# Weekend getaways from Denver with kids Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/denver/weekend-getaways/ > The best trip within about five hours of Denver for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend. Last checked: 2026-10-29. ## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Colorado Springs (about 1 hr 15 min) Boo at the Zoo is Friday and Saturday evening at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4 to 8:30pm. Kids 2 and under get in for 75 cents. - **Boo at the Zoo**, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, 4–8:30pm, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. $24.75 ages 3–64; 75¢ ages 2 and under. More than 25 treat stations; advance timed tickets only. The zoo lists Sat., Oct. 24 as sold out. Official page: https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/special-events/boo-at-the-zoo/ ## Weekend of Nov 6–8 Staycation is your best option: Denver is the regional pick this weekend. Santa arrives at FlatIron Crossing on Saturday morning with a free breakfast from 9:30 to 11, and Santa photo visits start that weekend. ## Weekend of Nov 13–15 Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend. ## Weekend of Nov 20–22 Staycation is your best option: Denver is the regional pick this weekend. Blossoms of Light lights up Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street, and the free Mile High Tree on the Auraria campus is lit every night from 5 to 10. ## Weekend of Nov 27–29 Staycation is your best option: Denver is the regional pick this weekend. The free Candlelight Walk fills Main Street in downtown Littleton on Friday evening, and McGregor Square lights its tree during the Broncos game. ## Weekend of Dec 4–6 Staycation is your best option: Denver is the regional pick this weekend. Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens runs all three evenings. ## Other family getaways within 5 hours We don't post event listings for these places. Check the official page for hours and what's on. - **Georgetown Loop Railroad**, Georgetown, CO (about 1 hr from Denver). A narrow gauge train ride out of Georgetown, and kids can pan for gold after a silver mine tour. Official page: https://www.georgetownlooprr.com/ - **Breckenridge**, Breckenridge, CO (about 1 hr 45 min from Denver). The free BreckConnect Gondola floats from town over Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve, and kids can look for elk and moose below. Official page: https://gobreck.com/ - **Vail**, Vail, CO (about 2 hr from Denver). A walkable European-style village along Gore Creek, with one of the largest free year-round bus systems in the country. Official page: https://www.discovervail.com/ - **Glenwood Springs**, Glenwood Springs, CO (about 3 hr from Denver). Glenwood Hot Springs Pool calls itself the world's largest hot springs pool, and Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has cave tours and an alpine coaster. Official page: https://www.visitglenwood.com/ - **Steamboat Springs**, Steamboat Springs, CO (about 3 hr 30 min from Denver). Old Town Hot Springs has mineral pools right downtown, and the aqua climbing wall over the big pool comes with admission. Official page: https://www.steamboatchamber.com/ ## Day trips any weekend - **Rocky Mountain National Park**, Estes Park (about 1 hr 45 min from Denver). Elk wander through the meadows near Estes Park most of the year, and short flat trails like the one around Bear Lake work for little legs. Hours: Park open all day; Beaver Meadows office in winter is open 8am–4pm weekdays and 8am–noon on weekends. Cost: $30 per private vehicle for one day. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm - **Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument**, Florissant (about 2 hr 15 min from Denver). Giant petrified redwood stumps sit right beside an easy trail, and the visitor center has fossil insects and leaves found on site. Hours: Visitor center is closed Mondays and Tuesdays in winter; trails stay open. Cost: $10 per adult for a 7-day pass, kids 15 and under free. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/flfo/planyourvisit/fees.htm - **Great Sand Dunes National Park**, Mosca (about 4 hr 30 min from Denver). The tallest dunes in North America, and kids can climb and slide on them as far as they like. It is a long drive, so plan a full day. Hours: Visitor center open daily 9am–4:30pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Cost: $25 per private vehicle. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/fees.htm ## FAQ **Where can we go for a weekend from Denver with little kids?** Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Denver are Colorado Springs. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages. **What are good day trips from Denver with kids?** Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park (about 1 hr 45 min), Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Florissant (about 2 hr 15 min), Great Sand Dunes National Park in Mosca (about 4 hr 30 min). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages. **Which cities are within an easy drive of Denver?** Colorado Springs (about 1 hr 15 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic. **What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Denver?** Georgetown Loop Railroad (about 1 hr), Breckenridge (about 1 hr 45 min), Vail (about 2 hr), Glenwood Springs (about 3 hr), Steamboat Springs (about 3 hr 30 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go. **Why is the same city picked more than once?** Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety. **Are the times and prices current?** They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.