Linnea

$2 Kids’ Meals at Mici, Yes Please!

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As a family of four, going out to eat gets real pricey, real fast. Worst part, half the time my 9-year-old is still hungry after that $10 (or more) kids’ plate. But now with Mici’s new $2 kids’ meal deal, not only can we afford to eat out as a family, but there’s plenty of delicious Italian food on the plate to satisfy the hungriest of children. [Read more…] about $2 Kids’ Meals at Mici, Yes Please!

Best Ways To Entertain Kids On The Cheap This Winter Break

For Denver area parents the holidays are a special time full of cookies, Santa, twinkling lights, and quality time with the kids. A whole lot of quality time in fact, since most school-age children are home for at least two weeks during the season.

While we may think getting presents and doing special holiday things would entertain them, any seasoned mom or dad or caretaker knows there comes a time when you just need to get out of the house.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy play parks in order to have fun. There are plenty of cheap, FREE and exciting things to do. [Read more…] about Best Ways To Entertain Kids On The Cheap This Winter Break

The Butterfly Pavilion Is The Perfect Escape For Bug Lovers & Insect Curious

Bug lovers and the insect curious should head to The Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. Not only can one frolic with arthropods, which includes insects, spiders, centipedes, crabs and barnacles in water (to name a few), but learn all about them at the same time.

The non-profit zoo has been running since July 1995, and while it’s changed over the years the institution still holds a lot of joy for insect fans. Programing changes often, so even if favorite residents remain, there’s something new to see too.

Save 37% Off! Christmas In Color: Drive Through An Extravaganza Of Animated Holiday Lights

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The lights! The music! The pure Christmas joy! These are all things you may think while cruising through Christmas In Color, an outdoor extravaganza of animated holiday lights that you can see right from your car. The event runs until January 1, 2024, in three spots in the Denver metro area. [Read more…] about Save 37% Off! Christmas In Color: Drive Through An Extravaganza Of Animated Holiday Lights

Holiday Shows In The Denver Area – Concerts, Plays, Movies, Dancing & More

Amid the lights, feasts, parties and seeing Santa this holiday season, there’s also the live shows to consider. For example, a period-perfect rendition of A Christmas Carol, children singing holiday songs, and a variety show all about Santa. Book a ticket for a holiday concert, festive play, dazzling dance performance, larger-than-life Christmas movie and more.

We have already covered the Nutcracker and how to save on this iconic ballet.

Some shows are a bit pricey, but worth the splurge. We’ll keep looking for ticket deals, but you should always the venue’s web sites for last minutes discounts. You can save money by becoming a member or getting theater subscriptions. Many places also have discounted children’s tickets. [Read more…] about Holiday Shows In The Denver Area – Concerts, Plays, Movies, Dancing & More

Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo occupies 80 acres in City Park and houses more than 3,600 animals, representing around 650 species. Some, like the grizzly bear and big horn sheep are native to our Rocky Mountain backyard, while others come from far away. These include species such as the Asian elephant, lion, Komodo dragon, greater one horned rhino and western lowland gorilla.

The zoo is open every day save for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Bonus, there are FREE days scattered throughout the year and you must enter a lottery to receive up to five passes per free day.

The zoo is one of Denver’s longest-running venues and opened up in 1896. But it wasn’t until 1918, with the opening of Bear Mountain, that the Denver Zoo really flourished.

Featuring artificial rock formations modeled from the natural cliffs near Morrison, Colorado, the exhibit launched a new way of seeing animals at a zoo, without bars and fences.

In fact, Bear Mountain became so iconic, it’s now on the National Register of Historic Places and can be seen right across from the train depot at the zoo. The bears, however, have a much bigger home over in Harmony Hill now, but often a porcupine can be seen wandering the famous enclosure.

Over the decades the entire zoo has evolved to featured habitats that replicate each animal’s native land. Predator Ridge is a recreated African savanna.

Primate Panorama is built for monkey acrobatics where the primates swing from trees.

