austin

Austin

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

nashville

Nashville

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

seattle

Seattle

twincities

Twin Cities

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Denver

The holidays are officially in full swing! If you have kids, they’re likely going to be out of school soon and amped up for some holiday fun. Don’t panic though — we spoke with two Denver experts (with kiddos!) 

 to get their recommendations for the best kid friendly seasonal festivities currently taking place in the Mile High. From one parent to another — you’re welcome 🎄

Standing 10 feet taller than New York’s tallest-ever Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, the Mile High “Tree” is 110 feet of dazzling lights synchronized to beloved holiday tunes, located this year on the Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus. Oglers are invited inside the tree for a mesmerizing immersive light show that kids and adults alike will love.

 The Mile High Tree is part of the annual 

, so be sure to grab a schnitzel and some hot mulled wine while you’re there 🥨

Closed to vehicles and decked out in festive decor, Larimer Square captures all the warm fuzzies of the season, complete with a daily holiday market, a pop-up holiday bar doling out seasonal treats, live carolers, and free visits with Santa on Saturday afternoons.

Denver Botanic Gardens brings the season’s magic to life with this Mile High holiday tradition. Experience the garden’s stunning plant collection draped in colorful Christmas lights that will enchant visitors of all ages. Yummy holiday treats and warm beverages are available for purchase.

 Buy your tickets for one of the program’s “Value Nights” to get a discounted price.

Chopping your own Christmas tree in the rugged Rocky Mountain wilderness should be a Colorado holiday right of passage. Not sure where to go or what to pack? We’ve got you covered on 

 to cross this one off your family’s Christmas bucket list.

Forget the North Pole, Santa’s workshop is taking over the Little Man Ice Cream Factory on West Colfax for the holiday season. Get whisked away in this wintry wonderland complete with special events every week, like bingo with Mrs. Claus, custom ice cream-making classes, can’t-miss seasonal flavors, caroling, and visits with the Big Man in red himself.

This Uptown fave is already known by most as a kid-inclusive space with a dynamite children’s menu (I mean, a Milk Flight? Come on 👏). Even better, the restaurant is transformed for the holidays with tinsel and lights that will keep the kiddos enamored, plus a holiday cocktail menu for the grown-ups.

If you’re looking for a kid-free environment to imbibe in, check out this list of 

 — way more where these came from! Tune into the City Cast Denver podcast for 

even more ideas for kid friendly holiday fun

🎧 Listen now

From free and fun to over-the-top and for everyone, here's how to keep the kiddos entertained this holiday season.

The Best Kid-Friendly Holiday Fun in Denver 2024

Where to Find the Best Kid-Friendly Holiday Fun in Denver

Find the best of everything that Denver has to offer.

Denver’s Best

Denver's Best

Fall is in the air! Time to pull on your boots, don your comfiest flannel, and plan out this season’s pumpkin pickin’ adventure. Whether you’re looking for pony rides and bouncy castles or hot cider and fresh produce, we’ve mapped out the best options near Denver.

📍 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton

💰 $20 adults, $12 children (discounts for DBG members)

 at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farm outpost in Littleton. Along with a corn maze and 10-acre pumpkin patch, other family-friendly festivities include magic shows, live music, wagon rides, carnival games, bounce houses, and an antique tractor exhibit.

Classic festivities at an approachable price

💰 Free admission (costs vary per activity)

For over 24 years, this seasonal attraction has remained 

 with its 20-acre corn maze and pumpkin field — not to mention the petting zoo, duck races, pony rides, a mini market, and a corn launcher.

💰 $15 per person (season passes available)

 is a popular Boulder County option this time of year, but it also hosts a year-round farm stand offering local meat, eggs, honey, produce, and roasted chiles for purchase.

You’ll find WAY more than just pumpkins at this uber 

. Train rides, pedal karts, farm animals, private firepits, escape rooms, and purportedly Colorado’s largest corn maze are just some of the activities you can count on for a jam-packed day of fall fun.

💰 $28 adults, $18 children (group rate discounts available)

It’s a 40-minute trek from Denver to get to the pumpkin patch at this 

, but the four bags of fresh-picked organic produce included with admission makes it worth the drive in our book! (For $50, you can fill a wagon with as much fresh produce and fall gourds as will fit!)

This slice of fall in southern Aurora is a prime pick if you’re looking for a nearby, 

 with its straw maze, rubber ducky race, inflatable obstacle course, and Professor Pumpkin story time.

 in Ault to hand-pick apples for all your fall ciders, jams, pies, and more!

Fall is in the air! Time to pull on your boots, don your comfiest flannel, and plan out this season’s pumpkin pickin’ adventure.

