Denver/Colorado Springs Christmas 2024
We are planning at Christmas vacation to Denver/CS and I need ideas on things to do 😀. 3 adults will be arriving 12/24 and then a family with 2 pre teens will be joining us 12/26 through 1/1.
The 3 adults would like to do some hikes, train rides, and tubing. We would also need family friendly things for the kids. Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Spending Christmas in Denver and Colorado Springs offers a mix of winter activities, scenic hikes, and family-friendly fun. Since your group includes adults who enjoy hiking and train rides, as well as pre-teens, here’s a detailed plan and options for your vacation.
Denver Area Activities:
- Winter Hiking: Nearby options include Mount Falcon, Red Rocks Park, and Staunton State Park. Trails will be snow-covered, so microspikes or winter boots are recommended.
- Train Rides: The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a historic narrow-gauge train with scenic views and festive holiday rides in December.
- Snow Tubing: Keystone and Echo Mountain both offer tubing hills that are family-friendly and fun for all ages.
- Denver Zoo Lights: A popular holiday attraction with festive light displays, great for both kids and adults.
- Downtown Denver Activities: Explore the 16th Street Mall, holiday window displays, Union Station’s holiday lights, and ice skating at Skyline Park or Downtown Denver Rink.
- Denver Botanic Gardens: Their Blossoms of Light display is magical for the season and kid-friendly.
Colorado Springs Area Activities:
- Garden of the Gods: Easy winter hikes with breathtaking red rock formations. The park is stroller-friendly and offers spectacular photography opportunities.
- Pikes Peak Cog Railway: Check for winter schedules; if operational, it provides a scenic train ride up to Pikes Peak summit with winter views.
- Seven Falls: Winter waterfall hikes, with illuminated falls at night during the holiday season.
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Zoo Lights event is a hit with kids, featuring festive lights, seasonal activities, and animal encounters.
- Snow Play/Tubing: Santa’s Workshop in Cascade and other nearby tubing hills are excellent for pre-teens.
Additional Suggestions:
- Consider renting a cabin or Airbnb in the mountains near Denver or Colorado Springs for easy access to snow activities and cozy evenings by the fire.
- Check availability for sled rentals, tubing tickets, and train rides in advance, as the holiday season is busy.
- For dining, downtown areas in both Denver and Colorado Springs offer festive restaurants, often with special holiday menus.
This itinerary balances active adults’ interests with kid-friendly experiences, ensuring everyone can enjoy winter activities, sightseeing, and the festive holiday atmosphere across Colorado.
More Denver Travel Questions
- 2 nights in Denver in January, where to stay?
- Itinerary, yes I know, Again
- Local Art/Artisans?
- Denver airport passenger pickup questions
- connection time at airport
- Denver Downtown with car
- Denver - 2 nights 3 days
- Nice hotel in Denver easy to access freeway to Granby
- ICE at the Gaylord Rockies Resort
- First Time Visitors... 3 nights / 4 days... downtown denver
- Drone show?
- Broncos vs browns football getaway
The attractions mentioned in this question
Popular Destinations
Popular Travel Questions
- Snow boarding for Floridians in Breckenridge
- SFO to Tahoe to [your answer] for the best ski/hiking trip i
- Disney Trip Report
- Non-drinker during wine tasting
- Mount Shasta Hidden Gems
- Moving to Fort Wainright, AK
- Sedona- 9/27/2025-10/04/25
- Sofitel Ningbo
- Luxury Resort-Style Apartment communities In Chandler AZ!
- Lake Havasu in November. Still a lot to do?
- Sanya Walking Street, JieFang Rd better than other suggests
- Government Shutdown