From mountain resorts and dinosaur discoveries to hot springs and canyon adventures, Colorado offers families unforgettable experiences in every season.
Colorado is one of my favorite destinations for family vacations because children and adults can enjoy so much together. You can explore dinosaur tracks, ride a train to a mountain summit, swim in a mineral hot springs pool, or take a gondola to an amusement park overlooking a canyon.
My husband, Tyler, has lived in Colorado for 35 years. We both lived in Aspen and the Vail Valley, and our experiences throughout the state shape the vacations we create at JWs Travel.
For families visiting Colorado for the first time, I would begin with three destinations: Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs, and Denver. Each offers beautiful accommodations and enough activities to fill several days without making the trip feel rushed.
Colorado Springs: Mountain Scenery and Family-Friendly Resorts
Colorado Springs is one of our favorite places to recommend for families. It combines remarkable scenery, engaging attractions, and resort accommodations where you can spend an entire afternoon relaxing together.
Where to Stay: Cheyenne Mountain Resort or The Broadmoor
Cheyenne Mountain Resort is an excellent option for families seeking an upscale resort without the ultra-luxury atmosphere of The Broadmoor. Its mountain setting, pools, patios, games, and recreational amenities give children plenty to enjoy while parents relax.
The Broadmoor offers a grander luxury experience, with extensive amenities and distinctive dining. We would compare the two based on your family’s preferred atmosphere, room arrangements, and budget.
Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak
At Garden of the Gods, enormous red sandstone formations rise against the backdrop of Pikes Peak. Families can enjoy short walks and scenic viewpoints without committing to a demanding hike. For a more engaging visit, we could arrange a guided Jeep tour that explains the formations and the area’s geology.
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is another unforgettable experience. The train climbs from Manitou Springs toward the summit of one of Colorado’s most celebrated mountains, passing through changing landscapes along the way.
Because the summit is more than 14,000 feet above sea level, we would consider your family’s comfort with altitude and prepare for weather that can be dramatically different from conditions in Colorado Springs.
The Manitou Incline: A Challenge for Active Families
Tyler has hiked the Manitou Incline several times, and he says it is always harder than it looks.
The route climbs steeply up the mountainside using thousands of steps. Tyler remembers sections where damaged wooden stairs and erosion made the climb particularly rough. Improvements have been made, but it remains a serious workout.
For active families with older teenagers who enjoy strenuous hiking, the views from the top can make the effort worthwhile. For younger children or guests still adjusting to Colorado’s elevation, we would choose a gentler outing.
Manitou Springs, Seven Falls, and More
Manitou Springs offers a fun change of pace after a morning in the mountains. Its historic Penny Arcade features vintage games and amusements, including machines dating back to the middle of the last century.
At Seven Falls, a series of waterfalls descends through a dramatic canyon. Developed walking areas and steep stairways offer different perspectives, allowing families to choose how much climbing they want to do.
For children interested in sports or aviation, we could also explore visitor experiences at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, or U.S. Air Force Academy, subject to current access and tour availability.
Families who enjoy fishing and hiking might also love Eleven Mile Canyon. The drive passes through rock tunnels cut into the mountains, and the canyon offers beautiful scenery and opportunities for a privately guided outdoor adventure.
Glenwood Springs: Hot Springs, Rafting, and an Amusement Park Above the Canyon
Glenwood Springs is another fantastic family destination. You can spend the morning swimming, the afternoon exploring a canyon, and the evening walking through a charming downtown.
Where to Stay and Swim
For families who appreciate historic accommodations, we would consider Hotel Colorado. Its location near the Amtrak station, Colorado River, and Glenwood Hot Springs makes exploring the area convenient.
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is famous for its enormous mineral pool. Its family attractions, including waterslides and a lazy-river-style experience, make it easy to spend much of the day there.
Adults interested in a natural spa experience could also explore the Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves, subject to age restrictions and current offerings.
Whitewater Rafting Through Glenwood Canyon
One of Tyler’s favorite Colorado experiences is traveling along the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon.
The canyon walls rise dramatically around you, and each bend in the river reveals another extraordinary view. Experiencing that scenery from the water gives you a perspective that is difficult to appreciate from the road.
For families, we could arrange a guided rafting trip suited to the children’s ages, swimming abilities, and current river conditions.
Keep an eye on the canyon walls, too. Bighorn sheep are sometimes spotted in the area, although sightings are never guaranteed.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
For the ultimate family adventure, consider Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
You begin by taking a gondola up the mountainside to an amusement park overlooking Glenwood Canyon. Its attractions range from family-friendly rides to thrilling experiences high above the surrounding landscape.
The Giant Canyon Swing sends riders out over the mountainside, while the alpine coaster offers a different kind of mountain adventure.
We would review current rides, height requirements, and operating dates to make sure there are suitable attractions for everyone in your family.
