Despite our best efforts, teens can sometimes be hard to entertain. This guide of ways to entertain teens and preteens in Denver will help you personalize a special outing, making your child feel seen and heard. Despite the potential eye rolls, the quality time will mean something and always be remembered! Denver is full of fun destinations all members of the the family will enjoy, you just have to know where to look.
Guide to Entertaining Teens and Preteens in Denver
Seek Adventure
The Mile High City has several attractions for thrill seekers. Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park with both roller coasters and a seasonal water park is a teenager’s dream. Season passes are reasonable and include parking!
Water World boasts some seriously fun waterslides, is beautifully landscaped and includes cabanas and bungalows for rent! Parents can relax while teens wear themselves out.
Lakeside Amusement Park is a place to hit up if your teen appreciates nostalgic and classic wooden coasters. Would also be a great place for a summer job!
For those not afraid of heights, Epic Sky Trek Aerial Ropes Course would make for a day of high flying fun.
iFLY Denver is another destination perfect for the adrenaline junky of the family.
Skateboards adore Downtown Denver Skatepark, with its 60,000 square feet of terrain to use. Bonus, it’s free!
Ruby Hill Rail Yard is perfect if there’s still snow on the ground to get a little urban winter sport practice! In the summer, test out on the bike pump tracks and skills course. Montbello Bicycle Bike Skills Pump Track provides a similar course, but on asphalt.
Book an outdoor experience through Denver Adventures for zip lining, rafting or guided tours.
Go Shopping
Teens love to shop, and Denver offers all of the brands and stores they can’t live without. Cherry Creek Shopping District has an impressive list of stores meant for those who love luxury. Adjacent to the district is Cherry Creek North, with the highest concentration of locally owned shops, restaurants and spas. A day of window shopping, followed by a pedicure and ice cream sounds like a dream!
Larimer Square is pedestrian friendly, which makes it a perfect destination on a nice day. Its lively, vibrant and offers an array of shops and dining to suit everyone’s tastes. With the one-of-a-kind boutiques and hip stores, your fashion lover will be in heaven.
Enjoy the Outdoors
The city of Golden offers a Movies and Music in the Park Series. It is a free event where guests can enjoy a picnic dinner or eat from a host of food trucks.
Take part in a history of Denver walking tour or architecture tour. Get your steps in while learning something!
Climb the Rock Alpine Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Head to Washington Park for outdoor recreation. Rent a pedal boat or walk the trails.
Hudson Gardens are beautiful no matter the season. Don’t forget to stop by the coffee shop on the way out.
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is the most beautiful spot for running around the trails, hiking, viewing outdoor movies, taking a yoga class and so much more!
Walk through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge for a look at bison, bald eagles, deer and much more.
Visit the Wild Animal Sanctuary about 30 minutes outside of Denver for a look at lions, tigers and bears, oh my!
Hit Up a Game
The sports scene in Denver is strong. Ballers can experience a Denver Nuggets game. Hockey fans can take part in the rowdiness of a Colorado Avalanche game. Ted Lasso fans should consider a Colorado Rapids match. Baseball junkies need to look no further than a Colorado Rockies game. NFL Super Fans can cheer on the Denver Broncos.
The University of Denver is also home to some amazingly talented athletics teams, and with a plethora of sports offered, there’s one to suit every fan’s interest.
Get Active
Kids love to watch American Ninja Warrior? Ninja Nation offers classes, birthday parties and open gym times to live out their Ninja Warrior dreams.
Sky Zone and Urban Air Adventure and Trampoline Park will allow them to bounce, jump, flip, play dodgeball and be silly. Defy Denver is another similar place to check out.
Owned by the City of Golden, Fossil Trace Golf Club is not only a great place to get in a challenging round, but also a unique way to spot prehistoric history. Triceratops footprints, as well as other fossils, can be seen adjacent to the 12th green.
Lucky Strike Lanes feels kinda swanky and will impress the toughest of critics.
Monster Mini Golf is a unique venue providing 18 Holes of Monster Mini Golf, as well as an arcade and VR experience.
Archery Dodgeball? What a mashup! Archery Games Denver is providing a one-of-a-kind experience for those who are competitive and love to to run and tumble.
Movement RiNo Climbing Gym teaches climbing, team building, bravery and trust all in one gym experience.
Epic Escape Games boasts two locations in Denver and a multitude of escape rooms that pre-teens and teens will adore.
Aerial Cirque Over Denver could provide a new way to enjoy exercising for older kids.
Appreciate the Arts
Teens will appreciate the magic of Meow Wolf, where they can touch, feel and let their imaginations run wild.
Visit the newly renovated Denver Art Museum for a culture experience and grab some dessert at Ponti on the way out!
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts provides Broadway tours, local productions and immersive experiences for all ages.
Attend one of Denver’s candlelight concerts for a beautiful experience. Taylor Swift songs will be sure to hit.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is avant-garde, and will keep your teen interested around every corner.
Catch a performance by the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall.
Budding ballerinas will love the productions offered by the Colorado Ballet.
Make the Most of Denver’s Culinary Scene
They might not have the most sophisticated palettes, but teens still know a good restaurant when they see one. From live music to cooking classes, Union Station is a wonderful mix of old and new. If nothing else, go on a culinary tour for yummy tastes and especially enticing sweets at Milkbox Ice Creamery, Waffles & Dinges and ACME Delicatessen.
Avanti F & B is basically a high end food hall. With several delectable food options, everyone will leave full and happy. Housed in modern shipping containers, it feels hip and different.
At the Inventing Room, Demo Dessert Shop, patrons can purchase tickets to view a sugar science cooking demonstration, complete with samples of glow in the dark cotton candy and liquid nitrogen.
RiNo North’s Art District is unique, vibrant and celebrates the modern art of today. It’s a great place to eat a progressive dinner and sample all the area has to offer.
Punch Bowl Social wants to provide good food, social games and fun music for dancing. Sounds like a teenager’s dream! With bowling, ping pong, shuffleboard and karaoke, your family can spend an entire evening having a ton of fun.
Enjoy a self-guided ice cream tour. Hit up places like Little Man Ice Cream, Liks Ice Cream, Sweet Cooie’s, High Point Creamery and Ice Cream Riot.
What are your teen’s favorite stops in Denver? They can be hard to please, so any suggestion is welcome!
