Before Summer is over, now is your chance to get out in the sun and have a blast in one of the many theme parks available here in Colorado. Have a blast while bonding with the kids one last time before school starts. Make sure to bring your sunscreen and bring your camera to capture all these fun memories. Not sure where to go? Maybe one of these options will fit the bill.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Get your camera ready when entering Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, as Halvor Flowstone, a 14 foot tall troll, is ready to greet you. Get an overview on the Mine Wheel, ride the Wild West Express, get your game on at the Laser Tag Arena or experience a movie at the 4D Theater. Try their newest roller coaster, Defiance, which boasts the steepest drop in the Western U.S. They also have the highest looping roller coaster and the Alpine Coaster, considered to be one of the 10 best roller coasters, according to USA Today and Park World Magazine, which lets you have full control of your speed. And they have the highest elevation roller coaster in the country—The Cliffhanger. In addition, they have a Giant Canyon Swing, the Glenwood Canyon Flyer and the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride. The park is located at 51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road in Glenwood Springs. For more information, visit www.glenwoodcaverns.com.
Elitch Gardens
Located in the heart of Denver, Elitch Gardens is Colorado’s only world-class combination theme and water park. Get a thrill on one of their roller coasters or have a splashin’ good time in their water park. There is really something for everyone. They even have special events like Dive-in Movies, concerts and fireworks. Get a great view of Denver from the 20-story Observation Tower before plummeting down 200 feet on the Tower of Doom. Feeling really daring? Try the Mind Eraser. You are suspended while blasting through rollovers, dives and double corkscrew spins at speeds greater than 50 mph. Ride the giant ferris wheel, spin around in tea cups, the carousel and more. Don’t forget about their water park too, which has slides of its own. The park is open April through October. Elitch Gardens is located at 2000 Elitch Circle in Denver. For more information, visit www.elitchgardens.com.
Santa’s Workshop
It does not need to be December to celebrate Christmas. At Santa’s Workshop, the holiday fun lasts all year long. The village consists of 12 alpine buildings. This is where Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves spend their time. You can tell Santa what you want for Christmas early and take in a show with Elmer the Elf. You can watch Christmas ornaments get made or meet the reindeer. There also are rides; in fact, there are over two dozen of them for the whole family to enjoy. Here, you will find everything from a train to a huge slide, and more. Ride in an antique car, zip down a zipline, ride on a ferris wheel or on a roller coaster. Ready to go to the North Pole without leaving Colorado? Santa’s Workshop is located at 5050 Pikes Peak Highway in Cascade. For more information, visit https://northpolecolorado.com/plan-your-day.
The Rides at City Park
Looking for an easy outing for your littlest kids and not looking to break the bank? The Rides at City Park might just be the ticket. It is absolutely free to get in and only 25 cents to ride a ride. There are rides geared toward kids but it has fun available for all ages. The only issue with this theme park is that it is not open the whole year, so you have a limited time to enjoy everything. It opens on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and lasts through Labor Day. However, it does reopen for Haunted Rides, during a two-day trick o’ treating event. Wear your Halloween costume and jump on a hayride. Here, kids can hop on a miniature train, ride a roller coaster and more. It also includes a historic carousel from 1911. The park is located at 3425 Nuckolls Avenue in Pueblo. For more information, visit https://www.pueblo.us/337/The-Rides-at-City-Park.
Fun City of Estes Park
Open since 1969, this popular park is sure to help you and your family have a fun and very active day. EP Trail Gazette voted that they have the best entertainment for kids. But adults can have fun too! Get ready to jump with the bungee trampoline, slide down a huge multi-colored slide, play a round of miniature golf, walk on water with water walking balls, pan for gemstones, race in gokarts and have a slamming good time with the bumper cars or bumper boats. Get ready for a fun day in the sun. They are open until September 11 and then will be open the remaining weekends in September. There are discounts available for buying more than one value card for the rides. The park is located near the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park at 455 Prospect Village Drive in Estes Park For more information, visit https://www.funcityofestes.com.
