One-Day Adventures, Weekend Getaways and Everything in Between
I feel really lucky to live here in Colorado. We have fun activities for everyone, in every season of the year, whether it’s a beautiful hike, an outdoorsy adventure, or a day spent exploring one of the Denver area’s diverse cities and surrounding towns. There are just so many options. People travel here from all over the world to vacation in Colorado, and it’s easy to forget what we have right at our fingertips.
So here’s your reminder: have a staycation day, or even a long weekend! We put together a mix of ideas for your next Colorado staycation, from easy one-day adventures to mountain weekend getaways.
One-Day Adventures for Denver Families
No overnight bag required for any of these. They’re all easy to do in a single day, whether you’re headed up into the foothills or staying closer to the city.
Nederland
Nederland is about an hour from Denver, up into the mountains west of Boulder, which makes it an easy half-day or full-day trip. The star of the show is the Carousel of Happiness, a fully restored 1910 carousel with dozens of hand-carved animals and a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ still providing the music. Rides are just a few dollars each, and there’s a do-it-yourself puppet theater upstairs to keep kids busy if you want to linger. Right next to the carousel is Nederland’s town park, with a playground, a covered picnic area and a kids’ fishing pond, so it’s easy to turn a quick carousel stop into a couple of relaxed hours.
For families who want to add a hike, Mud Lake is about 1.5 miles away and is a favorite for its easy, well-shaded loop that even younger kids can handle. Barker Reservoir, right in town, offers mountain views with almost no hiking required if you’d rather keep things simple. Pair your visit with lunch or coffee at New Moon Bakery & Cafe, which has a mountain-view patio, and if you’re driving up via the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, the drive itself is part of the fun.
Evergreen
Evergreen makes a great half-day or full-day trip, and pairing it with Tiny Town is an easy win for younger kids. Tiny Town’s miniature buildings and rideable train are a hit, and it doesn’t take more than an hour or two to fully enjoy.
From there, head into downtown Evergreen for lunch and a walk around Evergreen Lake. The 1.25-mile loop around the lake is flat, stroller-friendly, and dog-friendly, with picnic spots scattered along the way and a decent chance of spotting elk or waterfowl. Grab a bite downtown first, Murphy’s Mountain Grill sits right on the river with a good patio and a menu that goes beyond the usual kids’ meal, and Muddy Buck Cafe is a local favorite for coffee and giant cinnamon rolls, before or after your stroll. In the warmer months you can also rent a paddleboat or paddleboard right on the lake if you want to extend the day.
See our full guide to Evergreen here!
Boulder
Boulder is one of those towns that works for any age, and Pearl Street Mall is the obvious starting point. The four block pedestrian mall is closed to traffic, so kids can roam a bit while you browse the shops, and there’s no shortage of built-in entertainment: street performers, climbing boulders, and pop-up splash fountains on warm days.
For lunch, Rosetta Hall is a food hall a few blocks off Pearl Street with an amazing rooftop patio looking out at the Flatirons and enough different cuisines that even picky eaters find something. If you’re after something more classic Boulder, The Sink is the iconic burger and pizza spot with a wall of famous signatures worth a look while you wait for your food.
For a playground stop, Central Park sits right along Boulder Creek near Pearl Street and has a playground plus creek access, making it an easy add-on before or after your Pearl Street wander. The Boulder Public Library’s main branch is also right there on Arapahoe, along the creek, and is worth ducking into for its kids’ collection and regular storytimes if you need an indoor break.
If your family wants a scenic drive with a payoff, head up Flagstaff Road about four miles to Realization Point for sweeping views, and if anyone wants to stretch their legs, the Tenderfoot Trail from there is short and manageable for kids. Or stay closer to town and walk the CU Boulder campus, it’s one of the prettiest college campuses around, with its signature red-tile-roofed sandstone buildings, open lawns, and mountain views in nearly every direction.
See our full guide to Boulder here.
Havana Street, Aurora
If you’re craving something a little different, the Havana Street corridor in Aurora is packed with international finds: Paris Baguette for pastries, Daiso and Ebisu for browsing Japanese goods and snacks, SNOWL for shaved ice, and Olive Me Studio for a DIY charm and craft stop the kids will love (just note it’s closed Sundays). Havana Heights Park makes a good playground break between stops, and if you want to round out the day, Seoul K-BBQ & HotPot or Nana’s Dim Sum both work well for a family-style lunch in the same cluster.
Meow Wolf and The Inventing Room
Pair these two for an out-of-this-world afternoon. Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station is an immersive, multi-story art experience where kids are encouraged to touch, push and explore, and there’s a story to follow if your family is into that kind of thing (or you can just wander). Right nearby is The Inventing Room, a Willy Wonka-style candy shop run by a “mad scientist,” which makes a perfectly themed follow-up stop for a sugar rush after all that exploring. Keep in mind The Inventing Room requires advance online ticket purchase.
See our full guide to Meow Wolf with Kids here.
Denver Trolley, Children’s Museum and River Play
The Denver Trolley departs from Confluence Park behind REI and runs a scenic 25-minute round trip along the South Platte River, with a stop right at the Children’s Museum of Denver. It’s a nostalgic little ride that younger kids especially love. Once you’re at the museum, Confluence Park itself, where the South Platte and Cherry Creek meet, is a popular spot for kids to splash and cool off in the shallow water, so plan for a swimsuit and a change of clothes.
