along the way, your friendly guide will point out local sites and attractions while providing a succinct historical summary of the city from the Gold Rush days to the present.

The Denver Trolley is a seasonal attraction and only operates from Thursday to Monday starting on May 23rd and ending on August 12th. If you want to experience this unique piece of history during your trip, be sure to plan accordingly.

#3 Learn About Our Planet at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

How did ancient cultures view the world? How can we live more harmoniously amongst animals and nature? What grand mysteries does the rest of the universe hold? At the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, kids can ponder these and other difficult questions as they learn about the complexities of our planet.

The museum’s collection is vast and curators began accumulating artifacts for it all the way back in 1868—almost a decade before Colorado even became a state., It officially opened its doors in 1908 and, over a century later, continues to educate children and adults alike about the fascinating history of our natural world through a variety of permanent exhibits, such as:

  • Discovery Zone – This child-oriented interactive exhibit helps kids learn the fundamentals of science through experiential play. Discover different animal species in the Wildlife Hall, build new machines in the Construction Corner or get a glimpse into the inner workings of our universe at Space Odyssey—it’s all possible and it’s all fun in the Discovery Zone!
  • Egyptian Mummies – You don’t need to travel all the way to Giza to experience the wonders of the ancient Egyptian world. Two female mummies call the Denver Museum of Nature and Science home alongside a variety of ancient artifacts, pyramid models and even a mummified baby crocodile. If your children have a keen interest in past civilizations, this is one exhibit you surely won’t want to miss.
  • Prehistoric Journey – Step back in time about 3.5 billion years to the era when dinosaurs reigned supreme. Watch the mighty allosaurus duke it out with the spiny stegosaurus, examine ancient plants as they once grew and discover fossils dating back eons. In Prehistoric Journey, the once-forgotten mysteries of the past come alive all around you.

Besides these permanent fixtures, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science also features an interesting rotation of special exhibitions. Right now, they’re showing:

  • Orcas: Our Shared Future – An in-depth examination of the killer whale’s place in pop culture, art and our environment.
  • Wild Colors – A curated study of the color spectrum featuring some of the brightest art pieces and artifacts the museum has in its collection.
  • After the Asteroid: Earth’s Comeback Story – A narrative told through fossils that recounts our planet’s recovery following the mass extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

To make sure the exhibits you want to see are still around during your trip, check the museum’s website before heading over. Likewise, visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets ahead of time to avoid lines at the door.

#4 Enjoy the Great Outdoors at City Park

Surrounding the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is City Park, a centrally-located patch of greenspace that serves as the city’s primary urban oasis. Like the many rural regions comprising The Centennial State, City Park is perfectly suited to sports, leisure and recreation and features:

  • Multiple tennis courts
  • Several horseshoes pitches
  • Baseball, football and soccer fields
  • Two lakes
  • A variety of historical monuments and statues
  • A range of prime picnic sites
  • A couple of playgrounds for the kiddos to let loose on

It’s not just the area’s fixtures that make City Park such a fun time, however—it’s likewise the plethora of events the space hosts throughout the year. Depending on when you visit The Mile-High City, you’ll be able to catch:

  • Astronomy Tours detailing the complexities of our star systems and explaining the intricacies of telescopes and other instruments that we use to observe our universe
  • City Park Jazz, a free concert series showcasing the best jazz talent in Colorado
  • Denver Dig Trees, a mass tree-planting event held every year in City Park
  • Colorado Black Arts Festival, an annual celebration of African-Americans’ contribution to our country’s arts and cultures
  • A variety of other enriching cultural experiences

#5 Brave the Rides at Elitch Gardens

This last one isn’t for the faint of heart! Elitch Gardens Theme and Waterpark is Denver’s top destination for tiny thrill-seekers and their willing chaperones.

Located literally in the heart of the city, Elitch Gardens is the only downtown theme and waterpark in the country. With over 50 rides and attractions to choose from, it’s not just for roller coaster fanatics and tilt-o-whirl lovers, either.

Pop over for a day to experience:

  • Big Wheel, a giant Ferris wheel over 100 feet tall
  • An antique carousel over eight decades old
  • A Viking ship and other swinging attractions
  • Wet and wild rapids
  • A variety of more mild, kid-friendly rides

There’s no better way to learn about your own fears, abilities and limitations than a loop-de-loop or drop tower. Plus, rapid acceleration and braking can give the kids a quick and effective lesson about the basic principles of physics.

Or, if theme parks aren’t your style, perhaps keeping cool is. Despite The Centennial State’s reputation for winter sports, Denver can still average a sweltering 88 ℉ (31.1℃) on summer days. If your vacation is turning out to be hotter than you expected, a day adrift in Elitch’s waterpark can offer some much-needed respite from the sun’s beaming rays.

Camp Galileo: Providing Unforgettable Summer Experiences in Colorado and Beyond

As parents, we wish we could take our kids to the aquarium, museum or waterpark any time we please. Luckily, children can still enjoy an enriching and informative summer experience even if they can’t spend the whole time exploring new cities and attractions.

Camp Galileo’s acclaimed summer camp program combines STEAM exploration with creative exercises and collaborative play to inspire kids to make the world a better place in their own unique way. Cultivating children’s confidence, resilience and imagination is central to our ethos and we constantly strive to innovate conventional camp activities to provide a deeper, more enriching experience.

See the difference that an unforgettable summer at Camp Galileo can awaken in your child. Browse our locations to find the program nearest to you.

 

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