Butterfly Pavilion
Westminster
Walk among a bevy of free-flying butterflies, hold Rosie the famous tarantula in your hands (she’s adorably crawly, not creepy), discover underwater ecosystems and take off on the nature trails at this invertebrate-loving zoo. Check their calendar for programs ranging from sensory-friendly afternoons and kids' camps to adult educational sessions and photography workshops.
While you’re in the area: Taste natural wines at Denver’s family-owned Balistreri Vineyards and drive by the striking Westminster Castle, built in the 1890s from Colorado red sandstone.
Places to dine: Share a variety of Asian dishes, such as Singapore noodles, at Woody’s Wings N Things. Grab a made-from-scratch breakfast of biscuits and gravy at Goody’s Eatery. Or head to The Burns Pub & Restaurant at The Hilltop Inn in Broomfield for authentic British pub fare, including fish and chips.
Stay nearby: After a hearty meal at The Burns, you don’t need to go far; just pop upstairs for a restful night at The Hilltop Inn. Or, opt for a secluded cabin at Stone Mountain Lodge in nearby Lyons (a 45-minute drive).
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & The Broadmoor
Colorado Springs
Go wild at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, where you’ll make a herd of new animal friends as you hand-feed giraffes, elephants, rhinos and more. You can also come nose-to-nose with Amur tigers, spot precariously perched Rocky Mountain goats and have a talk with chatty Australian budgies (parakeets). Nearby, get your “Game of Thrones” on and take part in the “sport of kings” during the falconry program at The Broadmoor resort. Get to know majestic birds of prey — including owls, hawks and falcons — guided by an experienced falconer. Out in the field, observe a soaring flight demonstration and actually hold one of the regal birds.
While you’re in the area: Tour towering sandstone cliffs with a jaunt through Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. Then be inspired by the amazing athletic feats celebrated at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame in Olympic City, USA.
Places to dine: Enjoy Sunday brunch at The Margarita at Pine Creek (don’t miss the fresh-baked wheat bread with pimento cheese spread). Order a French specialty like the beef bourguignon at Marigold Cafe & Bakery. Or dig into the huevos rancheros at Garden of the Gods Market and Cafe.
Stay nearby: Tuck in at The Broadmoor (especially if you’re doing the falconry program), scenic Cheyenne Mountain Resort or The Mining Exchange, an exquisitely preserved historical hotel.
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance & Downtown Aquarium
Denver
Have a roaring good time at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance with talks and demos where you'll get to know penguins, elephants, clouded leopords and sea lions a bit better. Be sure to check out the Stingray Cove, where you can test the waters to touch and feed a splashy array of stingrays and sharks. At the Downtown Aquarium, take the plunge in a shark cage and come face-to-fin with five different shark species, including bigeye sand tiger and blacktip sharks, plus hundreds of other fish. Or, book a spot online to watch mermaids swim and play under the water.
While you’re in the area: Head west on I-70 and detour at exit 254 (Genessee Park) to gaze at bison grazing at the Buffalo Herd Overlook, then go hiking or snowshoeing at Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Places to dine: Grab a buttermilk fried-chicken biscuit sandwich from the Denver Biscuit Company, try the falafel flatbread at the European market-style Mercantile Dining & Provision or dive into the oyster bar at Jax Fish House.
Stay nearby: Retire for the night at Denver’s landmark Oxford Hotel or The Ramble Hotel right in RiNo. In Golden, stay at the Southwestern-style Table Mountain Inn.
Colorado Gators Reptile Park
Mosca
Ever had the crazy notion to tussle with an alligator? Well then, you’re in luck. Here you can tackle a gator-wrestling class, beginning with how to catch and handle 2- to 4-foot-long alligators; then you’ll work your way up to wrestling with a hulking 8-foot beastie. Be forewarned: The alligators’ mouths are not taped shut. If gator wrangling isn’t your thing, maybe opt for the reptile-handling class, where you’ll get up close and personal with more docile lizards, snakes and tortoises.
While you’re in the area: Try sand sledding at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, be awestruck by the beauty of Zapata Falls, (rushing in summer and frozen in winter) and view exhibits on frontier legend Kit Carson and the Buffalo Soldiers at the Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center.
Places to dine: Head to nearby Alamosa for a creamy latte at The Roast, Craft Coffee & Libations and and fun twists on pizza toppings like the baked potato pie at Purple Pig Pizzeria. In Fort Garland, try the homemade pizza and fudge at All-Gon Restaurant & Pizzeria.
Stay nearby: Bed down at the secluded Crestone Casitas (in Crestone, a one-hour drive from Mosca), La Veta Inn (at the base of the Spanish Peaks in La Veta, an hour-and-a-half from Mosca) or a rustic cabin at the Riverbend Resort in South Fork (an hour from Mosca, near the Wolf Creek Ski Area).