Historic Afternoon with Your Kids in Capitol Hill
There is no end to the number of things you can do with your children in Denver, but sometimes, you just want to stay close to home. When you live in Capitol Hill Denver, that is no problem. Whether your children are interested in history, art, nature, or just playing outside, Capitol Hill has the perfect activities to entertain, educate, and inspire them (and you) in this historic neighborhood.
History
Colorado State Capitol
There’s a reason the area is called Capitol Hill. Take a quick walk over to the Colorado State Capitol to show your kids democracy in action. The building itself is beautiful and well worth a tour. The State Capitol building is decorated in a rare rose marble — the Colorado Rose Onyx in the building is the only known supply left in the country. In addition, you’ll find White Yule Marble, stained glass, presidential portraits, and other state-related artworks. Conduct a self-guided tour or schedule a tour so you can visit the newly renovated observation deck on the dome.
Be sure to take some time to visit the surrounding grounds of Lincoln Park and Civic Park. Lincoln Park is home to a full-size replica of the Liberty Bell and a Veteran’s Memorial, and Civic Park is a beautifully manicured park filled with blooming flower beds and historical monuments.
History Colorado Center
Visit the Colorado History Center with your children to learn more about the Centennial State. With both permanent and temporary exhibitions, there’s always something new to see and learn. And for those who like their museum experiences to be more interactive, there is a full calendar of events for children and adults alike. It’s also a great place to have a bite to eat or shop for presents. As a bonus, when your children get older and have to conduct research for school projects, they will be within walking distance of the vast resources at the Center’s Stephen H. Hart Library & Research Center.
Molly Brown House
For older children, a trip to the Molly Brown House Museum might be just the thing. The house was almost demolished in the 1960’s as older homes were being razed to make way for “progress,” but a group of passionate citizens rallied to save the house and restore it to its early 20th-century grandeur. Open year-round, the museum’s docents are always on hand to lead tours through the house and tell the life story of the Titanic’s most well-known survivor.
Nature
Denver Botanic Garden
There is no better place to visit on a nice day than the 24-acre Denver Botanic Garden. Between the water and shade gardens, international and ornamental gardens, and the various gardens of the American West, you’ll have a variety of spaces to explore and plants to see. For younger children, Mordecai’s Children’s Garden is a magical place to explore and learn about the six different ecosystems of Colorado. Whether you like to explore on your own, take their seasonal tours, or experience the gardens through events like concerts, festivals, or holiday-themed installations, the Botanic Garden is the perfect place to pass the time with your children.
Cheesman Park
Widely thought to be one of the most beautiful parks in Denver, Cheesman Park is the perfect place to let your child run free, and it’s located right in Capitol Hill. The Botanical Garden on one side of the park, and the other side is full of wide open spaces, which are wonderful for playing catch, frisbee, tag, or participating in other physical activities. The shade under the park’s mature trees are a beautiful place to rest between activities and have a picnic.
City Park
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, just a short 10-minute drive from Capitol Hill is City Park — Denver’s largest regional park. The park grounds are enormous, with a golf course (currently under renovation), baseball fields, football fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, horseshoe areas, playgrounds, picnic benches, two lakes, and lots of geese. The parkland is scattered with historical monuments and statuaries and is also home to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (which contains an IMAX theater). There is almost no end to the number of activities your children can enjoy at City Park.
Art
Denver Art Museum
At the Denver Art Museum, general admission is free for children under 18. And that’s a good thing because there’s so much to do. It’s likely you’ll be back again and again. Though the North Building is currently closed for extensive renovations, the Hamilton Building remains open and is bustling with activity. Displaying local and international artists from ancient times to the present, the Denver Art Museum will always have something that appeals to your senses. The museum has gallery games you can play with your children and an interactive children’s space.
If your child has special needs, there are many access programs you can join so they can experience art in their own way and at their own pace. And your older children may be interested in some of the art events the museum hosts throughout the year.
Kirkland Museum of Fine Art and Decorative Art
Designed for adults and children aged 13 and up, the Kirkland Museum of Fine Art and Decorative Art is a truly unique art museum in Denver. Because the museum is set up in a unique salon style with art and furniture placed in vulnerable vignettes, the art museum sets age limits for their visitors, and an adult must accompany all children. Older children and teenagers who are interested in art and design will adore this museum. The museum’s collection contains over 30,000 decorative artworks from local and international artists and can serve as wonderful inspiration for any budding designer in your family.
With so many fun activities within walking distance and so many more within a short drive, Capitol Hill is the perfect home for families with children of all ages. Usaj Realty is a boutique real estate brokerage firm specializing in Denver’s most popular neighborhoods. We help our clients find everything from classic vintage homes to modern condos. For more information about buying or selling a home in the Capitol Hill Denver neighborhood, please contact us.