Family fun doesn’t have to be solely focused on kiddos, with parents obligingly going along. And kids don’t have to be dragged along, forced to enjoy what the grown-ups are doing either. We’ve found several ways to find the perfect balance between adult and kid fun right in the heart of Denver:
1. City Park Jazz – Let’s start with the fact that the summer concert series is free (that’s always family-friendly). Besides that, the music is great and exposes kids to a style of music they might not ordinarily hear. There are tons of other kids around. You can dance wherever and however you want. The paddle boats are running on the lake for some on-the-water listening pleasure. Bathrooms are nearby and you can bring your own food or get something from one of the many food trucks, appealing to a variety of tastes. Concerts run Sunday nights, 6-8pm, making for reasonable bedtimes for all.
2. Denver Botanic Gardens – Of course there’s the Mordecai Children’s Garden for kids but across the street, explore the humid jungles of the Conservatory with winding paths, hidden areas, fish, three levels for tree-top viewing over the expanse of greenery. See how cocoa beans and bananas grow and stand under leaves bigger than your head (or whole body in some cases). Outside, explore the gardens with hidden alcoves, shaded areas for a rest, hills to roll down, Koi fish, ducks and toads, cool stones in Plant Asia to walk on barefoot and two cafes for a bite to eat.
Photograph by ©In Good Taste Denver
3. Denver Art Museum – This is no stuffy, adults-only museum! The DAM loves families and does a lot to encourage them to visit including free admission for age 18 and under, every day. There are activity Backpacks, Gallery Guides, Kids Corner other kids-point-of-view ways to explore the museum. There’s also a spacious area on the bridge connecting the two buildings for spreading out, running around a little and doing other kids activities.
4. Confluence Park area – Besides being the confluence of the Platte River and Cherry Creek, this area is also the confluence of a lot of fun. There’s REI for their climbing wall, a Starbucks with a patio overlooking the park, rides on the Denver Trolley, bike trails (notice the murals on the Cherry Creek trail) and, of course, a beach with real sand. There’s also plenty of wildlife to see including ducks, swallows (note their interesting nests under the bridges) and herons. The park is also close to the Denver Aquarium, Children’s Museum of Denver and Elitch Gardens.
Photograph by ©In Good Taste Denver
5. Denver Union Station – Take the bus, light rail or, depending on your part of town, the new A Train, down to Union Station. Walking in, that first view is ahhhh-inspiring and majestic. The station is glamorous yet hip, reflecting a bygone era of travel (note desks made from old suitcases). Grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants inside or at Hopdoddy or Thirsty Lion at either of the plaza outside. Finish off with a cool down, splashing in the fountain. To explore downtown a little more, just hop the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle which goes right down the heart of downtown providing access to everything.