Explore these 5 adventures in Denver with the whole family–friendly for the indoors and outdoors.
June 21, 2023
Denver Delights: 5 of the Best Family-Friendly Activities in Denver
Picture strolling through enchanting gardens, passing by the breathtaking Rocky Mountain views, and passing by a thriving arts scene, all within driving distance of your cozy little Denver home.
Denver provides an invigorating mix of experiences to cater to all interests, age groups, and families in the area. With our city’s warm and inviting atmosphere making new neighbors feel at home, we thought we’d give you a little overview of some of the best places to bring the family together on a beautiful day.
Today, we’re going through our top 5 most family-friendly activities, spanning both indoor and outdoor activities alike, so you can spend the day, weekend, or even a short evening basking in the beautiful offerings that lie ahead of you right here in Denver.
1. The Denver Zoo
Home to over 4,000 animals from around the world, the Denver Zoo offers a variety of interactive exhibits and educational programs for kiddos young and old. Some of the most popular attractions at the zoo like the Stingray Cove, Penguins 4D, Lorikeet Adventure, and even a railroad all inside the Zoo, making your experience with the animals more interactive than ever.
Some other exhibits include the Toyota Elephant Passage, which is a walk-through exhibit that allows visitors to see elephants up close and shows the first, river, and savanna habitats where they like to dwell. Predator Ridge is home to a variety of predators like the spotted hyena and African lions.
If you want your visits to be a little more regular, you can become a Denver Zoo member yourself, and reap the benefits of Wild Workouts at the Zoo, Adulting with Animals including paint and sips, games and Trivial Purr-Zoo-t, and BFF days, where kids can BFF– Bring a Friend for Free– and enjoy the animals together.
2. The Children's Museum of Denver
This interactive and educational haven for little ones is home to educational exhibits and fun things like hands-on activities that promote their most creative, explorative, and problem-solving side. Follow along as your kiddo explores kinetics, the bubble booth, the water exhibit, and the energy center to see the science for themselves.
If they’re more on the creative side, then they can explore the Art Studio, and get their hands dirty with paint, clay, chalk, and more, or head over to the Teaching Kitchen to learn about nutrition, gardening, and all things food, and the Assembly Plant to create their own beautiful creation filled with all the materials at-hand.
There are also both exploration and imagination stations for kids who want to investigate around or simply learn, so rest assured, your kids will be occupied throughout the entire visit!
Related: All About the Cherry Creek Arts Festival
3. Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Infinity Theatre, a planetarium, and the Discovery Zone are just a few of the things you can do at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Mine for gems and minerals, explore North American Indian Culture and explore a Space Odyssey all under one roof at this museum that’s perfect for any age. Indulge in education through exploration, attend shows at the planetarium and the IMAX theatre, and even experience some of the temporary exhibits happening once in a lifetime.
A day at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is an enriching journey that combines learning with fun and ignites a curiosity and love for nature and science. From its exhibition all about creepy, crawling bugs to its member movie nights on big movers and shakers like Jane Goodall, you’re sure to learn a thing or two along with your family about just how amazing nature is.
4. Denver Botanic Gardens
Spanning 24 acres of lush, flourishing florals, and themed gardens featuring plants from around the globe, the Denver Botanic Gardens creates a world of botanical beauty to explore, all right in downtown Denver.
Explore the Gardens of the West, with 18 garden showcases with plants that thrive naturally in Colorado, with color even during the fall and winter months. Internationally Inspired Gardens showcase florals from Eastern regions like China and Japan as well as the tropics, to showcase the biodiversity from across the globe. Then, there’s the Ornamental Gardens, which houses roses, daylilies, and other colorful, annual beauties. The Shady and Water Gardens offer shaded and aquatic beauty, respectively, giving you every type of beauty imaginable!
Tip: Mark down one of the gardens’ special events to get an extra dose of dazzle amongst the greenery.
Related: Things to Do at the Denver Botanic Gardens
5. Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park is Denver's go-to destination for an adrenaline-pumping, fun-filled day. Head over to the theme park for seeking the ultimate thrill on the Boomerang, the Mind Eraser, or the Brain Drain. For a more kid-friendly experience, get in the line for the Blazin’ Buckaroo, the Sunflower Swings, or the Jumping Jack, all rights with the right amount of excitement.
If you’re looking for a perfect experience on a hot summer’s day, then the water park is where you’ll want to head over to. Enjoy thrill rides, or have a bit of a tamer day with family slides, and cabanas. But the fun doesn’t stop with just the rides– with their entertainment offerings like firework shows, Taylor Swift nights, Drive-In Movies, and music performances.
Whichever you pick during your day there, and whether you go for a one-off day or a group, there’s something for everyone at Elitch Gardens!
As we bring our tour of Denver’s delights to a close, know that your family has so many opportunities for adventure here in the Mile High City. From the rich educational exhibits at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to the calming serenity of the Denver Botanic Gardens, and the exhilarating thrills of Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, there's truly something for everyone in the family.
And if you’re still looking to explore Denver as your future home, partner with us, your Colorado-native neighbors, and the Realtor team. With our vast knowledge in all things real estate, we offer real estate brokerage services, real estate investments, and development and build consultations, and can help you with pretty much any Denver living dream you have.