15 Hot Spots for your Colorado Family Reunion

A Colorado family reunion offers stunning scenic landscapes, exciting theme parks and endless outdoor activities fit for all ages

Planning a family reunion is difficult enough—so why not make life easier and choose a bustling location with great accommodations and awe-inspiring activities? If these are your criteria, Colorado fits the bill. It has dozens of must-visit places across Denver, Colorado Springs, Breckenridge and Durango, plus dazzling lodging options and sparkling venues. Your family reunion will be memorable if you host it in Colorado, where outdoor adventures abound.

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A Plethora of Parks with Activities in Denver

Denver has the largest city park system in the U.S., with 205 parks within its city limits and another 20,000 acres of parks in nearby areas. Thus, Denver makes a perfect Colorado family reunion location.

• City Park—not far from downtown Denver—is a great Colorado family reunion location. The 330-acre park includes picnic areas, tennis courts, playgrounds, two lakes, athletic fields and historical monuments. The Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science are also in the park. The zoo features over 3,500 animals with more than 650 species, including rare Amur tigers, king cobras and black rhinos. The museum brings history and science together with exhibits dedicated to Egyptian mummies and American Indians.
• Elitch Gardens is the United States’ only downtown area theme park and water park. The more than 120-year-old park has 53 rides, including Minderaser, Tower of Doom, Boomerang, and the Half Pipe rollercoaster, on which riders sit atop a giant skateboard. The water park features a wave pool, water playground, and action river, along with plenty of waterslides.
• Water World Colorado, just 15 minutes north of downtown, is one of the biggest water parks in the country. Water World’s Mile-High Flyer is the only hydro-magnetic water coaster in the Rockies, providing a perfect opportunity to splash into this exciting Colorado family reunion location.

Reunions with a View in Colorado Springs

It is 700 feet higher in elevation than the Mile High City, but Colorado Springs still finds itself deep in the shadow of Pikes Peak, whose 14,110-foot summit makes it the eastern most 14,000-foot mountain in the United States. Check out these other breathtaking destinations for your next family reunion in Colorado Springs:

• A short drive outside the city will bring you to Manitou Springs, which includes the Cave of the Winds and Manitou Cliff Dwellings. This wondrous cave is littered with abstract mineral formations, while the cliff dwellings offer a look at the history of Native Americans in the area.
• At the base of Pikes Peak sits Garden of the Gods Park, a 1,319-acre mammoth city park best known for its giant red-sandstone rock formations. Popular natural structures include the Balanced Rock and Kissing Camels. Mountain biking, horseback riding and guided nature hikes are available on the miles of paved and unpaved trails. Stunning views of Pikes Peak can be seen behind the towering rock formations abound throughout the park and via the Cog Railway.
• The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy have exhibits chronicling the evolution of modern rodeo. Colorado Springs family reunions love it, as it highlights the history of the cowboy and chronicles how cowboys brought civilization to the American West, ultimately giving birth to rodeo. The Hall of Champions honors both human and animal rodeo legends. An action-statue of famed bronc rider Casey Tibbs at the entrance to the hall is a top attraction.

Adventurous Havens in Breckenridge

Once one of Colorado’s primary gold mining towns, Breckenridge is now known for its winter and summer recreation opportunities. Skiing and snowmobiling are winter draws, but summertime opens up even more possibilities.

• The town’s proximity to Breckenridge Mountain and several rivers makes it easy to pack a day with hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fly fishing, rafting, kayaking, off-roading, zip-lining, summer dog sledding and scenic chairlift rides. This adventurous attraction has the power to make your family reunion an unforgettable experience.
• The Peak 8 Fun Park at Breckenridge Mountain features fast paced thrills like the GoldRunner Rollercoaster and the Alpine SuperSlide, to go along with relaxing games of miniature golf and breathtaking gondola rides. Other attractions include the Mineshaft Maze, SuperBungee Trampoline, gemstone panning area, dog park and bounce house.
• The party tradition of the mining crowd lives on today with festivals taking place throughout the calendar year.
  • Ullr Fest takes up five days in January and celebrates the Norwegian God of Snow through a parade, outdoor activities and the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.
  • April brings the Spring Massive Festival, which features a variety of entertainment and athletic competitions.
  • The Imperial Challenge Race also takes place in April and combines skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking and mountain biking.
  • The Breckenridge Music Festival runs from late June through mid-August and features classical music, while the Genuine Jazz Celebration takes place right after its conclusion. Large Independence Day, Labor Day, Oktoberfest and December holiday festivals round out a year’s celebrations.

History, Nature and Prime Attractions in Durango

Durango might not be Colorado’s best-known city, but it’s one of the state’s most thrilling. It has a bevy of museums to go along with outdoor activities, all scattered around The Black Diamond Lodge. Altogether, Durango is one of southwest Colorado’s most enticing hotspots and a great consideration for your Colorado family reunion itinerary.

• The town’s centerpiece is The Black Diamond Lodge, where the charm of a boutique hotel meets the convenience of a private vacation rental. Black Diamond has everything: it sleeps 46 people and offers guests private access to a bevy of amenities, like hot tubs, a sauna, a steam room, a game room, a kitchen, a coffee/breakfast nook and a movie room. But this accommodation option isn’t just about relaxing offerings—it is also popular because it’s situated near the slopes of Purgatory Ski Resort, which is just a free shuttle ride away.
• Climb aboard the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a serene trip through the canyons of southwest Colorado’s San Juan National Forest. Later, visit one of the area’s outdoor playgrounds and enjoy miles of top-notch hiking, skiing and mountain biking trails.
• In Durango, there is plenty of time for reunion-goers to learn about history, too. One of the town’s must-visit spots is the Pine River Valley Heritage Museum, which takes guests back to the time when the area was first settled. Art enthusiasts should stop by the Durango Museum of Impressionism, which features the work of impressionist painter John Modesitt. Finally, cap your day of historical adventure off with the Roundhouse Museum, a 12,000-square-foot space that tells the story of Durango’s connection to railroading.

As you begin building out your family reunion itinerary, make sure you include at least some of the activities above. For those who favor indoor options geared towards historical appreciation, Durango might be the choice. Others might gravitate toward music festivals and cultural parades, leading them to Breckenridge. But no matter which Colorado town you choose—Denver and Colorado Springs are other attractive locales, of course—you will rest easy knowing a family reunion here is going to mix excitement with relaxation.

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Header photo courtesy of The Black Diamond Lodge