Get ready to take the kiddos' learning to new heights with Colo-Road Trips Educational Itineraries, trips crafted with plenty of hands-on learning, educational adventures and, of course, stops for ice cream. Each was designed with kids from kindergarten to 5th grade in mind, but the activities, outings and accommodations will be enjoyed by children of all ages — yes, that’s you, Mom and Dad. Supplement your trip with trivia, educational videos and games — or just hop in the car and go!
Trains, museums, animals, caves and gold panning make the top of the Rockies a terrific place to play while learning.
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.
Climb aboard one of Colorado's famous historic narrow gauge railroads. This engineering marvel takes you high over the Devil's Gate Bridge and winds you through a scenic Rocky Mountain pathway. Silver mine tours are available in conjunction with train rides.
Once you’ve gotten to the end of the line, head on over to Whistle Stop Cafe! This train-themed restaurant has a hearty menu that will fuel up both you and your kids. While you’re there, be sure to grab some home fries — they’re the best out there.
Go back in time as you wander through Frisco's Historic Park & Museum. There are 11 historic buildings to explore throughout the park, including Frisco's old schoolhouse, jail and a traditional teepee from the Ute Tribe.
Ready for a dining experience like never before? Take the kids on a dinner sleigh ride (or a summer chuck wagon) through snow-capped mountains and starry night skies. Upon arrival to your backcountry camp, you’ll be greeted with a four-course dinner and a live show. When you leave, your children will be bonafide cowboys and girls thanks to the knowledgeable wranglers that are your dinner hosts.
Experience fun year-round at the Frisco Adventure Park! Kids of all ages will love the tubing hill and sleigh rides in winter and the bike park and skate park in summer.
This family-friendly bed & breakfast is perfectly situated on Frisco’s Main Street. So once the day’s adventure is over, all you have to do is walk back to your spot. A steamy hot tub awaits tired parents who are in need of some vacation relaxation.
Learn about the history of the Georgetown Loop Railroad then and now during a trip to Idaho Springs. Get Activity.
Ever wonder what it was really like to live long ago? Here’s your chance to find out during a trip to the Frisco Historic Park and Museum. Get activity.
Big things come in small packages, and this tiny unassuming spot is certainly Breckenridge’s best-kept secret. You and your family will find some of the best breakfast tacos in the area. Their large patio is also convenient to let kids be kids.
Learn about early Summit County conservation efforts at the Edwin Carter Discovery Center. This house museum, which is just one of many of Breckenridge’s local history museums and exhibits, is great for kids with hands-on activities and several interactive exhibits.
After a morning spent learning about preservation efforts, it’s time to let the kids loose in the arcade for a while. This locals' spot is a simple place that serves up great food at a fair price. Plus, there are plenty of booths so you and your family can enjoy lunch comfortably.
Founded in 1887, Country Boy Mine is one of the oldest mines in Summit County. Today, visitors can enjoy a historic tour into the 1,000-foot-deep mine and kids will enjoy trying their hand at gold panning.
You'll cherish recipes that have been passed down for generations at The Motherloaded Tavern. This eatery serves up some of the best homemade menus out there. Make sure to save some room for dessert: Kids can toast their own s'mores at the table.
Pay a visit to Isak Heartstone, Breckenridge’s “friendly” troll that’s captured the hearts and social media feeds of many throughout the land. Located on Trollstigen Trail, this charming sculpture is hewn from wood and stands 15 feet tall.
Now, it's time to head on over to your basecamp for the night. This resort rolls out the red carpet for families — with an arcade, a pool, a mini-golf course and a children’s center all on site. Be sure to book a suite, so that the kids can have a room all to their own (and so can you)!
They say the early bird catches the worm. Head out to Breckenridge bright and early for some breakfast.
Explore what makes a person great enough to have their actions continue for generations at the Edwin Carter Discovery Center. Get activity.
Demonstrate your gold-panning expertise at the Country Boy Mine. Get activity.
Be sure to grab an order of chicken & waffles and fried mac 'n' cheese at The Motherloaded. Locals can't stop raving about either menu item.
How much do you remember about your visit to Breckenridge? Get trivia.
Walk over to this eclectic doughnut shop, where you have the option to enjoy a hearty breakfast or a variety of delicious doughnuts. While you and your family wait in a comfy booth, kids can marvel at all the license plates on the walls and play the classic road-trip license-plate game. Are all 50 states represented? You and you kiddos will have to find out!
Located in a beautiful old school, the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum is dedicated to the memory of the many men and women who worked in the mining industry. Hands-on exhibits, stunning gems and replica crystal caves will delight kids of all ages.
This pizza spot beats any New York-style pie out there by a landslide. This crowd-pleasing parlor also serves up calzones and wings, and has a large patio with picnic tables for the kids to frolic around while you enjoy a cold beer and fresh mountain air.
