Activities – Page 2 – Colorado Traveler Magazine

Doors Open Denver

Published on April 5, 2017 in Activities/Attractions/Front Range Activities/Front Range Attractions/The Colorado Blog by Ellen Gray

BY CHRISTINA SEBALLO

The 13th annual Doors Open Denver, presented by the Denver Architectural Foundation, is the premier event showcasing the richness and history of Denver’s built environment and promoting quality design on Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30. Doors Open Denver encourages event participants to observe and engage with the built environment through an artistic and cultural lens.

Headquartered at the iconic Denver Union Station, the event highlights approximately 70 of Denver’s unique spaces, including high-profile, historic and artistic feats of architecture and design.

During the event, visitors are invited to explore our city in the following ways:

• Sign up for an Insider Tour. Doors Open Denver offers 120 tours led by architects, landscape architects, historians and urban enthusiasts with special knowledge of Denver’s neighborhoods and buildings.

• Visit one or several of the 70 open sites.

Open sites are buildings that have opened their doors to the public.

• With the support of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Doors Open Denver offers six arts and cultural activities, including architecturally inspired hair art, behind- the-scenes videos of area theatres, a performance by five analog synthesizer music artists and more.

Six sites were added to this year’s line- up, including Page Architects (The John Deere Building), St. Paul Lutheran and Roman Catholic Community of Faith, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Smiley Branch Library, Athmar Park Library and Pauline Robinson Library.

For more information on open sites, Insider Tours and arts and culture activities, visit www.doorsopendenver.com. Engage with DOD on Facebook, Twitter (@denverarchfound) and Instagram (denverarchitecture) using #DOD2017.

Reader’s Choice: Best Golf Courses in Colorado

Published on February 15, 2017 in Activities/Attractions/Front Range Activities/Front Range Attractions/Mountain Activities/Mountain Attractions/The Colorado Blog/Uncategorized by Ellen Gray

Help us find the best golf courses in Colorado! Take our survey and vote for your favorites in our three categories: Best Overall Golf Course, Prettiest Golf Course, and Most Challenging Golf Course. Our top Reader’s Choice Picks will be included in the Summer issue of Colorado Hotel Magazine.

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Going to Great X-tremes

Published on January 5, 2017 in Activities/Attractions/Mountain Activities/Mountain Attractions/The Colorado Blog by Ellen Gray

BY PAIGE SLAUGHT

Let your heart not be troubled, the 2017 ESPN Winter X Games are returning to Aspen’s Buttermilk Mountain on January 26-29!

With all competitions free and open to the public, what better way to start off the new year than watching the world’s best action sports and music live and on ice?

(Photo by Tomas Zuccareno / ESPN Images)

On the music side, there will be performances by Bassnectar, Anderson Paak & The Free Nationals, The Chainsmokers and G-Eazy. While admission to the action sports competitions will be free, X Games musical performances require a ticket purchase. Music fans can buy individual concert tickets, or purchase an All-Music pass for $125.

On the sports side, the top ski, snowboard, and snowmobile athletes will compete in 18 different disciplines during four days of extreme action and festivals. While a full list of athletes can be found online, here are some interesting athletes to watch for:

JOSSIE WELLSA

New Zealand native, this five-time X Games medalist is known as one of the planet’s most versatile skiers. Wells won his first X Games gold medal in 2016 for his Slope Style performance, marking him as the first athlete from New Zealand to win at an X Games.

CHLOE KIM

Front and center in women’s snowboarding, Kim is on course to win her fourth consecutive X Games gold medal. After earning her first X Games medal at age 13, she is the only X Games athlete ever to win three gold medals before age 16. A trilingual, first-generation American, she is the youngest member of the U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Team.

ROBBIE MADDISON

Most people know this daredevil Aussie for his record-breaking jumps and creative stunts. One of his most famous leaps was in 2011, when he jumped more than 378 feet, setting a new world record distance jump during the Red Bull New Year’s event.

We also are excited about our local faves, including Bobby Brown, Gus Kenworthy, Alex Ferreira and Arielle Gold, Taylor Gold, Matt Ladley, and Torin Yater-Wallace. These Colorado athletes really know how to wow a crowd!

A special addition to this year’s docket is the Women’s Ski and Snowboard Big Air Finals. Previously held in Europe, this event makes its domestic debut for the first time at X Games Aspen.

