Colorado peas need ideas for 5 days in Denver

Are you going to have a car the entire 5 days? Are you will driving to drive some? Can you break up your stay with a night or two somewhere else?

For me, the real beauty that is Colorado is outside of Denver. Rocky Mountain National Park is about a 2-2.5 hour drive north west of Denver and is stunning.

Breakenridge is about 1.5 hours west of Denver. Cute ski town. Tons of hiking around the area. Depending on your fitness level, you can summit quite a few peaks around this area.

Garden of the Gods is great! I'm not sure I'd do both Pikes and Garden of the Gods in the same day. You could consider getting train tickets to go up Pikes Peak if they are still available. Train starts in Manitou Springs.

We've done Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak in one day - it works as long as you don't want to spend too much time at either location. I could easily spend a day in Garden of the Gods - it's such a cool area. The only time I've been up Pike's Peak the weather was HORRIBLE. I think I spent more time in the gift shop than anywhere else.

My kids really enjoyed the Olympic Training Center - even my non-athlete.

You might check if you're lucky and there's an appropriate show at Red Rocks while you're there and tickets are still available.

I lived north of Denver, so hopefully someone local will chime in. You didn't mention how old your kids are - that might help people's recommendations. We did the Natural History Museum and Zoo when our kids were younger.

Pikes Peak is currently covered in snow. Perhaps you should have an alternative plan for that part of your trip.

My favorite in Colorado Springs is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, definitely recommend. Denver has a zoo too, but it's more standard and not as unique. Do the sky ride too there if you go, a lot of fun and pretty.

There's also Estes Park, lots of quaint little shopping, northwest of Denver.

Estes Park is amazing! We just went horseback riding there and spent the rest of the day walking along the main street and shopping and eating. I love 'Snooze' restaurant. They are open for breakfast and lunch. Denver always has great plays and concerts going on. I would do a google search to see if anything of interest is happening while you are here. Just outside of Denver are some really cute little ski towns. We love Frisco, Breckinridge and SUPER love Glenwood Springs. There is beautiful hiking like Hanging Lake (if that's your thing), hot springs pools and a neat little amusement park with cave tours on the top of the mountain.

Oh, and I hear Maroon Bells is beautiful and is easy to get to and see. I haven't been there yet, but everyone that goes says it is just beautiful!

Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs are south of Denver and would make for a long day to drive there...see all the sights...and drive back up. If you can, maybe plan a night and two days in Colorado Springs?

Lots to do here. You will love it

Sorry if this was mentioned already but what about a Rockies game? Tickets are cheap and the stadium is right in Denver. DD lives out there and she and her friends will often catch a daytime Rockies game and then go to a concert at Red Rocks later that night.

It has snowed at Pikes Peak but nothing bad. I haven't heard anything of them closing the road and I seriously doubt they would. Just be sure to pack jackets for the top. My daughter went 2 years ago on a day it snowed and was in shorts. Thankfully there was a blanket in the car.

Voodoo donuts is on Colfax, not far from the State Capital. You would be driving away from the downtown area, if that helps. My daughter LOVES Voodoo.

The weather in the mountains has been pretty good except for this month where we have been below normal but even that just means jackets and maybe long pants - depending on your level of comfort. Winter Park lets you buy tickets to ride to the top of the mountain where you can have lunch. You have the option of hiking down, very easy hike, or ride the lift back. Both Winter Park and Breckenridge have toboggan type sled rides which my kids have loved since childhood and still do as young adults. If you are lucky you will see some wildlife cruising across the slopes.

Lots of people like to eat at the Brown Palace Hotel which is downtown. Do you remember going to Casa Bonita when you were a kid? It is still alive and well on West Colfax. There is a very casual place on Broadway called Torchy's if you like tacos. You get to rode all different kinds, mix and match.

It looks like the Rockies are traveling the entire time you are in town so no baseball game:(

One more possibility that isn't far from Denver is the Georgetown Loop, which has an old fashioned train that was I believe was the first train through Clear Creek Canyon. I need to go brush up on my info but I wil  try to find a link to post. In addition to the roundtrip train ride, they offer mine tours also. yipit.com/business/georgetown-loop-railroad/  - this offers discounts for tickets. Information - www.georgetownlooprr.com/the-loop/

Pikes Peak needs to be done before early afternoon. We've had rain storms daily during the afternoon and evening. Be sure to check the weather before driving down from Denver. If you're up there when it's foggy or cloudy you won't be able to see anything. You can always take the train, but we much prefer driving. The train only gives you about 35 minutes at the top- just enough time to stand in line for the bathroom and then get back on the train. I have friends that were on their way up to Pikes Peak on the fourth of July one year and had to turn back because of a snow storm.  It's never happened to us and we've gone up there several times during the summers, so just check before heading up there.

Garden of the Gods is super busy on weekends. School has already started, so during the week would be a better time to visit now. We drove through there a few weeks ago with friends from Texas. It was so busy (Saturday), we just drove through, no stops (well, we did stop at the trading post which was neat- I haven't been there before- it's the gift shop). If you want to park and get out to hike, climb, or just look around, do it on a weekday. Again, keep in mind the afternoon rain storms!

The Rodeo Hall of Fame is nice, and you can probably find groupons for a discounted rate. Just be sure to watch the 15 minute video before going through the museum- it will explain a lot.

I've heard great things about the zoo here in CoSprings, but haven't ever been. They may have different hours or rates now that school has started, so be sure to check online.

CoTrip.org is a great site to check road conditions, construction, etc. 

If you're near Aspen, we like going to Maroon Bells. If you go to Glenwood Springs, there's a ton of construction going on now. Rifle Falls is really pretty, too.The Black Canyon is nice, but probably farther west than you want to go while you're here.

There's a Wild Animal Sanctuary I read about in the paper a while back that looks neat, too.

Cripple Creek is fun, too.