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All the best family friendly things to do in Denver, Colorado, starting with Meow Wolf's Convergence Station.
Artwork by Marcus Murray
Contributing author: Sam Watanuki
Picture this: the sun is shining in Denver and you let out the contented sigh of a parent who was just told that their kids had, "literally, like, the best day ever!" As a family, your eyeballs explored new art, your bodies moved through new spaces, and you made new memories together that you know will outlast whichever social media platform they end up on. This is the family trip to Denver that you and your kids will both be stoked about.
If you've been with Meow Wolf since the early days, you might now be of an age where your vacays look more like playgrounds and Shirley Temples than pool parties and shots of tequila. And hey, we love a wholesome adventure! But a family-friendly trip doesn't have to mean repeating the same tired formula year after year—where you spend more time deciding what to do than actually doing it, where the flavor du jour is ketchup (again), where the midday naptimes hit fast and hard.
Whether you're searching for things to do in Denver with teens or planning the perfect Denver spring break itinerary, we've got you covered with activities that go beyond the usual tourist spots. It's time to take charge and proactively avoid the eye rolls and "I'm bored" sighs.
We promise we won’t make you chug any margaritas (though we won’t stop you if you’re so inclined), but we WILL send you off with plenty of ideas for the best family friendly things to do in Denver.
Modern food halls are springing up everywhere and offer a choose-your-own-adventure approach to dining that’s perfect for keeping the peace between picky eaters and self-proclaimed foodies. Located just 15 minutes west of Denver Union Station, awaits the Edgewater Public Market. Unlike the centrally-located Avanti and Denver Central Market, Edgewater Market has a large parking lot where you should be able to easily find a spot so little legs don’t have to walk too far from the car. The 52,000 square foot space boasts more than a dozen food vendors, two bars, plus some retail offerings. Our suggestion for how to approach this colossal cafeteria? Hand everyone in your group $20 and send them out on their own to decide which dish they’ll bring back. All you have to do is grab a drink at the bar, find an empty table, and relax until a mysterious smorgasbord is brought back to you.
Meow Wolf recommendation: the root vegetable Reuben from Gladys or one of the combos at Konjo Ethiopian Food!
For a fun spin on family dining, check out Ace Eat Serve, right in the heart of Uptown Denver. Its lively atmosphere and ping-pong tables turn dinner into an all-out entertainment experience. Kids will love taking turns at table tennis between bites of dumplings and noodles, while parents can enjoy creative cocktails and Asian-inspired dishes. The casual vibe makes it perfect for families looking to mix up their usual dinner routine… with some friendly competition.
And if you're looking for one of Denver's best not-so-secret hidden gems, Breakfast Palace might just become your new go-to diner. Recently under new ownership, this establishment is a Denver staple that sits just on the outskirts of downtown, offering up a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options that are sure to please everyone in your group, even the pickiest of eaters (who's ever said, "No," to a giant chocolate chip or blueberry pancake with a whipped cream smiley face?). With its down-to-earth vibe, friendly staff, and old school aesthetics, Breakfast Palace is the perfect spot for a relaxed family meal before heading out on your Denver adventures.
Sam’s No. 3 is also a great place to snag a hearty meal, whether you’re dining at their downtown location or in Glendale. Just be sure to get there before the breakfast/lunch rush. While there is ample seating, Sam’s No. 3 is popular for a reason, so wait times can vary.
If the kids need some room to roam while you enjoy a meal, head to Raices Brewing, which is just a stone’s throw away from Convergence Station. The spacious outdoor patio and lawn area give families plenty of space to spread out and play. Kids can explore the grounds while parents sample cervezas artesanales (high-quality craft beer). With regular cultural events, live music during family-friendly hours, and a commitment to community, it's a welcoming spot where the whole family can relax and no one has to worry about keeping the little ones perfectly still.
The Red Barber is a little more upscale, but since it’s one of Denver’s newer rooftops, you won’t want to miss showing your family these views! With their life-sized yard games, hammocks, fire places and frozé, it’s like you got an invite to the hip backyard party hosted by the neighbors down the street you’ve been dying to meet.
Look for a 'lil bit of art? We got you! Here are a few suggestions…
For littles: Head over to the neighboring Children’s Museum. It’s a fantastic place that encourages creativity and hands-on exploration with features like indoor and outdoor climbing structures (check their website for outdoor structure opening), a faux fire station, entire rooms dedicated to bubbles and water, and a cozy book nook. Make sure to spend time in the art studio where you can paint or sculpt a Convergence-inspired masterpiece!
If your kids are old enough to want a little more independence with their art-making, but haven’t grown out of conversing with their parents yet, bring them to Upstairs Circus (advance reservations required) where everyone can select their own DIY project and create them together. Project options include leather goods, jewelry, and home decor. Plus, there’s a bar for the 21+ participants to enjoy while crafting.
For parents of teens, take them on a self-guided mural tour in RiNo, where brightly-painted walls might be enough to wrench their eyeballs off their phones just long enough to snap some selfies.
Nothing to do on a Friday evening? Not if it's the first Friday of the month! Denver's Art District on Santa Fe transforms into a vibrant street festival from 5:30-9:30 p.m., when thousands of art lovers—including plenty of teens—take over the neighborhood for the First Friday Art Walk. The walkable stretch between 5th and 11th Avenues packs hundreds of artists into galleries, studios, and co-ops. (Pro tip: Take the Light Rail to 10th and Osage to avoid parking hassles, then just follow the crowds.) August’s First Friday is especially worth marking on your calendar, when Santa Fe Drive closes to traffic between 7th and 12th Avenues for food trucks and other local eateries ready to fuel your final art adventure of the summer. The best part? It's all free, making it perfect for budget-conscious families looking for a cultural night out.