Water World
If your crew wants a full day of water play, Water World in Federal Heights bills itself as America’s largest waterpark, with 70 acres and more than 50 slides, pools and rides. Younger kids can stick to the calmer Little Bear Pond or float along Minnow Creek, a lazy river built just for them, while older kids and adults can hit the speed slides and wave pools. It’s about 20 minutes north of downtown Denver, with free parking, and open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Golden, Clear Creek Canyon and Idaho Springs
Start your morning in Golden if you want to add a little more to the day. Downtown Golden has its own whitewater course to watch (or wade near) right along Clear Creek, plus the Colorado Railroad Museum and a Coors brewery tour if the grown-ups want a stop of their own. From there, head to the Big Easy Trailhead in Clear Creek Canyon and let the kids splash along the creek’s edge on the Peaks to Plains Trail. It’s an easy, stroller-friendly stretch with plenty of spots to get your feet wet. Drive a little further up the canyon into Idaho Springs for lunch. Beau Jo’s, the original Idaho Springs location, is a classic Colorado-style pizza stop (don’t skip dipping the crust in honey), and Main Street Restaurant is a solid choice if you’re leaning toward breakfast or a diner-style lunch instead.
Georgetown and the Loop Railroad
Georgetown is a cute little mountain town about 45 minutes past Idaho Springs, and it pairs naturally with that same drive up I-70 if you want to make a bigger day of it. The main draw is the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a historic narrow-gauge steam train that climbs 640 feet in just over four miles between Georgetown and Silver Plume, corkscrewing over itself on a high bridge along the way. A conductor narrates the history, and there’s an optional add-on tour into an 1870s silver mine that kids love. Afterward, wander Georgetown’s well-preserved Victorian downtown for a treat or some window shopping before heading back down the canyon.
Colorado Springs Day: North Pole, Home of Santa’s Workshop
This one’s a full day trip, but it’s a fun change of scenery. North Pole, Home of Santa’s Workshop sits at the base of Pikes Peak in Cascade and is a Christmas-themed amusement park built for younger kids, with rides, a reindeer barn, and a visit with Santa himself. If you have extra time, Manitou Springs itself is worth lingering in: it’s a charming little mountain town with a walkable main street, natural mineral spring fountains you can taste from around town, and the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade, a nostalgic, block-spanning arcade with vintage penny games, Skee-Ball and kiddie rides that’s been a family favorite for generations. If you want to make a bigger day of it, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway departs from Manitou Springs and climbs all the way to the 14,115-foot summit, no driving required. For lunch nearby, Border Burger Bar in Cascade is a solid, casual pick for families passing through.
See our full guide to Colorado Springs.
Old Town Arvada
For an easy in-town option, spend a morning at the Arvada Farmers Market in Olde Town Square, running Sundays through the season with fresh produce, pastries, tamales and more. The Olde Town fountain runs during the market and other summer events, so pack a swimsuit for the kids if you’re visiting on a Sunday. Afterward, wander the shops, stop at Scrumptious for homemade ice cream, and if you’re up for a craft activity, Into the Fire is a paint-your-own-pottery studio that’s been an Olde Town favorite since 2000.
Weekend Getaways
These are worth carving out an overnight or a long weekend for. They’re far enough from Denver that you’ll want to settle in rather than rush the drive both ways.
Vail
Vail is an easy win for a mountain getaway with kids, mostly because you barely need a car once you get there. The free town shuttle connects Vail Village and Lionshead all day long, and honestly, riding it back and forth might be the highlight of your kid’s whole trip this summer. Mine sure thought so.
Once you’re parked and settled, Vail Village is easy to wander on foot. Kids will love cooling off at the Children’s Fountain, and Sunbird Park (known to local kids as Nest Park) is worth a visit. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens has a hands-on Children’s Garden and a scavenger hunt that keeps little ones engaged longer than you’d expect from a botanical garden. If your crew wants to get in the water, you can rent a tube and float Gore Creek, then hop the free shuttle back upstream to do it again.
For families staying overnight, look at hotels in Vail Village or Lionshead so you can walk to dinner and skip the parking altogether. Many properties also run their own shuttles to nearby attractions like Vail Stables or the Gondola.
Grand Lake
About two and a half hours from Denver, Grand Lake is the quieter, lower-key mountain town option, and it’s a favorite for families who want lake time without the crowds. The historic boardwalk is lined with shops, ice cream stands and casual restaurants, and there’s a small park and play area tucked about midway down it, making it an easy resting spot when little legs need a break.
The Grand Lake Marina area has a shallow, safe shoreline for splashing and floating, plus scenic boat tours if you’d rather let someone else do the navigating. For a change of pace, Meandering Moose Mini Golf and the Rocky Hi Speedway go-karts are both hits with kids, and there are several playgrounds around town for pure downtime. Grand Lake also serves as the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, so if your family wants to add in a scenic drive, Trail Ridge Road connecting to Estes Park is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the state.
Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park is the classic Colorado mountain weekend, and it’s an easy home base for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. Downtown has a paved Riverwalk along the Fall and Big Thompson Rivers, taffy-pulling shops to peek into, and a good chance of spotting elk right in town, especially in the evenings. A stroll around Lake Estes is flat and stroller-friendly, and if you want a bit more adrenaline, the Mustang Mountain Coaster lets kids control their own speed down the mountainside.
Inside the park itself, Bear Lake is one of the easiest and most scenic hikes for families, a short loop around a glassy alpine lake with big mountain views for very little effort. Sheep Lakes and Moraine Park are both known for elk and bighorn sheep sightings, especially early in the morning. Note that Rocky Mountain National Park requires a timed entry reservation during peak summer season, so it’s worth planning that piece ahead of time.