Tropical Discovery hosts not just rainforest and tropical weather loving creatures such as golden frogs, howler monkeys and green tree pythons, but stunning tropical plants too.

Toyota Elephant Passage has been called “the crown jewel of Denver Zoo.” It features two miles of interconnected trails on 10 acres of varied terrain.

This large and complex habitat houses Asian elephants, greater one-horned rhinos and Malaysian tapirs, all who rotate among five unique, abundant habitats with mud wallows, scratching trees, shade structures and more than one million gallons of water for swimming and bathing to ensure active and healthy animals.

Other zoo attractions include the 22,000-square-foot Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital that opened in 2021, Stingray Cove where, for a fee, you can feed stingrays, and a 4D movie theater.

There’s a little natural gas-powered train chugging under 100-year-old trees, and an enchanting carousel with endangered species bouncing along instead of horses.

Check the daily online schedule to catch one of the animal shows. The playful seals and sea lions are always a hit.

Try to time your visit around feeding times, during which staff not only showcase the zoo’s residents, but give talks about them too. Guests can also feed giraffes by hand and see an array of daily animal encounters.

While seeing the animals definitely is the highlight, the zoo is more than just a place to learn about and enjoy these creatures.

It is committed to the management of the environment and its wealth of natural resources and biodiversity.

The Department of Conservation & Research has supported more than 600 projects, both in the wild and at the zoo, since 1996. While striving to help animals around the world, the Denver Zoo also plans on expanding its own space, with new and improved habitats opening almost yearly.

Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., Denver, 720-337-1400

How to save at the Denver Zoo

Buy a membership
Pack food to take in
Look out for free days
Go November 1-March 17 for winter pricing and $4 to $5 off each ticket

Hours

Open every day of the year, save for Christmas and Thanksgiving. In extreme weather it may close.

The Zoo opens at 10 a.m. daily. Closing hours vary by date so check the ticket system for entry times.

General Admission Prices

Currently, you MUST buy all tickets online in advance and reserve a day and time.

Adults: $20 / $15 (winter)

Ages 65+: $17 / $13 (winter)

Ages 3-11: $14 / $10 (winter)

Under age 2: Free

Members: Free

American Museum of Western Art

The idea behind the American Museum of Western Art (AMWA) is to showcase the American West and what made it such an amazing and important part of history. All through art of course.

The museum features The Anschutz Collection, which consists of over 600 paintings, drawings and sculptures spanning the 200 years of Western expansion. Of these works, more than 180 artists are represented, and showcase the American West from the early 19th century up to today. [Read more…] about American Museum of Western Art

Clyfford Still Museum

Cozied up beside the Denver Art Museum, the Clyfford Still Museum offers modern art lovers a chance to dive into the works of this abstract expressionist. In fact, it’s the only place in the world to see this much, if any, of Clyfford Still’s work as it holds approximately 93-percent of his portfolio.

The Museum hosts a rotating series of exhibitions, drawn from the collection and designed to enhance public understanding of Still’s significant role in the evolution of American art and to explore various aspects of Still’s life, career and creative output.

A gallery curated by kids for the museum. Photo by Linnea Covington

Denver is lucky to have this unique museum. When Still died in 1980, his will stipulated that his estate be given in its entirety to an American city willing to establish a permanent museum dedicated solely to his work.

Denver stepped up to the plate. Nearly a quarter of a century after Still’s death, the deal was sealed, and the Clyfford Still Museum was born in 2011.

Just as the art proves unique, so does the 28,500-square foot building, which was designed specifically for Still’s work, which spans the years between 1920 and 1980.

The collection as a whole features around 3,125 pieces, including 825 paintings, 2,351 works on paper, three sculptures and archives.

One of the top floor galleries filled with Still’s art. Photo by Linnea Covington

But while the venue holds all the works, not everything is displayed at once. That way, the museum is able to refresh the shows every six months and feature certain aspects of Still’s art, all while giving visitors another reason to come back.

The visitors of the museum have also had a hand in creating what you see when walking in. Two of the 2022 shows looked toward non professionals to help decide what should be hung on the walls, in this case children and Colorado residents.

