A Weekend Full of Family Fun

The Mile High City is an amazing destination for kids. In addition to the world-class Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature & Science, there are all kinds of attractions to stimulate and excite young minds, and great ways to release all that energy kids have. This two-day itinerary is jam packed with family fun for an experience you or the kids won’t soon forget.

DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM

700 Water St. 

Denver may be a landlocked state but there's plenty of marine life to see at the Downtown Aquarium. More than one million gallons of fresh and seawater exhibits offer a fascinating view of marine ecosystems from around the planet. Take a self-guided tour and set your own pace as you view more than 500 species of animals including sharks, eel, grouper, rainbow fish, trout and more. Young children love the brightly colored fish while older kids love the desert thunderstorm exhibit that simulates a flash flood, and the tiger exhibit with big cats splashing and playing in the water. And everyone will love the interactive Sting Ray touch tank.

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF DENVER

2121 Children's Museum Dr.

Just one look at the colorful, interestingly shaped building and you know the kids will have a good time. The Children's Museum of Denver has 11 interactive Playscapes where children can shoot baskets, climb on an authentic fire engine, build toy railroads and go shopping in a mini-supermarket. This hands-on learning experience is an ideal destination for children ages 3 to 8 years old. You should also know that the first Tuesday of each month is free from 4pm to 8pm. Having climbed aboard a real fire engine, now would be the perfect time to take the kids to the next attraction.

DENVER FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM

1326 Tremont Pl. 

Located in historic Denver Fire Station No. 1, families will love the Denver Firefighters Museum. The building was erected in 1909 and served as a working fire station until 1974. The kids will enjoy the hands-on activities as well as the exhibits that provide information on fire safety and prevention. Be sure to have the camera ready as they try on equipment, slide down the pole, ride on a fire truck designed specifically for kids and pretend to put out fires. The museum also has a gift shop with toys, apparel, books and more. Now that the kids are telling you they want to be fire fighters when they grow up, it's time to head for the next destination.

DENVER U.S MINT

20 W. Colfax Ave. 

The best things in life are free, including admission to the Denver U.S. Mint. More than five billion coins are made here each year and it's also the second largest storing facility of gold bullion in the U.S., behind only Fort Knox. Being home to so much money, you can imagine security is extremely tight. You won't be allowed to carry in purses, cameras, pens, lipstick, strollers, diaper bags, or cell phones. Now that the kids know money does not in fact grow on trees but is made in a highly secure government building, you should take them to another government building. Head to the Capitol Hill neighborhood for the next destination.

DINNER ON THE 16TH STREET MALL

You'll find a number of places to eat on and around the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall. The Denver Pavilions (500 16th St.) on the south end of the mall offers a number of familiar restaurants while the pedestrian mall itself is lined with outdoor cafes and unique dining establishments. Whether you're in the mood for a burger, fine dining or simply want to grab a salad, the area is packed with family friendly establishments. While you walk around the area you'll be entertained by street performers and can get in some shopping as well. You've covered enough ground for one day - call it a night!

CONFLUENCE PARK

2250 15th St.

Start day two of your family weekend in Denver by heading toward Confluence Park. Renovated in 2002, this is one of the most frequented downtown parks and home to the South Platte River's premiere kayak chutes. The kids will experience quite a rush watching adventure seekers brave the rushing waters. If there aren't any kayakers, don't worry; it's still worth the trip for the great views of downtown and an extensive walking and biking trail. A quick trip here is a great way to start the day. After watching the action that takes place on water, now take in some action that takes place on land and head to your next destination.

DENVER SKATEPARK

20TH & LITTLE RAVEN STS. 

Ollies, grinders and rail slides are just a few of the moves you and the kids can take in at the 50,000-square-foot Denver Skate Park. Always packed with skaters, you'll see novices and experts alike attack the urban environment of planters, curbs, rails, bowls, half-pipes and more. Now that you've kicked off the morning with a couple adventure sports, it's time to head to Westminster for your next stop.

BUTTERFLY PAVILION

6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster 

This 30,000-square-foot facility was the first stand-alone non-profit insect zoo in the nation. At the Butterfly Pavilion, you'll see more than 1,200 free-flying butterflies imported form around the globe from as far away as Kenya and Malaysia. Be sure to wear white or bright colors, as they tend to attract the butterflies. Now that you've seen little creatures that flutter about, now take the kids to where giant creatures roamed the earth in pre-historic times. Drive southwest from Westminster to Morrison Colorado for your next stop of the day.

DINOSAUR RIDGE

16831 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison

Kids love dinosaurs -- it's a fact! Dinosaur Ridge is a spot where millions of years ago huge reptiles roamed the earth and where today you and the kids will find Jurassic dinosaur bones, such as Allosaurus, Apatosaurus and Stegosaurus. Take a free, self-guided tour that includes 16 interpretive signs that describe the fossil remains and other relevant features of the area. The Visitor Center is a great place to start as you can ask questions before you embark on your prehistoric journey. While you're in the area, now is the perfect time to head down the road to your next stop.

RED ROCKS PARK & AMPHITHEATRE

18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison

Aside from being a geological wonder 70 million years in the making, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is one of the world's most famous concert sites and a must see for any music enthusiast. Well-known symphonies, and bands such as The Beatles to U2 have graced the stage surrounded by dramatic 500-foot high red sandstone cliffs. Kids love exploring the trails surrounding the concert venue, and a spectacular view of the plains make it a perfect place for a kid-friendly hike. There are also dinosaur tracks and fossil fragments dating back 160 million years to captivate amateur geologists and kids alike. By now, it's getting pretty close to dinner and a good time to start heading back toward Denver. Drive to Lakewood for an early dinner and your last stop of the day.

CASA BONITA

6715 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood

Casa Bonita is a must-do for families. Spend an evening at this huge Mexican themed restaurant featuring strolling mariachis, flame jugglers and a 30-foot waterfall complete with cliff divers. This popular family dining destination also has a small puppet theater, a "haunted tunnel" called Black Bart's Cave, an arcade with a large skee-ball room and a magic theater. South Park fans may know Casa Bonita from the classic episode of the same name, where the gang pays a madcap visit to the restaurant.