Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Six easy days for the whole group: a walkable Denver, museums and a zoo, a day at Red Rocks with Golden and Boulder, then two days in Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park. Short stretches, an open afternoon every other day and room for every age.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
A gentle first day at a mile above sea level. The stops sit close together, so it is mostly strolling with plenty of places to sit, and nothing you need to hurry for.
The old railway station in lower downtown, with a grand hall of seats, shops and cafes. A calm place to begin while everyone settles into the altitude.
Go when Morning, before the day gets busy.
Local tip Sit in the great hall for a few minutes with a drink of water. It is a good way to ease into a day a mile above sea level.
One of the oldest blocks in the city, with brick buildings and strings of lights hung across the street. Walk it slowly and look up.
Go when Late morning, or around sunset (about 7:08 PM) when the lights come on.
Local tip Look up as you walk. The strings of lights over the street are the thing to see, and they show best at dusk.
Green chile is a Colorado favorite: a hearty stew of roasted peppers and pork, eaten with a warm tortilla. A filling lunch that the whole table can share.
Local tip Ask for it mild if anyone is unsure about spice, and share a bowl.
A long pedestrian street of shops and cafes, with benches and street performers. Walk a stretch, sit when you need to and let the group set the pace.
Go when Afternoon, at an unhurried pace.
Local tip It is long and flat, so walk only the stretch that suits the group and sit on a bench when anyone needs a rest.
A broad green park with fountains and a Greek-style colonnade, at the end of the walk from the mall. Children can run on the lawn.
Go when Late afternoon, when the light softens.
Local tip Let the children run on the lawn here while the adults sit. The Capitol is a short walk from the far side.
A gold-domed building on a rise above the park, where one of the steps carries a marker for one mile above sea level. A good photograph for the whole group.
Go when Early evening, with the sun on the gold dome.
Local tip Look for the step marked as one mile above sea level and stand on it for a photograph. Walk up slowly, because the air is thin.
Lower downtown, the old warehouse streets around the station, has many restaurants within a short walk of one another. Choose one by the menu in the window.
Local tip Eat early with young children, before the evening crowds.
A day sized for children, with big things to see in the morning and an open afternoon. The green choice is the botanic gardens, a quiet swap for the zoo.
A Denver omelet is filled with ham, peppers and onion, and it is a local classic. Order one to share, with toast on the side.
Local tip Ask for a side of fruit for the younger ones.
A large museum beside City Park with dinosaur fossils, a hall of gems and minerals and a planetarium. Pick a few halls and leave the rest.
Go when Morning, then eat and rest before the afternoon.
Local tip Choose the dinosaurs and one other hall, and keep the afternoon open. Children tire faster than the plan expects.
A zoo in the middle of the city, with paths that wind past animals from many parts of the world. Walk the loop that suits the youngest in the group.
Go when Midday to afternoon, taking it slowly.
Local tip Pick a few animals the children care about and head there first. The zoo is big, and there is no need to see it all.
Pick up sandwiches and fruit and eat on the lawn by the lake. It saves a wait at a table and lets the children run around.
Local tip Pack water as well. The air is dry and everyone drinks more than they expect.
A big park with a lake, a long lawn and a view of the mountains to the west. A place to rest, picnic and play between the museum and the zoo.
Go when Early afternoon, with a picnic by the lake.
Local tip Walk to the lake for the view west to the mountains, which is clearest on a bright morning.
Bison is the meat of the western plains, leaner than beef. Many Denver restaurants serve it as a burger, with fries on the side.
Local tip Ask for it cooked through if you are sharing with children.
A green and quiet option: themed gardens, a water garden and a children's garden. Swap it in for the zoo for a calmer day.
Go when Morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft.
Local tip The children's garden is a good first stop for younger ones. Take the shaded paths on a warm day.
A day by car along the foot of the mountains. Red rock in the morning, a small town for lunch, then Boulder's pedestrian street and the Flatirons as an easy afternoon.
An open-air theater set between towering slabs of red sandstone. Walk the rows and the paths when there is no show, and check ahead for what is on.
Go when Morning, when the light is soft and the rows are quiet.
Local tip The steps are steep and the air is thin, so take them slowly and stop to look back at the plains. Check ahead for shows and closures.
A small town at the foot of the mountains, with a creek running through the middle and a paved path along it. Easy for a lunch stop and a stretch of the legs.
Go when Midday, with a walk along the creek.
Local tip The path by the creek is flat and shaded, a good stretch for the legs between two stretches in the car.
The main street of the small town has cafes, bakeries and sandwich shops in old brick buildings. Choose a table by the window.
Local tip Walk to the creek path after lunch to stretch before the next drive.
Boulder's pedestrian street, with street performers, shops and places to eat. A lively open afternoon for a group of mixed ages.
Go when Afternoon, when the performers are out.
Local tip Walk the car-free blocks slowly and let the children choose a performer to watch. An ice cream is the usual reward.
Tilted slabs of rock that rise above Boulder. Walk the meadow at their foot and look up, without climbing anywhere steep.
Go when Late afternoon, around sunset (about 7:08 PM).
Local tip Stay on the gentle meadow at the foot of the rocks. The climbs above are steeper, and the group does not need them.
