Three days in Denver gives you the city highlights, a day trip option, and enough time to breathe between activities. Denver's altitude is real — you're at 5,280 feet. Kids (and adults) get tired faster the first day. Build in rest.
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Before You Go
Book online for everything. Castle Rock Adventure Park, Activate Westminster, Immersive Gamebox — all have walk-up premium pricing. Online is always cheaper and often required for timed entry.
Altitude matters. Day 1 you'll feel it. Keep Day 1 lower-intensity and save the most physical activities for Days 2 and 3 once you've adjusted.
Pack layers. Denver weather can swing 30 degrees in an afternoon. Even in summer, mornings can be cool.
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Day 1: City Exploration Day
Morning: Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens covers the full campus in one admission ($30–$55 for a family of 4). Start outside in the gardens, then move through the Freyer-Newman Center — rotating exhibits blending science and creativity that genuinely hold kids' attention. End in the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory — a warm, humid glass dome filled with tropical plants, including Victoria amazonica water lilies with leaves big enough for a toddler to sit on. Plan 2–4 hours.
Parking on York St fills up on weekends — arrive before 10am or use street parking on nearby side streets.
Budget: $30–$55 for a family of 4 (no food on-site near the main entrance; pack snacks or eat before)
Afternoon: Museum of Illusions + City Park
Museum of Illusions runs 1–2 hours and costs $60–$80 for a family of 4. Forced perspective rooms, infinity mirrors, anti-gravity chambers — kids who resist museums will spend 90 minutes here. Self-paced; no rush.
After, head to City Park — the nature play area is free. Let kids decompress outdoors before dinner. If they have energy, add the City Park Playground.
Budget: $60–$80 for Museum of Illusions + $0 for City Park
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Day 2: Adventure Day
Choose one of these based on your kids' ages.
Option A: Castle Rock Zip Lines (Ages 7+ with height/weight clearance)
Castle Rock Adventure Park is about 45 minutes south of Denver. Zip line tours through Colorado landscape — the best single outdoor adventure activity in the Denver area for the 8–12 crowd. Check age, weight, and height requirements before booking; not everyone qualifies. Book at castlerockziplinetours.com. Plan 1.5–3 hours for the activity. Castle Rock's downtown Main Street is right there for a meal after.
Budget: $120–$200+ for a family of 4
Option B: Activate Westminster + Immersive Gamebox (Ages 6+)
Morning: Activate Westminster Tech-powered active game rooms — laser mazes, reaction challenges, LED climbing targets. Kids physically run and compete. Best for ages 8+; works from age 6. Book online; sessions fill up on weekends. Wear athletic shoes. Plan 1.5–2.5 hours.
Budget: $80–$130 for a family of 4
Afternoon: Immersive Gamebox - 9+CO Denver 360-degree projected game worlds where kids are inside the action. Sessions run 30–60 minutes — book the right length. Located at 9+CO with food options in the building; grab lunch here. Plan 1–2 hours.
Budget: $80–$120 for a family of 4
Option C: Kangaroo Ranch + Rocky Mountain Arsenal (All Ages)
Morning: Kangaroo Ranch Hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos. The animals approach on their own — it's genuinely different from any zoo. Hours are seasonal; check the website before going. Wear closed-toe shoes. Bring a change of clothes for kids — hand-feeding gets messy. Plan 1–2 hours.
Budget: $80–$120 for a family of 4
Afternoon: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Free. Bison, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, prairie dogs — 20 minutes from downtown on a former chemical weapons site. Drive-through or walk the trails. It's free and it's impressive. Pack snacks.
Budget: $0
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Day 3: Animals + Nature
Morning: Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo is best by 9am before the heat and crowds settle in. Start with the Schlessman Family Foundation Tropical Discovery — the indoor tropical habitat included with admission — then work outward. Budget 3–5 hours. Admission is included with Denver Zoo membership; otherwise expect $15–$20 per child and $18–$22 per adult. Pack food or eat at the on-site café.
Budget: $60–$90 for a family of 4 (base admission)
Afternoon: Adventure Forest at Children's Museum of Denver
Located in Jefferson Park adjacent to the South Platte River trail. Adventure Forest is an outdoor nature play space with climbing structures designed to mimic a real forest — log climbs, rope bridges, naturalistic design. Included with Children's Museum admission (~$16 per person; $55–$80 for a family of 4). The full museum plus Adventure Forest fills 3–4 hours.
Budget: $55–$80
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Day 3 Alternative: Butterfly Pavilion + Nature Play
Morning: Butterfly Pavilion Thousands of free-flying butterflies in a lush tropical environment, plus invertebrate exhibits. Wear bright colors — butterflies land on you. Arrive early before school groups. Plan 2–3 hours. $45–$65 for a family of 4.
Budget: $45–$65
Afternoon: Washington Park + Free Play Washington Park Playground is free. Let kids decompress at one of Denver's most beloved parks. Walk the lake loop. Zero cost.
Budget: $0
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Day Trip Option: If You Have a 4th Day
Wild Animal Sanctuary — About 30 minutes northeast of Denver. Rescued bears, lions, tigers, wolves, and more on elevated walkways above their habitats. It's not a zoo; each animal has a rescue story. $50–$80 for a family of 4. Genuinely unlike anything else in the area.
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Budget Summary (Family of 4)
| Day | Activities | Estimated Cost | |---|---|---| | Day 1 | Denver Botanic Gardens + Museum of Illusions + City Park | $90–$135 | | Day 2A | Castle Rock zip lines | $120–$200 | | Day 2B | Activate + Immersive Gamebox | $160–$250 | | Day 2C | Kangaroo Ranch + Arsenal (free) | $80–$120 | | Day 3 | Denver Zoo + Adventure Forest | $115–$170 | | 3-Day Total (2A) | | $325–$505 | | 3-Day Total (2B) | | $365–$555 | | 3-Day Total (2C) | | $285–$425 |
Option C (Kangaroo Ranch + Arsenal free afternoon) is the best value day by a wide margin.