5 Day Trips Near Denver To Do Before The Kids Go Back To School
Fishing at Trout Haven Ranch Lodge (credit: Trout Haven Ranch Lodge)Well, summer is starting to wrap up, and the kids are about to head back to school. Don't let those final days of summer pass you by without making a few more family memories. You don't have to break the bank by spending a fortune on a last-minute vacation. Instead, spend a day and take a trip to one of the many destinations near Denver. You'll save a lot of money and you just may be surprised at how many fascinating and fun ways there are to spend a few hours with the whole family, while you explore the many museums, nature centers and other low-cost, family-friendly venues all over Colorado.
4320 E. County Road 58
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 482-9168
www.beefamilyfarm.com
Price: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for children under 12
Head up to Fort Collins for this trip back in time and the opportunity to show the kids what life was like on an active farm in 1894. This farm is on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to thousands of farming artifacts, including equipment, cars, diaries, wagons and much more. Tour the farmhouse where you can learn the history and check out all the original furnishings and artifacts, while getting a glimpse into this living history museum. Then head over to the horse barn, where you can learn all about the equipment used by horses, care routines and the importance of the late 1800s workhorse. There is a lot to do and see here, plus it's a great chance to get up to Fort Collins for a last minute day trip from Denver.
800 Moraine Ave.
Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 577-30202
www.trouthavenranch.com
There is something about fishing that makes it the perfect activity for families in the summer in Colorado. However, if you've got younger children, fishing can be a bit on the tough side, but at Trout Haven Ranch Lodge, they've taken all the difficulty out of the picture. All that's left is for you and the kids to show up, fish and then take that fresh fish home for dinner. There is no license required and all the bait, poles, cleaning and packing is included for about one dollar per inch. As the summer winds to a close, imagine just relaxing by the serene lake as the kids spend the afternoon learning all about fishing. Then you get to enjoy the most delicious, fresh fish imaginable for dinner. It's the perfect way to end the summer season.
Related: Top Day Trips From Denver
1946 Weld County Road 53
Keenesburg, CO 80643
(303) 536-0118
www.wildanimalsanctuary.org
Price: $50
What could be better than spending the afternoon with the kids, getting a close-up view of more than 400 lions, tigers, bears, cougars, leopards, wolves and other wild carnivorous animals? All the animals at The Wild Animal Sanctuary are rescues, and now have a fantastic 720-acre open grassland to explore. During the hottest months of the year, you'll want to show up early, as the animals are best viewed when the sun is not at its hottest. If the early morning isn't for your family, then visit in the evenings, when all the animals are much more visible. Make sure you've got plenty of time to visit the animals when you arrive, then you'll get to head out onto the ramps, where you walk on the observation decks above the animals. It's totally wheelchair and stroller accessible, so it's perfect for the whole family. Admission price rose last month from $15 to $50, a jump sanctuary representatives said is part of a plan to encourage long-term support for the park from visitors. There is no better place in Colorado to get such an amazing view of these beautiful animals.
420 S. 14th St
Burlington, CO 80807
(719) 346-8404
www.burlingtoncolo.com
Price: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children 12-17, $2 for children 11 and under
This six-and-a-half-acre historic site is a fun way to experience life on the Colorado plains. It has 21 fully restored buildings, all filled with authentic artifacts from turn-of-the-century life. Depending on when you arrive, you can check out the Cancan Dancers in the saloon, or grab an old fashioned ice cream in the emporium. You can grab a ride on the famous Kit Carson County Carousel and go shopping in the Old Town General Store. It's a living history museum dedicated to showcasing what life was like for the pioneers who settled in the Colorado plains. Kids will love the Old Town Museum Complex for its hands-on exploration and the fun ways that history truly comes alive. Plus, it's a fantastic place to get tons of wonderful family photos, so make sure to bring your good camera along with you for the day.
www.historictrinidad.com
Have you taken the time to visit Trinidad, Colorado yet? It's not that far of a drive from Denver, so it's a great day-trip, and you'll be amazed at how many historic and fascinating sites you can explore within this little town, all of which give you a glimpse into life in Colorado during the Old West. Head to the Trinidad History Museum for a look into three restored buildings, with lots of great programs for kids of all ages. Or head over to Bent's Old Fort, which was one of the biggest fur trading centers on the Santa Fe Trail, and has been restored to what it was like in the mid-1800s. You'll also want to visit the Walsenburg Mining Museum, which is dedicated to the miners and their families who came from all over the world to seek their fortune in Colorado. A day trip with the family to Trinidad can be a truly educational and absolutely fun for everyone.
