Denver offers children a good complement of manmade and natural attractions. With the great outdoors on-hand for adventures into the mountains, there is no need to confine your activities to the city limits; however, the city does present more than one attraction that may keep you in Denver longer than you planned.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Appealing for adults as well as children, this museum is easily worth a couple of hours of your time in Denver. Just east of downtown, the museum also features a planetarium and an IMAX theatre. Kids will be enthralled by the dinosaur and wildlife exhibits, while the displays on Native Americans have a more educational slant.
Phone: +1 303 322 7009; website: www.dmns.org

Denver Zoo
Situated very close to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, this expansive and impressive zoo will keep young ones and teenagers well-entertained. Home to over 4,000 creatures, animals are housed in quarters that simulate their natural habitats, with everything from gorillas to zebras making an appearance.
Phone: +1 303 376 4800; website: www.denverzoo.org

Lakeside Amusement Park
If you are looking for an attraction that will impress the children, this is it. The park has over 40 rides, ranging from the white-knuckle Cyclone Roller Coaster to the Miniature Steam Train for younger thrill-seekers. There is a special area for kids that are under eight years, with 15 rides.
Phone: +1 303 477 1621;
website: www.lakesideamusementpark.com

Denver’s cultural activities are largely centred on its museums, which cover everything from the fascinating life of notorious Wild West characters such as Buffalo Bill to historical depictions of black pioneer cowboys and outlaws. Some important buildings should not be missed on a tour of the city, with the State capitol and the Molly Brown House being highlights, the latter which was the one-time home of the prominent Titanic survivor. Meanwhile, the arts are well-represented at the Denver Art Museum, a leading institution in the region.

Black American West Museum
Discrediting the Western stereotype that cowboys were all white men, this museum advocates that one-third of all cowboys were in fact black men, many of which were formerly slaves, having been freed after the Civil War and come South in search of work as cattlemen. Its exhibits on black pioneers and outlaws are both moving and absorbing, making for a worthwhile and educational visit. Phone: +1 303 292 2566

Buffalo Bill’s Memorial Museum and Mountain Parks
Within an easy drive of Denver, Lookout Mountain is the final resting place of this notorious character that shot to international fame. The frontiersman died in Denver in 1915, after having lived an extraordinary life as a buffalo-hunter, army scout and showman among other things. The museum provides an interesting account of William Cody’s career as well as displaying some of his personal possessions including a gun with a handle that is fashioned from human bone.

Colorado History Museum
Here you will find detailed depictions of historical scenes including a recreation simulating the time of the Ancestral Puebloans of Mesa, a scene showing trappers meeting with Indians in the 1800s and a model of Denver town in 1860. The photography archive here is also an indispensable historical resource, with the works of WH Jackson having captured the early West from 1843 to 1942.
Phone: +1 303 866 3682; website: www.coloradohistory.org

Denver Art Museum
Housing a comprehensive collection of artworks by both international and national artists including Native Americans, this museum is a worthy stop-off on any visitor’s itinerary. Highlights include beadworks by Pains tribes, Navajo weavings and pre-Colombian works from Central America.
Phone: +1 720 865 5000; website: www.denverartmuseum.org

Molly Brown House
This is the one-time home of Molly Brown, one of the most famous survivors of the sinking of the Titanic. Her public distinction grew with her efforts towards raising money for survivors and victims’ families as well as her role in the suffrage struggle and politics. An Irishwoman having descended from a poverty-stricken background, Brown married an American millionaire and became somewhat of a socialite on the Denver scene. Tours of the house however focus on the building and its contents preservation rather than Brown’s astonishing life.

State Capitol
Offering commanding views of Denver’s stunning geographical location, the State Capitol is one of Denver’s must-visits. With the 13^th step of the staircase leading up to the building measuring exactly one mile above sea level, the vistas of the Rocky Mountains are breathtaking, with strict building regulations having preserved the views. The design is based on that of the capitol in Washington DC, and visitors can climb to the dome or enjoy a free tour of the building.

First-time visitors will want to head straight for one of the Western-themed steakhouses or barbeque joints for a dining experience that is quintessential to the region, while those who tire of enormous meaty platters may like to treat their taste buds to a meal at one of the more cosmopolitan international restaurants which have sprung up in Denver in recent years.

There are a few distinct dining areas in Denver, but the most prominent and easily accessible for tourists is Larimer Square, which has a wide selection of cuisines as well as eateries which span the price spectrum.

While restaurants are the most popular location for visitors to have their evening meal, there are the usual American fast-food chains catering to those who want speed and convenience as well as a smattering of brewpubs that serve hearty and reasonably-priced meals.

Food aside, it is good fun to pay a visit to some of the theme restaurants in the area, especially if you have kids. Some of the places offer Wild West décor and entertainment that will likely make up for any downfall in the food itself. Another advantage is that dining out in Denver will not break the bank, with huge, sometimes enormous, portions being the norm.

For shopping aficionados, head for Cherry Creek Mall or 16^th Street Mall, called Mall, with the latter being the number one shopping centre in Denver. Both of these malls offer popular shopping outlets, acclaimed bookstores and good dining and entertainment. If large air-conditioned malls are not what you are looking for, try some of the smaller boutiques in downtown, Lo-Do or Five Points district.

With the Rocky Mountains on-hand, visitors to Denver have the choice of a wide range of exciting outdoor activities, especially during the winter months, when cross-country, backcountry and downhill sliding are available at several nearby resorts. In summertime, the snow vanishes and transforms the terrain into ideal hiking territory, with plentiful trails that can be used for mountain biking and camping. Those who don’t want to travel can find several golf courses within the immediate city area.

Golf
The Denver area has several golf courses to choose from if you want to practice your swing. City Park Golf Course offers an 18-hole course that is easy to access, with advance reservations necessary for non-residents. Alternatively, head for Wellshire Golf Course, which has an impressive design set in luscious greenery with rolling fairways. Reservations should be made in advance and a restaurant is available on-site.

Rocky Mountain National Park
A visit to this park is a must for any tourist visiting Denver. Less than an hour’s drive from the city, the park is in fact one of the US’s most visited. The park itself is just a small stretch of the mountain range which can also be appreciated from other locations. With many of the peaks being snow-covered year-round due to their elevation of 10,000 feet plus, the towering mountains and rich forests provide an adventure playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Take a drive along Trail Ridge road stopping en-route to explore some of the hiking trails. Camping and other accommodation options are available at the park.

Skiing
With its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, Denver is the ideal winter destination if you want to take advantage of the excellent ski slopes available in the region. Equipment can be rented in the town, with everything from downhill, cross-country and backcountry skiing available. Aspen is also within range, one of the country’s most famous and upmarket skiing resorts, 200 miles west of Denver. Aspen is the perfect place to head if you want to do some star-spotting with some of Hollywood’s finest heading out here annually. Vail, 122 miles west of Denver, offers a closer alternative and some exciting terrain.