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There’s no shortage of fun to be had in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain State is home to beautiful landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural history. The next time you and your family find yourselves in Colorado, take some time to check out these fun attractions geared for a fun-filled family day. 16 Cheap Family Activities to Do in Colorado.
1. Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
The Children’s Museum offers hands-on exhibits for kids ages eight and younger. It’s divided into four areas: Investigate, Imagine, Explore, and Create. Each wing aims to stimulate kids’ brains through science experiments, arts and crafts, and a parent-child cooking class. Outdoors, kids can play on rock climbing walls, rope courses, zip lines, slides, or kayak down a man-made river.
2. Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is free for visitors 18 and under, making it a perfect stop on your next Denver visit. The center features over 70,000 pieces, including Asian Art, European and American Art, Native American art, Textiles, Fashion, and photography. With rotating exhibits throughout the year, you will enjoy a few hours of exploring the museum.
3. Visit the Denver Zoo
When you visit the Denver Zoo, you’re helping the dedicated zookeepers who care for the thousands of animals living there. The zoo is home to over 600 species and 4,100 animals. For $25, you and your family can see flamingos, sloths, elephants, big cats, primates, and an up-close and personal stingray cove.
4. Tour the Hammond’s Candy Factory
Hammonds has been making its famous candy in Denver since 1920. The now 35,000-square-foot facility still makes these sweet treats like it did over 100 years ago. The factory offers free 30-minute tours, during which you and your family can see how their delicious candy is made.
5. Visit the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster
Not only will your kids learn about these pretty butterflies, but they’ll also have an up-close view of various other bugs. Do you want to hold a tarantula? You can do it at the Butterfly Pavillion. I’ll pass on the spider handling, but if your kids are interested in bugs, they’ll love this place.
6. Take Yourself Out to a Ball Game
Denver is home to one of the most picturesque stadiums in Major League Baseball. Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, sells tickets to weekday games for about $15. What’s better than grabbing a few hot dogs and cheering for the home team while taking in a Mile High City sunset?
7. Visit a Wildlife Refuge
Colorado is home to over 10 professional wildlife refuges. It doesn’t matter what part of the state you are in. You’re within an easy drive to experience some of Colorado’s animals in an up close and personal setting. Visitors can see majestic animals like bison, wolves, bears, owls, hawks, and bald eagles in many of the refuges.
8. Explore Chautauqua Park
Chautauqua Park is one of the most visited parks in Boulder, Colorado. If you love the outdoors, you’ll want to spend an afternoon exploring the scenic park. There are numerous hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, tennis courts, playgrounds, climbing walls, and an ice cream shop. The park also hosts cultural events and live music when weather permits.
9. Bike the Boulder Creek Path
Located in Boulder, this 5.5-mile path is an excellent spot for families to take out their bikes and enjoy the outdoors. The path takes you through grassy parks, the main library, and the Boulder Farmers Market. Stop and grab some sandwiches and enjoy a picnic in the park as you soak in the fresh mountain air.
10. Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center
Stop at the Garden of the Gods Natural Landmark if you find yourself in Colorado Springs. The park is home to some breathtaking sandstone rock formations. Explore the park on foot, bike, or horseback for some of the best views of these unique landscapes. Kids can participate in their Junior Ranger Program to learn about the ecosystem and delicate rock formations.
11. Wild West Ghost Town Museum
The Wild West Ghost Town Museum on Colorado Springs is a portal into Colorado’s pioneer days. Here, you can learn how our ancestors built towns and dealt with the hazards of day-to-day life in the Old West. Kids can learn how to pan for gold, churn butter, mend horseshoes, and tend to other chores of ranch living. It’s a great place to take them to remind them when they start complaining about a lack of WiFi.
12. Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience
Just outside of Colorado Springs is a small town called Canon City, which is home to The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience. Here, families can take in the beauty of the Royal Gorge canyon, hold actual dinosaur fossils, walk among 16 animatronic species, and discover a replica T-Rex skeleton in their kid’s dig pit. If your kids are dinosaur fans, you will want to experience this experience.
13. Pueblo Riverwalk
Pueblo is about an hour’s drive south of Colorado Springs. Pueblo is on the Arkansas River. The 32-acre Riverwalk runs through downtown Pueblo and features swimming fountains, restaurants, shops, art displays, and many options for live entertainment. Visitors can rent pedal boats or kayaks or take a relaxing gondola ride down the river.
14. Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park near Alamosa is one of four National Parks in the state. The park is an easy drive south of Denver and is a great place for a family of adventurers. It features fantastic hikes, but the real draw is grabbing a sled or an old surfboard and “surfing” down the face of these sand dunes. It’s a thrill you wouldn’t expect in a landlocked state. It’s definitely an experience to remember.
15. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
This interactive and hands-on museum is famous for exploring different cultures and science. The center has various exhibits featuring agriculture, astronomy, indigenous people, and music. The museum’s highlight is its 39-foot diameter, 360-degree dome theater, where they put on shows, lectures, and live musical performances.
16. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum
Your kids will love spending a few hours discovering everything this 12,000-square-foot museum has to offer. The museum has real-life locomotives, vintage cars, airplanes, and artifacts that help tell the story of the Old West. Be sure to book a free tour with one of the museum employees to get all your questions about the history of the railroad in Durango answered.
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