Additionally, the 2017 Games feature the introduction of a brand-new event, Snow Bike racing. This competition uses modified dirt bikes, which replace the front wheel with a front ski, and the back wheel with a snowmobile track! On that note, Snowmobile Best Trick will also return to the lineup for the first time since 2013.

All medalists from the 2016 X Games Aspen are invited to return this year, so don’t miss your chance to see your favorite athletes do what they do best! With any luck, you just may stumble upon a meet-and-greet or autograph signing somewhere in Buttermilk Village. This weekend is destined to meet your full “X-Pectations”!

For more information visit: www.xgames.com

Altitude with Attitude

Published on October 31, 2016 in Mountain Activities by Ellen Gray

Arapahoe Basin May 14, 2016 - Spring Fun. (Photo by Dave Camara) — Arapahoe Basin May 14, 2016 – Spring Fun.
(Photo by Dave Camara)

BY COURTNEY DRAKE-McDONOUGH

A Look at What’s New at Colorado Resorts.

ARAPHOE BASIN

A-Basin has been a local’s favorite for as long as we can remember, beloved as much for its proximity to Denver as for its atmosphere of sheer fun. The trails are good, the locals are entertaining, and now there’s even a kids’ program that will entice familites to try it out.

As this unique ski area prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary, there will be a lot going on that will be posted on the website. In the meantime, much is being made about a phenomenal expansion that will elevate the guest experience to new heights, including lifts, added terrain and great renovations. Stay tuned!

Kids can ski for free at A-Basin, because this is the one resort that believes all kids should try out skiing or snowboarding before their elders commit a lot of money to the sport. The program gives kids ages 6-12 two free days on the mountain … no blackout dates, no purchase necessary. And by the way, kids 5 and under ski free every day of the season!

The popular Araphoe Sports retail shop is now double the size, with new vendors offering state-of-the-art everything. Check out Colorado-based Icelantic Skis, who will create a custom ski just for guests!

Arapahoe.Basin.com

ASPEN

The town is as known for its skiing and charming vibe as it is for the world-renowned Aspen Institute and Aspen Music Festival and School, embracing renewal of the mind, body and spirit through music, art and education.

Take dinner to new heights with Full Moon Dinners at the Cliffhouse restaurant located on top of Buttermilk Mountain. Enjoy dinner including grilled trout, roast duck and house-made chili. Or, enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner mid-mountain at the newly remodeled Gwyn’s High Alpine restaurant at sister resort, Snowmass. Sample cocktails from Colorado distillers, food and DJ at après ski parties at Lynn Britt Cabin.

Save money on the slopes with 4-day or 7-day Classic Passes for highly discounted rates through the winter. Return in the summer and use the pass to ride up and down the mountain, enjoying green hillsides of wildflowers.

In March, Aspen hosts the 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals, returning to the U.S. after 20 years. The races will feature the best men’s and ladies’ alpine skiing athletes in the world competing in downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and nation’s team events.

AspenSnowmass.com

BEAVER CREEK

Three o’clock is cookie time with 495,000 freshly baked cookies being served yearly. As if that wasn’t reason enough to visit, the variety of terrain appeals to beginners on up to World Cup Racers who frequent the resort.

Become a member of the White Carpet Club for a few days, a week, or more and enjoy spacious lockers, food and beverage service, cozy seating and an on-site concierge. Have a gourmet breakfast and sunrise tour of the slopes with White Glove First Tracks.

Hop in an open-air sleigh for Allie’s Cabin Family Dinners. Cozy lodge slippers, views of the village below and a three-course buffet dinner await. Or, combine snowshoeing with wine tasting during the Winter Wine Excursions. Learn about Beaver Creek’s history, winding down at the Osprey Fireside Grill for mountain-modern culinary and wine pairings. The Beaver Creek Winter Culinary Weekend in January includes cooking demonstrations, wine and spirit events, and pairing dinners with world-renowned guest chefs.

Enjoy holiday traditions including the Tree Lighting Ceremony, ice skating and fireworks show, Family FunFest Carnival and New Year’s Eve Bash. A stop at Beaver Creek Candy Cabin is a must at 9,840 feet, serving treats by a local, fifth-generation chocolatier.

BeaverCreek.com

BRECKENRIDGE

With five peaks and 2,908 acres, “Breck” is also a lively mountain town with more than 200 restaurants, bars and shops, plus a thriving art scene.

