Travel guide
Things to do in Denver with kids: best attractions and family tips
Families with kids should base a Denver day on one paid anchor — Denver Zoo, the Children's Museum or Elitch Gardens — plus a free outdoor block at City Park or the Cherry Creek Trail. Altitude is the deciding factor: plan a light first day, keep afternoons free, and switch to the museum cluster if a storm rolls in.
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Key facts
- Best for ages 2–8
- Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Denver Zoo, City Park playgrounds
- Best for ages 8–14
- Elitch Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Botanic Gardens
- Typical paid ticketcheck
- US$15–40 per person (2026 estimate); under-2s usually free
- Free half-day
- City Park, Cherry Creek Trail, 16th Street, Colorado State Capitol grounds
- Altitude
- Denver sits at about 1,609 m; expect tired kids on day one
- Getting around
- RTD light rail and buses cover downtown; a car helps for the zoo, Nature & Science and mountain days
- Rain plan
- Children's Museum, Nature & Science, Denver Art Museum, Denver Aquarium
- Best months
- May–Sep for outdoor parks; Dec–Mar for snow play in the Front Range
Top picks
Denver's family sights split into two clusters: the City Park and Museum District east of downtown, and the downtown–Cherry Creek strip. Pick one paid anchor per day rather than two; queues and walking add up faster than the map suggests.
The Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is the strongest choice for toddlers and early primary ages, with hands-on rooms and an outdoor play area. Denver Zoo, next to City Park, needs at least half a day. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science next door covers dinosaurs, space and gems, and pairs naturally with the zoo if you have the energy.
For older kids, Elitch Gardens combines a theme park and water park in one ticket, and the Downtown Aquarium sits within walking distance of the Millennium Bridge and Union Station. Denver Botanic Gardens is calmer but works well with a picnic.
- Book timed-entry tickets online for the Children's Museum and Elitch Gardens in summer.
- Under-2s are usually free at the museums and zoo; check each operator.
- Buy the zoo and Nature & Science on the same day only if you start early.
| Place | Price (2026 estimate) | Hours | Age fit | Indoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus | US$15–20; under 1 free (check) | Daily, roughly 9am–4pm (check) | 0–8 | Partly |
| Denver Zoo | US$20–25 adult, less for kids (check) | Daily, roughly 9am–5pm (check) | 2–14 | No |
| Denver Museum of Nature & Science | US$20–25 adult (check) | Daily, roughly 9am–5pm (check) | 4–14 | Yes |
| Elitch Gardens | US$40–60 (check) | Seasonal, roughly May–Oct (check) | 8–16 | Partly |
| Downtown Aquarium | US$25–30 (check) | Daily, roughly 10am–8pm (check) | 2–12 | Yes |
| Denver Botanic Gardens | US$15–20 (check) | Daily, roughly 9am–5pm (check) | All ages | Partly |
| Denver Art Museum | US$20–25; free for some ages (check) | Closed Mon–Tue (check) | 6+ | Yes |
| City Park and playgrounds | Free | Daily, daylight hours | All ages | No |
Prices and hours change with season and events; confirm on the operator's own site before you go.
Map
Most family stops sit within a 15-minute drive of downtown. City Park holds the zoo, the Nature & Science museum and playgrounds in one walkable loop. The Children's Museum is just west of the South Platte River, near the aquarium and Union Station.
Coordinates below are approximate; use them to group a day, not to navigate to a gate.
- City Park loop: zoo → Nature & Science → playground → picnic.
- Downtown loop: Union Station → Millennium Bridge → aquarium → Children's Museum.
- Cherry Creek Trail is flat and stroller-friendly for a rest day.
| Place | Approximate location |
|---|---|
| City Park (zoo, Nature & Science, playgrounds) | 39.7470, -104.9500 |
| Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus | 39.7530, -105.0140 |
| Downtown Aquarium | 39.7530, -105.0120 |
| Denver Botanic Gardens | 39.7320, -104.9600 |
| Denver Art Museum | 39.7370, -104.9890 |
| Elitch Gardens | 39.7500, -105.0110 |
| Union Station | 39.7530, -105.0000 |
Practical tips
Denver is high. At about 1,609 m, some children feel headachy or tired on the first day. Keep day one light, push water, and save the big walking day for day two. Sun is strong year-round; hats and sunscreen matter even in winter.
Summer afternoons bring fast thunderstorms, especially in the mountains. Start outdoor plans in the morning and keep an indoor backup. Winter days can be mild and sunny downtown while the foothills have snow, so layers beat a single heavy coat.
RTD light rail and buses cover downtown, the stadium district and the airport. For the zoo, Nature & Science and any Front Range day trip, a car or rideshare is much easier with kids. Colorado requires car seats for young children; check the current rules before you drive.
- Carry refillable water bottles; fountains are common in parks.
- Book museum tickets online to skip the entry line.
- Restaurants in Denver often have kids' menus; portions are large.
- Check for free museum days, which vary by venue and month.
When to go
May to September is the easiest window: parks, zoo and Elitch Gardens are all open, and evenings are warm. July and August are the busiest and the most likely to bring afternoon storms. September is often the best balance of weather and crowds.
December to March suits families who want snow play; the city itself is manageable, and ski areas are a day trip west. Spring is unpredictable, with warm days and sudden snow. Whenever you come, check the operator's calendar — Elitch Gardens and some attractions are seasonal.
| Season | What it suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| May–Jun | Parks, zoo, botanic gardens | Cool evenings, late snow in the foothills |
| Jul–Aug | Water parks, long days | Afternoon storms, biggest crowds |
| Sep | Everything outdoors | Shorter evenings |
| Dec–Mar | Snow play, museums | Cold snaps, seasonal closures |
Getting there
Denver International Airport (DEN) is about 40 minutes from downtown by the RTD A Line train, which runs to Union Station. The train is the simplest option with kids and avoids downtown parking. Rideshares and taxis also run from the terminal.
Amtrak's California Zephyr stops at Denver Union Station, useful if you are coming from the mountains or the West Coast. Within the city, light rail and buses cover the core; a rental car pays off for the zoo, Nature & Science and any mountain day.
- A Line train: airport to Union Station, roughly 40 minutes; check fares on the RTD site.
- Union Station is a good base for a car-free family stay.
- Parking near City Park fills on weekends; arrive before mid-morning.
Questions people ask
Things to do in Denver with kids: best attractions and family tips?
Pick one paid anchor a day: the Children's Museum for under-8s, Denver Zoo and the Nature & Science museum for a full day, Elitch Gardens for older kids. Add free time at City Park or the Cherry Creek Trail, and keep the first day light because of the altitude.
How much does it cost in Denver?
Most family attractions run about US$15–40 per person (2026 estimate), with under-2s often free. Parks, the Cherry Creek Trail and the 16th Street area cost nothing. A family of four should budget roughly US$100–150 a day for tickets plus meals.
What is the best time to visit Denver?
May to September for parks, the zoo and Elitch Gardens, with September the best mix of weather and crowds. December to March suits snow play. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms, so plan outdoor stops in the morning.
Is Denver good for kids who are not used to altitude?
Denver is about 1,609 m, so some children feel tired or headachy on day one. Keep the first day light, drink water, and save longer walks for day two. Seek medical advice if symptoms are severe.
What can we do in Denver with kids when it rains?
The Children's Museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Downtown Aquarium and Denver Art Museum are all indoor. Check opening days, as some museums close early in the week.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVISIT DENVER
- officialDenver Zoo
- officialChildren's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
- officialDenver Museum of Nature & Science
- officialRTD Denver
- officialAmtrak – California Zephyr
- secondaryWikivoyage – Denver