Find benches around the galleries to take in the works. Photo by Linnea Covington

Take a seat in front of one of the larger masterpieces and ponder Still’s thought process when creating it.

And, if the room suddenly gets brighter or darker it doesn’t denote an epiphany, more a protective sun shade that automatically moves depending on how strong the sunlight is.

Create art on the second floor. Photo by Linnea Covington

Interaction is also a big part of the museum with conversation prompts for kids scattered about. There’s also a crafting area on the second floor where people of all ages can use materials such as pipe cleaners, beads, colored pencils, paper and other odds and ends to create a work of art, or two, or three.

There is no limit to what can be done, or how long you can spend there, as long as the museum is still open.

Clyfford Still Museum-1

How to save at the Clyfford Still Museum

Look out for FREE days
Become a member and save
Ages 17 and under are FREE

Things To Know

Photography for personal, noncommercial use is allowed in the galleries. Video recordings are permitted only on mobile phones or similarly small recording devices. The use of flash and tripods are not permitted.
Free lockers are available to stow bags more than 11 inches by 14 inches.
Food and drink are not permitted in the Museum.
Sketching in notebooks is permitted in the galleries with pencil only.

Clyfford Still Museum, 1250 Bannock St., Denver, 720-354-4880

Hours

Tuesday to Sunday: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.*

Closed on Monday.

Also closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

*The museum closes the week between a new and old show, check the website for details

Admission Prices

Adults: $10

Seniors (65+): $8

College students (with ID): $6

Children & Teens 17 & under: Free

Members: Free

Junkyard Social Club – Unique Playground For Kids & Parents

Imagine a place where everything is made out of trash. Or more, really cool stuff that other people may look at as trash. With a towering, life-sized giraffe constructed of random things, giant swings, toy trains, digging tools and plenty of arts, crafts and things to explore, Junkyard Social Club in Boulder has become a magical place for kids and parents alike. [Read more…] about Junkyard Social Club – Unique Playground For Kids & Parents

Denver Art Museum

You don’t have to know about art to have a great time at the Denver Art Museum. Located on the southern boarder of Civic Center Park, the venue features not only an array of changing exhibits, but many permanent collection galleries, interactive art spots, and plenty for kids to see and experience throughout the museum.

Bonus, children 18 and younger are always FREE, and there are a handful of FREE days throughout the year.

Taking in some of the art. Photo by Linnea Covington

One of the main attributes the Denver Art Museum is known for is its collection of American Indian art, as well as an extensive showcase of pre-Columbian and Spanish Colonial art objects, one of the finest collections in the world.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, the two-building museum has thousands of works to see, both in the permanent and visiting collections.

History plays a big part too. Though founded in 1893, the museum didn’t land in a set space until 1971 when it opened in what is now known as the Lanny & Sharon Martin Building.

It’s that castle-looking structure seen from the park, and one of only two buildings in North America designed by the Italian architect Gio Ponti.

The museum expanded with the opening of the Frederic C. Hamilton Building in 2006, right across the street from the original venue.

For a time the Martin Building was closed as the new structure, designed to resemble the mountain skyline by architect Daniel Libeskind, became the main hub.

The entrance of the Denver Art Museum. Photo by Linnea Covington

Due to the popularity of the art museum, the old building was renovated and reopened in 2021.

While the outside of the Martin Building looks the same, the eight-level interior now boasts a new design complete with expanded contemporary artist space, unique views of the city and mountains, a refreshed Northwest Coast and Alaska Native gallery, Asian art gallery, a new gallery of European Art dated before the 1800s, textile art and fashion gallery, and a dedicated photography gallery.

Also to note, the expansion made possible a complete display of all of the museum’s Western art collection for the first time ever.

Exhibits change all the time at this museum. Photo by Linnea Covington

Now there are 12 collections always on display, plus numerous special and traveling exhibits. Some of the special shows are international blockbusters, and others, quieter but equally amazing displays.