The Best Pumpkin Patches In Denver

Denver’s Best Pumpkin Patches

We’re just a few weeks away from fall! The weather is cooling down and the smell of roasting green chiles is in the air — we’re ready to embrace autumn with cozy meals, Red Rocks concerts, and more. Here are some of our favorite ways to welcome the season to the Mile High.

 kicks off Sept. 15. Like every year, there will be 

dozens of educational and cultural events

 taking place across the city at organizations like Museo de Las Americas and History Colorado. But we’re especially excited to recommend 

, a celebration of Latino heritage in Aurora on Sept. 7.

It’s chile roasting season! Enjoy one of our favorite cups of green chile — topped with cheese and onions and served with a warm tortilla — at 

. Bonus rec: Try the Mad Greek Volcano, a platter piled high with corn tortillas, hash browns, eggs, and gyro meat, topped off with — what else? — green chile.

September’s local concert calendar is packed! We recommend getting tickets to see 

, who’s playing a can’t-miss three nights in a row at Red Rocks.

Looking for something warm and hearty that will really bring the autumn vibes to the dinner table? 

, a Nepali and Indian food restaurant in RiNo, brings the cozy. You can’t go wrong with their classic Indian curry ladled over your choice of honey chicken, mango chicken, lamb, salmon, veggies, or tofu!

Dumpings are all the rage these days and Colorado’s own 

 has been making its mark. The Fort Collins-born local chain recently opened a new outpost in Lakewood, serving up their savory soup dumplings, water fried pork bao, dan dan noodles, and more 🤤

Looking for a delicious family dinner that’s also a great deal? 

 combo pollo asado al carbon includes a whole smoked chicken, beans, rice, tortillas, salsas, and a two-liter of pop of your choice. Feed four hungry bellies for under $35 with this mouthwatering bundle.

 has always been a place for skilled dancers to tear up the dancefloor — but they also offer salsa, bachata, and cumbia lessons for the newbies.

There’s even more where these came from! Tune into the 

Even more recommendations for your September! 🎧

We’re ready to embrace autumn with cozy meals, Red Rocks concerts, and more. 

Your Guide to Denver in September 2025

Summer is almost over, and we are going to squeeze 

 last drop of fun out of the season. From evenings alfresco to Insta-worthy iced treats, here are all the things we think you should see, eat, and do this August.

🎢 Support Denver Film at Summer Scream

On Aug. 21 from 6-11 p.m., this one-night, 

adults-only evening at Lakeside Amusement Park

 is a can’t-miss item for your summer Denver bucket list. Enjoy the park in all its vintage neon-lit glory — plus yummy snacks, adult beverages, and kid-free lines — during this annual fundraiser for 

Treat yourself to something sweet and Insta-worthy at 

 in Virginia Village or Uptown. We personally recommend a dirty iced chai in one of Tablón’s uber adorable 

 (bring it back for a discount on your next drink).Then, elevate your experience with something off the 

 menu — some of our faves include the brown butter chocolate chip cookie, the blueberry scone, and the chocolate tahini cookie.

If you didn’t have an epic pool picnic, then it wasn’t really summer. Grab a shady spot at your favorite local pool (

), then load up your cooler with some delicious local treats. Here’s what’s in ours:

My Colorado Cooler

(Psst! What’s in your Colorado cooler? 📧)

Levitt Pavilion’s free all-ages outdoor summer concert series is the perfect way to soak up what’s left of the season. Check out the rotating 

 every weekend now through September, and mark your calendar for Levitt’s 

 uplifting Native American artists on Aug. 8 and 

 with Mariachi Sol de mi Tierra and Chicano Heat on Aug. 22.

It’s the most delicious time of the year! Fresh juicy 

 are on shelves at farmers markets, grocery stores, and roadside stands across Colorado. Might we suggest slapping your peaches on a hot grill and serving them up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Yummm.

🎨 Shop Local at Chroma Denver Collective

 in its newer, bigger space at 472 N Broadway. This local artist collective is one of our favorite spots to shop crafts, jewelry, prints, and other handmade trinkets from Denver artists.

Get more 🎧

Summer is almost over, and we are going to squeeze every last drop of fun out of the season!

Your Guide to Denver in August 2025

Summer in the Mile High is officially in full swing, and we’ve got the temperature gauges to prove it 🌡️ 🥵 Looking for ways to keep cool and have fun? Here’s our list of all the best things to eat, see, and do around Denver this month.