Established in 1889, Leadville National Fish Hatchery is the second oldest fish hatchery in the National Fish Hatchery System. Cutthroat trout, Colorado’s state fish, as well as rainbow trout are hatched here. Historic buildings as well as beautiful scenery make this truly a special place.
Remember learning about taxidermy at the Edwin Carter Center? See if your kids can spot the wild boar on the wall while you wait on your steak dinner. Is the boar smiling? That's for us to know and for your family to find out!
Discover one of Leadville's finest Victorian homes for a glimpse of Western life in a booming silver-mining camp. Healy House is a restoration of August Meyer's home built for his bride; later it became the most fashionable boarding house. The property also includes James Dexter's lavish log cabin.
It's time to retreat into your very own cabin-style duplex or mountain home. All residences come with a large living area so that your kids can enjoy some playtime before heading off to bed. When all the commotion has settled, you can enjoy a cozy fireside chat and order a few sweets that’ll be delivered to your cabin.
Now, it's time to head from Breckenridge to Leadville!
Activate prior knowledge and identify new learning during a trip to the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. Get activity.
Learn about life cycles as you explore the Leadville National Fish Hatchery. Get activity.
During a visit the Healy House and Dexter Cabin, compare the historic buildings to your own home to determine which you would prefer. Get extra-credit activity.
Let’s see how much you remember from your trip to Leadville, the highest incorporated city in North America. Get trivia.
Head over to the Silver Llama for a delicious breakfast served in generous portions. The kids can also explore the art on display, sourced by nine local artists. Be sure to stop by the cookie stand on your way out for an afternoon treat!
Touted as a world-class environmental learning center for residents and visitors, Walking Mountain Science Center in Avon offers natural history exhibits, guided nature walks and hands-on activities.
Step back in time in this 50s-style diner, where you and your family can enjoy American classics. Grab a booth, enjoy a milkshake and let the good times roll!
Are you ready for an adventure? At Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, choose from two kid-friendly, 40-minute cave tours, the Kings Row and the Fairy Caves. Kids will enjoy the scenic gondola ride to get to the entrance of the Glenwood Caverns.
Here you'll find fusion and flavors you can’t get anywhere else in Glenwood. Enjoy dinner at a spot that’s equally famed for its tacos as it is for its hot dogs. Here you can savor gourmet tacos topped with cuban pork, curried goat or jerked chicken, while the kids enjoy a good ol’ fashioned hot diggity dog.
Enjoy a relaxing soak in the world’s largest hot-spring pool! Kids will enjoy the chutes adventure river ride, slides and splash pad; and there's even a zero-entry toddler pool.
After a night of splashing around, walk on over to your warm suite to relax for the evening and charge up for your final day of exploring.
During your trip to the Walking Mountain Science Center, learn more about the animals that call the Vail Valley home, especially the amazing beaver. Get activity.
Expand your vocabulary during your cave tour at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Get activity.
You can’t go wrong having breakfast here. With plenty of options for kids to choose from, a spacious patio and coffee that flows endlessly, the Village Smithy is the perfect place to start your day.
Cedar Ridge Ranch is home to horses, ponies, Nigerian milk goats, zebus, alpacas, different breeds of chickens, dogs and cats. Visitors can enjoy a day trip for a farm tour (with a reservation, of course) or stay the night and enjoy the many activities of the ranch, including helping with egg collections.
Stop by the French Alpine Bistro to be transported to another world, where several family heirlooms grace the walls of this locally owned joint. Kids can enjoy fondue and crepes, while you enjoy a glass of wine from the restaurant’s extensive selection. Patio seating is also available, which overlooks the main drag.
Hallam Lake is a 25-acre nature preserve and learning center in Aspen that is part of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), an environmental-science education organization. Open year-round, this preserve provides many opportunities for education and nature programs for all ages.
Top off your trip by swinging by Venga Venga, a cantina with sweeping views of the mountains. The menu also includes kid-approved items such as quesadillas and chicken fingers. Be sure to order table-side guacamole, a must-have in our opinion, along with a margarita to celebrate!
For 50 years Anderson Ranch in Snowmass Village has been a community for artists offering workshops, hosting gallery exhibitions and more. Kids can get up close and personal with the art during a visit to the current outdoor sculpture exhibit titled, ”Sculpturally Distanced.”
A modern hotel in the heart of Aspen, the Limelight offers it all for your last night in the area. Enjoy heated pools and steamy hot tubs. In the morning, the lounge area is fully stocked with breakfast items ready to go with you on your way back to the airport.
Now, it's time to head from Glenwood Springs to Carbondale.
No visit to Cedar Ridge Ranch is complete without seeing the chickens. Spend time getting to know the chickens and their personalities. Get activity.
Now, it's time to head from Carbondale to Aspen!
Do you have a future naturalist in your family? At Hallam Lake, kids will use their senses to explore like a naturalist. Get activity.