Things to do with kids in Denver

16 family-friendly places in Denver: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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Black American West Museum & Heritage Center
Set in the home of Dr. Justina Ford, Colorado's first Black woman doctor, this museum is dedicated to the contributions of Black pioneers in the Old West. The 19th-century building was moved 12 blocks to become a museum.
Fri Sat 10AM-2PMAdults $17, seniors $15, youth 6-17/college ID/military ID $12, children 5 and under free
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Children's Museum of Denver
This educational museum takes a fun, hands-on approach to learning. Note: No adults are allowed in the Museum without a child, and no children without an adult.
9AM-4PM$18.75 ages 2-59, $16.75 age 1 or over 60
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City Park
Enjoy the Denver sunshine at this 330-acre (130 hectares) urban park east of downtown. Two lakes, numerous fields, playgrounds, and a golf course, as well as the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science are all within its expansive bounds.
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Colorado Rockies
Denver's Major League Baseball team plays in Coors Field, one of the most beloved ballparks in the major leagues and the most hitter-friendly park as well, thanks to Denver's dry air and high altitude. Tickets range from the $4 "Rockpile" bleachers behind center field to $60 for a seat behind home plate. Behind-the-scenes tours of the ballpark are available.
Ballpark tours at noon and 2PM on Mon-Sat non-game days during the season and Mon Wed Fri Sat during the off-seasonTickets $4-60, Ballpark tours $9 adults, $7 seniors, $6 children
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Convergence Station
Meow Wolf
A labrynthine, immersive, surreal, confusing explosion of creativity in this five-floor installation by the Meow Wolf art team. "Convergence Station" is the official name for this location at Denver, but it is often referred to as "Meow Wolf". The narrative is that this is a station transporting you to other worlds. Your "tram" drops you off at an upper floor, and you percolate down to the ground floor and exit. There is a restaurant off the lobby, and a bar tucked away in one of the astral planes. General admission is for a specific date and time, but paying more buys flexibility. Be aware you will need to wait outside, in the weather, until that time arrives.
$39 for fixed entry times, $51 for flexible entry, children 4-12 years less, children under 4 free
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Denver Botanic Gardens
Come for the array of flowers and plants from around the world, stay for the peace and quiet (and the free WiFi), then check out the bonus attractions. Above the gardens' bistro, you'll find Denver's first public green roof, a living example of the benefits of green design. Space and science buffs won't want to miss the OmniGlobe exhibit, a spherical simulation of the Earth from space.
May-Sep: Sat-Tue 9AM-8PM, Wed-Fri 9AM-5PM; Sep-May: daily 9AM-5PM. Closed on major holidays and for special events$12.50 adults, $9.50 seniors, $9 students/children
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Denver Firefighters Museum
Historical and interactive exhibits, activities and special events celebrating Denver's firefighters.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4PM$9 adults, $8 seniors/military/firefighters, $7 children 3-12, Free for children under 3
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Denver Zoo
Denver zoo's pride is Bear Mountain, created using casts of actual Colorado rock outcroppings to simulate the bears' natural habitat. For a different way to watch the wildlife, hop on the Pioneer Train, the first train in a U.S. zoo to be powered by natural gas. Other exhibits include an indoor rainforest and the 7-acre (3 hectares) Primate Panorama.
Open every day of the year, hours vary by season$5-12
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History Colorado Center
The center has many displays and exhibits focusing on historical sites throughout Colorado (prairie settlement, mine, Native American life, etc.) Great for families with kids and even adults; only takes 1-1½ hours to take in.
Daily 10AM-5PMAdults $15, children (under 18) free
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Lakeside
A throwback from Denver's past, Lakeside is an amusement park like they used to make; without all the corporate branding and commercialism. While it may have a somewhat seedy exterior, Lakeside is still a staple of local kids' upbringings, and remains a fixture of Denver culture as well as a much cheaper alternative to Elitch Gardens. Coaster buffs will squeal with glee over the Cyclone, the park's original 1940 Edward Vettel-designed wood coaster.
call for hours
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Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Housed in an ultra-modern building downtown, this innovative museum seeks to engage the community with workshops, films, lectures, and a relaxing, open environment. Visit the rooftop deck for 360-degree views of Denver, grab a quick bite in the cafe, and check out the functional public performance space called The Lane.
Tue-Thu noon-7PM, Fri noon-9PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM$8 adults ($5 after 5PM), $5 students/seniors, children and teens under 18 free
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National Ballpark Museum
A family-run museum that contains one of the best private baseball collections in the country, this museum holds a stunning collection of artifacts from ballparks all over the country, including signs, bricks, and seats from the classic ballparks of old, as well as a section of Fenway Park's "Green Monster".
Open by appointment; call to schedule a visit$10 adults, $5 seniors/children, free for active military and children under 6
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Sam's No. 3
Just a block off the 16th Street Mall and across the street from the Denver Center of Performing Arts Complex, this family-owned restaurant has been feeding Denver and its visitors since 1927. Featured on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives for their Famous Kickin' Pork Green Chili, it's not a spot to be missed.
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The Southwest Rink at Skyline Park
Skating rink in downtown Denver open from late November to mid February.
Skate rental $8 adults/$6 kids, or bring your own skates
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Elitch Gardens
A huge amusement park with rides and family entertainment.
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Forney Transportation Museum
4303 Brighton Blvd
Thu-Mon 10AM-5PM (closed Tue Wed)$17 adults, $14 seniors, $9 children (3-12), free for children under 3

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Denver (CC BY-SA 4.0).