Feast your eyes on dramatic views of Summit Country while you feast at Pioneer Crossing, opening in December, set atop the Independence SuperChair on Peak 7. The new restaurant highlights Breckenridge’s mining history while catering to skiers with fresh-made options including a Mediterranean station. Breckenridge Distillery is also opening a restaurant this winter, offering an intimate and modern farm-to-table experience.

There’s room for everyone at the Breckenridge Theater, thanks to a 3,000-square-foot expansion, in time for its 42nd season. The overhaul is the final piece in the town’s major Arts District expansion.

The annual Snow Sculpture Festival in the new year goes way beyond simple snowmen! See enormous works of art sculpted from 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of Colorado snow. Artists from around the world work against time and the sun’s rays to achieve stunning finished pieces without the use of power tools or internal support structures.

Breckenridge.com

COPPER MOUNTAIN

With an average of 280 inches of snowfall during the ski season, Copper has naturally divided terrain with gentle runs on the west, getting progressively steeper to the east. Off-mountain, The Village offers restaurants, bars, family activities and lodging.

Get to know Colorado craft whiskeys and beers at On the Rockies, Copper’s new entertainment hotspot. Located steps away from the American Eagle chairlift in the resort’s Center Village, the restaurant also serves lunch, dinner and a late-night menu.

Save some room for brisket chili, pork ribs or smoked chicken at The Eagle BBQ. The patio is as close to the snow as possible, making it an easy après ski spot.

While you’re recharging with hearty fare, Copper is recharging guests’ cars at the new Electric Car Charging Station. Just schedule an appointment time through a smartphone app, then use the charging station free of charge.

CopperColorado/Winter.com

KEYSTONE RESORT

Said to have the largest night skiing operation in Colorado, Keystone also has the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor skating rink in North America on five acres.

Kidtopia programming offers families a variety of free, daily activities including crafts, scavenger hunts and the world’s largest snow fort. Mid-December, attend the new Kidtopia Mountaintop Spectacular, a Kidtopia showcase with nightly fireworks displays, a torchlight ski parade, snow tubing, live music and more. The fun happens again in March at the Kidtopia Experience, starting Spring Break a little early.

Keystone’s Kids Ski Free 5th Birthday Celebration will party all season with special events honoring the program that lets kids ages 5-12 ski free when families stay in Keystone two or more nights.

Learn to ski or snowboard and bond at the same time with Family Private Lessons taught by instructors specializing in working with families of different levels of ability. Or skip the skis and boards with on-mountain Family Adventures like tubing, snowcat tours, gondola rides and dinner at 11,640 feet at Der Fondue Chessel. Mountain House, Keystone’s Base Camp for families, lets you cozy up with smaller crowds, free parking, food and a family ski and ride zone.

KeystoneResort.com

TELLURIDE

Even beginner and intermediate skiers can enjoy the highest peaks, terrain and views usually reserved for expert skiers on Telluride’s trails. Make your way between the towns of Mountain Village and Telluride via gondola, the first and only free public transportation system of its kind in the U.S.

Improved flight options make getting to Telluride easier. Starting mid-December, Great Lakes Airlines will fly direct into Telluride Regional Airport from Denver International Airport all year-round. There also will be increased access from Dallas, New York City, Phoenix, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco.

Enjoy the ride up and down the mountain a little more in the bright red, 20th Anniversary Telluride Gondola Cabin where lucky riders might win spur-of-the-moment contests. When the lifts stop for the day, the fun continues with Off-Hill Programming like the Kids Zone’s inflatable slide and kid-size mechanical bull or holiday events including ice skating, sleigh rides and a holiday-themed movie marathon.

Take in some of the best views of Telluride at the new Altezza at the Peaks restaurant, aptly named for the Italian word meaning “height,” serving Italian-inspired dishes and Colorado-inspired specialties like striped bass.

TellurideSkiResort.com

WINTER PARK

Seventy-five years young, Winter Park Resort is considered Colorado’s longest continually operated ski resort with 3,081 acres of skiable trails. Twenty-five lifts can get 40,000 riders uphill/hour.

Enjoy a scenic and relaxing two-hour ride from Denver with the Winter Park Express ski train which made a triumphant return for the 2016/17 ski season. That means skiers can hit the slopes stress-free and enjoy immaculately groomed trails thanks to four new state-of-the-art snowcats. Also new is the Email Kid’s Club, alerting kids to trails, contests, games and other kid-centric activities at the resort.

