History Comes Alive in Colorado’s Great West



While all that is truly needed is your kid's sense of adventure, a notebook, a writing utensil and plenty of colored pencils will come in handy.

Ever wonder what happens to all the snow when it melts? The importance of Colorado’s rivers takes center stage at this state-of-the-art interactive…
Explore how water affects you, your community and the world around you while examining the interactive exhibits at Headwaters River Journey. Get activity.
After your visit to the Headwaters River Journey, take an afternoon stroll on the Fraser River Trail. Educational signs dot the paved 10-mile path, and there are plenty of benches to rest those little legs.

Instead of reaching for the tablet while you wait on your meal, how about a little storytime? Mid-Town provides a small community bookshelf to keep…

With elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in its wet, grassy valleys to a staggering 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain…
Expand your vocabulary during your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park after scouting the alpine tundra ecosystem. Get activity.
Explore the history of the Holzwarth family who homesteaded land in Rocky Mountain National Park more than 100 years ago. Get extra credit activity.

Everyone will love Squeaky B’s menu and vibe! Play mini-golf on their free course, compete at cornhole or simply relax and listen to live music on their…

Take a stroll on Grand Lake's historic boardwalk and browse more than 60 local shops, restaurants and galleries. Enjoy an ice cream after dinner at…

Enjoy prime views at this 100-year-old lodge that overlooks Grand Lake from its perch across from Rocky Mountain National Park. Spread out in their…

Kids will love the Moose Track Waffle with chocolate chips, almonds and whipped cream, and grownups can indulge in a variety of benedicts, scrambles…
After a filling breakfast, head north on Hwy. 125 to State Forest State Park in Walden.

Experience the ultimate in rugged Colorado wilderness at State Forest State Park, with 71,000 acres of forest, countless jagged peaks and pristine alpine…
Write a poem about the amazing moose using the interesting facts you learned after a visit to State Forest State Park. Get activity.

Who in the family is in for a food challenge? River Rock Cafe is known locally for their delicious foods — but it’s their 3-pound spicy Volcano Burger…
Pop into North Park Pioneer Museum after lunch to learn more about Walden’s history. Then, take CO 14 until you hit Hwy. 40. Continue west until you reach Steamboat Springs. Pack snacks and have games ready. You’re in for some wide-open Colorado traveling!

Steamboat Springs’ storied history includes Native Americans, agriculture, skiing, mining and pioneers. Find it all at Tread of Pioneers Museum. Interactive…
Do you have a future journalist in your group? Hone their communication skills at the Tread of Pioneers Museum. Get activity.
Put that knowledge to work by writing a newspaper article. Get activity.

Everything about Mambo’s is fresh, from the cool mountain air on the patio to the local ingredients used in their gourmet pizzas and pasta. The kids…

Truly a family and community favorite, the eight pools at the Old Town Hot Springs are fed by an all-natural hot spring. There’s also a kiddie pool,…

The Holiday Inn Steamboat Springs is located near downtown and right on the Core Trail for easy exploring. Rex’s restaurant, adjacent to the hotel,…

Fun fact: This '50s-inspired diner has its very own day. May 28 was proclaimed by the Colorado governor as Johnny B Good’s Diner Day for the restaurant’s…

Clear and fresh alpine waters roar down Fish Creek Canyon, spilling over the magnificent 280-foot Fish Creek Falls, one of Steamboat Springs’ most popular…

The kids will surely clean their plates — even of fresh vegetables — with the promise of a Dirty Worms and Bears ice-cream sundae for dessert…

The Yampa River Botanic Park is a 6-acre sanctuary of 40 gardens, ponds and sculptures located along the 7.5-mile paved Yampa River Core Trail, a multi-use…
Explore the Yampa River Botanic Park using your senses. Get activity.
Head west from Steamboat Springs to Craig. Stop by the Wild Goose Granary in Hayden for pastries.

Can you say "quesadilla"? This family-friendly Mexican restaurant offers some of the best food in town. Be sure you let the staff know if you’re honoring…
As you wrap up your trip, review your day with five trivia questions. Get trivia.

Besides regional displays, the Museum of Northwest Colorado is home to the world famous “Cowboy and Gunfighter Collection.” Located in an old Colorado…
How do destinations get a visitor’s attention? Advertising! Design a flyer highlighting the wonders at Museum of Northwest Colorado. Get activity.

This hotel is exceptionally clean and offers a great pool for cooling off. The friendly and well-versed staff will go out of their way to make everyone…

Specialty coffees, homemade scones, cinnamon rolls and more will get you on the road quickly and happily. Be forewarned, the kids will definitely want…
Head west, my friend, on US 40 for a 45-minute drive to Dinosaur National Monument.

At Dinosaur National Monument, explore craggy hills and discover fragments of a world where the largest land creatures of all time once roamed.
With so many natural features and so much history to observe at Dinosaur National Monument, try your hand at capturing a scene the old-fashioned way — by hand. Get activity.

A local’s favorite in the town of Dinosaur, the Bedrock Depot offers hot and cold sandwiches, espresso drinks and plenty of homemade ice cream. Be sure…

Petroglyphs and pictographs decorate the sheer sandstone walls of the Canyon Pintado Historic District. What do the symbols mean? Find out at…
To the south of the national monument is the Dinosaur Diamond scenic and historic byway. This route is dotted with Fremont Indian rock art and dinosaur dig sites and leads you to Canyon Pintado, south of Rangely.
Create your own message using symbols during a visit to Canyon Pintado National Historic District. Get activity.
Terrific food for dine in or take out. Spicy or mild, there is a flavor for everyone.

The Rangely Outdoor Museum has three historical buildings that house exhibits from dinosaurs to drilling and the pre-historical Fremont peoples to the…
The focus of today’s activities was in the past. Let’s replay the day with a few questions. Get trivia.

Book an executive suite at the Blue Mountain Inn and Suites for ultimate comfort. This room features a comfy king bed and pull-out queen sleeper sofa…

Strong cups of coffee, steak and eggs, cinnamon rolls, lunch menu and more.

The Rangely Automobile Museum has an array of classic autos and motorcycles from the 1900s.
Search for answers to a scavenger hunt as you explore the Rangely Automobile Museum. Get activity.
Terrific food for dine in or take out. Spicy or mild, there is a flavor for everyone.
After lunch, head east on Hwy. 64 for an hour or so to Meeker.

Housed in an 1880s army-officer headquarters, White River Museum tells the story of early pioneers and their lives in northwest Colorado.
Explore the past at the White River Museum by finding artifacts from different time periods. Get activity.
As you head out to dinner, review your visit to the White River Museum with five trivia questions. Get trivia.
In summer, if you have extra time, travel the 82-mile Flat Tops Trail scenic byway, which winds through river valleys and over two of Colorado’s least-traveled mountain passes.

Grab a few burgers, fries and shakes from the drive-thru and head to the Town Park on the beautiful White River. This park features a playground, walking…

The star of Rifle Falls State Park is undoubtedly the waterfalls, a triple cascade surrounded by moss-cloaked rocks and a canopy of leafy trees. Coyote…

Easy access to the highway, oversized rooms and an indoor pool make this hotel a family favorite in Rifle.
In the morning, grab a doughnut, fritter or cronut from Sweet Coloradough in Rifle. You’ll have a hard time choosing from the many creative flavors.
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