The side streets around the mall hold restaurants from many cuisines, so a mixed group can usually find something that suits everyone.
Local tip Eat early if you want to drive back to Denver before dark.
The first of two park days, based in Estes Park. Short, flat walks around two lakes, then a meadow where elk gather. Check ahead for entry rules, which can change.
A small lake ringed by peaks, with a short loop path around the water. Go early, because the parking fills, and check ahead for any entry rules.
Go when Early morning, before the parking fills.
Local tip Take the short loop around the water. Entry rules, such as timed entry, can change, so check ahead with the park before you go.
A calm lake with a flat path around it and a view of the snowy peaks beyond. Easy walking for little legs, and a good place for a picnic.
Go when Midday, with a picnic by the water.
Local tip The path around the lake is flat and easy, and the view of the peaks across the water is worth a long look.
Pack sandwiches, fruit and plenty of water, and eat on a bench beside the water. There is little to buy inside the park, so bring what you need.
Local tip Take your trash with you and keep food away from wildlife.
A wide meadow in a glacier-carved valley where elk gather, especially around dawn and dusk. Watch from the roadside and keep a safe distance from the animals.
Go when Around sunset (about 7:08 PM), when elk move through the meadow.
Local tip Watch from the road or a pull-out, and keep a safe distance from the elk. In autumn the males are loud and can be unpredictable.
The main street of Estes Park is lined with restaurants, so a table is rarely far away. Choose by the menu and the line of families at the door.
Local tip Eat early after a day outdoors, because everyone will be tired.
A scenic drive high over the park, then a slow evening in town. Trail Ridge Road is seasonal, so check ahead that it is open before you plan the day around it.
A breakfast burrito is a Colorado habit: egg, potato, cheese and sometimes green chile, wrapped in a tortilla. Easy to carry up the mountain.
Local tip Take a few for the road, since the high drive is long.
The high road across the park, climbing above 12,000 feet over open tundra. It is seasonal and can close for snow, so check ahead. Take it slowly and stop at the pull-outs.
Go when Morning, once you have checked that the road is open.
Local tip The road climbs high and can close for snow, even in early autumn. Drive slowly, use the pull-outs and go back down if anyone feels unwell.
Estes Park is known for its candy shops, with taffy pulled in the window. A sweet treat after a day of mountain driving.
Local tip Watch the taffy being made, which holds the attention of younger children.
A visitor center high on the tundra, well above the trees, with views of the surrounding peaks. Go slowly at this height and drink water.
Go when Midday, if the road is open.
Local tip It sits well above the trees, so walk slowly, drink water and warm up inside. Go back down if anyone feels unwell.
Pack a lunch before you climb, since the high stretches have few places to buy food. Eat at a pull-out with a view.
Local tip Bring warm layers, because the wind on the tundra is cold even on a sunny day.
A small mountain town at the edge of the park, with a river path and a main street of shops. Elk sometimes wander through town, so keep a distance.
Go when Early evening, with a stroll along the river path.
Local tip Walk the river path first, then browse the main street. Elk sometimes rest on the lawns in town, so keep a distance.
Trout from the mountain streams is a regional dish, often pan-fried and served with potatoes and vegetables. A good supper after the high drive.
Local tip Ask for the fish without bones if children are sharing.
A short last day. Drive back to Denver after a slow breakfast, stretch your legs in a park and leave the rest of the day open for your flight.
Eat unhurried on the morning of the drive, with coffee and warm bread, before the road down to the city.
Local tip Fill the water bottles and snack bags before you leave town.
A large city park with two lakes, a long path around it and flower gardens. A gentle walk that lets everyone stretch before travel.
Go when Morning, at an easy pace.
Local tip Walk the path around one of the lakes and stop at the flower gardens. It is a good way to stretch before a long day of travel.
The spot where a creek meets the South Platte River in the city, with a grassy slope and a path along the water. A quiet place to sit.
Go when Late morning, when the grass is warm.
Local tip Sit on the grassy slope by the water and watch the river pass. Children like to paddle at the edge in warm weather.
The streets around the station are close to the train for the airport, with sandwiches, soups and salads to suit a quick meal before travel.
Local tip Eat early and leave a generous buffer for the airport train.
A large art museum downtown with an unusual angular building, and rooms that welcome families. Pick a gallery or two before you go.
Go when Early afternoon, then leave before everyone is tired.
Local tip Look at the building from the outside first. Inside, choose one gallery the children will enjoy and keep the rest for another day.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, April to May and September to October are the most comfortable months for walking around Denver. This plan is built for late September, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 6 days in Denver, planned for late September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 1.6 to 30.0 miles between its stops, and 62.8 miles in all across 6 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
3 days of red dirt and big views in MoabAbout 250 miles away
4 days in Santa Fe and TaosAbout 270 miles away
5 days in Yellowstone and Grand TetonAbout 410 miles awayOther guides with a page about Denver. Each one opens in a new tab.
WikivoyageDenver, the free travel guideCondé Nast TravelerDenver travel guideTime OutThings to do in DenverThe GuardianDenver travel featuresThe InfatuationRestaurant guide to DenverPhoto: Darkshark0159 at English… on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Mitul0520, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: G. Lamar, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: samuelfernandezrivera, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
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