Keeping kids of all ages happily busy while exploring Denver is easy. Take a look at the wide range of family-friendly activities and attractions, then consider our sampling of hotels that will have your kids or grandkids grinning from ear to ear and counting sheep while they sleep.
Downtown
Downtown is ideal for easy access to a terrific mix of amusements like the Downtown Aquarium, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, Denver Art Museum, Coors Field, Ball Arena and History Colorado Center. Pre-teens and teens will especially love staying at The Crawford Hotel above the buzz of historic Denver Union Station, which wrapped up a major renovation in 2024 and is a hub for travelers arriving by Amtrak, bus, airport train or light rail. There are great dining and shopping options at Union Station or simply savor a cup of joe or a pint of local brew. On a warm summer day, all ages can run through the outdoor fountain in front and watch it light up at night.
Families staying at The Crawford Hotel not only have spectacular city views, but they can also order breakfast in bed from Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, or wrap up an afternoon or evening with a cone or cup from Milkbox Ice Creamery, which is complimentary with hotel overnights along with a welcome cocktail and a cup of coffee for adults in the family. Like Denver Union Station, The Crawford unveiled a major refresh in tandem with its 10th anniversary in 2024.
All ages are sure to love The Curtis – a DoubleTree by Hilton with 13 themed guest room floors that are undergoing a makeover to include Camp Curtis, Play with Your Food, Life of the Party, Knock on Wood and more. For example, the Camp Curtis floor transports guests to their favorite sleepaway camp with plaid décor, faux animal heads, wood grain accents and more. The hyper-themed signature suite on this floor features a night sky with glow-in-the-dark stars. Booking a family reunion? The new decor in all meeting and event space mimics candy stripes with colorful patterns on the walls and carpet.
The Maven Hotel at Dairy Block has fun modern bunk rooms with a twin bunk bed suspended over a king bed. Swings that hang outside the elevator doors on landings are sure to capture the attention of kids, along with shiny airstream trailer in the lobby where complimentary churros are served from 4 to 5 p.m. Don’t miss the adjoining Denver Milk Market, an 11-concept food hall where families will find everything from pizza and burgers to ice cream and pastries. Don’t miss strolling the Alley at Dairy Block and finding the giant sculpture spilling “milk” down one corner of a building.
The Ritz-Carlton, Denver brings the outdoors in with a Kids City Camper Experience that includes a children’s tepee equipped with a backpack or tote bag, lion stuffed animal, plush fire, lantern, activity book, and custom sweet treats. The Ritz-Carlton has a special check-in process for families, a property scavenger hunt for kids, and children-specific menus available through in-room dining and Elway’s Downtown.
Four Seasons Hotel Denver rolls out the welcome mat for families with child-size bathrobes, baby and children’s toiletries, tents, Nintendo Wii gaming systems, and a library of games. Submit the names and ages of your kids and the Four Seasons will prepare a welcome amenity including Milk and Cookies or Teens Night In amenities.
For splish-splashing around, the Four Seasons, Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, The Rally Hotel and Warwick Denver are among the downtown properties that have rooftop pools with outstanding views.
Cherry Creek
Another sector of the city that is ideal for families is Cherry Creek North, along with the nearby Cherry Creek Shopping Center, with all sorts of unique restaurants and shops in a quaint neighborhood district. There's easy access to Cherry Creek Trail and an AMC dine-in movie theater, which serves a big menu of food, drink and milkshakes mixed with favorite candies.
Hotel Clio, a Luxury Collection Hotel has long been a family favorite with large guest rooms and suites. Tying into the property’s rooftop beehive, Hotel Clio offers a bee tent for kiddos equipped with a bee-centric coloring book.
Northwest Denver
In the northwest part of the Denver metro area, there are various properties that are good fits in the Broomfield area.
A standout is Omni Interlocken Resort & Spa, a full-service resort with 27 holes of golf, plus two outdoor heated pools and a hot tub that are located on a spacious deck. These amenities are open year-round. A poolside bar and grill make it easy to spend a day lounging, and “Dive-In” movies happen on summer weekends. Through the Omni Junior Chefs program, kids receive a welcome tote that doubles as a lunch bag that is filled with organic snacks, a to-go cup, an activity book, crayons and a Say Goodnight to Hunger postcard. The postcard can be colored and turned into the front desk to donate a meal to Feeding America, teaching kids that taking care of others is just as important as taking care of themselves.
Photos courtesy of The Curtis; The Maven Hotel/From the Hip Photo; The Ritz-Carlton, Denver; Four Seasons Hotel Denver; Omni Interlocken Resort & Spa