Colorado is not only known for the mountains, trees, camping, and outdoor lifestyle, but also how the outdoors are brought to the urban cities. With city parks planted all over our neighborhoods, sculptures surrounding the city, murals expressing creativity and color, and the numerous well-known eateries. Denver has all of this and so much more. If you are planning a visit or you’ve lived here fora while, we pulled together 5 great family-friendly weekend adventures to do in Denver, and a handful of places to eat, treat and drink.
City Park
Created when Denver was founded, City Park is the largest and oldest park expanding over 330 acres. City Park is also home to the surrounding neighborhood, a boathouse, a golf course, the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and a large lake. During the summer, Sunday nights are filled with jazz music, families picnicked around the pavilion, food trucks lined up on the sidewalks, and friends playing pick-up volleyball.
All year round this park is filled with geese, daily walkers, runners, golfers, hammock hangers, and many activities. The fall colors allow the leaves to pop and the sidewalks to be filled with color while the winter snowflakes lay on the trees and perfectly iced over the lake reflecting the mountains and clouds in the air.
Rockies Game
“Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks”
What better way to spend a Colorado summer day or evening than cheering on the Rockies with the Rocky Mountains as your beautiful backdrop? The Rockies have been in the major league since 1993, and playing in their current stadium since 1995. If you plan it just right, you could enjoy fireworks after the game, or even a concert. Check their website for game times, tickets, events, and additional information.
After the game, head across the street and experience McGregor Square with food, drinks, live music and so much more.
Downtown Denver Aquarium
Spend the afternoon with fish under the sea! Explore the deep ocean waters, coral lagoon, a shipwreck, the rainforest and so much more. For a more immersive experience, meet a sloth, baby shark and even a mystic mermaid while at your next visit.
Denver Aquarium also has a restaurant offering a variety of seafood specialties, steaks, salads, pasta dishes, and decadent desserts. Sit around the 50,000-gallon centerpiece aquarium as you enjoy dinner with friends and family. Needing catering or hosting an event, learn more about weddings and private parties they offer as well!
Meow Wolf
Immerse yourself in an out-of-this-world experience. Founded in Sante Fe, this is only the third location of this surreal immersive art experience. Travel through the 4-story art exhibition and experience a mind-bending, psychedelic journey. With the help of 300 creatives, 70+ installations, rooms, and portals we hope you leave this place feeling more creative, inspired and energized.
This is a family-friendly environment suitable for all ages! For more information, tickets, and guidelines, visit their site.
Denver Scavenger Hunt
Explore Denver in a new adventurous way by gathering your friends for a little competition! Urban Adventure Quest has created a fun, interactive scavenger hunt! Explore the city’s iconic spots, and even overlooked locations while sprinkling in some history! Adventure downtown Denver, Lower Denver, Golden, or even Boulder.
Gather 2-5 players, grab your smart phone, and get ready for a scavenger hunt around the city. Expect about 2-3 hours on foot, outside!
Good Eats & Drinks
Little Man Ice Cream
Hands down, our favorite to visit while in Denver is Little Man Ice Cream. A favorite to locals and visitors since 2008. Little Man serves Denver’s tastiest homemade ice cream. The best part is that you order your ice cream from the window of a 28ft cream can.
If the line is a little long, don’t worry, it’s worth it! Or you can visit their sister companies located all over Denver! See a full list of creameries here.
Little Man Ice Cream: 2620 16TH ST. Denver, CO
Williams & Graham
Williams & Graham is known for its warmth, comfort, and craft. From the minute you enter the library, and venture to the back, the experience is as unique as the crafted cocktails and menu. Grab your friends and enjoy a night filled with over 60 cocktail options varying from classic iconic names, to world-class yet unknown flavors. Test their bartenders to build you a unique cocktail based on your taste, mood, and preference.
Williams & Graham: 3160 TEJON ST, DENVER
*Be sure to make reservations and a 2-hour window to fully experience all that Williams & Graham as to offer.
Larimer Square
Have you seen pictures of a street filled with people, and Colorado flags dangling from string lights lighting up the entire street? This is Larimer Square. The heartbeat of Downtown Denver. This is a must-see experience between the shopping, dining, and entertainment, this street is filled with so much to do and see. A few of our favorite places to visit:
- Bistro Vendome: Persian-style bistro
- Bao Brewhouse: Chinese street food and tea-centric cocktails
- Corridor 44: A champagne bar
- Moda Man: A sharp menswear boutique
- Garage Sale Vintage: Sip margs while you shop. Yes, please!
- Comedy Works: Listen to stand-up comedians any night of the week!
- Disco Pig: Brand new disco bar, say no more!
Steuben’s Uptown
Steuben’s is a buzzing retro restaurant located outside of downtown Denver. Named after a famous restaurant in Boston, Steuben’s Uptown is a 60’s inspired blend of a modern cafe and neighborhood diner. Serving Regional American, you can find a lobster roll from New England, a Nashville Hot Friend Chicken Sandwich, and Fried Chicken and Ribs from the South. Cocktails are on point and plenty of seating for everyone.
Recently, they even started a food truck, so that more people can enjoy the Regional American crave-worthy dishes all over Denver. If you see this food truck while out exploring, be sure to stop and grab yourself something delicious.
Steuben’s Uptown: 523 E. 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Denver, Colorado has an endless amount of activities to enjoy, places to visit and places to dine. While many enjoy attending Rockies games, the aquarium, parks, whiskey drinks, ice cream shops, and restaurants there is much to explore and see. Above was just a quick list of fun places to go for a weekend trip or weeknight on the town. For more Colorado activities, check out our posts of places to see around Colorado. Top 5 Things to do in Silverthorne, Discover 7 Incredible Colorado State Parks, and 14 Unique Colorado Staycation Rentals.
Cheers!
