Denver, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque and El Paso. Denver and Colorado Springs are about an hour and twenty minutes apart on I-25. Albuquerque is a long drive south, more than six hours from Colorado Springs, so plan an overnight. El Paso is about four and a half hours south of Albuquerque on I-25. Here's the best weekend trip in the region for each of the next 6 weekends, and what to do once you get there.
6 weekends
4 cities
5 of 6 pickedLast checked against official pages. How we choose
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.
Drive: about 1 hr 15 min from Denver · about 6 hr 30 min from Albuquerque
More than 25 treat stations; advance timed tickets only. The zoo lists Sat., Oct. 24 as sold out.
Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31 · 4–8:30pmCheyenne Mountain Zoo
$24.75 ages 3–64; 75¢ ages 2 and under
Santa arrives at FlatIron Crossing on Saturday morning with a free breakfast from 9:30 to 11, and Santa photo visits start that weekend.
Drive: about 1 hr 15 min from Colorado Springs
Opens 11/06; runs through 12/24. Closed Thanksgiving. Book ahead to skip the wait.
Fri Nov 6 · Varies by week (Nov 6–22: weekdays 2–7pm, Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm)FlatIron Crossing, base of the Grand StaircaseVisits free; photo packages for saleSat Nov 7 · 9:30–11amFlatIron Crossing, entrance by Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn
Free breakfastNothing we could verify in the region this weekend is worth a drive on its own. The weekly lists for Denver, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, El Paso are a better bet, and we'll check again on Thursday.
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.
Drive: about 1 hr 15 min from Colorado Springs
Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10. Closed Nov 26 and Dec 25. Sensory-friendly night Tue, Dec 1, 5–8pm. Public tickets go on sale Nov 9.
Fri Nov 20 · 4:30–9pmDenver Botanic Gardens, York StreetTimed tickets for everyone over 2Opens 11/21; runs through 01/03. Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8 and Dec 25.
Sat Nov 21 · 5–8:30pmDenver Botanic Gardens Chatfield FarmsTimed ticketsOpens 11/20; runs through 12/31. A 110-foot tree of LED lights with nightly light and music shows. Drone shows at 7pm.
Fri Nov 20 · 5–10pm nightlyTivoli Quad, Auraria CampusFree
The free Candlelight Walk fills Main Street in downtown Littleton on Friday evening, and McGregor Square lights its tree during the Broncos game.
Drive: about 1 hr 15 min from Colorado Springs
Performers and a tree lighting with Santa, then a drone show.
Fri Nov 27 · 5–8pmMain Street, Downtown LittletonFreePhotos with Dinger in a Santa suit 2–4pm; Elf on the big screen after the game.
Fri Nov 27 · 1–8pm (tree lit at halftime of the 1pm Broncos game)McGregor SquareFree
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens runs all three evenings.
Drive: about 1 hr 15 min from Colorado Springs
Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10. Closed Nov 26 and Dec 25. Sensory-friendly night Tue, Dec 1, 5–8pm. Public tickets go on sale Nov 9.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · 4:30–9pmDenver Botanic Gardens, York StreetTimed tickets for everyone over 2
Car snacksPack more than you think you’ll need.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.
Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.It changes every weekend. Over the next 6 weekends our picks are Colorado Springs, Denver, chosen for what's on: zoo events, holiday lights and shows with dates we checked on the official pages.
Denver, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque and El Paso. Denver and Colorado Springs are about an hour and twenty minutes apart on I-25. Albuquerque is a long drive south, more than six hours from Colorado Springs, so plan an overnight. El Paso is about four and a half hours south of Albuquerque on I-25. Drive times on this page are normal driving times without traffic.
It means we couldn't confirm anything worth the drive. We'd rather leave the slot empty than fill it with filler. Check back after the Thursday refresh.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap the official link before you buy, since venues change hours and prices.