Denver Family Vacations

Denver, Colorado, appropriately nicknamed the Mile-High City, sits 5,280 feet above sea level. While families from the flatland may feel the effects of thinner air at the high altitude (drink plenty of water and take it easy the first couple days), the city's location at the edge of the Rocky Mountains means you'll also be treated to its exquisite climate: low humidity and 300 days of annual sunshine.

With that kind of great weather, it's only natural that there's tons to do outdoors for families. Denver has more than 200 city parks (many with fun playground equipment for kids), plus more than 850 miles of off-street recreation paths for biking, strolling or roller blading (no wonder its residents are among the fittest in the nation). Other kid-friendly attractions in Denver include hands-on museums, a world-class amusement park, hip shopping venues for teens and loads of casual restaurants.

When locals aren't participating in sports, they're watching them: Denver is home to the Broncos football, Nuggets basketball, Colorado Rockies baseball and Avalanche hockey teams. Visit during any season and there's a major-league game for you enjoy with your kids.