Skip to content

Top Navigation

Parents Parents
  • GETTING PREGNANT
  • PREGNANCY
  • BABY NAMES
  • BABY
  • TODDLER
  • BIG KID
  • FUN
  • HEALTH
  • PARENTING
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAY
  • News
  • Moms Run the World
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES
  • MORE

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Parents

Parents Parents
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      Find a chore your kid loves to do, and start a habit of wanting to help out that'll last a lifetime. Read More Next
    • Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Parenting is so much easier with good pals. Learn to overcome friendship hurdles and bond with women who get you. Read More Next
    • How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      I’m a pediatric sleep specialist who has seen it all, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not too late to get your child to (happily) stay in his own bed all night long. Read More Next
  • GETTING PREGNANT

    GETTING PREGNANT

    See All GETTING PREGNANT
    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant Every Day of the Month

    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant Every Day of the Month

    When sex coincides with your most fertile ovulation days, you'll increase your chances of getting pregnant. Get to know each phase of your cycle to make conception faster and easier.
    • Ovulation
    • Reproductive Age
    • Maximizing Your Fertility
    • Pre-Pregnancy Health
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Dealing With Infertility
    • Genetics
  • PREGNANCY

    PREGNANCY

    See All PREGNANCY
    Signs of Approaching Labor: How to Tell Your Baby is Coming Soon

    Signs of Approaching Labor: How to Tell Your Baby is Coming Soon

    Anxiously awaiting your baby’s arrival? Learn to recognize the first signs of labor approaching, which signal that your little one might make an appearance soon.
    • Signs of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Week-by-Week
    • Giving Birth
    • Labor & Delivery
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Complications
    • Fetal Development
    • Gender Prediction
    • Baby Showers
  • BABY NAMES

    BABY NAMES

    See All BABY NAMES
    These Are the Most Popular Baby Names of 2020

    These Are the Most Popular Baby Names of 2020

    Curious which baby names stole the show this year? From new classics like Noah to tried-and-true faves like Ava, here are the top boy and girl names of the year so far, plus more naming trends to consider.
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Most Popular Names
    • Names by Origin
    • Twin Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Names by Religion
    • Celebrity Baby Names
    • Baby Name Quizzes
  • BABY

    BABY

    See All BABY
    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    Caring for a baby with a wet or dry cough? Listen for wheezing, hacking, or barking first, then read on to find out what's normal and when it's time to worry.
    • Newborn Care
    • Crying Baby
    • Health
    • Baby Development
    • Safety
    • Gear
    • Breastfeeding
    • Diapers
    • Sleep Issues
    • Feeding
    • Nursery
  • TODDLER

    TODDLER

    See All TODDLER
    • Preschool Activities
    • Behavior & Discipline
    • Toddler Development
    • Milestones
    • Potty Training
    • Starting School
    • Health
    • Safety
    • Childcare
  • BIG KID

    BIG KID

    See All BIG KID
    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    Mean kids aren't just a middle-school problem. The trouble has trickled to the youngest grades. Learn how to spot it—and how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school.
    • Education
    • Health
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Bullying & School Problems
    • Child Development
    • Safety
    • Manners & Responsibility
  • FUN

    FUN

    See All FUN
    17 Budget-Friendly Kids’ Birthday Party Ideas

    17 Budget-Friendly Kids’ Birthday Party Ideas

    A fun celebration doesn’t need to cost a pretty penny. Throw a memorable bash with these clever cost-cutting kids’ birthday party ideas.
    • Birthdays
    • Indoor Activities
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Printable Coloring Pages
    • Kids' Entertainment
    • Best Toys
    • Holidays
    • Family Vacation Ideas
  • HEALTH

    HEALTH

    See All HEALTH
    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    Here’s everything you need to know about the disease that originated in Wuhan, China.
    • ADD & ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Autism
    • Cold & Flu
    • Coronavirus and COVID-19
    • Cough
    • Down Syndrome
    • Emergency Aid
    • Fever
    • Medication & Vitamins
    • Obesity
    • Rashes
    • Stomach Aches
    • Vaccines
  • PARENTING

    PARENTING

    See All PARENTING
    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    Everything you need to thrive at home as a family.
    • Positive Parenting
    • Parenting Style
    • Celebrity Parents
    • Family Dynamics
    • Divorce
    • Home
    • Adoption
    • Just for Mom
    • Money
    • Toy Recalls
    • Stroller Recalls
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Family Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • Toddler Finger Food Recipes
    • Hints & Tips
    • Healthy Eating
    • Birthdays
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Food For Pregnant Women
  • HOLIDAY

    HOLIDAY

    See All HOLIDAY
    19 Mother's Day Gifts Kids Can Make

    19 Mother's Day Gifts Kids Can Make

    Moms love nothing more than a handmade present on Mother's Day. Help the kids make mom feel special with a creative gift from the heart!
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
  • News
  • Moms Run the World
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES

    OUR MAGAZINES

    See All OUR MAGAZINES
    • Parents
    • Parents Latina
    • Ser Padres
  • MORE

