Spotlight: Denver
(Written by Emily Thomas)
Denver is hands-down an incredible area. Serving as a hub for the creative arts along with a beautiful environment for outdoor adventures, it’s no surprise that it serves as a popular outing destination. For locals and visitors alike, let us introduce you to some fun-filled spots that will be on the list of memory makers for your family.
OUTINGS
WOW! Children’s Museum in Lafayette provides exceptional play-based learning for the families of their communities. Their focus is to inspire all families to nurture children’s curiosity and spark a lifelong love of learning. With 13 different exhibit areas for kids to explore - the combination of art, nature, science and play equals one amazing outing.
The Children’s Museum of Denver Marsico Campus is another incredible community space for exploration and play. They have created a place that encourages playful exploration for adults and children. Exhibit areas include Investigate (energy + kinetics), Imagine (imaginative play), Explore (indoor + outdoor adventure) and Create (art + science). The Children’s Museum also offers Workshops + School Prep Series for kids of all ages!
Located in Nederland, about an hour from Denver, The Carousel of Happiness is a “magical menagerie featuring 57 whimsical, hand-carved animals on a restored 1910 Looff carousel, turning to the music of a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ.” In addition to their main attraction, the Carousel of Happiness has an upstairs puppet theater housed in a restored band organ facade. There is also an observation window where you can watch the carousel’s 100-year-old gears in operation.
Denver Botanic Gardens strives to entertain and delight while spreading the collective wisdom of the Gardens through outreach, collaboration and education. The Gardens offer a wide variety of opportunities for children and families to explore plants and the natural world. The Toddler and Preschool Program invites young children to get curious about how plants grow, pollinators and more. While the Family Programs include storytimes, nature crafting, cooking and learning about Cheyenne Native Americans and how they utilized natural resources to survive on the prairie. In addition, The Gardens provides programming for Homeschool Families, Scouts, Community Groups as well as Camps.
Westminster’s very own Butterfly Pavilion is the first stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world. Providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in their exhibits and educational programs, Butterfly Pavilion features five exhibit areas including four indoor exhibit halls and outdoor gardens and nature trails. Each exhibit features a unique touch experience, live animals, education by exhibit staff and interactive technology that explores science and conservation topics.
The Animal Sanctuary strives to educate people about the Captive Wildlife Crisis while rescuing and caring for animals. The Sanctuary is not a Zoo and offers a completely different experience than what most people are used to. The rescued animals live in large acreage open habitats with an elevated walkway (more than 1.5 miles long) spanning across numerous habitats providing plenty of opportunities for guests to see the rescued animals closer.
FARMERS MARKETS
City Park Farmers Market is a perfect Saturday morning experience. There are multiple food stall options along with live, local musicians playing tunes for all to hear while local produce vendors sell seasonal foods. Enjoy a cup of locally roasted coffee, grab a bite to eat, listen to the local musicians and enjoy a stroll around the market.
Locals know how important it is to support their community, so at South Pearl Street Farmers Market you can be guaranteed that all products are grown, raised, produced or gathered by the vendor in the State of Colorado or in counties bordering the state. With over 100 vendors, South Pearl hosts the largest farmers market experience on Sunday mornings from 9a-1p. In addition to this impressive market, the South Pearl Street Historic Shopping district also provides an intimate, family-friendly art experience on First Fridays evenings where artists provide live demonstrations on the sidewalks of supportive businesses. Come out to meet artists and experience beautiful, local art in an informal, inviting setting while enjoying live music, great restaurant options, and a friendly community.
Seeking the flexibility of multiple market days and the versatility of a Makers Market? Cherry Creek has you covered! Serving the community, Cherry Creek market offers farm fresh food at their Farmers Market as well as a mix of artisanal, home & garden, boutique and vintage finds at their Makers Market.
