Denver Attractions: A short summary of Denver's top attractions

Denver, Colorado

Photo credit - VISIT DENVER

Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about hotels in Denver

AQUARIUM

Downtown Aquarium: an Undersea Adventure
700 Water Street, Denver CO 80211
(303) 561-4450
Sunday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
This world-class aquarium allows visitors to plunge into two journeys. Travel from the Continental Divide in Colorado to Mexico's Sea of Cortez, or voyage from an Indonesian rain forest into the Pacific Ocean. From Colorado's state fish, the Greenback Cutthroat trout, to swimming with sharks (scuba license required), visitors experience a variety of 15,000 fish, mammals and birds that all rely upon water.

FREE TOURS

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour
2351 Busch Dr., Fort Collins CO 80524
(970) 490-4691
October–May: Thursday – Monday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
June-August: Daily, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
September: Daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Savor a sample of the famous Budweiser beer after learning how it’s brewed in Fort Collins, the Colorado home of Anheuser-Busch. Gallop through the tour and meet the renowned Clydesdales. Please call for hours and to schedule groups of 15 or more.

Celestial Seasonings
4600 Sleepytime Dr., Boulder CO 80301
Main: 303-530-5300
Reservations:(303) 581-1202
Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Just five miles east of Boulder is Celestial Seasonings, the largest herb tea manufacturer in the United States, which serves 1.6 billions cups of tea each year. Guided tours end in the Tea Shop and open tea bar where visitors can sample more than 100 different tea blends. Tea and gift items are available and the Celestial Cafe is open to the public. Children under 5 are not admitted in the factory portion. Groups of eight or more require reservations. The Tea Shop is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Café is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Colorado State Capitol
200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver CO 80203
(303) 866-2604
September-May: 9:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
June-August: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m (Monday – Friday)
Standing tall at 5,280 feet, the Colorado State Capitol topped off with a 24 karat gold plated dome is an integral piece of the Denver skyline. Become a part of history and experience where Colorado legislation takes place. Visit the three Mile High Markers: Alan True water murals, Women's Gold Tapestry, Colorado General Assembly Chambers and the rose onyx wainscoting. Free tours are available Monday through Friday.

Miller Coors Brewery
13th and Ford Streets, Golden CO 80401
(303) 277-2337
Thursday-Monday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Except on Sunday, tours start at noon)
Closed holidays
Come see and taste traditional brewing in the majestic Rocky Mountains! The newly upgraded tour includes a self-guided tour through our malting, brewing and packaging processes. Visitors can sample several thirst quenching Coors products and shop in the Coors & Co. gift shop. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Guests under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. For large groups (20+) or special accommodations, please call 303-277-2337.

Denver Public Library
10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy, Denver CO 80204
(720) 865-1111
Monday and Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday-Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Bibliophiles you may never leave the $64 million Denver Public Library. Designed by world-renowned architect Michael Graves, is one of the largest libraries in the country. It features unique exterior and interior architecture and holds one of the largest collections of Western history manuscripts, art, maps, newspapers, magazines and photographs in the world. After viewing the extensive collections, rejuvenate yourself with some caffeine and a book at the library coffee shop. Call (720) 865-1472 for TTY.

Optional Trip: Don’t miss visiting one of the Tattered Cover bookstores, called the “best bookstore in America” by the New York Times. Locations include: 2526 E. Colfax Ave. (303-322-7727), Historic LoDo: 1628 16th Street (303-436-1070); or Highlands Ranch: 9315 Dorchester St. (303-470-7050)

Mother Cabrini Shrine
20189 Cabrini Blvd., Golden CO 80401
(303) 526-0758
Grounds: Summer: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Winter: 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Gift Shop: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
See website for Holy Week schedule.
Located just beyond the foothills in Golden, Colo., this place of prayer and pilgrimage was established by Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. Daily mass begins at 7:30 a.m. Take I-70 west to the Morrison Exit 259, I-70 east to Exit 256. Follow signs to the shrine.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bldg. 111, Commerce City CO 80222
(303) 289-0232
Wildlife Refuge temporarily closed. Public visitation is temporarily closed due to a specific remediation project. All tours and programs have been cancelled until further notice.

