Voted 2016's second-best place to live in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report, Denver, Colorado is one of the fastest-growing major cities in America and a perfect destination for active families.
The Mile High City is home to more than 200 parks and a profusion of kid-friendly attractions both indoors and outside. City Park is an excellent place to begin your family adventure in Denver, but be sure to explore along the Platte River and perhaps even venture outside the downtown.
There's a seemingly endless amount to see and do together, but here are a few of the best places to start.
Denver Zoo
The Denver Zoo is a must for families. Home to more than 4,000 animals, the zoo is open every day of the year and children ages 2 and under get in for free. There are daily feedings and performances from the animals, plus a number of interactive exhibits, including the "Be A Zookeeper Zone" where younger visitors learn the science behind zookeeping.
After the zoo, tour the Downtown Aquarium, which houses more than 500 species of animals, along with a restaurant and lounge where the adults can catch their breath.
Epic Escape Game
Escape rooms are popping up all over, and Denver is no exception. Epic Escape Game is perfect for families and groups, offering more than a dozen different games to choose from, including scary and silly scenarios.
Sixty minutes may seem like a long time, but it's all you'll have to uncover clues, decode puzzles and escape the room.
Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens, America's only downtown theme and water park, opens for the summer season in April and will feature a brand new thrill ride for 2017: The Star Flyer. The new attraction will swing four dozen guests around at a speed of 50 mph while 17 stories off the ground.
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Disaster Canyon and Shipwreck Falls are better rides for getting wet, and the park is also home to a plethora of family rides, including classics like the Tilt-A-Whirl and Tea Cups.
Dinosaur Ridge
Located just outside of Denver in Morrison, Colorado, Dinosaur Ridge is an outdoor museum where families can get an up-close-and-personal look at actual bones and tracks left behind by the dinosaurs.
The attraction offers a pair of trails, guided and self-guided tours, plus an indoor exhibit hall.
Goldstrike Adventures
Families can learn a one-of-a-kind skill while hunting for actual gold at Goldstrike Colorado Gold Adventures. The venue offers half- and full-day guided gold adventures that teach participants panning, sluicing and even dredging.
Voted the Best Gold Mining Experience of Colorado in 2015, Goldstrike guarantees you'll find gold, (which you get to keep, of course).
Children's Museum of Denver
If all the aforementioned aren't enough to keep your family's attention, check out the Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus. The museum boasts a handful of exhibits and offers special events and daily activities year-round.
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Visitors can climb inside of a massive bubble, paint, sculpt and bring various objects to life-including rockets and hot air balloons. Also, keep in mind that the museum is free for four hours from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.
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