In fact, sometimes the Denver Art Museum gets first looks at exhibits before they travel on. Check out the informative docent tours to help enrich the visitor’s experience, which are included with admission.

Go to the top of the museum and look down for an artsy view. Photo by Linnea Covington

Another aspect to note is the Storytelling Studio, a great spot for all ages. Here, a featured artist is often at work and guests can come up to observe and ask questions about what they are doing and their process.

Aside from that, there’s a themed art project based on the artist’s work, and another craft kids and adults can do that pays homage to an exhibit at the museum.

There’s no limit to how many materials you can use or how long you can stay in the studio, just as long as the museum is open.

Do your own art at the Denver Art Museum. Photo by Linnea Covington

Other parts of the Denver Art Museum also cater to younger visitors, encouraging them to be part of the art and explore creativity. There’s the Thread Studio in the north building, a station to design a box inspired by Korean lacquer art in the Asian Art galleries, and more.

Also, keep an eye out for family labels throughout the European Art before 1800 galleries and the Western American Art galleries, they are meant to help you quiz little ones about what they see and start a conversation.

With so much to do, it’s easy to spend a day here. But if you get hungry, it’s okay to leave the space to eat outside or at a nearby restaurant and come back in when you’re done.

Look for art all over the museum, even when you’re not in a gallery. Photo by Linnea Covington

A good one to check out is the museum’s own, The Ponti, located on the north campus and named after the famed architect who designed the building.

Here, James Beard Award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski serves local, innovative American fare with a strong push of vegetables and fresh ingredients. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

One thing to keep in mind when visiting the museum, general admission tickets are available to purchase several weeks in advance. Tickets are timed to help stagger entry, though it’s possible to get tickets at the counter on most days.

For special exhibits it’s best to reserve early. While many of the shows at the Denver Art Museum are included in the ticket price, some cost extra to see.

From modern to ancient art, there’s something for everyone at the Denver Art Museum. Photo by Linnea Covington

Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver, 720-913-0130

Museum Hours

Daily: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday: Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission Prices

Adults: $13/Colo. Resident; $18/Others

Seniors (65+) & Military (with ID): $10/Colo. Resident; $15 Others

College Student (with ID): $10/Colo. Resident; $15 Others

Kids 18 & Under: FREE

Denver Art Museum Members: FREE

How to Save Money on Tickets to Local Theater, Dance, Opera & Cultural Events

Typically, tickets to the ballet, symphony, opera and theater tend to cost more than other Denver area events. But, seeing an amazing show doesn’t always mean spending big bucks. Many venues offer discounted rates, flash sales, preview tickets and other ways to be in the audience for less money; and, some smaller theaters simple charge less.

Here are some tips for saving on cultural events, ways to get FREE tickets, and our ever-evolving list of venues to catch the myriad of performing arts in the Denver metro area. Let us know if we missed your favorite or if you have any great tips for us to include. [Read more…] about How to Save Money on Tickets to Local Theater, Dance, Opera & Cultural Events

History Colorado Center

Founded in 1876, Colorado has a lot of backstory, and History Colorado Center aims to tell those truths through art, installations, information and artifacts.

But it’s not just a museum dedicated to history, the institution aims to educate and open the minds of everyone who crosses its threshold. Plus, it’s really fun at the same time. [Read more…] about History Colorado Center

12 Free Art Walks to Go On Now In and Around Denver

Attention, Colorado art lovers! Put on your walking shoes and take in some free, public art. Curate your own artsy stroll or take guidance from one of these planned-out tours. Most are outside, so dress accordingly, snap a picture or two, and then, pick your favorite. Bonus: Many of these art walks are in areas ripe with parks, bars and cafes, so you can indulge in creative bliss and then chat about it over a bite to eat after. [Read more…] about 12 Free Art Walks to Go On Now In and Around Denver

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Is there anyone who attended school in metro Denver who has not been to the remarkable Denver Museum of Nature & Science in City Park?

