Living in Colorado

arvada

It is no secret that Denver is a great spot to have some fun!  As a family of 5, we are always looking for things to do and explore and ways to enjoy our beautiful state.  Even better if its affordable!  Old Town Arvada is close to my house and close to my heart and its the perfect spot for our family to visit the library, walk to lunch, enjoy the splashpad in the Summer and finish our day with some amazing ice cream from Scrumptious, an old fashion candy store.  If you can finish your day with some Vitamin D, full bellies and ice cream EVERYONE wins.

lakewood

My kids aren't the best hikers in the world BUT Red Rocks is so beautiful and different, it helps distract them for a bit!  Enjoy miles of trails and beautiful scenery in and around Red Rocks or Cross C470 from Red Rocks and check out Bear Lake State Park (daily park pass applies but is very affordable).  Inside, you will find horseback riding, camping, hiking, paddleboarding, and our favorite local swim beach!  After you check out the park, head into Morrison for ice cream at The Cow Eatery and enjoy a slow stroll along the creek.  

downtown denver

Union Station...need I say more?  With so many options to hop on a Lightrail, you can connect to Denver from almost anywhere!  Plus, the kids love riding the train for a change of pace (hello, no car seats!).  A late breakfast for sweet pancakes at Snooze is always our favorite, followed by the Splash pad and just walking to explore the city and see the skyscrapers through our kids eyes.  If it is later in the day, the Terminal bar offers a great atmosphere for a quick drink.  This coupled with a Rockies game makes for the best.day.ever.

Boulder

Oh, Boulder.  You can NOT beat it.  From the street entertainers, the local fun shops on Pearl St., The Med (hello!), and the stunning views and hikes in Chataqua Park can NOT be beat.  We also love to swim in the Boulder Creek and check out some of the local breweries!  

evergreen

One of my all time favorite spots is Evergreen.  It is close to the city but its beauty makes you feel like you are on vacation!  We love to walk around Evergreen Lake, its a clean and easy walk and the boardwalk is easily my kids favorite part!  You can also rent paddleboards, paddleboats and kayaks to go out on the lake OR in the winter, strap on some skates and have fun on the ice!  After some fun, we head into the quaint "downtown" area for lunch at my favorite winery (Mom gets to have fun too!) Creekside Cellars.  They have a great antipasto plate my kids love and their paninis are the best!  

Do you have any other local favorites that you can spend a day doing?  I would LOVE to hear about them!  Follow along for more fun ideas on Instagram @5280FamilyFun.