U.S. Mint
320 West Colfax Avenue, Denver CO 80204
(303) 405-4761
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
As one of only six locations in the United States and one of two offering tours, visiting the Mint is a priceless experience. See where over five billion coins are made each year and there are free 20-minute tours on weekdays. It is also the second largest storehouse of gold bullion in the U.S. after Fort Knox. The gift shop has many unique coins not available anywhere else, and there is a small museum on the history of money. Tours are available on a space available basis, Mon.-Fri. Must be at tour entrance 15 minutes before tour. Late arrivals will not be admitted.

MUSEUMS

Art Museums

The exterior of the Hamilton Building of the Denver Art Museum at sunset.
photo credit Jeff Wells and VISIT DENVER

Denver Art Museum
100 W 14th Ave. Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
(720) 865-5000
Tuesday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday – 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday - closed
With more than 60,000 works of art, the Denver Art Museum has the largest and most comprehensive collection of world art between Kansas City and the West Coast. DAMs new Hamilton Wing, which opened in the fall of 2006, expanded gallery space by 40 percent. The museum contains a diverse collection of art from all over the world, including pre-Columbian and Spanish Colonial pieces as well as Western American art. The museum also has a variety of special exhibits, events and lectures.

Leanin’ Tree Museum and Sculpture Garden of Western Art
6055 Longbow Dr., Boulder CO 80301
(303) 530-1442
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
There’s always free admission at the contemporary Leanin’ Tree Museum and Sculpture Garden of Western Art featuring 400 fine art paintings and bronzes, sculptures of cowboys, Native Americans, wildlife and monumental landscapes. The new sculpture garden is home to some true heavyweight pieces of art, including a 1,300 pound cougar!

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
1485 Delgany St., Denver, CO 80202
(303) 298-7554
Monday: closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Denver's first and only contemporary art museum functions like a European kunsthalle, offering the ongoing presentation of innovative and challenging art of our time. MCAD opened their new David Adjaye designed 27,000 square foot building in October 2007. The museum features multi-disciplinary programs, daily tours and a museum shop. Penny admission is offered on the first Saturday of the month.

Museum of Outdoor Arts
1000 Englewood Pkwy, Ste. 2-230, Englewood, CO 80110
(303) 806-0444
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The Indoor Gallery will be closed for repair February 16 – April 4, 2008.
Discover how art is a part of everyday life when fine art, architecture and landscape design are synthesized within the urban and natural environments. The Museum's indoor gallery is located in the Englewood Civic Center and the outdoor gallery is at the Greenwood Plaza.

Vance Kirkland Museum
1311 Pearl St., Denver, CO 80203
(303) 832-8576
Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday: by appointment only
Guided tours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
With an impressive collection of 20th century decorative arts, the Kirkland museum features 3,300 examples of Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Glasgow Style, Wiener Werkstätte, De Stijl, Bauhaus, Art Deco, Modern, and Pop Art. A retrospective of Colorado’s unique and distinguished painter, Vance Kirkland, and over 700 works of more than 170 Colorado artists from the 20th century are also on display.

Wildlife Experience Museum
10035 S Peoria, Parker, CO 80134
(720) 488-3300
Tuesday-Sunday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
An interactive and ever-changing museum featuring art, natural history, film and interactive galleries for children. The museum combines a giant screen theater, children's gallery, a variety of educational programs including arts and crafts classes and several art exhibits to be more than just a museum...it's an experience.

Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what others have to say about vacation rentals in Denver

Aviation Museum

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver, CO 80230-6929
(303) 360-5360
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Cockpit Demo Day, 2nd Saturday of each month: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Soar on over to see an extensive collection of aircraft and military exhibits preserving the history of those who served at Lowry AFB. The 44,000 square foot main event space is surrounded by a restored collection of historical aircraft and exhibit rooms. Thirty-one aircrafts are on display. In addition to conventional aircraft, a Star Wars X-wing Fighter is also on display. Group rates and tours are available. Parking is free.