Beat the heat in quintessential Colorado fashion by tossing a tube into Golden’s ice cold Clear Creek. Then, after you’ve worked up an appetite, hit downtown Golden for a slice at 

This isn’t your rec center’s lazy river. Tube responsibly by 

checking the flow level and safety announcements

Looking for an excuse to spend the day outside soaking up the sunshine? Don’t miss this year’s award-winning 

 July 4-6 showcasing dozens of local artists, entertainers, and culinary vendors for a weekend full of free family-friendly fun.

 where you can meet mermaids, pet stingrays, and get up-close and personal with five different species of shark.

The masterminds behind local cocktail fave Yacht Club are slated to bring Creole cooking to the Five Points neighborhood this month with 

, a new Southern restaurant at 2844 Welton Street inspired by recipes from the team’s roots in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

On your way to or from your next mountain adventure be sure to make time for a pitstop in Pine, Colorado, for fresh, daily made baked goods, hot breakfast classics, and signature iced brews at 

Skip the long lines and high price tags of other water parks when you opt for this 

 complete with water slides, a lazy river, a spray garden, and a pirate ship play structure. The park is open every day for the summer season from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

 — kid-free and featuring live music from 6-8 p.m. on select eventings.

Nothing says “summer” quite like a cold beverage on a hot day under a refreshing patio mister. We asked Denver reddit users for their 

 to keep cool on, but some of our personal faves include 

Grab your floaty, pack a picnic, and pull up a patch of sand at 

. Find beachy bliss here every day from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. until Labor Day. Entrance is $10 per vehicle ($15 on weekends and holidays), or free if you bike or hike in.

There’s even more where these came from — tune into 

Even more recommendations for your July! 🎧

From a trip to the aquarium to tubing the river, here are our picks for fun things to do this month. 


Your Guide to Denver in July 2025

Your July Guide to the Mile High

Denver’s 51st annual PrideFest will hit Civic Center Park this weekend to close out Pride month. To help you prepare for being part of the rainbow-decked crowds, here’s what you need to know before you go!

The biggest thing to know for this year’s events is that the parade has changed routes to avoid the construction on Colfax and will now run along 17th Street. The 

 kicks off Sunday at 9:30 a.m. from the corner of 17th Street and Franklin Street. It will proceed along 17th to Lincoln Street. 

 will be at its usual location in Civic Center Park on Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and again on Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Both the parade and the festival are free.

With a turnout of more than 100,000 people anticipated for the parade, viewers are encouraged to nab their spot early. (There will be 

 at 17th and Grant Street that will include space for wheelchair users and ASL interpreters.) Parking downtown is hard to come by even when it’s not Pride weekend, so a rideshare or public transit may be better options. If you do drive, here are 

, as well as information on bicycle parking.

Currently, the weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday is mostly sunny with temps in the 80s and even up to low 90s on Saturday, so plan to pack your hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. I’d recommend 

 before heading out the door, though — we all know how fickle Colorado weather can be!

, but two big ones worth noting: 1) Pets are not allowed; and 2) bags are allowed, but are subject to search. Also, while it's not a rule, don't forget to stay hydrated!

, a new addition at the Lincoln Veteran Memorial Park highlighting local LGBTQ+ businesses!

To help you prepare for Denver's PrideFest and parade, here’s what you need to know before you go!

Your 2025 Guide to Denver Pride

Life Hacks

Tips and tricks for living your best Denver life, by locals, for locals.

Denver Life Hacks

When it’s time to beat the heat, one of the best ways to do it is sneaking into a hidden cocktail lounge for a refreshing drink away from the sun. Check out these Denver speakeasies, which are cool in more ways than one 😎🍸

 ice cream parlor, this inconspicuous bar is perfect for grabbing a cold treat and cocktail. The menu features lots of rum-based drinks and the bar is decked out in space-themed decor ✨🪐

Hidden behind a bookcase, Williams and Graham is not only a quintessential speakeasy, it also serves up delicious and elevated food, like frog legs, elk, and a decadent mac and cheese. Reservations are recommended!

This underground lounge has its menu on a deck of cards with each number representing a base spirit. Don’t want to look through all 64 options? Shuffle and pull a surprise order!

Former President Abraham Lincoln inspires everything in this secret pub, including the prices — everything costs just $5! Though the menu is mostly mixed drinks, beer, and some wine, they do offer a specialty cocktail called the Continental, which is their take on an old fashioned. Also, heads up, the bar is cash only.

This upscale club is an exclusive experience designed to transport you back in time with a mid-century style lounge in both its decor and menu. In addition to classics like the corpse reviver and penicillin, the bartenders create seasonal specialties and champagne service is offered year-round.

Speakeasy Recs

Tell us your favorite speakeasy 🥂

Check out these Denver speakeasies to beat the summer heat.

