15 Once in a Lifetime Things to Do in Colorado with Your Family

Colorado is called the “ Centennial State ” because it became a state 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Since then, colorful Colorado has continued to be famous for its gorgeous landscapes, friendly people, and a slew of fun and exciting family-friendly sights and activities. If you’re planning on bringing your family to see the glory of Colorado, then you’re in luck because there are a ton of fun things to do and awesome cities to visit that provide endless entertainment you can’t get anywhere else.

Below, we present the best things to do when visiting Colorado. We also have some tips for packing and enjoying smart, eco-friendly travel along the way.

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Smart Tips for Safe, Secure, and Eco-Friendly Travels

As you prepare for your visit to Colorado, you’ll want to pay special attention to the weather so you can pack accordingly. Summers in Colorado can be relatively mild, with an average temperature of about 86 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity, so short-sleeved shirts and light jackets should be satisfactory. Keep in mind it can get a bit colder during the winter, between 16 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit, so heavier coats, gloves, and proper footwear should be the norm. It’s also wise to pack a small medical kit with gauze, bandages, and any necessary medications, just in case.

Of course, you should also pack your electronics, especially your smartphone, to store hotel information, use GPS, and stay in contact with family and friends. If you plan to travel to some of the more remote locations on this list, don’t leave home without first taking a crash course in internet hotspots. This tech is essential because it allows you to easily access others while also having a secure network. You can create a hotspot using either an iOS or Android smartphone. There are also travel hotspots that let you get Wi-Fi almost anywhere.

When you travel across the amazing landscapes of Colorado, remember to do so in as eco-friendly a way as possible. This state is truly majestic, so it’s important not to harm the habitat or create unnecessary waste. You can travel efficiently and reduce pollution by minimizing the items you take and by sharing items like towels and using them for multiple purposes during your trip.

Also, plan a strategy for your route so you don’t make unnecessary stops as you drive from place to place. In addition to avoiding the use of unnecessary fuel and creating pollution with needless driving, you’ll have more time to enjoy the places you want to go.

15 Cool Things to Do in Colorado

With your bags packed and your travel strategy in place, it’s time to visit the once-in-a-lifetime activities only found in Colorado.

Garden of the Gods

Any good Colorado vacation with the best unique things to do in Colorado should start with a stop at the famous Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It’s down at the bottom of Pikes Peak, and its claim to fame is the gigantic red rocks that stick straight out of the ground and seem to reach as high as the sky. It’s truly a sight you won’t see anywhere else.

The park was once voted the best park in the country and is completely free. The best part is the many yearly events and activities you can catch during your stay. There are nature hikes, geology walks, dinosaur hunts, wellness retreats, and more. You can either drive through the park or walk the many winding trails. One of the perks of traveling with family is the chance to reignite your sense of adventure, and the Garden of the Gods provides amazement that you and your kids won’t soon forget.

Manitou Springs

When you visit Garden of the Gods, don’t forget to make a stop at the small town of Manitou Springs. The main street in this quaint little village has been around since 1872 and is home to crystal shops, antique stores, art galleries, and many cafes with delicious food. Nearby mineral springs have attracted visitors since the 19th century, with many claiming that the mineral water has healing properties. Bring a water bottle and you can fill it up at any of the spring fountains for free!

Also, plan a visit to the Cliff Dwelling Museum in Manitou Springs. This museum gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived in these cliff dwellings for hundreds of years, and it contains artifacts from those ancient times. Note, these aren’t the actual cliff dwellings but replicas.

Cave of the Winds

Stick around Pikes Peak and visit the Cave of the Winds, which is a cave system that will show you the beauty that can be found under the earth. You can explore on your own or join a cave tour and look in awe as a guide tells you about the history and geology of the cave while they bring you to some of the most striking formations within.

If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s also a “Lantern Tour” which is a spooky walk through the cave where all you have is one lantern to light your way. There are also many fun attractions for the kids above ground, including a climbing wall, a challenging rope course, a zip line, and more.

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Maroon Bells

You can continue your tour of the awesome sights of Colorado by visiting the famous Maroon Bells. These are distinctively shaped massive bell-shaped peaks that rise 14,000 feet above the Maroon Creek Valley. Located in the Elk Mountains, this is perhaps the most famous sight in the entire state.

You could spend your entire vacation here as you hike, camp, and explore. Nature lovers find trails of varying lengths and skill levels, so there’s something for everyone. At night, you can have a great time sitting around the campfire and enjoying your night under the protection of these amazing peaks.

Where are the Maroon Bells in Colorado?

The Maroon Bells are located about 10 miles west of Aspen or 16 miles from Snowmass in Elk Mountains, a glacial valley in Colorado.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

One experience you can only get in Colorado is visiting the famous Royal Gorge suspension bridge. This is one of the highest suspension bridges in the world, at over 950 feet high above the Arkansas River. Brave kids and adults can (slowly) walk across the bridge, which is made up of 1,257 wooden planks and 4,100 steel cables.

Once you’re done there, you can check out the other fun attractions, including the Royal Rush skycoaster (shown in image below) and a ride in an aerial gondola. Plus, you can even take a zip line across the cavern. Talk about a thrill!

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Royal Gorge Route Railroad

If flying high above the gorge is a hard no for you, journey down into it and ride the Royal Gorge Train. You’ll travel 13 miles and get a chance to see the canyon from a completely different point of view.

The two-hour round trip travels through tunnels and across bridges, offering breathtaking views of the beauty that lies beneath. I highly recommend the Lunch Train as the food is pretty good and the scenery can’t be beaten. It’s definitely one of the best unique things to do in Colorado and an unforgettable experience for sure!

