Denver Vacations

Casa Bonita is really fun for the kids, but like someone else said, not the greatest food. The Childrens museum, the museum of nature and science, and the zoo are all great things right downtown. Tiny Town is also a great place to go, its just west of Denver

If you're in Denver proper then make sure to see the Denver Art Museum. The "Embrace" exhibit is thrilling and very, very kid friendly. Plus they have lots activities for kids with the backpacks and stations sprinkled through the museum. The Museum of Nature and Science is a lot of fun and has some kid friendly zones.

The Idaho Hot Springs is nice and it's reasonable. They have a big, open, indoor pool where you can bathe. I've never been in the caves.

Hwy 34 is the main road through RMNP and is closed during winter. JMHO for the price there are so many other nice places to visit outdoors. Estes Park right outside RMNP is a nice trip.

For Restaurants, all the places that participate in denver restaurant week are excellent. You can search by cuisine or neighborhood. http://www.denver.org/denverrestaurant/ Then you can call to see how kid friendly they are.

One of my kids' favorite things to do is go to the REI near downtown, they like the little play are inside the store and going to Confluence Park right outside REI. There are walking/biking paths that go from there to all over so it's a nice place to go to stretch your legs. The Aquarium is right near there, again, lots of fun with kids.

The Idaho Springs hot springs are really fun, but I 'm not sure children are allowed. The Trail Ridge Road inside the Rocky Mountain National Park is closed in the winter due to snow. You can drive the lower levels and look at the views, but it is a couple of hours northwest of Denver.

I agree with everyone else that the Art Museum can be fun, but if your children are young, the Children's Museum is just great, as is the Butterfly Pavilion.

The weather here can be anything between the 60s and 2 feet of snow this time of year. So be prepared with both indoor and outdoor options.

Outdoors, we have a very nice Zoo, which is just down the road from the Science Museum if the weather is bad.

I also like to take my son to the Botanic Gardens, which is near the Zoo. If the weather is nice, the fountains are on, and there are lots of paths for the kids to run on. You have to make sure they stay out of stuff as it's not designed for children, but it's great for crawlers and early walkers -- a park with absolutely no dog poop or cigarette butts. And they have an indoor tropical area with a giant "tree" that my son loves.

The Butterfly Pavilion is also a fun tropical place to go in the winter. They have lots of interactive exhibits that are great for older kids.

I agree with Whizzy, the Art Museum here is very kid-friendly. I was pleasantly surprised when I took my 2 1/2-year-old at how child-oriented they were.

If your kids are a bit older, the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder is fun, and a trip to the Dushanbe Tea House. You can also do some nice, little hikes around the Chatauqua.

The Aquarium is, to my mind, a bit over-priced for the smallish size, but is just right for a toddler-sized outing. And the Children's Museum is next to the Aquarium and right down the street from the REI.

Well I just moved out here but there is just so much to do. Do you ski? The Garden of the Gods is pretty neat down by Colorado Springs. Then in Old Colorado Springs there is a little place called Meadow Muffins which is pretty good. My family and I usually make a day of it. Red Rocks is really neat to see. Ted Montana's is yummy too. =)

For the avid snow lover, a journey to the Winterpark ski area is a must! Reservations are recommended as this train fills with snow lovers and sight seers a like. Boarding takes place downtown in Denver at 17th & Wynkoop and then embarks on a 56 mile trek to Winterpark. With 28 tunnels and a 4,000 foot gain in elevation, the views along the way make the trip even more intriguing. From valleys, forests, and mountain peaks the scenery on this route is one that will please everyone.

Maybe you are looking for an experience in a hot spring? Look no further than Steamboat Springs. A short day trip with mountain views along a steep, narrow, winding road will enhance your journey. Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs is your final destination and you will be glad you trekked through the snowy, winding road to arrive at this awesome spa like experience. Here you can unwind in hot, steamy water while the air temperature hovers around the freezing point. An experience unlike any other. Snow tires, chains or four wheel drive vehicles are required, so be prepared! By being prepared, you will be one step towards making your experience a positive one.

Hope this helps

A. B.

White Fence Farm for homestyle food, playground, petting zoo--they have baby animals right now. Casa Bonita-NOT great food, but definitely a kid experience. The Children's museum is great. I would agree with the other posts, too.