During the holidays, join in Winter Park’s special events including the Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade with 100 skiers and snowboarders traversing down the mountain carrying torches as fireworks launch.

In February, Winter Park hosts the Wells Fargo Cup with the National Sports Center for the Disabled. Some of the country’s best Paralympic athletes compete in three days of inspiring competition, fun and fundraising. WinterParkResort.com

VAIL

With elevations ranging from 8,120-11,570 feet, the resort in the center of the state is accessible by road or via Eagle Airport. Inside the resort, it’s easy to get around by foot and the free shuttle bus transportation system.

Hit the slopes faster with the new Sun Up Express Chair Lift #9 that seats four. It’s the primary lift serving intermediate and advanced terrain and sending skiers and snowboarders into Vail’s back bowls.

Off the mountain, Vail Snow Daze in December celebrates the start of winter with live music, après ski parties and gear demos. During Vail Holidaze, get in the spirit with the annual tree lighting ceremony and lantern walk.

In February and March, it’s the Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships with Olympic-level slopestyle and halfpipe snowboarding competitions by day and headliner acts by night. Stay in-the-know while in Vail by visiting the Mountain Information Center, your resource for reservations and recommendations on the best-kept secrets in town.

Vail.com

See? Looking west to the mountains is a great tip for knowing exactly where to go for fun at Colorado’s resorts.

Fairway to Heaven

Published on July 21, 2016 in Activities/Front Range Activities/Mountain Activities by Ellen Gray

by Brian Howell

Hitting a golf ball with absolute purity creates an unmistakable sound and delivers an unquestioned sense of satisfaction. The sight of the ball dropping into the middle of the green at the conclusion of that swing is the sweet reward.

About the only thing that can dampen that elation is to approach the green and discover a major hazard to navigate. A 700-pound hazard with a stunning rack of antlers standing on the fringe.

Welcome to golf in Colorado.

The Centennial State is known for its ski slopes, breweries and the Denver Broncos. Yet the golfing experience in Colorado is truly spectacular, unique and always enjoyable.

“The cool part about Colorado golf is the golf courses are awesome to look at it, that’s for sure,” said Adam Finch, first assistant golf pro at Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden. “And, most of them are awesome to play, too.”

Whether you’re a serious player with a single-digit handicap or a weekend hacker, there’s a wide variety of experiences for the golfer in Colorado.

The more well-known courses in Colorado are private clubs, such as Cherry Hills Country Club or The Country Club at Castle Pines, which have hosted PGA Tour events over the years. But rest assured, there are a wide variety of sensational public courses as well. Here are a few of the best:

The Golf Club at Bear Dance

Nestled between Denver and Colorado Springs, in Larkspur, Bear Dance has been recognized as the top public course in Colorado and one of the best in

the country.

Bear Dance offers a significant challenge to any golfer, with pine and oak trees surrounding each hole, as well as eight ponds scattered throughout. Accuracy off the tee is essential to find success here. At just under 7,000 feet in elevation, it also features great length that can seem a bit intimidating to those who aren’t used to playing at such an altitude.

It’s difficult to beat the atmosphere at Bear Dance. Although located just off the interstate and less than an hour away from downtown Denver, views of the Rocky Mountains and famous Castle Rock are spectacular. With hundreds of trees dotting the course, it’s also common to encounter a variety of wildlife, including deer, during your round.

Green fees vary, but golfers can find Bear Dance quite affordable, especially when you factor in the opportunity to play one of Colorado’s most pristine courses.

6630 Bear Dance Road, Larkspur

303.681.4653

beardancegolf.com

Fossil Trace Golf Club

#12Hole Golden Green Scape FT — Fossil Trace #12 Hole

Located on an old clay mine in Golden, Fossil Trace is a unique course on an historic piece of land. The club, which opened in 2003, is proud of its rich history that dates back millions of years.

Dinosaur fossils and footprints of Triceratops were discovered on this land, and the club has preserved much of that history. In addition to golf, patrons of Fossil Trace can view prehistoric relics and learn about tracks and fossils that were uncovered. Old clay mining equipment still sits throughout the course, offering guests a fun glimpse into the area’s fascinating history.

“What makes this golf course unique, it’s multiple things,” Finch says. “We’ve got a really neat layout, something you don’t often see this close to an urban area like Denver. That’s part of the allure, that you can get a mountain-like golf experience only 20 minutes from downtown Denver. That’s really the big part of the allure.

