# Colorado, New Mexico and West Texas weekend getaways with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/weekend-getaways/colorado-new-mexico/

> 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.

Last checked: 2026-10-29. Every event links to its official page.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

**Pick: Colorado Springs.** 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

**Pick: Denver.** Santa arrives at FlatIron Crossing on Saturday morning with a free breakfast from 9:30 to 11, and Santa photo visits start that weekend.

- **Santa Photos at FlatIron Crossing**, Fri Nov 6, Varies by week (Nov 6–22: weekdays 2–7pm, Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm), FlatIron Crossing, base of the Grand Staircase. Visits free; photo packages for sale. Opens 11/06; runs through 12/24. Closed Thanksgiving. Book ahead to skip the wait. Official page: https://www.flatironcrossing.com/santaphotos
- **Santa’s Arrival & Breakfast at FlatIron Crossing**, Sat Nov 7, 9:30–11am, FlatIron Crossing, entrance by Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn. Free breakfast. Official page: https://www.flatironcrossing.com/Events/Details/559089

## Weekend of Nov 13–15

No standout verified yet.


## Weekend of Nov 20–22

**Pick: Denver.** 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.

- **Blossoms of Light**, Fri Nov 20, 4:30–9pm, Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street. Timed tickets for everyone over 2. 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. Official page: https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/public-events/blossoms-light
- **Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms**, Sat Nov 21, 5–8:30pm, Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. Timed tickets. Opens 11/21; runs through 01/03. Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8 and Dec 25. Official page: https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/public-events/trail-lights
- **Mile High Tree**, Fri Nov 20, 5–10pm nightly, Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus. Free. Opens 11/20; runs through 12/31. A 110-foot tree of LED lights with nightly light and music shows. Drone shows at 7pm. Official page: https://visitdenver.com/milehighholidays/mile-high-tree/

## Weekend of Nov 27–29

**Pick: Denver.** The free Candlelight Walk fills Main Street in downtown Littleton on Friday evening, and McGregor Square lights its tree during the Broncos game.

- **Candlelight Walk in Downtown Littleton**, Fri Nov 27, 5–8pm, Main Street, Downtown Littleton. Free. Performers and a tree lighting with Santa, then a drone show. Official page: https://visitlittleton.org/events-and-programs/candlelight-walk/
- **McGregor Square Holiday Tree Lighting**, Fri Nov 27, 1–8pm (tree lit at halftime of the 1pm Broncos game), McGregor Square. Free. Photos with Dinger in a Santa suit 2–4pm; Elf on the big screen after the game. Official page: https://www.mcgregorsquare.com/event/mcgregor-skate-grand-opening-holiday-tree-lighting/

## Weekend of Dec 4–6

**Pick: Denver.** Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens runs all three evenings.

- **Blossoms of Light**, Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, 4:30–9pm, Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street. Timed tickets for everyone over 2. 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. Official page: https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/public-events/blossoms-light

## FAQ

**Which Colorado, New Mexico and West Texas city is best for a weekend with little kids?**
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.

**How long are the drives?**
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.

**What if a weekend says “No standout yet”?**
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.

**Are the prices right?**
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap the official link before you buy, since venues change hours and prices.