Denver is the perfect city for a family getaway. This three-day itinerary will keep the little ones stimulated and entertained at every moment while they learn about history, science, art and the natural world. All you need to do is turn them loose and let Denver’s world-class attractions provide the magic. While it’s impossible to cover everything the city has to offer in a few days, this itinerary provides a collection of highlights and must-sees along with some other options.

Looking for a place to stay? Denver has some great family-friendly hotels with unique amenities. To keep the energy level up, Denver has a variety of food halls where everyone can get what they want as well as kid-friendly restaurants and pizza places. 

 

 

Budget Travel Tips

Some of the best aspects of Denver don’t cost a dime, such as these free tours, the city’s vast parks and green spaces and kid-friendly hikes. If you’re planning to visit some of the major attractions listed below, there are two discounted attraction pass options that can save you a bundle. 

 

Unique Denver Activities 

If your children have specific interests, Denver is the place to experience Old West attractions, aviation museums, dinosaurs, historic railroads and wildlife. 

 

Seasonal Fun

During the summer months, Denver has some terrific amusement parks that are located within or near the city. While Denver has mostly sunny weather and winters are mild, there are plenty of options for indoor fun and games in the evenings or during inclement weather.

 

Day 1: Downtown/Golden Triangle Creative District – Museums

Denver's phenomenal museums are located close together. While that cuts down on travel time, you could spend all day in any one of them.

 

MORNING

 

History Colorado Center

Celebrate the Centennial State’s fascinating story through state-of-the-art, interactive exhibits at History Colorado Center. Virtually zoom across the plains in a Model T Ford. Soar off a recreation of one of the world’s first ski jumps in Steamboat Springs. Catch the Denver A to Z exhibit, which taps into the essence of the Mile High City letter by letter: “A” for adrenaline, “Z” for zombies and everything in between.

 

Denver Firefighters Museum

Located in historic Denver Fire Station No. 1, the Denver Firefighters Museum is loved by families. 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.

 

OPTION

Denver Art Museum 

The world-class Denver Art Museum is free for those 18 and younger every day. The museum is known for its Indigenous and Latin American collections, in addition to special blockbuster exhibitions. The museum has tons of fun activities for families as well as art programs.

 

AFTERNOON

Downtown Aquarium 

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.

 

Meow Wolf Denver

Meow Wolf Denver's Convergence Station is an unforgettable and transformational experience for all ages. Discover immersive, mind-bending art across the four alien worlds. The museum is open late in the evenings, so don't feel rushed to get there. 

 

OPTIONS

REI and the Denver Trolley

At the gorgeous Confluence Park, where the Cherry Creek and the South Platte River merge, sits the REI Denver Flagship Store. Inside is a mind-blowing assortment of outdoor gear and a 47-foot climbing wall. While you're in the area, hop on board the Denver Trolley, a 30-minute scenic ride along the South Platte River (tickets required). 

 

Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus 

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 at Marsico Campus has 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 aged 3 to 8 years old.

 

Day 2: City Park – Zoos and Natural History

City Park is not only a delightful green space, but two of Denver's most important attractions are also located next door to each other.

 

MORNING 

 

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

Lions, tigers, bears — and so much more! Set aside several hours for exploration at the Denver Zoo, an eye-opening experience for all ages. One of the most popular zoos in the nation, the Denver Zoo has 2,500-plus animals, representing more than 750 species. Don't miss live animal demonstrations, take a ride on the Denver Zoo Railroad and catch a film at the 4-D theater!

 

AFTERNOON

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

This renowned museum will keep kids engaged for hours with close to 115,000 dinosaur, plant and mammal fossils in its collections. You can see the museum's staff at work in the Fossil Prep Lab. While dinosaurs are a major focus, there are tons of interactive exhibits to teach them about science. Explore the cosmos, uncover dazzling gems and minerals, see a film on the giant screen and go to a planetarium show. While you're there, have the kids look for hidden elves. 

 

OPTIONS

Denver Botanic Gardens

One of the top botanical gardens in the nation, Denver Botanic Gardens is an urban oasis, home to plant species from around the world, with a special emphasis on native Colorado varieties. What's truly unique, though, is the Mordecai Children’s Garden (March–October), a one-acre rooftop magical playland where kids of all ages can learn about six of Colorado’s ecosystems.

 

Butterfly Pavilion

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 from 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, take the kids to where giant creatures roamed the earth in prehistoric times.

 

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Explore Colorado’s aviation history. The Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum features more than 50 aircraft: WWI fighter planes, WWII bombers and even a replica of the "Star Wars" X-Wing Starfighter (complete with working R2D2). Kids can try their hand at flying in one of the interactive flight simulators.

 

Day 3: Foothills – Dinosaurs and Wild West Heritage

Venturing up in the foothills provides a nice day trip with stunning views, well worth the short trip.

 

MORNING

Dinosaur Ridge

Kids love dinosaurs. 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

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 makes 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. 

 

AFTERNOON

Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave

A century after his death, Buffalo Bill Cody remains the ultimate Old West icon. The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, located high atop scenic Lookout Mountain, covers all aspects of his colorful life from his days on the Pony Express to his globetrotting Wild West shows.

 

Colorado Railroad Museum 

The Colorado Railroad Museum houses the state's largest collection of locomotives, cars, photos and historic railroad mementos. At one point, more than 2,000 miles of narrow-gauge track probed the mountains of Colorado, and this exciting era comes to life at the museum. Located in Golden, the museum is circled by a half-mile track, which allows them to do monthly "steam ups" with operating locomotives. On alternate weekends, the museum also runs the "Galloping Goose," a rare bus mounted on train wheels that used to take passengers over Lizard Head Pass near Telluride. The museum has a number of special events throughout the year, including a Christmas train with Santa Claus, an Easter Bunny train, an Old West event with shootouts and train holdups, and "varnish specials" of authentic historic wood cars, complete with coal-fired stoves to keep passengers warm in winter.

 

OPTIONS

Argo Mill and Tunnel

About 30 miles west of Denver, take a tour of the Argo Mill and Tunnel to learn all about Colorado's gold mining past and try your hand at gold panning. Also, take a ride on the Mighty Argo Cable Car, which opened in 2026. The gondolas launch from their base at 7,550 feet and rise to 8,800 feet at Miners Point, offering hiking and stunning views of the Continental Divide. 

 

Wild Animal Sanctuary

Located 30 miles northeast of Denver, the Wild Animal Sanctuary is home to hundreds of rescued lions, tigers, bears, leopards and wolves. Visitors view the animals from raised platforms. During the summer months, it's best to arrive about three hours before sunset or first thing in the morning.