091 How to Explore Denver with Your Family
Hello, Denver, Colorado! This is such a wonderful, family-friendly destination. Travel blogger, Molly Calliister, is joining Lisa to share all of her favorite things to see, do, and eat in the mile-high city. If you are looking for a beautiful destination with year-round outdoor activities, you will want to have Denver on your list. Listen in to learn about cool family hikes, places to visit in downtown, where you must eat ice cream, plus fun day trip ideas from Denver.
Ready to learn about what you and your family can do on a visit to Denver?
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“If you love hiking, consider Denver for your next family vacation destination!”
Favorite Outdoor Activities
Hiking! When you come to Denver, no matter the season, you're going to spend a ton of time outdoors! Hiking is definitely one of Molly’s family’s favorite activities. There are so many great hikes
Molly’s link to her favorite Denver hikes.
Visit the Jefferson Open Space Area right along the foothills.
Another favorite hike is Lookout Mountain. It has great views of downtown and a Buffalo
Bill Museum at the top.
Roxbourough State Park is 30 minutes south of downtown. Beautiful red rocks! $9 fee to enter.
The Denver Zoo is a really great place to visit.
If you want to go to an outdoor concert or outdoor movie, visit Red Rocks Amphitheater. But you can visit the amphitheater any time there isn't an event going on for free! Bring a picnic and explore the area.
Bring bikes or rent them and ride around downtown. There are great bike trails around the city. RIde by the Denver Bronco’s Stadium!
Jefferson Open Space (Photo provided by Molly Callister)
Favorite Indoor Activities
The Museum of Nature and Science. This is next door to the zoo so makes for a great full day if you combine the two places.
There is a professional indoor lacrosse team, the Denver Outlaws, that play in the winter. It is inexpensive, family-oriented, and really fun!
Red Rocks Amphitheater (Photo provided by Molly Callister)
Places to Eat
Little Man Ice Cream. Great place to enjoy a treat and let the kids run around and play.
Denver doesn’t have a special food that you must try but they have great food everywhere. Pull up Yelp and see what you can find nearby.
Denver is known for its breweries. These are family-friendly places
Odell Brewing Company and Breckenridge Brewery are two favorites.
Little Man Ice Cream (Photo provided by Molly Callister)
Best Time to Visit Denver
Fall! The weather is great, you can do lots of hiking, etc.
If you want to ski, then obviously winter, but fall is a great time to be able to enjoy lots of things in Denver.
Spring could have more weather issues but it can still be a great time to visit.
Summer is warm and there will be a lot of visitors.
Length of Trip
Molly would recommend 4-5 days to really experience everything.
You can do it in a weekend, but would have to pick a couple of areas of focus.
Denver Day Trips
Head to the mountains!! Breckenridge is a good day trip or overnight. There is a free gondola that is a gorgeous ride. Lots of hiking, a cool troll (Issac Heartstone), and a fun mountain feel downtown.
Other places to visit include Georgetown, Idaho Springs, and Boulder.
Estes Park. Look for the heard of elk who live in town and have 24-hour security!
Anything Else?
You definitely need a rental car. There is public transportation but Denver is really big and the trains don't go everywhere. You'll save a LOT of time getting a car.
There is an infamous restaurant called Casa Bonita that is the epitome of Dinner and a Show. It's insane! But they closed at the beginning of Covid and have gone completely dark and it's really mysterious. The website disappeared and they haven't made any statements. Rumors are flying everywhere! It's super quirky and worth a mention possibly if we have time if it reopens.
Connect with Molly!