Pack up the minivan or rent an RV and take the whole family to Colorado for a Wild West adventure they won’t soon forget. Though the state is best known for its rugged mountains and ski resorts, there are plenty of activities for the little cowboys and cowgirls, too. From hands-on museums to a real working ranch, the Centennial State will excite your kids—and the kid in you. Use this guide to give your kids the Wild West experience: top Colorado destinations for families.
If playing cowboy is on your child’s bucket list, or even your own, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch in Red Feather Lakes is unbeatable. Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, this authentic old West cattle ranch offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for families to experience the cowboy lifestyle.
Kids can participate in daily ranch activities like feeding chickens, gathering eggs, and brushing horses. After they’ve learned the ropes, little buckaroos can saddle up for trail rides with experienced wranglers leading the way. When they’re ready for a break from the outdoors, the recreation room at Sundance has old-fashioned games and dress up clothes so kids can let their imaginations run wild. From the time you arrive till you’re packing up to head out, Sundance Trail makes every child’s ranching dreams come true.
Now, just because Colorado is famous for the great outdoors doesn’t mean city slickers can’t have fun, too. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science brings the wonders of the natural world indoors through interactive exhibits the whole family will enjoy. Have a budding paleontologist or aspiring astronaut in your family? Imagine the fun they’ll have digging for dinosaur bones or climbing aboard a space shuttle simulator. The cutting-edge Planetarium and IMAX Theater offer out-of-this-world shows starring the universe of stars, planets, and galaxies above us. With new exhibits debuting all the time, kids will want to visit this Denver museum every time you visit.
Combining the old West with the new, the towns of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs offer quaint main streets perfect for family-friendly explorations. Kids can gaze in wonder strolling through old-fashioned candy stores, tugging at your shirt for some coins. Who can say no to those adorable puppy-dog eyes? Parents can enjoy sampling local flavor at craft breweries and artisan restaurants. Don’t miss Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater. Enjoy a meal and a show for some good old-fashioned family fun. Kids will love being able to loudly “boo” the villain and cheer for the hero in this lively Wild West playhouse.
Give your kids the Wild West experience: top Colorado destinations for families await. Colorado delivers nonstop excitement for the entire family. Your children won’t even realize they’re getting a Wild West history lesson while they’re having the time of their lives.
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