History Museums

Astor House Museum & Clear Creek History Park
822 12th St., Golden CO 80401
(303) 278-3557
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
June-August: Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors can experience frontier Colorado boarding house life in a home built in 1867. Originally, its purpose was to accommodate legislators when Golden was the Territorial Capital and operated as a boarding house for more than 100 years. The museum and gift shop, listed on the National Register of Historical Places are located in historic downtown Golden.

Black American West Museum & Heritage Center
3091 California, Denver CO 80205
(303) 292-2566
September 1-May 31: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 1-August 30: 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Preserves the history and culture of African American men and women who helped settle and develop the American West. Located in the former home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first Black woman doctor in Denver, it provides exhibits on African American cowboys including Bill Pickett. Call for admission information.

Buffalo Bill’s Grave & Museum
987 ½ Lookout Mountain, Golden, CO 80401
(303) 526-0744
May-October: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open 7 days a week)
November-April: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open 7 days a week)
Welcome to the Wild Wild West! The Museum’s exhibits include memorabilia from Buffalo Bill’s life and Wild West shows, Indian artifacts, antique firearms and other Old West artifacts. There is also a children’s activity area. The historical complex on Lookout Mountain includes the museum, Buffalo Bill’s grave and the Pahaska Tepee Gift Shop and snack bar.

Optional Trip: Denver maintains a buffalo herd of 40 head at a scenic spot on I-70 (Exit 250) about 14 miles west of the city. The buffalo are direct descendants of the last wild buffalo herd left in America. It is about 15 minutes from here to Buffalo Bill’s Grave.

Byers-Evans House Museum
1310 Bannock St., Denver CO 80204
(303) 620-4933
Tuesday-Sunday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tours at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Built in 1883 by Rocky Mountain News publisher Williams Byers and sold in 1889 to the family of William Gray Evans, an officer of the Denver Tramway Company. This Italianate house and Denver landmark reflects the character of two early and important Colorado pioneer families. Buses welcome with reservation.

Colorado History Museum
13th and Broadway, Denver CO 80203
(303) 866-3682
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Explore Colorado's diverse past and present when you visit Colorado's own history museum. Fascinating exhibits feature Indian buffalo hunts, mining in the Rocky Mountains and life in early Denver. Detailed dioramas, historic photos, artifacts and other pieces tell the stories of Colorado through its various stages of development. The museum hosts a variety of educational programs, special tours, lectures and events.

Colorado Railroad Museum
17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden CO 80403
1-800-866-3682
Daily: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Choo! Choo! A train lover’s heaven with fourteen acres of historic Colorado trains; more than 100 narrow and standard gauge cars and locomotives from Colorado's historic mountain railroads; artifacts; a model railroad; and even a railroad gift shop. I-70, Exit 265 Westbound, or, exit 266 Eastbound

Optional Trip: Those interested in trains should also visit Caboose Hobbies, the largest model railroading store in the world -- a virtual supermarket of toy trains in all sizes with half a dozen working layouts, books, videos and railroad memorabilia. Established in 1938.
500 South Broadway, Denver 80209-4002. (303) 777-6766.

Denver Firefighters Museum
1326 Tremont Pl., Denver CO 80204
(303) 892-1436
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Slide down a fire pole and jump into the museum that houses an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs and documents dating from 1866 to the present all relating to the history of firefighting. Educational programs focus on fire safety and prevention And the museum provides hands-on activities for children and adults. Private parties and birthday parties welcome.

Forney Museum of Transportation
4303 Brighton Blvd., Denver, CO 80216
(303) 297-1113
Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Forney Museum is a one-of-a-kind collection of over 500 exhibits relating to historical transportation. Speed on over to these classic exhibits featuring antique automobiles from 1899 to 1976 including Amelia Earhart’s Kissel Car and Prince Aly Kahn’s Rolls Royce, carriages, bicycles, motorcycles, farm machinery and the world’s largest locomotive called the Big Boy measuring over 134 feet long.