The history of the property and the story of the property, in terms of how it was once a clay mine where dinosaur trace fossils were found when excavating, that’s all part of it, as well.”

From a golfing standpoint, Fossil Trace is a challenging and picturesque course. The first hole has often been recognized as one of the top starting holes in Colorado, and serves as a warmup for a truly spectacular experience around the whole course.

Green fees are reasonable, with non-residents able to play 18 holes for as low as $80 during the week. For the golfer on a budget who wants just a taste of the Fossil Trace experience, sunset rates are available at $30 for nine holes.

Colorado Golf Club

The Championship Course at Colorado Golf Club in Parker opened in 2007 to international acclaim. The course has challenged some of the world’s top golfers, hosting tournaments such as the 71st Senior PGA Championship won by Tom Lehman and the 2013 Solheim Cup, which was won by Team Europe. This unique course,

designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, provides a strategic and natural layout featuring multiple lines of play and approach. T&L Golf named it one of the world’s top 10 new courses, and GOLF Magazine named it the top new private course of the year and one of “10 to Watch” worldwide. Relish the thought of living where you play? Betts Lake at Colorado Golf Club combines serene lakefront living with dramatic mountain views, just steps away from the award-winning links! Four beautiful floorplans are offered, along with a few custom homesites offering more than two acres each of stunning topography.

8000 Preservation Trail, Parker

303.840.5400

coloradogolfclub.com

The Broadmoor

The Five-Star Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs attracts visitors from around the globe. The rooms are spectacular, the food delicious and the amenities unparalleled. And then there’s the golf.

Style: "D2X.2.0" — Mountain Course at The Broadmoor

Majestically nestled in the Cheyenne Mountain foothills, three championship courses challenge golfers of all abilities. The East Course – home of the 2008 US Senior Open and the 2011 US Women’s Open, and the West Course were a collaborative design by Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones Sr. The Mountain Course, by Nicklaus Design, offers an additional 18 holes and exquisite panoramic views. The courses are consistently ranked among the world’s best by respected analysts and publications.

1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs

719.577.5894

broadmoor.com

Estes Park Golf Course

This course does not come with the reputation and accolades that others carry, but it’s a fun and unique experience in one of Colorado’s most popular destinations.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the top tourist attractions in the state, with Estes Park being one of its great mountain towns.

Estes Park Golf Course offers an added way to have fun in the area. This is where elk – those 700-pound behemoths with antlers – might join your foursome. During the heart of the summer, it’s more likely you’ll be able to play through without company, but the spring and fall might feature quite a few moving hazards.

Considering the gorgeous views and location of this course, you’ll hardly mind skipping a shot or two to get out of the way of these impressive animals. For right around $50, it’s tough to beat the price for the experience.

River Valley Ranch Golf Club

The Western Slope features some of the state’s prettiest courses, and River Valley Ranch, located in Carbondale, is definitely among them. Colorado Golfer Magazine once rated it the best mountain course in the state.

River Valley Ranch offers a variety of views. Several holes sit along the Crystal River, and beautiful Mt. Sopris can be seen throughout the course. The award-winning Jay Morrish design features striking bunkers, large greens, exciting elevation changes and unique water features. It is also situated in a great location for tourists, less than a half hour from Glenwood Springs and just 45 minutes from Aspen.

“RVR is truly a jewel in the Rockies. Come play a great round of golf and then enjoy fabulous dining on the deck overlooking Mt. Sopris,” says director of golf Alden Richards.

The course at River Valley Ranch is known for being kept in great shape. The layout is challenging enough for the elite golfer, but not overbearing for the inexperienced player. Morning rates can climb to $90, but green fees are cheaper in the afternoon.

303 River Valley Ranch Drive, Carbondale

970.963.3625

rvrgolf.com

Wellshire Golf Course

For the bargain hunter or the golfer who wants to stay within the metro area, Wellshire is a fantastic option and one of the true gems of the metro area.

Located just minutes from downtown Denver, Wellshire opened in 1926 and was designed by Donald Ross, a well-known course designer from Scotland.

Surrounded by large trees, Wellshire boasts a “country club atmosphere at a municipal course price.” A course that can play short, Wellshire offers just the right amount of challenges for the novice, and a good amount of fun for golfers of any level. At just under $30 (and only $20 for seniors), the price is just right, too.

