Summer is the perfect time to create lasting memories with your family: the children are out of school, the weather is gorgeous, and Colorado offers lots of opportunities for adventure. With the Front Range and Denver metro area at your doorstep, there are plenty of free activities your whole family will enjoy. Here’s a list of no-cost outings for you and your family this summer:
Go for a hike
One of the best parts about living in Colorado is all of the gorgeous trails. Whether you’re in Boulder or the Denver metro area, the Rockies are just a short drive away. For families with little ones, try shorter hikes like St. Mary’s Glacier or the Red Rocks Trail. Families with older children can take on more challenging trips in the Flatirons, like the Royal Arch Trail or Mount Sanitas. There are hundreds of trails in the Boulder and Denver areas, all with stunning scenery and impressive views, so your family always has an easy option to get outside and get moving.
Free Festivals
Throughout the summer, Denver and Boulder host free festivals of all sorts. 6/23-6/24 marks the 46th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Denver with music, food, and dancing. Summer Sundays on The Hill in Boulder are family-friendly themed days on the fourth Sunday of the month. 6/24 is arts and crafts, 7/29 is city vehicles/Taste of The Hill, and 8/26 is fitness. 7/21-22 is the Pearl Streets Arts Fest, where you and your family can peruse vendor booths and enjoy the work of local artists. 8/18-8/19 is Golden’s Fine Arts Festival, one of the top juried arts festivals in the country. This fair features fine art from painting to jewelry, and offers an unparalleled kids activity area. For more information on family-friendly festivals in the Denver and Boulder areas, go to this website.
Free Museum Days
Every year, the various museums around the Denver and Boulder areas have free-admission days. The Denver Art Museum, the Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Botanic Gardens, and the Children’s Museum of Denver have a free day once a month. The second Saturday of the month is free at the Longmont Museum, so take the kids and enjoy the Treehouse Exhibit to learn the history of the area.
There are other events and activities your family can enjoy this summer, from programming at the Boulder Public Library to free movies in various metro-area parks. No matter what you and your family want to do this summer, you’re sure to find an adventure. All these wonderful options give you the chance to learn more about our city, Colorado, and the world.
Don’t forget to take photos of your adventures and tag us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook with the hashtag #MyBoulderSummer for a chance to enter our random, no-contest giveaways all summer long. #MyBoulderSummer is all about highlighting Boulder’s everyday luxuries while connecting members of the community, and we would love for you to participate!