MUSIC + THE ARTS
City Park Jazz is considered a treasure in Denver’s cultural life. They produce 10 free jazz concerts each summer in City Park, featuring bands or musicians that are local to Colorado. These concerts are brimming with energy! Whether you're coming for the music, food, or spending time with friends and family - City Park Jazz concerts will easily be your go-to summer spot.
With four different family-friendly ways to enjoy the Colorado Symphony you and your children are bound to experience the Denver area orchestra. Ages 0-7 can participate in Petite Musique, a bilingual, interactive concert program that appears in multiple venues around the metro area annually. The Virtual Education Package offers FREE virtual programming to ensure schools and families across the state have access to high-quality music education programming. Family-Friendly Concerts along with Halfnotes are held year round at the Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex with options to subscribe for the season or purchase individually. Halfnotes take place prior to the Family Concerts and include activities that are individually curated for each concert and will feature rotating activities like a concert-related craft, composition station, and an instrument petting zoo. CS also offers an incredible opportunity with their Sensory Friendly Concerts that are specifically designed for people with memory loss, autism, Down Syndrome, sensory processing disorder and any condition that may find a concert setting uncomfortable for them to enjoy.
Music at the Gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens is offering two distinct music series in partnership with Swallow Hill Music. Traditional concerts return to the UMB Bank Amphitheater, as well as weeknight performances throughout the Gardens continue during “Evenings al Fresco”.
The First Friday Art Walks are the signature event of Denver's Art District on Santa Fe. All year round, rain or shine, the District comes alive on the first Friday of each month as thousands descend upon Santa Fe Drive for the First Friday Art Walks from 5:30-9:30 p.m. View art from hundreds of artists in galleries, studios, co-ops, upstairs, downstairs, in alleys, on the street—everywhere!
Denver's Street Art & Graffiti: Unplugged is part of the Denver Walking Tours experience. During this tour you will experience Denver's most unique street art together in the Mile High City's most happening & eclectic neighborhood. Enjoy behind-the-art stories of the graffiti (and the diverse artists that created it). Explore the Denver Walking Tours site for other tour opportunities and experiences in the area.
ADVENTURES
If you are looking for some action packed time with your older kids, Archery Games Denver is that experience for ages 7 and up. Sometimes called “Archery Dodgeball”, two teams battle it out with bows and foam-tipped arrows from opposite sides of the arena. Archery Games are physical and fun! The facility is specifically designed to be the ultimate Archery Games arena. Featuring a 3,300 square foot playing field and a separate practice range.
Pirates Cove, Englewood's only waterpark offers so many options for families looking to cool off on a hot summer day! A leisure pool with a large play structure, a 25-meter, 6-lane pool, a 35-foot slide tower with three slides, a lazy river, concessions, sand play and much, much more! Cabana rentals, swim lessons, water fitness classes and party packages are just some of the extras.
Colorado Journey Miniature Golf has two 18-hole courses featuring some of Colorado’s most famous attractions. Putt your way through the wonders of Mesa Verde, hike along the Conestoga Pass, and experience the Florissant Fossil Beds. Natural elements like native flora, rock formations, streams and ponds engage your senses and add to the experience.
Fun for all ages can be found at Dinosaur Ridge, a National Natural Landmark located just east of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in suburban Denver. It is home to the world's first Stegosaurus discovery, with more than 250 amazing Cretaceous dinosaur tracks, hundreds of Jurassic dinosaur bones and many other fossils. In addition to the park they also offer programs such as TriceraTOTs Preschool Program, Dig Areas and Summer Camps along with plenty of adult workshops, programs and speaker events.
Colorado Sky Trek is an exciting Aerial Adventure Park designed for maximum fun and challenge! Located in Idaho Springs, Colorado Sky Trek features over 60 challenging obstacles, elements and ziplines with three distinct routes so adventurers of all ages and abilities can have fun and enjoy the challenge, plus learn a little history along the way! Suitable for ages 4 and up (must meet height/weight limits) participants get to decide how much challenge they want to face and test their mental and physical abilities.