Four Mile Historic Park and Four Mile House
715 South Forest, Denver CO 80246
(303) 399-1859
www.fourmilepark.org 
April-September: Wednesday – Friday, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.;
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
October-March: Wednesday - Sunday, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Discover this quiet, rustic 12-acre historic oasis and the site of Denver’s oldest house. Tour the house, stroll the gardens and grounds, see antique farm equipment and visit the animals. Weekend horse-drawn rides are available. Shady Grove Picnic Series offered from June through August.

Golden Pioneer Museum
923 10th St., Golden CO 80401
(303) 278-7151
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Journey through one of Colorado's oldest communities chronicling the days of American Indian and pioneer history. Artifacts from Golden and other areas of Jefferson County tell the story of the West. The museum offers seasonal displays, special events, workshops and a historical and genealogical research library. Guided tours for groups of ten or more are available by appointment.

Littleton Historical Museum
6028 S Gallup St., Littleton CO 80120
(303) 795-3950
Tuesday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Featuring a permanent gallery with the Littleton Story from settlement to the present, the Littleton Historical Museum is often identified as one of the top ten local museums in the nation. One gallery displays traveling exhibitions from the Smithsonian Institution and other museums, and there is also a fine arts gallery and interactive hands-on exhibits. The museum houses 1860s and 1890s living history farms with costumed interpreters, a summer concert series as well as lectures and events throughout the year.

Molly Brown House Museum
1340 Pennsylvania, Denver CO 80203
(303) 832-4092
January-May: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
June-August: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
September-December: Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The home of the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown, a Titanic heroine, has been restored to its original Victorian splendor. Museum entry is by guided tour only. Tours last 45 minutes. Group tours are available by reservation only and walk-ins are welcome. Available for private events.

Museo de las Américas
861 Sante Fe Dr., Denver CO 80204
(303) 571-4401
Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Founded in 1991, the Museo de las Américas is the only museum in the Rocky Mountain Region focusing on the art, history and culture of Latinos in the Americas from ancient times to the present. See beautiful Spanish Colonial art from the 17th and 18th centuries. Pre-Columbian objects, contemporary works and much more! Free admission on First Fridays.

Pearce-McAllister Cottage
1880 Gaylord St., Denver CO 80206
(303) 322-1053
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This cottage, built in 1899, was built in Dutch Colonial Revival architectural style and is home to the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys.

Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
1111 Washington Ave., Golden CO 80401
(303) 277-0377
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Two galleries showcase a minimum of 8 exhibits yearly—over 250 quilts, by regional and national quilt artists and quilts from the museum’s collection. The shows range from traditional to contemporary, each with a unique style and theme.

Natural History Museums

Denver Museum of Nature & Science
2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver CO 80205
(303) 322-7009
Daily: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visit the top family attraction in Denver (2004 Zagat Family Travel Guide). Explore fantastic fossils, stimulating space science activities, amazing gems and minerals, Egyptian mummies and much more. Watch exciting IMAX films and view one of the best planetariums in the country.

Plan Your Next Romantic Getaway with BedandBreakfast.com

PARKS, GARDENS AND ZOOS

City Park with downtown Denver skyline and the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
photo credit Ron Ruhoff and VISIT DENVER

Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center
6252 W 104th Ave., Westminster, CO 80020
(303) 469-5441
Daily: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
No admission after 4 p.m.
Science, fun and education come together at the Butterfly Pavilion, where we've got more adventures than you can imagine. Explore our tropical rainforest where over 1,200 butterflies flutter around you or hold a friendly tarantula in the palm of your hand. Discover what lurks in your very own backyard on a colossal scale.

