Botanic Gardens & Science Museums in Denver
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Denver welcomes families with 300 days of annual sunshine and endless adventure at exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. Your children will marvel at the Rocky Mountain vistas stretching west from downtown, where Union Station’s soaring Beaux-Arts architecture houses artisan eateries and a buzzing great hall that feels like Denver’s living room. The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus transforms learning into pure joy through hands-on exhibits, while the Denver Zoo brings you face-to-face with creatures from every continent across beautifully landscaped habitats.
Venture beyond Denver proper to discover Golden’s historic downtown, where the Buffalo Bill Museum perches atop Lookout Mountain with sweeping Colorado views. Take Banjo Billy’s Bus Tours through the city in a wildly decorated school bus for stories and laughs the whole family will remember. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science captivates young minds with dinosaur fossils and planetarium shows that illuminate the night sky.
Boulder beckons just 30 minutes northwest, offering Pearl Street Mall’s street performers and the Flatirons’ dramatic rock formations perfect for family photos. Red Rocks Amphitheatre stands as nature’s own concert hall carved into ancient sandstone, where you can climb the iconic stairs and imagine legendary performances echoing through the Colorado high country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to see what Denver has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Denver Botanic Gardens stands as a top attraction in Denver, Colorado, due to its expansive 24-acre oasis in the city, featuring a diverse array of gardens and collections that showcase an ever-widening diversity of plant life. Visitors can explore the Tropical Conservatory, admire the Bonsai trees and water lilies, and enjoy sculptures and art exhibits, including the new astrologically-inspired sculptures from Oaxaca, Mexico. The gardens offer year-round events, a cafe, gift shop, and art gallery, making it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts and families alike, with easy parking and accessible trails suitable for all mobility levels.
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To launch a boat on Sloan’s Lake in Denver, head to the designated launch point within Sloan’s Lake Park, where you can easily access the lake with hand-launched, non-motorized crafts like kayaks, paddleboards, or canoes. The park offers convenient amenities such as paid and free parking, year-round bathrooms, and picnic areas. There are no permits required for non-motorized boating, making it a seamless and enjoyable experience from sunrise to sunset.
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For a serene and adventurous outing near Denver, head to Cherry Creek Reservoir in Greenwood Village, where Rocky Mountain Paddleboard offers rentals of paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. Another option is Standley Lake in Westminster, which provides kayak, SUP, and oarboard rower rentals on a first-come, first-served basis from May 2 to September 30. Note that Standley Lake is only accessible for paddle craft rentals on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays.
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For beginners looking to immerse themselves in nature near Denver, the Trading Post Trail at Red Rocks Park is a standout option, offering a relatively flat 6.2-mile hike surrounded by stunning red rock formations, just 25 minutes from the city center. Another easy and scenic choice is the Meadow & Forest Loop Trails at Lookout Mountain Nature Center, which provides a gentle introduction to hiking with its picturesque meadows and forests. For those seeking a shorter trek, the trails at South Valley Park offer various lengths and connect to other nearby parks, featuring similar red rock landscapes and diverse wildlife, all within about an hour from Denver International Airport.
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For the best scenic lookout in Denver, head to Lookout Mountain, just southwest of Golden. Here, you can enjoy sweeping panoramas of the Rocky Mountains, North Table Mountain, South Table Mountain, and the city of Denver from two wheelchair-accessible overlooks near the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. The views are particularly stunning in the late afternoon, and the site is open year-round, though early autumn offers especially vibrant colors.
