The Arapahoe Libraries offers FREE Exploration Passes good for admission to 15 Denver area museums and attractions. Passes are available in limited quantities each day and grants admission for up to 7 people (some are fewer, so be sure to check the pass for specifics) to these places at no cost. You can book passes up to 30 days in advance. [Read more…] about Get Free Local Attraction Passes Through Arapahoe Libraries
Things To Do
Free Jazz Fridays at Factory Fashion Champagne Bar
Jazz up your nights at the Factory Fashion Champagne Bar Jazz Fridays series. Enjoy the sounds of jazz music from talented artists most every Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. while you mingle at the Fashion Champagne Bar. The bar is on the 3rd floor of Stanley Marketplace and the event is FREE, with no cover charge. [Read more…] about Free Jazz Fridays at Factory Fashion Champagne Bar
Landmark Theatres Hosts Retro Replay Film Classics with $7 Tickets — August is “Happy Birthday, Mr. Hitchcock”
Landmark Theatres is presenting a new classic film series, Retro Replay — perfect for frugal film fanatics. Check out a different film every Tuesday, with a new theme every month. All shown at a blockbuster price! Tickets are only $7, so grab your fellow cinephiles and make it a weekly date. This month, the theme is “Happy Birthday, Mr. Hitchcock.”
[Read more…] about Landmark Theatres Hosts Retro Replay Film Classics with $7 Tickets — August is “Happy Birthday, Mr. Hitchcock”
History Colorado Offers Free Membership To Fourth Grade Students & Their Families
Roam free, history buffs! While kids under the age of 18 now receive year-round free entry to any History Colorado site, the organization now offers a FREE year-long membership to all fourth grade students in the state. Benefits will include FREE admission to all eight of its museums for students and their families, one FREE child ticket to the Georgetown Loop Railroad (with the purchase of an adult ticket), discounts on programs, and a subscription to their monthly eNews. You can sign up here. [Read more…] about History Colorado Offers Free Membership To Fourth Grade Students & Their Families
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.
Alpha Charlie’s
Alpha Charlie’s is a veteran-owned gastropub in Centennial that serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch and a wide selection of drinks including 28 different taps. The venue features 30 flat-screen televisions to ensure guests can find a team and game they want to watch and they host trivia every Tuesday to add an extra level of entertainment.
History Colorado Offers Kids Free General Admission to All Museums
Families looking for fun activities this summer need to look no further. History Colorado now offers FREE general admission to kids ages 18 and under throughout the year at its seven museums across Colorado. From historic homes to adobe forts, each museum tells the intriguing tale of Colorado’s many cultures and prominent figures through thought-provoking interactive exhibits and events. [Read more…] about History Colorado Offers Kids Free General Admission to All Museums
Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street
The 23-acre Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street, just east of downtown Denver, is filled with more than 50 gardens providing year-round beauty, whether in the renaissance of spring, the dormancy of winter and seasons in between.
The Gardens is known for the diversity of plants from all around the world, and features thousands of plants of all genius and taxons. There’s a special emphasis on the flora of the American West, where arid and sometimes harsh climate conditions have created fascinating adaptations. In fact, the native plant collection alone boasts over 700 species.
Also visit the international-themed gardens including ones inspired by Japan, China and South Africa. In the center of the gardens visitors can find the exquisite water feature with a dedicated area inspired by Claude Monet’s paintings of his famous waterlily pond in Giverny, France.

The Japanese Garden. Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens. © Scott Dressel-Martin
On cooler days, when the main gardens aren’t as lively, step into the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. The towering greenhouse became a landmarked building in 1973 and houses exotic plants from tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Think of it as an indoor tropical forest, complete with a stunning corpse flower that blooms every few years.
No matter where it’s located, each plant is meticulously cataloged in the venue’s database. Not only does this system give visitors and in depth look at what can be found in the gardens and when, but allows the botanists to see how each plant really grows.
There’s a handy search function on the website so you can see if your favorite cactus, tree or flower is in the garden, and where it might be located.

The Children’s Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens. © Scott Dressel-Martin
Those with children should absolutely visit the 3-acre Mordecai Children’s Garden, which is only open March 1 through October 31. This special spot is across the street from the main gardens, accessible from the top of the elevator and stairwell in the parking garage.
As part of the Gardens of the West display, all the plants in the Children’s Garden thrive in Colorado’s arid climate. Kids can run around, explore with hands-on exhibits, splash about in the stream and dig in sand.
There are picnic tables here too, making it a great spot to have lunch while taking in the controlled wildness the venue offers.