Family Fun

Published on July 21, 2016 in Activities/Mountain Activities/Mountain Attractions by Ellen Gray

Over the Mountains and Through the Woods

By Rebecca Treon

Insider’s tip: the best time of year to visit Vail isn’t necessarily during the winter. It’s in early summer, a virtual shoulder season the locals jockingly refer to as ‘mud season’. Vail’s appeal is really year round, but take away the crowds that flock to the alpine-style mountain village in the winter and summer months and you’re left with a family friendly high-country getaway without the traffic and the hassle. Even better – many places in town offer special pricing during the off-season on everything from lodging to happy hour and activities; just ask around for the details. Below, our suggestions for an unforgettable mountain family weekend.

STAY
The Solaris residences are located right in the heart of it all, and the complex has created its own mini-epicenter of activity. The luxe, spacious suites are welcoming and include a kitchen for those evenings you want to stay in for dinner, (you can even bring in a chef to make your meal, or teach a cooking class), making it the ideal hub for the family’s activity. In winter, an ice-skating rink is right out the door, while in summer it becomes a green for kids to run around (or free morning yoga!). The Solaris complex is also home to CineBistro, where you can catch a movie and a meal, and Bol, a restaurant with a bowling alley in the back. Best of all, each residence comes with its own personal concierge, who will stock the fridge before your arrival, arrange everything from children’s day camps to spa visits, and even schedule family excursions for mountain biking or rafting trips!
www.solarisvail.com

EAT
Sometimes a big diner breakfast is just the thing to stave off the ailments of altitude sickness, and The Little Diner does just that. With epic portion sizes, classics from pancakes to omelets to huevos rancheros, and fast service, the made-from-scratch breakfasts are totally satisfying. It’s tiny and tucked away, but nevertheless, it’s a popular spot and there’s usually a wait. Ther specialty is the Dutch Baby, a giant pancake-like soufflé.
www.thelittlediner.com

Root & Flower is a little wine bar tucked away on a side street in the center of town near the creek. The ideal place for a pre-dinner aperitif – their carefully crafted cocktails (made with one of the locally distilled spirits like 10th Mountain vodka from up the valley) will hit the spot before you have your evening meal. Owner Jeremy, a friendly sommelier, also offers weekly wine classes on Wednesdays and Sundays. The wine list is simple but carefully selected, and the menu is small but full of noshable bites like charcuterie and cheese plates.

Southern food is having a revival, and Mountain Standard rises to the occasion. (Beloved Vail staple Sweet Basil is a sister restaurant). The no-frills menu focuses on wood-fired options, like the hangar steak and the rotisserie chicken. Pair it with the “Standard” wedge salad, topped with crisp prosciutto and crunchy puffed rice with garlicky dressing. The must-order menu item though? Mountain Standard’s addictive southern pimento cheese appetizer, served with bacon jam and pickled celery on toast.
www.mtnstandard.com

The Four Season’s resident restaurant, Flame, offers groups of six or less a totally mind-blowing burger experience. The Back of the House Burger Bar is a square table located right in the center of the bustling kitchen. While the chefs run around, you’re treated to an intimate view of the inner workings of a restaurant from behind the scenes. First build your own ultimate burger (with everything from fried jalepeño coins to avocado and sriracha aioli), then be treated to DIY milkshakes with all the add-ins from marshmallows to oreos, including boozy add-ins for mom and dad.
www.fourseasons.com

PLAY
Just down the valley in Wolcott lies 4 Eagle Ranch, offering a slew of activities for everyone in the family. If a western experience is your thing, they host a monthly western dance, weekly family nights (think steak dinner, wagon rides, lawn games, and s’mores) and rodeo (bull riding, bronc busting, barrel racing, and mutton bustin’); but they also have horseback riding and are home to a zipline adventure. With six ziplines that whisk you through forests, canyons, and over creeks, it’s an adrenaline-pumping ride of a lifetime. Insider tip: 4 Eagle Ranch is also a boutique winery that sources grapes from California for their Vines at Vail label, and offers tastings to their guests – the perfect way to end a long day of western adventure with the kids!
www.4eagleranch.com

There are great science programs in the high country at Walking Mountains Science Center. They offer nature walks for all ages focusing on learning about the local flora and fauna, and they even have free evening program night hikes to explore the area when wildlife becomes more active; some culminate with s’mores around a campfire. Bonus: Their kids’ science day camps are full of adventures and ecology, and keep the kids busy learning about mother nature for hours.
www.walkingmountains.org