    MORE

    • Newsletters
    • Contests
    • #ParentsIRL
    • Adulting
    • First Year Playbook
    • Celebrate Your Way

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Fun
  3. Family Vacation
  4. US Destinations
  5. Fun Things to Do in Denver

Fun Things to Do in Denver

By Eileen Ogintz
March 31, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Fun Things Where To Stay Hard Rock Cafe
Credit: Matt Inden/Miles
Lace up your sneakers, slather on the sunscreen, fill the water bottles, and do what Mile High City kids and their parents love to do most—head outdoors for some serious fun in the sun.
Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Denver Skate Park

Fun Things Denver Skate Park
Credit: Arina P Habich/Shutterstock

2205 19th Street

This 60,000-square-foot park is open to boarders, bladers, and bikers of all levels—but it’s a good idea to show up early to beat the crowds. It’s also exciting to just watch the regulars land their tricks. You never know which future X-Gamers you might spot!

1 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Denver Botanic Gardens

Fun Things Denver Botanic Gardens
Credit: Gneesy/Shutterstock

1007 York Street

The 24 acres of gardens at the center’s downtown location feature everything from a Cactus and Succulent House to a “living roof” to a Native American exhibit. But our favorite spot is the three-acre Mordecai Children’s Garden. Here, kids can wander through alpine wildflowers, hunt for bugs, climb across a swinging “trail” bridge, splash around in a stream as they learn to make beaver dams, and more.

2 of 8

3 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

City Park & Denver Zoo

Fun Things City Park and Denver Zoo Grizzly Bear
Credit: Lincoln Rogers/Shutterstock

17th Avenue and York Street

Pack a picnic and head over to Denver’s largest park to enjoy its playgrounds, lakes, and trails. City Park is also home to the Denver Zoo, where kids can stroll through two miles of interconnected trails at the Toyota Elephant Passage or ride the Pioneer Train past Bear Mountain as they spot grizzlies and black bears.

3 of 8

Advertisement

4 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Fun Things Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Credit: Angela Sevin/Shutterstock

18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison, Colorado

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, about 25 minutes from downtown Denver, is worth the trip. The stage is framed by two natural, 300-foot red sandstone walls, which give it perfect acoustics for concerts. The surrounding Red Rocks Park—there is no charge to enter—offers 868 acres to explore, with dinosaur, plant, and animal fossils (don’t miss the fragments of a 40-foot sea serpent!).

4 of 8

5 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Fun Things Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
Credit: Arina P Habich/Shutterstock

2000 Elitch Circle

A classic amusement park right in the middle of downtown! Older kids can take a thrill ride on the new 17-story Star Flyer swing while little ones jump on the more low-key Blazin’ Buckaroo family coaster. Or head to the adjacent water park, which features a 65-foot-tall Acapulco Cliff Dive and the Hook’s Lagoon water tree house (with slides, 150 water gadgets, and a water playground). There are even “dive-in” movies that you watch from the pool! 

5 of 8

6 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

South Platte River Trail

Fun Things South Platte River Trail
Credit: Nina B/Shutterstock

East 88th Avenue

Hike or bike the 18-mile long Denver portion of this popular paved trail. It runs through the Downtown Denver and South Denver neighborhoods, past lakes, golf courses, industrial areas, and the historic Riverside Cemetery, where many of the city’s pioneers are buried.

6 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

16th Street Mall

Fun Things 16th Street Mall Denver
Credit: Oscity/Shutterstock

16th Street

Designed by world-famous architect I.M. Pei—who created the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris—the pedestrian promenade has granite pavers that look like the scales on a diamondback rattlesnake when viewed from above. There’s plenty to eat, see, and buy as you walk the mall. But kids will really enjoy the street performers, souvenir shopping, and nighttime horse-drawn carriage rides.

7 of 8

8 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Where To Stay

Fun Things Where To Stay Hard Rock Cafe
Credit: Matt Inden/Miles

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Denver is in a renovated historic building on the 16th Street Mall. It has the feel of a boutique hotel but with bonus conveniences like laundry facilities and free Wi-Fi. Rates start at $199.

Grand Hyatt Denver is in walking distance to Denver’s top attractions and is known for its oversize rooms and indoor pool. Rates start at $239.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco offers special perks for its littlest guests, like pet goldfish in the rooms, pint-size bathrobes, and hula hoops. Rates start at $199.

Brown Palace Hotel and Spa was built in 1892 and feels like a trip back in time. Check out the rooftop beehives! Rates start at $284.

8 of 8

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 8 Denver Skate Park
2 of 8 Denver Botanic Gardens
3 of 8 City Park & Denver Zoo
4 of 8 Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
5 of 8 Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
6 of 8 South Platte River Trail
7 of 8 16th Street Mall
8 of 8 Where To Stay

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Parents

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • From Our Sponsors this link opens in a new tab
  • Affiliate Program this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Meredith Parents.com is part of the Parents Network. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.parents.com

View image

Fun Things to Do in Denver
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.