On weekday mornings during the school year, a fleet of yellow buses park outside while youngsters explore the dinosaur skeletons, the brilliant minerals, artifacts from space exploration or a myriad of other collections. [Read more…] about Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Colorado Railroad Museum

Trains captivate us all, whether we have experienced a robust rail travel system ourselves or whether we grew up indulging in Thomas the Tank Engine.

Enter into the real live world of classic trains at the Colorado Railroad Museum, just 12 miles West of downtown Denver in Golden. The museum opened in 1959 and has been a staple in Colorado for train-lovers of every age.

The main Museum building resembles an 1880-era small town railroad depot. Architectural features include wide eaves to protect waiting passengers from weather, and large bay windows so the station agent can observe activity on the boarding platforms. The yellow and brown paint reflects standard building colors for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.

It’s here you’ll find the gift shop and bathrooms, as well as permanent and rotating displays in the museum’s two gallery spaces.

Explore this indoor feature and delve into the colorful stories of the railroads serving Colorado for more than 125 years.

See, touch and, in some cases, climb aboard antique trains. Photo by Linnea Covington

Inside you’ll find the year-round scale model train showcase that pays homage to Herbert W. Voltaw. Volaw built a series of 1-inch scale locomotive and railroad car models using aluminum, steel bar, wood, plastic and glass. He worked on these starting in the 1940s and through the 1960s.

Inside the depot, visitors can also watch introductory videos to the museum and enjoy hands-on activities downstairs in the museum’s lower gallery.

Make sure to check out the detailed displays of Colorado mountain railroading by the Denver HO Model Railroad Club, one of the oldest model railroad clubs in the region.

After that, it’s time to go outside and explore the 15-acre railyard.

As you walk around you’ll find more than 100 narrow- and standard-gauge steam and diesel locomotives, freight and passenger cars, cabooses and more. And many are open for passengers to walk on board and explore the inside.

Visit the outdoor model train set. Photo by Linnea Covington

Kids and adults love the museum’s G-scale garden railway, located near the center of the railyard. This intricate model makes loops around its own fenced-in landscape.

Walk around the display to catch the trains moving around and to see the intricacies of the design. Volunteers operate both on weekly schedules.

Next, take a ride on the Galloping Goose, a unique hybrid railcar that looks kind of like a bus and truck smooshed together. The unique vehicle was used to bring mail into the mountain towns of Colorado.

These railcars were built in the 1930’s by the Rio Grande Southern Railroad and were in operation until the 1950s. Today few remain, but the museum boasts two that the public can ride around the museum (twice!) for a small fee.

Any fan of Thomas the Tank Engine will recognize the museum’s roundhouse, a restoration facility with a working turntable. It’s not accessible to the general public, but see it while taking a ride on the Galloping Goose.

Thomas fans will also want to watch the calendar for Day Out With Thomas, a two-weekend long event that happens each year and features a life-sized Thomas engine to take guests around the track. The festivities also include many themed shows, art projects and activities for little ones to do.

Another popular event is the Polar Express. It runs each December and features not only hot cocoa, but Santa himself as well. Sit back on the train and become one with this story. It’s just part of the magic the Colorado Railroad Museum brings to the state and visitors.

Colorado Railroad Museum, 17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden, 303-279-4591

Hours

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Train rides

Train rides aboard a cozy, vintage and fully-enclosed coach or on open-air cars circle the museum’s scenic campus.

Rides depart every 30 minutes every Thursday to Sunday (late-May through mid-August) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From mid-January to mid-May the train runs at the same times, but only on Saturday.

Rides aboard the famous Galloping Goose No. 7 are the first and third Tuesday of each month from January through mid-May). Rides depart every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visitors should buy timed train ride tickets online in advance, especially if you have a specific time you wish to ride.

Admission Prices

Adults (18 & older): $10

Seniors (60+): $8

Children (2 to 17): $5

Children under 2: FREE

Train Ride tickets on Ride the Rails: $4 for adults and $2 for children.

Free days can be found throughout the year. They are sponsored by SCFD and Boulder County. The latter is for Boulder residents only, proof of address is required.

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