Downtown, Horseback Riding, and Rifle Falls
Glenwood Springs also deserves time beyond its major attractions. Downtown offers boutiques, restaurants, spas, and ice cream shops. Tyler particularly enjoys Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse for its fish and steak.
The town sits where the Roaring Fork River joins the Colorado River, creating beautiful places to walk near the water.
During summer, we would check the schedule for Strawberry Days, a longstanding festival featuring food, arts, crafts, entertainment, and fresh strawberries.
For a day in the mountains, we could explore horseback riding at Bair Ranch, approximately half an hour from Glenwood Springs. Its high-country meadows and mountain scenery create a memorable setting for riders of different experience levels.
Another worthwhile excursion is Rifle Falls State Park, where relatively short trails offer views of cascading waterfalls from several perspectives. Nearby Rifle Gap State Park provides additional outdoor recreation, including fishing opportunities.
Denver: Dinosaurs, Aquatic Life, Art, and Red Rocks
Denver is much more than an airport stop before heading into the mountains. It offers enough family attractions to justify several nights of its own.
For accommodations, I would consider a boutique hotel in or near Cherry Creek. Cherry Creek North is a lovely area for walking, dining, and shopping, with convenient access to the broader Denver area.
Dinosaur Ridge and the Downtown Aquarium
At Dinosaur Ridge, families can see dinosaur tracks and other geological features preserved in the landscape. A guided experience can help children understand what these discoveries reveal about Colorado’s prehistoric past.
Denver’s Downtown Aquarium is another favorite for younger children. Its large viewing windows offer opportunities to observe sharks, fish, turtles, and other aquatic animals. There is also a restaurant where families can enjoy a meal beside an aquarium display.
Red Rocks Ampitheatre: Visit by Day, Return for a Concert
Red Rocks is one of the places Tyler most enjoys recommending to visitors.
During the day, you can explore the ampitheatre, learn about its history, and appreciate the enormous natural rock formations surrounding the venue.
But if your family enjoys live music and there is an age-appropriate concert during your stay, Tyler would encourage you to consider returning that evening.
As the sun sets, the stage lights become more visible and the atmosphere changes. Once darkness falls, the illuminated stage, towering rock walls, and thousands of people singing along create an extraordinary experience.
It is difficult to imagine the feeling until you have been there yourself.
Meow Wolf and RiNo
For families who enjoy art and unusual environments, Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station offers an immersive experience filled with imaginative installations, lighting, sound, and interactive details.
Tyler remembers glowing rooms, illuminated rock-like formations, and objects that changed appearance through interaction. Children and adults can explore the same space and discover completely different things.
For families with older children or teenagers, we might also spend time in Denver’s River North Art District (RiNo), exploring its murals and creative spaces before enjoying a meal at a suitable restaurant or rooftop venue.
Golden: A Fun Day Trip From Denver
Golden is an easy day trip for families who want to explore beyond central Denver without committing to a long mountain drive.
Its walkable downtown, parks, and Clear Creek make it a lovely place to spend an afternoon. During suitable conditions, families may be able to enjoy tubing or other creek activities, subject to current water levels and safety guidance.
Adults interested in brewing history could explore current tour offerings at the Coors brewery while planning other activities for the children.
One of Tyler’s favorite things about Golden is the view from above town. A drive toward Lookout Mountain offers scenic overlooks and access to the nature center area. On a clear day, you can look out across Golden and the surrounding Front Range.
How We Would Plan Your Colorado Family Vacation
For a family with eight to ten days, we might begin in Denver, continue to Colorado Springs, and finish in Glenwood Springs. That gives you a mix of city attractions, resort time, mountain scenery, and outdoor adventures.
For a shorter vacation, I would choose one or two destinations rather than spend too much of the trip changing hotels.
We would also plan around your children’s ages and interests. A family with younger children may prefer shorter outings and more time at the pool. Teenagers might enjoy rafting, horseback riding, or a challenging hike. For multigenerational families, we would select accommodations and activities that allow everyone to enjoy time together without requiring every person to participate in every excursion.
Colorado’s elevation, changing mountain weather, and driving distances also deserve attention. A comfortable itinerary leaves room for rest, flexibility, and the moments you did not plan—an extra hour at the pool, ice cream after dinner, or simply enjoying the mountain views together.
Plan Your Private Colorado Family Vacation With JWs Travel
Whether your family wants a resort stay in Colorado Springs, an adventurous week in Glenwood Springs, a few days exploring Denver, or a combination of all three, we can create a vacation around the experiences that interest you most.
At JWs Travel, we use our firsthand Colorado knowledge and relationships with local partners to arrange private, customized vacations around your family’s ages, interests, preferred accommodations, travel style, and budget.
Tell us what your family loves to do, and we’ll help you create a Colorado vacation everyone can enjoy.