This Weekend in Denver, CO

South Platte River Trail

LoDo (trailhead at Confluence Park)

28-mile paved trail along the South Platte from Chatfield State Park through downtown to Brighton. Connects to Cherry Creek Trail at Confluence Park for 100+ miles of trails. Flat, good for cycling, running, skating. Free. Downtown section goes past REI and several breweries.

City Park Playground & Ferril Lake

City Park

Denver's largest park — 330 acres. The playground is solid for ages 2-10 with modern equipment. Ferril Lake has swan boat and pedal boat rentals ($12/hr adults, $7/hr kids). Mountain views from the pavilion. Free parking, picnic areas, tennis courts. Walk to the zoo or the Museum of Nature & Science from here.

Dinosaur Ridge

Morrison

Actual dinosaur footprints and fossils embedded in the rock along a 1.5-mile trail. Free to walk the trail on your own. Guided bus tours on weekends ($5-6 per person, under 4 free). The visitor center has exhibits and a gift shop. Kids who are into dinosaurs will talk about this for weeks. On the way to Red Rocks — combine them.

Huston Lake Park Basketball Courts

Athmar Park

Well-maintained park with lighted basketball courts, tennis courts, walking/biking path, soccer and softball fields, playground. Free. Good courts for southwest Denver.

Hammond's Candy Factory Tour

Elyria-Swansea

Free 30-minute factory tour where kids watch candy canes and lollipops being hand-pulled and shaped. The tour guide explains the whole process and kids get a free candy at the end. Must book at least 24 hours in advance — same-day availability is rare. Tours run Mon-Sat 9:15am-2:15pm. The factory store has every candy you can imagine.

Denver Art Museum

Golden Triangle

Always free for anyone 18 and under. The Hamilton Building is architecturally wild — kids notice it before you even get inside. Art-making studios and activity carts on multiple floors keep younger kids engaged. The Western American Art and Indigenous collections are standouts. Free for all visitors on select days each month.

Gates Tennis Center

Congress Park

Public tennis and pickleball facility with indoor and outdoor courts. Pay-as-you-play, no residency requirements. League play, clinics, private lessons. Court fees start at $6.

Dinosaur Ridge

Morrison

Actual dinosaur footprints and fossils embedded in the rock along a 1.5-mile trail. Free to walk the trail on your own. Guided bus tours on weekends ($5-6 per person, under 4 free). The visitor center has exhibits and a gift shop. Kids who are into dinosaurs will talk about this for weeks. On the way to Red Rocks — combine them.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre Fitness Stairs

Morrison (15 mi west of Denver)

315 steps across 69 rows, 145 feet of elevation gain at 6,450 feet. People run stairs here year-round. Trading Post Trail is a 1.4-mile easy loop, Red Rocks Trail is a 6-mile loop with 1,300 feet of gain. Stairs close during concerts and events.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

Commerce City

Former chemical weapons plant turned 15,000-acre wildlife refuge. Free admission, free 11-mile Wildlife Drive where you'll see bison herds, deer, prairie dogs, bald eagles, and coyotes from your car. Visitor center has exhibits. Hiking trails are flat and stroller-friendly. 10 miles northeast of downtown. One of the best free family outings in the metro area.

Bear Creek Lake Park

Lakewood (20 min west of Denver)

2,600 acres with a swim beach, kayaking/SUP lake, 15 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, horseback riding, archery range, and disc golf. Vehicle entry $10 weekdays, $12 weekends. Kayak and SUP rentals in summer.

Bear Creek Lake Park

Lakewood

2,600-acre park with a swim beach at Soda Lakes, fishing, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, and an archery range. Swim beach open Memorial Day through Labor Day. $10 vehicle fee. Trails are well-maintained and range from flat stroller-friendly paths to moderate hikes. Combine the beach and trails for a full day out. 20 minutes southwest of downtown.

Denver Botanic Gardens - Mordecai Children's Garden

Cheesman Park

The Mordecai Children's Garden is three acres of hands-on plant education built on top of the parking structure — water pumps, digging areas, alpine garden, and a pine cone forest. Open seasonally spring through fall. The main gardens are beautiful but the children's garden is why families keep coming back. Kids 3-15 free on select Saturdays in summer.

