2023-12-08 08:36:17
Colorado has more than its share of stunning natural attractions, but sometimes the kids are eager for a little more than mountain vistas and scenic drives. An afternoon at these attractions will score serious “best-parent-ever” points. Alpine Coasters There’s nothing more thrilling than getting buckled into a modern toboggan and racing down a mountain. With a top speed of 28 mph — the fastest on this list — Breathtaker Alpine Coaster in Snowmass adds an extra layer of fun by allowing you to ride at night. Hairpin turns and switchbacks feel even more epic under a pitch-black sky. In Estes Park, Mustang Mountain Coaster’s view from the peak includes a sapphire-sparkling lake. With tight turns around new-growth pines, you end with an epic vista of some of Colorado’s famous fourteeners (mountain summits over 14,000 feet). Copper Mountain’s Rocky Mountain Coaster is home to one of the longest tracks in North America. The alpine peaks are jaw-dropping year-round, but twisting and turning through snow banks among powder-dusted trees is extra special. Zoos Let the children take a walk on the wild side at different sanctuaries around the state — you might even be able to hand-feed a critter. The Denver Zoo just opened Pinnacol African Penguin Point, where you can watch the flock’s underwater high jinks up close. And be sure to ride the wooden animals on Conservation Carousel and book tickets to feed cownose rays at Stingray Cove. There might not be a more interactive experience than at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. Book a meet-and-feed with giraffes, elephants, rhinos, grizzly bears, zebras, river otters, orangutans, sloths, African lions and wallabies. In Keenesburg, The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s goal is to rescue and care for captive animals. To truly let the more than 650 lions, tigers and bears experience freedom with no fear, the refuge built a 1.5-mile elevated walkway for visitors. It’s a calm experience for everyone involved, as the mammals don’t feel threatened from above. Amusement Parks Coloradans live for a thrill, and that includes the state’s mind-boggling rides. Where else can you look out at soaring peaks as you hurtle into the air on a giant swing? Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, the nation’s only downtown theme park, has everything a youngster loves, from Mega Wedgie slides to spinning teacups and Fruity Pebbles funnel cake topped with vanilla soft-serve ice cream. Bend your mind on Kaleidoscape, Meow Wolf’s second permanent installation in the city, with seven Denver artists contributing to the park’s ride. Those who love to feel their heart drop into their stomach will thrive at America’s only mountain-top theme park, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Clutch the handles on the steepest freefall in the Western U.S. on Defiance Roller Coaster or hug the side of a bluff on Cliffhanger, North America’s highest elevation, full-sized roller coaster. Walking across America’s highest suspension bridge is knee-knocking enough, but Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City decided to go even harder with the Royal Rush Skycoaster. On your stomach, you’ll sweep 50 mph through the air and dangle 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River. Dinosaurs Long-necked giants once roamed the Centennial State, and there are sites far and wide to see tracks, fossils and excavation pits. Sunny Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison is where humans first discovered the Stegosaurus. Kids can compare their feet sizes to the more than 250 dino tracks and visit Backyard Bones, a dig site that teaches tiny excavators how to find prehistoric beasts. Picketwire Canyonlands is home to the largest dinosaur tracksite in North America, with more than 1,900 prints in 130 separate trackways. Be sure to bring plenty of water for this 11.2-mile, round-trip excursion south of La Junta. In Fruita, the Dinosaur Journey museum is top-notch for future paleontologists. The hands-on exhibits feature more than 15,000 fossil specimens and a sandbox where visitors can make their own tracks. The museum also offers Dino Digs, where scientists provide training on how to scout for fossil bones. The fossil-touch carts at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science are the stars of the show in the Prehistoric Journey exhibit. Siblings might relate to the battling Allosaurus and Stegosaurus, and science lovers will enjoy watching fossils being prepped for viewing at the Earth Sciences Lab. Historic Sites Your family can absorb what westward expansion was like at some of Colorado’s most famous 1800s forts. Little ones can become Junior Rangers at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site in La Junta. They’ll get to imagine they’re building a new trading post, make a map of the citadel and learn about the games children played back when the fort was bustling. A replica of Fort Uncompahgre in Delta has authentic dirt floors and serves as an interpretive site for what was once a hub of activity on the Old Spanish Trail. Watch reenactors start fires with flint, throw tomahawks and scrape hides. The El Pueblo Fort was the first permanent settlement in Pueblo, and it has been painstakingly reconstructed to showcase life in the mid-19th century. Sit on a bench in the middle of the adobe structure and imagine what living during these times was like. Mine Tours Prospectors came out West in the 1800s hoping to strike a bonanza of gold — your kids will get the chance to put on a hard hat, step back in time and live out one of the momentous eras of Colorado history. Descend 1,000 feet into Summit County’s only real gold-mine tour at Country Boy Mine near Breckenridge. Children will love the ability to pan for gold and meet-and-greet the burros that call the area home. Grab a hammer or chisel and try your hand at striking gold at Hidee Gold Mine or take a lesson in gold panning at this Central City spot — and keep what you find! A trip on the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad wouldn’t be complete without the Lebanon Silver Mine Tour. In addition to a gold-panning option that also allows you to keep what you discover, you’ll actually get to see naturally occurring silver pearls 1,000 feet into Leavenworth Mountain. Museums No matter your kids’ obsession, there’s a museum in Colorado to excite them. Move your body around the Soundscape exhibit and sensors will craft a medley of sounds at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. This interactive children’s museum is a fan favorite in parenting circles. They even have a Tot Spot for littles with a crawl-through tree and water zone. At the Art Bar at the Trailhead Children’s Museum in Crested Butte, kids’ creations come alive in bright colors. And for aspiring engineers, the Dream It! Built It! exhibit features giant blue building pieces so entire worlds can be imagined and constructed. At Fire Station No. 1 in the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, the city is in danger and toddlers must operate the dispatch station, drive the truck and put out the fire. A giant physics playground with lessons on Newton, motion and gravity rounds out the offerings. LEAVE IT AS YOU FIND IT When you’re outside in Colorado, it may be tempting to pick flowers or take cool-looking rocks. By leaving them behind, the visitors who arrive after you can experience the same discoveries you did. Want more? Colorado.com/FamilyAttractions
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