Meow Wolf recommendation: Use this interactive map to plot your route—we recommend starting behind Denver Central Market and heading northeast from there.
If you’re reading this, we know you’re already planning at least a few hours at Convergence Station! As one of the most immersive examples of interactive art in Denver, this four-story multidimensional mystery offers an experience that shifts and changes with every visit. Beyond the eye-catching installations, there are dozens of hidden details at Convergence Station waiting to be discovered—from encoded messages and secret doors to interactive memory stations that unlock parts of the story. Grab a QPASS to dive deeper into the narrative, and don't be shy about asking our staff about their favorite hidden spots. Even teens who've "seen it all" find themselves caught up in the hunt for new discoveries. Your tech-savvy offspring can also download the Meow Wolf App to keep everything in one easily-accessible place. Plan for at least two hours to explore, and consider visiting during off-peak hours (weekday mornings) when you can take your time investigating every corner of this otherworldly dimension.
While we can't promise you 100% it'll be warm weather when you visit, Denver is known for its abundantly blue skies and outdoor activities. In fact, when people are searching for activities in Denver for kids, outdoor spaces often top the list. And with good reason—you might find yourself enticed into some body movement regardless of the temps.
Wash Park, Cheesman Park and City Park are three of Denver’s biggest and most popular parks. Any day of the week at these sprawling outdoor spaces, you can find joggers, dog parents, picnic-ers and groups of mixed-gender millennial bros playing some sort of game with a ball + mini trampoline + spiked seltzer. But our favorite Denver park for families is one you might not have heard of yet…
Imagine a playground that looks as if Dr. Seuss designed a training facility for astronauts. It’s centered around an orange and white honeycomb structure that juts up from an elevated platform with slidey and climby things spilling out of it to the ground. As far as playgrounds go, it’s pretty damn sick. Named after the man who started the first Spanish-language radio station in Denver, Paco Sanchez Park sprawls for 30 acres in West Denver and is less than 15 minutes from downtown.
Meow Wolf recommendation: Grab takeout from Tacos Selene Denver to make it a picnic!
If you want something closer to downtown, the RiNo Art Park is an art-focused public green space with an elevated promenade, murals, and uniquely crafted seating spots, like swinging benches and lounge chairs.
Meow Wolf recommendation: Support immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs when you pick up food at Comal Heritage Food Incubator to bring with you.
Looking for a spot where teens can show off their skills or just watch the action? Denver Skate Park near the South Platte River is a 50,000-square-foot concrete paradise that draws both legends (including the “Birdman” himself) and newbies learning their first ollies. The park is free, open daily until 11 p.m., and lit at night—perfect for summer evening sessions. What sets this park apart from others around the city (and yes, Denver has several) is its mix of street and transition elements: stairs, rails, bowls, and a killer flow section that'll challenge any skill level. Even if your teen isn't into skating, the park's location next to Commons Park makes it a prime spot for people-watching and capturing social media content of Denver's skate culture in action.
On the off-chance that the weather turns on you, pack up the car and head 25 minutes northeast of downtown to Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. This is a hidden gem to even Denver locals and a fantastic place to view wildlife (bison, raptors, coyotes, prairie dogs and more), from the warmth and comfort of your own vehicle.
Meow Wolf recommendation: While you’re east of the city, swing by Little Man Ice Cream once it opens for the season. We support getting ice cream no matter the weather!
For one more hit of psychedelic art before the end of your trip, plan a stop at Elitch Gardens (opens April through October) to ride Kaleidoscape, Meow Wolf’s artist-driven dark ride that gently spins you through a neon fever dream of alien landscapes and laser tunnels. Located just a few minutes from Convergence Station, Elitch Gardens is a theme + water park brimming with roller coasters, kiddie rides, and everything in between. It’s been around for 130 years so if you’re making family memories, you’re in good company.
If you catch good weather and want to spend some time on the water, drive down to Bear Creek Lake Park and rent paddle boards from Rocky Mountain Paddleboard (open May-October).
Meow Wolf recommendation: Avoid the lines by renting them online ahead of time.
Bring your kids to a sweet and kooky spring break experience that you can enjoy at The Inventing Room, a Willy Wonka-inspired candy shop run by a sugary mad scientist.
Let your inner transportation geek nerd out at Forney Museum of Transportation’s collection of more than 800 artifacts, including buggies, motorcycles, steam locomotives and more.
Brave travelers should pay a visit to local landmark Lakeside Amusement Park (open weekends from May to mid-September, with daily service (closed Tuesdays) from June to mid-August). Indulge in churros after your insides have settled from riding “The Cyclone”, the 1940s wooden roller coaster that is Lakeside’s most popular ride.
Whatever your day’s adventure might be, wind down at the southern location of Denver Beer Co. They have a huge patio that’s both dog and kid-friendly, plus an ice cream spot next door.
Special mention:
Casa Bonita, the iconic pink palace, has been transformed under the ownership of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. After a massive renovation and culinary overhaul led by James Beard Award-winning chef Dana Rodriguez, the beloved Denver landmark is officially open to enthusiastic crowds. Reservations can be made through its website, and you’ll want to be sure to book well in advance of your visit. When you’re finally inside, though, you can once again enjoy the famous cliff divers, haunted cave, and theatrical atmosphere. It’s like the 90’s never left!
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