Fun things to do in Denver for kids (particularly a 10 year boy)?

[SarahB]

We're going to Western Nebraska for a memorial service for my late grandmother who passed away a few months ago on what would have been her 85th birthday. Anyway, we're flying in and out of Denver and the last day/night there, we'll be spending in Denver before our flight back. It will also be my middle son's 10th birthday (the other boys are 12 and almost 7) and we'd like to do something special that day. Any ideas?

[lost-in-nj]

1. The Denver Museum of Natural History

was very good.....

If they are into that sort of thing....

Denver is a really great city!!!


lost

[huskerlaw]

2. Seconded

The Museum of Nature & Science (I think it's the same thing) is freakin' awesome. My dad used to live in Denver and we took my cousins when they were around the same ages as your kids. They still talk about it and they're in high school/college now.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33388-d128688-Reviews-Denver_Museum_of_Nature_Science-Denver_Colorado.html

[zingaro]

3. Third. It's a great place AND

a great city.

[alfredo]

4. Yes, the museum. Take them to Red Rocks and the Gates Planetarium.

There's some great parks there. They have a children's museum, an aquarium, and an amusement park.

to the south is The Garden of the Gods.

[SarahB]

12. Sounds like a great suggestion.

My boys are very much science "geeks" so to speak and love that stuff.

[kaiden]

5. He'll love Prehistoric Journey at the Nature and Science Museum.

Yes? Its new name? Plus, the whole Hall of Minerals is AWESOME! And the Denver Zoo is right next door.

[cemaphonic]

6. Casa Bonita for dinner (just don't go hungry)

I used to go there sometimes as a kid in the 70s, and am amazed it is still going strong. It's this huge theme restaurant complete with a cliff diving show, built in a converted department store. Lots of fun for kids, but the food was (and still is by all reports) cafe style and cafe quality Mexican

[Tektonik]

7. I was going to suggest that as well

I've never been there, but there was a South Park episode devoted to it. :P

[huskerlaw]

9. Casa Bonita is fun, but...

the food is HORRID. H.O.R.R.I.D.

Granted, it's been about 5 years since I've been there, but it was barely edible. Like Chuck E. Cheese quality, but Mexican instead of pizza.

That said, it is fun.

[ThoughtCriminal]

8. Colorado Railroad Museum

In Golden.

http://www.crrm.org/

[reyd reid reed]

10. The natural history museum and yeah...

Casa Bonita (just remember -- you're going for the experience, not the food). When are you planning to be there? Elitch Gardens (if he's more into roller coasters than natural history) is going to be opening soon -- they might already be open on weekends, I'm not sure. There's also Coors Field if the Rockies are in town. Rockpile seats are fairly inexpensive.

Lots to do in Denver. Lots and lots.

[SarahB]

11. We're going to be there at the end of May.

May 27th is his birthday and the one day of the trip we plan on spending in Denver (we'll be in western NE- about a 3 hour drive- from 5/24 to the morning of 5/27). Our flight leaves the morning of the 28th.

[bif]

13. The aquarium was pretty impessive