It’s easy to find amusement at Colorado’s many fun parks: theme, water, aerial, and adventure parks, as well as alpine coasters and slides. Soar high above the city in downtown Denver at Elitch Gardens, get drenched on hair-raising water rides at Water World, or fly down an alpine slide in the Rockies.
Theme Parks, Water Parks, and Adventure Centers
These theme parks feature a myriad of rides and attractions for all ages. Zip around the track on roller coasters, enjoy the view from a Ferris wheel, or splash down at the water park. The Denver metropolitan area is home to a majority of the parks, most of which are seasonal.
Alpine Slides and Coasters
Control your speed and destiny at these hair-raising alpine slides and coasters. A couple of them, including Aspen’s Breathtaker Coaster and Steamboat’s Outlaw Coaster, are open year-round. The difference between a slide and a coaster? You’re locked to the track on a coaster.
Ax Throwing in Colorado
Axe throwing is among Colorado’s most unique activities for keeping things interesting. Both Denver and Colorado Springs boast axe-throwing locations, some of which either have a beer bar inside or allow you to bring your own brews.
Other Fun Attractions in Colorado
One of the most unique activities in the Denver Metro Area is archery dodgeball. You can play this on select days at Archery Games Denver in Arvada.
Recreation Centers
Most of the bigger towns throughout Colorado will feature a recreation center of sorts. Most are geared towards fitness, with large gyms, swimming pools, sports fields or courts, such as tennis or racquetball, perhaps even a climbing wall. Some feature an area dedicated to children’s play.
Seasonal Amusement Attractions
Some attractions are so good they only last part of the year. The Snow Fort atop Keystone is one prime example. Another is The Ultimate Taxi, which is seen throughout the summer and winter, but reservations are required.
Gondola Rides and Chairlifts in Colorado
Whether you’re just sightseeing, out for lunch, or want to take a hike, these gondola rides and chairlifts do the trick. They generally welcome pedestrians throughout the summer and wintertime. Most charge a fee and have restaurants and trails at the top.
Guide to Amusement Parks in Colorado
Most people’s first thought of something to do in Colorado is not ripping down a roller coaster or getting drenched at a water park. However, thanks to several great theme parks, this is something every visitor and local alike, can enjoy.
Due to Colorado’s climate, the majority of theme parks are only open in the summer, traditionally from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some have a longer season, including the Royal Gorge Bridge, which welcomes visitors year-round on most of its attractions.
In addition to amusement parks, alpine slides, aerial parks, and caves, there’s still a boatload to do in Colorado if you’re looking for a thrill. From an exciting day of zip lining or go-karts to a fun day at miniature golf, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy here.
Classic Theme Parks
Not surprisingly, the Denver metro is home to the biggest concentration of amusement parks in the state with two water parks and three theme parks to choose from. Ironically, Elitch Gardens hosts two of these, featuring both a water park and Colorado’s largest amusement park. Historic Lakeside has operated on Sheridan Boulevard in West Denver since 1908.
East of Denver in the suburb of Federal Heights lies Water World. Open since 1979, it’s on USA Today’s top ten list of American water parks. It was even featured on an episode of South Park, under a different name.
One of the Centennial State’s most unique parks is hidden under the shadow of Pikes Peak in Cascade. It’s a Christmas-themed park called the North Pole, Home of Santa’s Workshop. It runs annually from mid-May to Christmas Eve.
Spelunking in Caves
If caving or spelunking is your thing, then you can partake year-round. Thanks to the nature of caves, temperatures stay about the same all year. Colorado Springs has the Cave Of The Winds, which offers a unique lantern-guided tour. Glenwood Springs is home to Glenwood Caverns, a theme park and Colorado’s largest show cave.
Summertime at Ski Resorts
When the snow melts off the ski slopes, several ski resorts transform into summer adventure parks. Alpine slides are hugely popular at Breckenridge, Durango, Steamboat Springs, and Winter Park. Several resorts have turned into bike parks as well.
No matter how picky your kids or friends are you’ll find an adventure to suit anyone’s tastes. If developed theme parks aren’t your thing, try biking down a mountain, tubing a river, or zipping through the air.
Related Activities
On a hot, summer day, tubing can’t be beat! Choose from a range of rivers, or take it up a notch with whitewater rafting. Another option, go play paintball.