Annuals Garden. Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens. © Scott Dressel-Martin
Aside from gardens, visitors can also dip into the Science Pyramid to witness a world of plants through a scientific lens, complete with interactive technology. The beehive-inspired space features the exhibit, Welcome Home: Meet Your Habitat, which explores how our homes are not only part of human lives, but that of plants, animals, bugs, fungi and more. Find out how these living things intertwine through digital stories and artifacts.
The Helen Fowler Library by the conservatory showcases a large collection of botanical and horticultural materials centering on the Rocky Mountain region and similar areas around the world.

See the Monet-inspired waterlily pond. Photo by Linnea Covington
There are tomes for kids and adults, as well as special programs. Both the library and the Science Pyramid are especially great when you need to get a dose of air conditioning on a hot day.
While wandering the Gardens any day proves lovely, there are special events here too. During the summer months the Gardens hosts outdoor concerts, yoga, plant shows and the popular annual plant sale.
During October and December the annual light exhibits prove popular, and a great way to tip toe through the dormant tulips at night.

Blossoms of Light, the annual holiday light show at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Photo by Linnea Covington
All year long guests can add art to the visit with the ever-changing artist in residency program and shows. Finally, take a class on growing herbs, making bitters with plants, botanical drawing and more. There is a list of camps and courses for kids and adults to take, all with one thing in common–the great world of plants.
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, 720-865-3501
How to save at the Denver Botanic Gardens
- Pack a lunch to eat in designated areas
- Look out for free days
- Get a membership
Hours
Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Check website for random early closures.
General Admission Prices
Currently, you MUST buy all tickets online in advance and reserve a day and time.
Adults: $15
Seniors (65+) & Military (w/ID): $11.50
Children 3-15 & Students (w/ID): $11
Children 2 & under: Free
Members: Free
To learn more about about FREE DAY policies and reserving tickets, go here.
Lowe’s Free DIY Kids Workshops Are Back. Register Today For A Spot
Kids love hands-on fun and what’s more fun than building something yourself using real tools under the watchful eye of a pro. Lowe’s is relaunching its FREE Kids Workshops as part of its DIY-U by Lowe’s program. The in-person workshops help children ages 5 to 12 learn DIY skills and techniques that instill confidence. The next workshop is Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. [Read more…] about Lowe’s Free DIY Kids Workshops Are Back. Register Today For A Spot
6 Best New Public Playgrounds Around Denver For 2022
Story by Chris Sekirnjak. Ready for spring? Explore a new park, visit a new playground, and find a new favorite! Start your discovery with this summary of six recently opened public playgrounds, including some freshly built ones that still have that “new playground smell.”
Fittingly, the long history of public parks in Colorado began with Denver’s City Park in 1878, which received a brand new playground just last year. Today, there are hundreds of public playgrounds in the metro area and more open every year. [Read more…] about 6 Best New Public Playgrounds Around Denver For 2022
Earn Money By Sharing Your Opinion From Home
Hey Denver! Are you looking to make some extra money? Of course, you are, who isn’t? Focus Group by Schlesinger wants to reward you for sharing your opinion on topics such as food, beverages, technology, entertainment, and more!
You can earn money by participating in Focus Groups, Online Surveys, Webcam Discussions, Product Tests and Phone Interviews. [Read more…] about Earn Money By Sharing Your Opinion From Home
New Moms Can Earn Money By Sharing Their Opinions
Calling all Mile High Moms! Do you have a newborn at home? Could you use some extra money? Of course, you could — you just had a baby. Focus Group by Schlesinger is looking for moms of newborns (up to 12 weeks old) to participate in an upcoming study and earn $200 to $1,200! [Read more…] about New Moms Can Earn Money By Sharing Their Opinions
Denver Center for Performing Arts Offers $10 Tickets for Students
For those who love the arts, there’s no better “classroom” than experiencing a production on the stage. Musicals and plays always leave you feeling inspired in so many different ways. However, the expense of going to the theater can prevent many students on a tight budget from attending. Fortunately, the Denver Center for Performing Arts makes it more affordable with its student discount program. [Read more…] about Denver Center for Performing Arts Offers $10 Tickets for Students
HQ Denver
HQ Denver is the city’s newest independent music venue and bar located in the historic Baker neighborhood. The intimate space provides a place to perform for a wide variety of music genres and styles. One night it might host a darkwave/synthpop band, the next a night of soul, funk and R&B. 60 S. Broadway, Denver. [Read more…] about HQ Denver
Coors Brewery Tour in Golden
A fee now applies to all visitors taking the Coors Brewery tour. Visitors and locals alike can learn a lot about traditional brewing in a short time from one of Colorado’s best. (Did you know they’ve been brewing beer since 1873?) The 90-minute, narrated walk-through of the malting, brewing and packaging areas at the giant Coors Brewery in Golden is a short course in beer production. After the tour, visitors 21 years and older (with ID) can sample some of the beers in the new hospitality lounge. [Read more…] about Coors Brewery Tour in Golden