Six Free Things to Do in Denver, Colorado

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President Obama is in Denver, Colorado, today, signing the $787 billion economic stimulus package. In his honor, and in recognition of the bill that might get the U.S. economy back on track, here are six free sightseeing or outdoor activities you can enjoy on your next family vacation in the Mile-High City:

Ride the 16th Street Trolley. The 16th Street Pedestrian Mall is the main thoroughfare in downtown Denver. Its 15 blocks are lined with dozens of shops and restaurants, and especially in the warm-weather months, there’s often streetside entertainment going on — from impromptu jugglers to musicians strumming guitars. The trolley that runs up and down the mall is free, so take a ride to get an overview of what’s along the mall, or to get from one end to another in a hurry.

Tour the U.S. Mint. Find out how money is made at Denver’s U.S. Mint building. Tours are free, offered on the hour from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make a reservation on the Mint’s website; reservations are highly recommended, though you can take a chance that there will be availability for a walk-up tour.

Teach your kids at the Denver Art Museum. Families who visit the newly expanded Denver Art Museum can ask for Family Backpacks, filled with activities, games and puzzles to do in several galleries, or Art Tubes, little mini-activities if you don’t have time tour the entire museum. Tweens and teens will love the free Digital Gallery Games that are played on Game Boys you can borrow for free. Also, Colorado residents get free admission to the DAM every first Saturday of the month.

Play at a park. Denver has more than 200 of them! Take a jog or ride your bike around Washington Park, with its pretty flower gardens in the summer. Bring the children to the swings and slides at Cheesman Park. Go fishing in Sloan’s Lake Park.

Hit the trails. With more than 850 miles of off-street bike paths, it’s no wonder Denver residents are among the fittest in the nation! Make like the locals do on this vast urban trail system, and bike, walk, run or roller blade along the popular paved paths that follow Cherry Creek or the Platte River.

Find a free festival. Throughout the Mile-High City, you can enjoy many outdoor fests that are totally free, such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 14, 2009), the Cherry Creek Arts Festival (July 3-5, 2009) or Oktoberfest (September 18-27, 2009).  Browse the local events calendar and find out what sorts of events offer free admission.

Photos courtesy VISIT DENVER.

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February 17, 2009 | Filed Under Budget Travel, Destinations 

Comments

3 Responses to “Six Free Things to Do in Denver, Colorado”

  1. Spa Week Blog » Mile High City Offers Indoor and Outdoor Fun says:
    February 17, 2009 at

    [...] choice ski spots such as Denver, CO, still have plenty of fun outdoor and indoor activities. The Traveling Mamas have shared a list of free things to do in the Mile High [...]

  2. Jennifer Margulis says:
    February 19, 2009 at

    This sounds awesome. I’d love to visit Colorado sometime. A lot of people where I live in southern Oregon have ties to Colorado (though mostly Boulder not Denver). Thanks for this post. I am going to bookmark it and save it for when (if?) I get a chance to go!

  3. Kim says:
    February 19, 2009 at

    Visit Tattered Cover bookstore! Okay, it’s likely to cost money because the store is so terrific it’s hard to leave withount one of the wonderful books you found and curled up in a chair to read. But you could try!

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