The family that’s fit together stays together, and nowhere in the Valley makes it easier and more fun than the Vail Vitality Center. They have a full schedule of fitness classes from weights to indoor cycling and even outdoor options (join a group trail run). They offer pilates, yoga, and meditations for grownups seeking Zen, and they have Vail’s only indoor climbing wall. People of all ages can hop on the wall to climb for a couple hours, or take a climbing course. Best of all – the full-service spa offering everything from facials to massage. For a truly decadent afternoon, get the Nature, Body & Spirit treatment – 100 minutes of bliss. It includes a foot bath, dry brushing, a massage with pure essential oils and a scalp treatment for a head-to-toe glow.

Family Ties

Published on June 1, 2016 in Attractions/Front Range Activities/Front Range Attractions by Ellen Gray

BEST OF DENVER WEEKEND

An insider’s guide to Denver’s best family-friendly things to do this spring

By Rebecca Treon

The Mile High City has been ranked the Number One place in the country to call home by U.S. News & World Report, which is no secret to the folks who have long called it home. Denver Hotel Magazine has collected the best family activities in the metro area from locals in the know—just think of this as your little black book when doing Denver with the kids.

BOTANIC GARDENS AT CHATFIELD

We love the downtown Botanic Gardens (their Seedlings class, designed for tots, and the Mordecai Children’s Garden are a don’t miss), but the Southwest Metro outpost of the Gardens is worth a visit, too. Near Chatfield Reservoir (where there are miles of walking and biking trails, picnic spots, and even a ‘beach’), the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is home to the historic Hildebrand Ranch, where you and the kids can experience what it was like to live on an 1860’s farmstead. There’s plenty of space to run around, picnic, and play amid the working farm.

www.botanicgardens.org

DENVER ZOO

Springtime at the Denver Zoo means babies—the nursery just welcomed a new (endangered) lowland mountain gorilla baby named Whimsy Adepa to its family, who can be visited in the Great Apes building. Wander the plant-lined paths of the zoo, where peacocks roam free, or check out exciting feeding times. Interactive exhibits will both educate and entertain, and kids can get in on the action with the chance to feed a giraffe or pet a rhino.

www.denverzoo.org

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE

The next-door neighbor of the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a classic destination. From the saber-tooth tiger that roars when fed coins to the mummy exhibit, the museum is stuffed full to bursting with things for families to do and experience. The new discovery zone features a water park, there are wildlife exhibits that span the globe, a planetarium, an IMAX theatre, dinosaur bones (including one of an ancient wooly mammoth recently excavated near Aspen) as part of its permanent collections. The museum also features exciting and interactive temporary exhibits, like Chocolate, which explores the history of everyone’s favorite treat from the ancient Aztecs to today.

www.dmns.org

PUNCH BOWL SOCIAL

Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Denver, Colo., on Thursday, October 22, 2009. (Chris Schneider/Chris Schneider Photography) — Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Denver, Colo., Chris Schneider Photography

Everyone has to eat, and at Punch Bowl Social you can nosh on updated versions of American diner classics while you play at the same time. On the playtime menu: bowling, billiards, vintage arcade games, darts, ping pong, shuffleboard, and marbles.

www.punchbowlsocial.com

ADAMS MYSTERY PLAYHOUSE

This funky theater, located in a Victorian mansion in Denver’s historic Highlands neighborhood, has been the city’s best interactive theater for more than 20 years. If one of your clan is a budding gumshoe, they’ll love Adams Mystery Playhouse’s mysteries for kids—all G-rated and great for kids over five—a fun and entertaining cooperative performance where your kid gets to solve the mystery.

www.adamsmysteryplayhouse.com

DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM

Just because we’re landlocked doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy creatures from the sea, thanks to our world-class aquarium. With exhibits that feature ecosystems from around the globe, there are plenty of, ahem, fish in the sea to observe. Favorites include the shark tank and the underwater tunnel filled with stingrays fluttering overhead, but an insider tip is the Aquarium’s mermaids. These lovely ladies (who really do hold their breath the whole time they’re underwater) swim at select times and days in a choreographed underwater dance with an educational message. Bonus: The aquarium also houses exotic animals, including a sloth named Aspen and a pair of trained Sumatran tigers.

