 Denver
Six Flags Elitch Gardens – Kids will be begging to visit this exciting theme park in downtown Denver. Six Flags features over 45 rides, attractions and shows so there's something for the bravest of thrill-seekers as well as those who prefer slightly more peaceful forms of amusement. The newest ride is the hair-raising Half-Pipe, which involves a gigantic snowboard twisting and hurtling down a 30-metre high, 70 metre long half-pipe-shaped coaster.
Water World – Denver Water World is America's largest family water park, spread over 64 acres and boasting over 40 rides and slides. The white-water rapids, wave pool and exciting, high-speed waterslides including Flat Line, Red Line and Pipe Line will thrill kids. At around eight-stories high, these are the three tallest, fastest and scariest waterslides in the world!
Denver Museum of Nature and Science – The highlight of this excellent museum is its extensive collection of prehistoric fossils. The mountains and forests of Colorado were once home to a huge variety of dinosaurs and later, ice age giants. Visitors can see the fossil of stegosaurus, first discovered in Denver in 1877 and the remains of the Nebraska mammoth and long-jawed mastodon. There's also an IMAX theatre in the complex showing nature documentaries on the big screen. Dinosaur-loving kids should also check out Denver's Dinosaur Ridge, a 3km walk through one of Colorado's most important paleological sites.
Aspen
Aspen is America's best known ski resort and has a reputation as a playground for the rich and famous. Aspen is nestled in the beautiful Elk Mountains, part of the Rocky Mountain Ranges and the scenery is nothing short of stunning. The landscape is made up of towering craggy peaks, rugged forests and majestic lakes and rivers. The ski season runs from late November to early April and if you plan on staying in Aspen during this period, be sure to book ahead. You could also check out Colorado's other famous ski-resort, Vail. Other winter activities for families here are sledding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Rocky Mountain National Park
This vast National Park features some of the most incredible high-mountain scenery anywhere in the world. With its towering glacial peaks and dramatic sub-alpine valleys, the Rocks have been referred to as the Switzerland of America. You may be able to spot moose, bighorn sheep, eagles and coyotes. In late September and early October visitors have the chance to see herds of elk gathering for their annual mating season. Camping is available and there are 570km of hiking trails to explore.
 Scenic Trains
While any sort of rail travel through Colorado is bound to provide scenic views, there are a few special sightseeing trains that follow tracks cut through some of the most breath-taking scenery in the region. The two most famous tourist trains are the Durango and the Silverton train. Both operate year-round out of the town of Durango. The track follows the awesome Animas River Canyon beneath some of the state's most spectacular mountains along a route pioneered in 1881.
Camping
There are literally hundreds of campsites dotted across the state. Most visitors choose to stay in one of the nearly 40 state parks, which offer improved facilities. The three spectacular National Parks – Mesa Verde, Black Canyon and Rocky Mountain – are also open to campers. In every case, improved campsites require a fee, generally in the range of about $10US per night.
Rafting
When you're racing down a rushing white-water torrent, rafting can be a little like going for a ride inside a washing machine. It's a truly thrilling sport, and during summer, conditions in Colorado are excellent for taking rafting trips along one of the states' many mountain-born rivers. For kids and parents who aren't especially keen on a rough ride, there are also more gentle stretches of river that tour operators are happy to take you out on.
Top TEN Things To Do
- Go wildlife spotting in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Ride the Durango or Silverton scenic train.
- Get an adrenaline rush at Six Flags Eltich Gardens.
- Go skiing with American's rich and famous in Aspen.
- Go camping and sleep under the stars.
- Have some white-knuckle fun on a river rafting trip.
- Cool down at Denver Water Park.
- See the dinosaurs at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
- Hire a 4WD and explore the back roads around the mountains.
- Put your stomach to the test and chow down on a Rocky Mountain Oyster.
 Events
No matter when you visit Colorado, you're sure to find entertainment and festivities being held somewhere in the state. Here are a few of the major annual events:
Cinco de Mayo – on May 5th, is a celebration of Mexico's independence. The Mexican community and everybody else besides come together for two days of music, food and festivities and the 16th Street Mall in Denver. Other towns around Colorado have their own celebrations to mark the date.
Colorado Music Festival – Colorado plays host to a number of nationally renowned music festival, and this one, held during August, features performances from the best international classical musicians. Concerts are held in the beautiful Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder.
Snowmass Village Rodeo – takes place in Aspen on Wednesday and Saturday nights during June and August, keeping summertime visitors to Aspen entertained.
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