Denver Botanic Gardens
1005 York St., Denver CO 80206
(720) 865-3500
September 16 – April 30: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (daily)
May 1 – September 15: Saturday-Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Check for schedule of summer fitness walks. Admission is free.
Denver Botanic Gardens has been a favorite Denver destination for 50 years. Art and science unite in the gardens’ spectacular 23-acre site, offering an unforgettable experience for the whole family, as well as a living laboratory for education and plant conservation programs. Enjoy and Birds and Bess Walk, picnic next to the lily pond in the Monet Garden, or absorb the fragrance of the Herb Garden!

Denver Skate Park
2205 19th Street, Denver CO 80202
Daily: dawn until dusk
Shredders and Tricksters alike will enjoy the 2-acre Skate Park located within minutes of downtown Denver. The $2.9 million dollar park is the largest outdoor free public skate facility in the United States. Located in the South Platte River District, the park features an assortment of concrete bowls ranging from four feet to 12 feet deep. The park features ramps of various sizes to keep transition skaters happy and a “street plaza” section with handrails and ledges for grinding and sliding as well as pyramids, hips and plenty of gaps to ollie.

Photo credit of VISIT DENVER

Denver Zoo
2300 Steele St. (in City Park), Denver CO 80205
(303) 376-4800
April-September: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (daily)
October-March: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (daily)
The Denver Zoo, located in City Park, spans more than 75 acres and is home to nearly 4,000 animals including rare Amur leopards, okapi, black rhinoceros, elephants, vampire bats, orangutan, Komodo dragons and more! After being named the most popular paid attraction in the Denver metropolitan area in 2005, the Zoo is maintaining its rare collection of animals, naturalistic habitats and unique exhibits.

Dinosaur Ridge
16831 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison CO 80456
(303) 697-3466
May-September: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
October-April: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Land Before Time is no comparison to this outdoor museum where significant dinosaur discoveries were made in the late 1800s. Dinosaur Ridge protects the natural resources of the Hogback west of Denver and informs visitors of the area’s geologic, prehistoric and natural features. See Stegosaurus bones, Iguanodon tracks and prehistoric ripples preserved in this unique outdoor setting. Stop by the visitor center for a free trail map!

Hudson Gardens
6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton CO 80120
(303) 797-8565
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Just 20 minutes south of Denver, these 16 gardens on 30 acres offer beauty and tranquility along the banks of the South Platte River. The themed gardens with beautiful mountain views are complemented by pools, pavilions, bridges, sculptures and fountains. Walks and bike rides are available along the South Platte River bike path. Butterflies, birds and a family of red foxes are found in the gardens. Guided tours can be arranged.

Aerial view of Red Rocks Amphitheater. Photo credit Bob Ash and VISIT DENVER

Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Visitors Center
18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465
Administration: (303) 865-2494
Visitors Center: (303) 697-4939
May-September: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (daily)
October-April: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (daily)
The naturally formed, world-renowned outdoor amphitheatre is located just 15 miles west of Denver and hosts top musical events throughout the summer season. Red Rocks Park encompasses 818 acres and is open to hikers and sightseers year-round. The visitor center features state-of-the-art meeting facilities, a restaurant and lounge as well as an amazing display chronicling the amphitheatre’s geologic evolution and entertainment history.

PERFORMING ARTS

Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada CO 80003
(720) 898-7200
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Multidisciplinary center offers a varied, year-round program of theater, dance, concerts, art, historical exhibitions and hands on art and humanities education for all. The indoor theater has 500 seats and the outdoor amphitheater seats 1,400. The center also features a museum, gallery, classrooms, studios, 7,000 square-foot banquet facility and meeting rooms.

Denver Performing Arts Complex
14th and Curtis, Denver CO 80202
(303) 640-2637
Featuring 10 performance spaces connected by an 80 foot tall glass roof, the Denver Performing Arts Complex is the largest arts complex in the world. The Arts Complex covers four city blocks, just two blocks from the 16th Street Mall. Venues include the new Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre (2,800 seats), Boettcher Concert Hall (2,700 seats), Garner Galleria Theatre and Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex -- which also houses the Seawell Grand Ballroom, presenting symphony, opera, theater and dance performances year-round. The complex is partially covered glass dome allowing for special events in the Galleria and Sculpture Park. DPAC is also home to the National Theatre Conservatory.

