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Get up close and personal with a herd of buffalo just a short drive from downtown Denver, maintained by the city in a natural setting, perfect for picnics. The buffalo are direct descendants of the last wild herd in America. 20 Miles west of Denver at I-70, Exit 250.
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The National Renewable Energy Lab Visitors Center showcases technologies that can save energy, improve the environment and lower the cost of energy bills. Take a self-guided tour through the interactive exhibit hall and learn about energy from the sun, wind, biomass, and other sources of renewable energy.
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Georgetown is a delightful Victorian village set in a spectacular mountain valley with 200 restored buildings from the 1870s. The main street has shops and restaurants and many of the old homes have been turned into antique stores. The Georgetown Loop Railroad takes riders on narrow gauge steam locomotives curling down a mountain ledge, at one point crossing over a 90-foot high trestle.
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Housed in a replica of a 1880s-style depot, The Colorado Railroad Museum is a delight for train-lovers of all ages. Enjoy thousands of rare photographs, artifacts and documents illustrating the colorful histories of the railroads that have served the state for more than 125 years. Then head outside to explore 15 acres of sprawling grounds with more than 100 narrow and standard gauge locomotives, cars and other rolling stock.
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The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most fascinating ecological sites in the country, has made a remarkable transformation from a toxic piece of land into one of the premier urban national wildlife refuges in the United States. Since 1990, more than 383,000 visitors have explored this unique and beautiful area, enjoying bison, birds of prey, deer, and fishing.
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Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is a picturesque nature preserve among the grasslands, ponds and cottonwood banks of Deer Creek. Highlights include nature trails, a wildlife observation area, display gardens, educational exhibits, a historical farm, a 19th century one-room schoolhouse, working beehives and picnic areas.
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The gateway town to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is worth a visit on your way to or from the Park, thanks to its charming Alpine-style Main Street (with dozens shops and restaurants), and the historic Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for the haunted Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s The Shining.
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The first and only museum in the United States dedicated to the heroism, technology, culture and spirit of mountaineering, this hidden gem brings visitors into the world of mountain and rock climbing. Highlights include exhibits on climate, science, cultures and the humanities as they relate to the mountains – as well as an incredible model of Mount Everest.
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The 30,000-square-foot Butterfly Pavilion combines science education with hands-on fun to teach visitors about invertebrates, science and conservation. The interactive exhibits are geared primarily towards families with kids ages 2 to 12 years old, but people of all ages will love tropical conservatory filled with 1,200 free-flying butterflies imported from around the globe.
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Maintained by the Denver Botanic Gardens, Mount Goliath, is a mountain peak section of the Mount Evans area, offering a trail that winds through subalpine and alpine areas. This is a trail of contrasts – awesome Rocky Mountain vistas of Great Divide peaks; delicate floral treasures; wind-sculpted, ancient bristlecone pines; cold summit winds; and gentle summer breezes.