Top Rainy Day Activities In Denver

Butterfly Pavilion (credit: Dave Collins)

Spring is finally here and although there are sun-filled days ahead, there will be plenty of rainy days in store. Denverites of all ages have a wide range of activities to choose from while trying to stay dry. Some offer the feel of summer such as an incredible indoor water park and a pavilion filled with butterflies. Other places will light the nightlife for adults and kids alike.

No matter what the weather is like outside, it is always summer inside at the Apex Center in Arvada. Ideal for adults and children alike, this is not your ordinary indoor swimming pool. This place is a 23,000-square-foot indoor water park. There are three amazing pools including one for the kids, one to make the laps and another with a cool tube slide and an actual lazy river. For the little ones, there is a nice little zero-depth play area with slides, fountains and geysers. While the little ones are playing, the big kids can inner tube, slide and climb on the rope ladder. Ideal for the adults is the relaxing downtime while the kiddos play all day in the warm indoors. For those who didn't bring snacks for the kids, there is a snack bar upstairs.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2001 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 370-6000
www.dmns.org

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is dry and full of fun. Go back in time and explore the ancient world of the Mayans. The exhibit is breathtaking as visitors walk through halls of incredible artifacts, carved stone structures, paintings and even ancient fashions. Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning about the Mayans' royalty, legends and famous calendar. The IMAX Theater and Planetarium shows are featured about every hour, which leaves plenty of time to explore the fascinating activities in the Space Odyssey and look in wonder at one of the coolest dinosaur exhibits in the country. If, by chance, the sun comes back out for a bike ride around City Park, guests can rent a bright red bike from the B-cycle station on site.

Related: Denver Art Museum Offers A Glimpse Into Art's Modern Masters

Casa Bonita
6715 W. Colfax Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80214
(303) 232-5115
www.casabonitadenver.com

The sure way to make a kid happy on a rainy day is a visit to Casa Bonita. Well known to most Coloradoans, this Mexican restaurant is not about the food. A trip to this giant pink building offers the chance to let the kids loose in 52,000 square feet of adventure. Casa Bonita has everything including cliff diving shows, puppet and gorilla shows, mariachi music, games and, of course, getting lost in Black Bart's cave. Parents can take it easy with a margarita while the kids expend every ounce of energy. The sopapillas are actually pretty darn delicious, and the memories the kids take home will last all summer.

Brunswick Zone
9255 Kimmer Drive
Lone Tree, CO 80124
(303) 792-2695
www.bowlbrunswick.com

Ideal for all ages, the Brunswick Zone is a fun place to spend a wet spring day inside toasty and dry. Grab a few pitchers of beer and enjoy a Saturday night filled with bowling, laser tag, arcade games or pool in the lounge. The lanes are in great condition and the wait staff makes plenty of visits to ensure a good time. Brunswick Zone offers two lounges and pretty good bowling alley food. Bowling is an activity that no one has to be good at to enjoy. Especially fun for the young adults, this spot offers midnight bowling with low lighting and glow-in-the-dark effects. A bit crowded on the weekends, Brunswick Zone is still one of the best bets on a soggy day.

Related: Top Bars With Pool Tables In Denver

Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W. 104th Ave.
Westminster, CO 80020
(303) 469-5441
www.butterflies.org

It will feel like summer inside of the Butterfly Pavilion where visitors are surrounded by colorful butterflies. Inside, people soak up the humidity of the tropics while exploring all that this place has to offer. Enjoy beautiful flowers, a ton of butterflies in their natural setting and, for the brave ones, a tarantula named Rosie. The kids will think they're in a magical place as they explore the beautiful and the creepy. The Butterfly Pavilion also has activities for the adults such as yoga and photography classes in the mornings.

Colleen Bement is a freelance writer covering all things Denver. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.