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

Children’s Attractions

Casa Bonita
6715 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214
(303) 232-5115
Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
With over 52,000 square feet and seating for 1,100 guests, Casa Bonita is one of the largest and most entertaining restaurants in the West. Live entertainment includes cliff divers plunging from a spectacular 30-foot waterfall, strolling mariachis, authentic Mexican dancers and gunfights. Children can explore Black Bart's secret hideout and watch as the Sheriff and Black Bart engage in a shoot-em-up Western gunfight. There are also puppet shows, magicians and a large game room.

Children’s Museum of Denver
2121 Children's Museum Drive, Denver, CO 80211
(303) 433-7444
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
You’ll never be bored at the Children's Museum where 11 interactive Playscapes, programs and special events all make learning fun by engaging children, ages infant through eight, to play, learn and explore. It is a place that ignites and fosters a love of learning that children will carry with them throughout life. The Museum hosts over 250,000 children annually.

Tiny Town, Colorado and Railroad
6249 S. Turkey Creek Rd, Tiny Town CO 80465
(303) 697-6829
Memorial Day – Labor Day: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (daily)
May and September: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (weekends only)
As a historic Colorado landmark since 1915, Tiny Town contains more than 100 hand-crafted miniature buildings in a rural and mountain setting with authentic steam train rides, snack bar and a gift shop. Just off US Hwy. 285 on South Turkey Creek Road, thirty minutes from downtown Denver.

AMUSEMENT CENTERS AND PARKS

Elitch Gardens Theme Park
2000 Elitch Circle, Denver CO 80204
(303) 595-4386
April – May: hours and days vary
June & July: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (daily)
August – November 1: hours and days vary
People of all ages can get the best of two worlds all in one place -- a family theme park and Island Kingdom Water Park in downtown Denver. There’s something for everyone from thrilling coasters, family rides and fun-filled shows to beautiful gardens, and playful water attractions. September Music Festival and October Fright Fest included in admission price. Educational programs include: Physics Night and Outdoor Classroom.

Fat City
9670 W. Coal Mine Ave., Littleton CO 80233
(303) 972-4344
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Experience fun at Fat City! Colorado’s premier entertainment facility has more than three acres of exciting activities and games including a retro 40-lane bowling center, laser tag, 18 hole miniature golf course, bumper cars, twister ride, skating and obstacle course, inflatable obstacle course, more than 200 video games and more! Fat City can host groups from 30 to 3,000. Check out FatCity Nights for grown-ups.

Heritage Square
18301 W. Colfax, Golden CO 80401
(303) 279-2789
Open year-round, individual shops and attraction times vary
Heritage Square is a reconstructed Colorado mining town from the 1870s with an old fort, elaborate Victorian buildings and storefronts, shops, restaurants and a cabaret theatre. The center features 35 specialty shops and Chassen's on the Square, a dinner-theatre with home-style meals and original musical cabarets. Heritage Square is also home to amusement park rides, a water slide, zip line, go-karts, miniature golf, miniature railroad, alpine slide and bicycle rentals.

Lakeside Amusement Park
4601 Sheridan Blvd., Denver CO 80212
(303) 477-1621
Hours and days vary, call or visit Web site for details
As the largest amusement park in the Rocky Mountain region, Lakeside offers fun for the entire family. With 15 kiddie rides, classic cyclone roller coaster, scenic miniature train, 39 rides, plus games and refreshments, it’s a great place to spend a hot summer day. Open weekends in May and daily beginning in June.

Water World
1800 W 89th Ave, Denver CO 80221
(303) 427-SURF
Last Weekend in May through Labor Day: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Splash into America's largest family water park featuring more than 40 aquatic attractions on 64 beautifully landscaped acres. Attractions include two giant wave pools, white-water rapids, speed slides, Voyage to the Center of the Earth, Lost River of the Pharaohs, Wally World for tots and other exciting rides. Free parking, picnics welcome.

For more information on visiting Denver go to www.denver.org