www.aquariumrestaurants.com

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Denver’s Children’s Museum just underwent a multimillion dollar revamp, with a host of new exhibits both indoors and out. Kids can explore role-play with exhibits like the fire-engine, the supermarket and kitchen, the giant tree with animal costumes, and the veterinary clinic. Science-minded kids will love the bubble exhibit, the kinetic ball exhibit, and the water exhibit. There’s a new park outdoors, too, that replicates Colorado’s landscape and lets kids climb, dig, zipline, and splash.

www.mychildsmuseum.org

STIR COOKING SCHOOL

One of Denver’s favorite cooking schools, Stir teaches recreational cooking classes that make a popular date night, help you brush up on your knife skills, or teach you about an exotic cuisine. But they also offer a list of family-friendly classes where kids and their grown-ups can get cooking together. Classes like ‘Mastering Mac and Cheese’ and ‘Stuffed STUFF: International Filled Bites’ are a fun and interactive way to create something delicious as a family (plus, your kids will go home knowing how to make a meal … an added bonus!).

www.stirtolearn.com

DENVER MINT

The Denver Mint is one of only a handful in the United States and tours allow for a unique experience to learn how our country’s currency is produced. Here, you can learn about the craftsmanship involved in each step in the process, then take a tour of the facility, where you’ll see coins being pressed. At the gift shop, you’ll be able to buy collectible coins made onsite. Note: tours are free, but by reservation only, and they fill up fast.

www.usmint.gov

DENVER FIREFIGHTER’S MUSEUM

Denver’s original Station House 1, which dates back to 1909, houses select exhibits exploring the rich history of area firefighters. An array of antique fire trucks, displays that delve into the lives of minority firefighters and firefighter artists, hands-on activities that engage kids to dress as firefighters and practice fire safety—they’ll even get to slide down the fire pole! www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org

DENVER ART MUSEUM

The multi-level, dual building DAM is anything but stuffy. With one of the largest collections of Western art and Native American art and artifacts, the Denver Art Museum also features compelling temporary exhibitions, like this spring’s Samurai exhibit. The permanent collections range from Pre-Columbian artifacts to contemporary painting and sculpture. To engage kids, get a Family Backpack, geared to match up with a collection full of art-making, games, and puzzles. Galleries also feature boards with I-Spy, Bingo, and Memory-like games designed to engage kids with the artworks, and there are a number of art-making stations throughout the museum. Some galleries include dress-up clothes and building materials that relate to the art. A number of community events happen year-round, from a Native-American Pow-Wow to Día del Niño, celebrating children, in April. Pro tip: Don’t miss the intricate sand mandala in the Asian collection.

www.denverartmuseum.org

MOLLY BROWN HOUSE

Visit the onetime home of Titanic survivor, philanthropist, and Denver society dame Molly Brown. Tour the restored Victorian home and learn about her rags-to-riches story, starting with her marriage to a mine baron. The tour showcases the home’s unique features and trends of the Victorian era, and finishes with Molly’s social activism after the Titanic tragedy. In April, they host special Titanic tours and year round there are several special events, from high tea to a Victorian Halloween party.

www.mollybrown.org

DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Get a little slice of Broadway without heading to the Big Apple—Denver gets a plethora of shows that also are seen on other big-city stages. And many of them are family-friendly. (This year, for example, they’ll have Finding Neverland, while Frozen hits the stage in 2017.) Stage productions have included productions like the Secret Garden. Your kids will gain an appreciation for live theater, and you’ll be entertained, too.

www.dcpa.org

ADVENTURE SCAVENGER HUNT

Denver’s downtown landscape becomes a giant game board with Urban Adventure Quest, a family-based scavenger hunt that is like the hit TV show The Amazing Race combined with a tour of the city. Guided by a smart phone, groups explore both well-known and hidden gems around town while solving clues and learning local history at the same time. Starting at the Colorado State Capitol, you’ll wind through Denver’s centers of arts and culture and through the gardens and courtyards of buildings rich with history. Stop for a bite, some ice cream, and some window shopping along the 16^th St. mall on this self-paced adventure.

www.urbanadventurequest.com

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The Definitive Guide to Denver and Colorado

Activities - page 2

Doors Open Denver

Reader’s Choice: Best Golf Courses in Colorado

Going to Great X-tremes

Altitude with Attitude

Fairway to Heaven

by Brian Howell

Family Fun

Over the Mountains and Through the Woods

Family Ties

Activities - page 2

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