Denver's Best Speakeasies

Summer Solstice is right around the corner, which means longer and hotter days! To help you stay cool, we rounded-up some of our favorite cold desserts 🍧🍦🧋

Need something nostalgic to fix your sugar cravings? 

 boozy dirt cup — alcoholic chocolate pudding with Oreo crumbles and gummy worms — is perfect for warm summer days reminiscent of recess. If you'd rather be transported to a 50s diner, check out 

 and their whipped cream and sprinkles-topped “Elvis Cup” aguas frescas. And, for some of the best shaved ice in Denver, go to 

If you want an over-the-top treat with a twist, try the ice cream nachos — either banana pudding or fruity pebble themed — from 

. Or, if you want a combination of spicy and sweet, get the oversized mangoneada from 

 or the paleta-topped aguas frescas from 

Refresh yourself on a hot day with iced matcha from downtown shops 

, where City Cast Denver’s food expert Helen Xu recommends the blueberry lavender or horchata matcha lattes. For those who prefer bubble tea or carbonated beverages, we suggest 

 — especially the sparkling fruit-ades which you can add toppings to!

Want more deets on all these delicious desserts? Listen to the whole City Cast Denver episode 

Cool Treats

Share your go-to summer sweet treat!

To help you stay cool, we rounded-up some of our favorite cold desserts in Denver.

Where to Find Denver's Coolest Cool Treats

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Denver. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Denver Food & Drink

Food & Drink

June in Denver means the start of the summer, celebrating 

, and so much more. To help you decide how to enjoy the Mile High this month, we’ve got some recommendations:

Bring your book and enjoy an evening of dedicated reading with other Denver book worms! From 5:30-8 p.m. June 5, the Denver Public Library is hosting the latest Silent Pages Society gathering at Cheesman Park, complete with a book mobile from LGBTQ+ local bookstore Petals & Pages, food trucks, and live ambient music.

Located inside the former Evans School, Schoolyard is part beer garden and part cafe with a great patio and wide-ranging selection of local beers. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink and some ice cream on a hot day!

 serves up bubble teas, black teas, and magical combinations of matcha, fruit flavors, and pillowy cream. The whimsical little shop is also an Instagram dream, complete with a photo booth to capture your own sweet moment.

🏺 Find treasures — and snacks — at the 

Practically anything you can dream of can be found at this massive outdoor market,from clothing and accessories to home goods and children’s toys, there’s a shopping bounty waiting for you. Plus, be sure to come hungry and enjoy a turkey leg, some kettlecorn, aguasfrescas, and more from the many delicious food vendors.

Get outside for a citywide trail cleanup hosted by Denver Parks and Recreation at 11 different trails from 8-10 a.m. June 7. Volunteers will help with trash removal, painting, weed mitigation, and general trail maintenance.

Have a rip-roaring good time riding Mt. Princeton’s 700 foot-long water slides, added to the resort just last year. These attractions and adjoining pool sit at cooler temps than the hot springs soaking pool, so it’s a great way to both cool off and have a good time.

There’s even more where these came from! Tune into the City Cast Denver podcast for more recommendations!

Even more recommendations for your June! 🎧

From a new beer garden to trail cleanups, here are our picks for fun things to do this month. 


Your Guide to Denver in June 2025

Formerly known as Capitol Heights, Denver’s Congress Park is teeming with places to go and things to do. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of the neighborhood:

 moved into the neighborhood and is serving up its signature single-origin espresso and delicious pastries from Rebel Bread. For lunch or dinner, check out one of Denver’s best pizzerias 

, which has all day happy hour on Sundays.

like Victorian, Queen Anne, Denver Square, and bungalows. A number of buildings in the area are historic landmarks, making the neighborhood perfect for a walking tour of unique homes.

Former Stevens School, 1140 Columbine Street

Former Denver Fire Station #15, 1080 Clayton Street

Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church, 1100 Fillmore Street

 has a run club that meets on Monday evenings and it also hosts Tuesday trivia nights with questions created by staff. For the cinephiles in the neighborhood, catch a movie at 

things to do

Where to Find the Best Kid-Friendly Holiday Fun in Denver

Denver’s Best Pumpkin Patches

Your Guide to Denver in September 2025

Latest articles

Where to Find the Best Kid-Friendly Holiday Fun in Denver

Denver’s Best Pumpkin Patches

Your Guide to Denver in September 2025

Your Guide to Denver in August 2025

Your July Guide to the Mile High

Your 2025 Guide to Denver Pride

Denver's Best Speakeasies

Latest articles

Your Guide to Denver in August 2025

Your July Guide to the Mile High

Your 2025 Guide to Denver Pride

Denver's Best Speakeasies

Where to Find Denver's Coolest Cool Treats

Your Guide to Denver in June 2025

Get To Know Congress Park