Are you going to Colorado for a vacation or traveling through on your way to another destination? We go to Colorado every year and we enjoy doing outdoor activities and visiting museums. Here are some of our recommendations!
Whitewater Rafting
One of my bucket list items was to go whitewater rafting and my daughters and I got to go in the summer of 2024. It was so.much.fun! We rafted down part of the Cache La Poudre and it was such a great experience that we are hoping to go again. There are several companies that run rafting trips.
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Twin Silos Park
5552-5564 Ziegler Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80528
This park is built around two silos, hence the name. So, what could they have done with two silos? Um, awesomeness. There is a slide that starts in one tunnel and then it cross to the other. The entire facility is one amazing climbing/maze structure with nets, stairs, poles and slides. We were there for two hours and didn't play with everything. This park is for ages 3 and up. Many adults, including myself and my husband, went down the silo slide. It really fun! There are restrooms on site and picnic tables.
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Fossil Creek Park
5821 S Lemay Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Fossil Creek is a park built around fossils and dinosaurs. The mammoth statue in the middle of the playground immediately draws kids in. Surrounding the mammoth are swings, ride ons and multiple climbing structures: half of which are designed for 5 and under. There is also a climbing wall with dinosaur fossils imprinted on it. My youngest child loved this park and I really liked that it was designed for all ages, even the youngest. The trail that goes around this park has fun, hidden surprises like a splash pad and mammoth tusks. It is beautiful! This park also has picnic and restroom facilities.
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I know what you're thinking-why does she have a gas station on this list? Well, have you ever been to a Buc-ees? Our friends who live in Texas always talk about Buc-ees. We were in Colorado recently and there is one near Denver. It did not disappoint! We had so much fun in this giant gas station that we went back a second time on our way home. My husband said, “If Scheels and Texas had a baby-it would be Buc-ees.” 
If you find yourself near one, it is a fun (but not quick) stop
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Before I go to any museum, I always check to see if museums are part of the ASTC Passport Program. Why? Because if you belong to Morrill Hall you can use your pass to access hundreds of other museums. Museums that are part of the passport program offer reduced or no cost admission. The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Denver Museum of Nature and Science are both no cost if you belong to Morrill Hall because they are part of the ASTC Passport Program.
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
This museum is half children's museum and half history museum about Northern Colorado. Our kids enjoyed their awesome Music & Sound Lab exhibit with all kinds of instruments for kids to try out. Kids can play xylophones, drums, a theremin and almost any other instrument that you can imagine. The other half of the museum is a history of Northern Colorado. It includes information about the history of the area, first peoples and wildlife.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a favorite of ours! We try to go once a year. Their permanent exhibits are great and their traveling exhibits are phenomenal! There is a Discovery Zone for the youngest in your group and I have spent many hours in there while my husband is out exploring with our older two. It is like a mini children's museum. You could easily spend a whole day here. My only complaint about this museum is parking. On busy days, it is hard to find somewhere to park so prepare to spend time looking for parking. Overall though, this is a favorite!
How do you describe Meow Wolf? It is billed as immersive art but I felt more like I had been put into another world. It is beautiful and ugly and it is a maze and a mystery and there is so much to see/hear/feel. You can see why no one can really explain it when you ask about it!
Meow Wolf is located in a few places in the US. We went in Denver, CO during a long weekend. Advance registration is suggested and admission starts at $45/person. There is a paid parking lot right next to Meow Wolf so you don't need to worry about finding parking. You can spend for 3-4 hours exploring Meow Wolf. We were there almost four hours before we got hungry and left for lunch. Read more here.
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