Chatfield State Park - Swim Beach & Trails

Littleton

3,900-acre state park with a reservoir swim beach, boat rentals, 26 miles of trails for hiking and biking, fishing, and horseback riding. $10 daily vehicle pass. The swim beach is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Trails are flat and stroller-accessible near the reservoir. A real escape from the city that's only 30 minutes south.

City Park Playground & Ferril Lake

City Park

Denver's largest park — 330 acres. The playground is solid for ages 2-10 with modern equipment. Ferril Lake has swan boat and pedal boat rentals ($12/hr adults, $7/hr kids). Mountain views from the pavilion. Free parking, picnic areas, tennis courts. Walk to the zoo or the Museum of Nature & Science from here.

Union Station Splash Pad

LoDo

The Wynkoop Plaza fountain at Union Station has 92 programmable pop-jet fountains that kids run through endlessly. Completely free. Plenty of food, coffee, and ice cream nearby for parents. Bring a towel and a change of clothes. Open in summer and the kids will not want to leave. One of the most convenient free activities in the city.

Globe Hall

Elyria-Swansea

A saloon-style BBQ restaurant with a live music room attached, run by the same booker behind Larimer Lounge and Lost Lake. The music room is small and sweaty — exactly what you want for punk, country, indie, and whatever else they book. Eat brisket, drink cheap beer, see a band you've never heard of that blows your mind. Tickets usually $10-25.

Oakwell Beer Spa

RiNo

A spa where you soak in individual cedar hot tubs infused with hops, barley, and essential oils while drinking local craft beer from a self-pour tap at your tub. Infrared sauna, cold plunge, and relaxation lounge. 60-minute sessions. Surprisingly relaxing and not as gimmicky as it sounds.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

Commerce City

15,000 acres of wildlife refuge 15 minutes from downtown Denver. Free. Bison herds, deer, eagles, prairie dogs. Most Denver locals don't know this exists. Drive the wildlife loop or hike the trails. Bring binoculars.

RISE Comedy

Five Points

Denver's only full-time improv theater and bar, formerly Voodoo Comedy Playhouse. 80-seat room where the audience drives the show. Full bar, no two-drink minimum — and they give you free pizza. Classes run if you want to get on stage yourself. Weeknight shows often under $15. No pretension, just laughs.

Su Teatro

Santa Fe Arts District

A 320-seat theater on Santa Fe Drive that's been producing Chicano and Latino theater since 1971 — the oldest theater company in Denver and one of the oldest Chicano theaters in the country. Productions range from original works to classics reimagined through a Latino lens. $20 general admission, $17 students/seniors. There's an art gallery in the building too. First Friday art walks bring extra foot traffic to the neighborhood.

Globe Hall

Elyria-Swansea

A saloon-style BBQ restaurant with a live music room attached, run by the same booker behind Larimer Lounge and Lost Lake. The music room is small and sweaty — exactly what you want for punk, country, indie, and whatever else they book. Eat brisket, drink cheap beer, see a band you've never heard of that blows your mind. Tickets usually $10-25.

Oakwell Beer Spa

RiNo

A spa where you soak in individual cedar hot tubs infused with hops, barley, and essential oils while drinking local craft beer from a self-pour tap at your tub. Infrared sauna, cold plunge, and relaxation lounge. 60-minute sessions. Surprisingly relaxing and not as gimmicky as it sounds.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

Commerce City

15,000 acres of wildlife refuge 15 minutes from downtown Denver. Free. Bison herds, deer, eagles, prairie dogs. Most Denver locals don't know this exists. Drive the wildlife loop or hike the trails. Bring binoculars.

RISE Comedy

Five Points

Denver's only full-time improv theater and bar, formerly Voodoo Comedy Playhouse. 80-seat room where the audience drives the show. Full bar, no two-drink minimum — and they give you free pizza. Classes run if you want to get on stage yourself. Weeknight shows often under $15. No pretension, just laughs.

Su Teatro

Santa Fe Arts District

A 320-seat theater on Santa Fe Drive that's been producing Chicano and Latino theater since 1971 — the oldest theater company in Denver and one of the oldest Chicano theaters in the country. Productions range from original works to classics reimagined through a Latino lens. $20 general admission, $17 students/seniors. There's an art gallery in the building too. First Friday art walks bring extra foot traffic to the neighborhood.