Colorado Ghost Towns

Families that love adventure and history can check out the many ghost towns found only in Colorado. Some of these famous ghost towns include Teller City, Capitol City, Independence, Ashcroft, and St. Elmo, among others. These are mining camps and towns that were built practically overnight during the Gold Rush of the 1800s.

Amazingly, these towns are still well preserved, and you can see how they lived back then. Some of the towns have over 40 different buildings, including old saloons, hotels, and more. If you take your RV to Colorado, you can hook it up at several of these locations. Make sure to bring your camera to these awesome attractions.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

See a different side of Colorado by visiting the breathtaking Great Sand Dunes National Park. This area used to be a massive lake, but over many centuries, it became the countless sandy dunes you can see here. While you’ll likely spend a lot of time taking brilliant photos, you and the kids can also go biking, hiking, sand sledding, and sand boarding. Don’t forget to check out the massive Star Dune, which is over 700 feet tall. It’s the tallest sand dune in North America.

Mesa Verde National Park

Dating all the way back to 1,000 years ago, Mesa Verde National Park was built by the ancestral Pueblo people of Mesa Verde. They constructed amazing cliff dwellings for their homes. Today you can visit these structures as well as other archaeological sites that sit atop the mesa. Take a ranger-led tour and a camera to really get the most out of your visit. Note: there are a lot of stairs at this national park, so make sure everyone is wearing good shoes.

Colorado Children’s Museum in Denver

There’s also plenty of fun to have indoors. Your children can have a blast while learning more about the world around them by visiting the Colorado Children’s Museum. Designed specifically for children aged 10 and under, this is a stimulating adventure that features several different playscapes and interactive building activities. There are water experiments, an art studio, gondola rides, and a mock fire station where kids can pretend to be like their heroes. This is a fun activity for the kids, and ticket prices are reasonable.

Candy Factory Tour

If your kids love candy as much as so many others, then you must make a stop at Hammond’s Candies Factory in Denver to take their FREE world-famous candy tour. This exciting behind-the-scenes look will show children how the workers make delicious candy canes, lollipops, and many different candies. The tours run every 30 minutes, and it takes about a half hour to see everything. Large groups are accommodated, and strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. While you’re there, visit the factory store to purchase the delicious treats you saw them create during the tour!

Many families like getting VIP treatment when they travel, and you can get that at Hammond’s Candies, especially if it’s your birthday. You can rent a party room and get a private tour or sign up for the ultimate candy experience and get a special lunch and goodie bags.

Denver Aquarium

While aquariums exist in other states, there’s nothing quite like the splendor of the Denver Aquarium. Also known as the Downtown Aquarium, this is a wonderful sanctuary to more than 15,000 fish, other mammals, and plants.

The claim to fame for this location is that you can dine while surrounded by a 150,000-gallon aquarium that is loaded with sea life. Guests can even scuba and snorkel in some aquariums. Come at the right time, and you can see many unique exhibits, including those featuring desert animals, rainforest animals, wildlife that specifically lives in shallow water, and more.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are there is no better place to enjoy than in Rocky Mountain National Park. This national park covers over 400 square miles and has numerous trails for hiking, biking, camping, and more. If horsebacking riding is your thing, there are stables that operate inside the park too that offer riders a guided tour with a different view of the trails.

The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and more. Keep an eye out for songbirds and raptors too! In addition to the great hiking trails, you can check out Trail Ridge Road which takes you along gorgeous alpine tundra all

For stunning vista views, drive up to the top of Trail Ridge Road, which takes you over 12,000 feet above sea level. It’s an incredible experience that is not to be missed. Note that Trail Ridge Road does close during the winter months, so plan accordingly.

Plan to also drive up to the Alpine Visitor Center, where you can park and hike up to an elevation of 12,000 feet. In addition to the stunning views, you can also expect to see elk, bighorn sheep, and pikas (small rodent-like animals that look like a cross between a mouse and a rabbit). Be sure to bring binoculars so you can get a closer look.

If you want to make it a day trip, see our itinerary from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park.

Grand Lake

Grand Lake is another one of Colorado’s popular mountain towns and is located on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s an incredibly beautiful lake full of wildlife, including pelicans, ducks, and other waterfowl that specifically live in shallow water.

Grand Lake also offers many activities such as kayaking, fishing (it’s a stocked lake!), and more. There are plenty of great trails around the lake that you can explore as well.

Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument located in Northwest Colorado is an incredible place to explore and learn about prehistoric dinosaurs. You can take guided tours of the quarry where dinosaur fossils have been found, or you can hike through the expansive wilderness trails. There are also plenty of rivers and creeks to explore throughout the area.

These are just a few unbelievable sights and experiences your family can enjoy during an epic visit to Colorado. If you are looking for once-in-a-lifetime things to do in Colorado, add these locations to your bucket list today. You won’t regret it.

Do you plan to move and live anywhere near these Colorado destinations? Road Scholars Moving & Storage is moving families and businesses in Colorado and beyond.

Author Bio: Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, education, and fitness-related content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie.

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Ready to Start Planning Your Trip? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!

AIRFARE
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ROAD TRIP/CAR RENTAL
- Take the scenic route and rent an RV from RVShare
- Get packed for an epic road trip and don’t forget the Road Trip Games to Play in the Car Need more space? Get a rental car thru Discovercars.com.
LODGING
- From hotels to private homes, find the perfect accommodation with Hotels.com or booking.com.
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PACKING
- Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Away and Eagle Creek.
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TRAVEL PLANNING
- Looking to start travel hacking and want a place to keep track of it all? There’s the free TravelFreely site.
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ATTRACTIONS/ACTIVITIES
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- Find guided outdoor activities led by local guides at 57Hours.
- Find information on local trails with the AllTrails App.
LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
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