Visiting Colorado

Children’s Hospital Colorado provides pediatric expertise that can be difficult to find elsewhere in the Rocky Mountain region and across the nation. Some of our patients travel long distances to receive care here, but they also find that Colorado is a great place to explore and enjoy when possible during or after their child’s care.

Traveling to Colorado

Flying into Denver

Upon arrival at Denver International Airport (DIA), visitor information, guides, maps and brochures are available at the DIA Visitor Information Center. A complete list of ground transportation is available at FlyDenver or by calling 1-800-AIR-2DEN.

Please review our full list of locations for driving directions to your child’s specific care facility.

Public transportation

Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides buses and light rail trains that make getting around the Denver metro area easy. Current RTD bus route information to and from the Anschutz Medical Campus, as well as other Children’s Colorado locations, can be found by calling RTD at 1-800-366-RIDE (7433) or 303-299-6000. You can also view RTD schedules online.

Construction and traffic reports

Whether you’re driving to your child’s appointment or taking a day to go up to the mountains, it’s useful to know what to expect on the road. Visit the Colorado Department of Transportation for the latest information on construction, lane closures and weather-related traffic alerts.

Taxis, Lyft and Uber

Lyft and Uber are readily available in Denver, Aurora and most of the metro area. You can also call a cab to help you get around.

Yellow Cab: 303-777-7777

Metro Transportation: 303-333-3333

Enjoying and exploring Colorado during your stay

With 300 days of sunshine a year, Colorado is a beautiful place to visit and explore. When you come to Colorado, it’s hard to not fall in love with the great outdoors, and the array of cultural and culinary experiences.

Each of our locations are minutes away from great trails, parks and open spaces to enjoy. You’re also never far from major interstates and highways that can take you to west to the mountains, south to Colorado Springs or up to Boulder, Fort Collins and the foothills.

Entertainment near Denver, Aurora and Colorado Springs

There is a lot to see and do in the greater Denver metro and Colorado Springs areas. Check out Visit Denver and Visit Colorado Springs – two great resources to help you find the best sites to see, restaurants to try and kid-friendly activities to check out.

Downtown Denver is home to three sports stadiums, eight professional sports teams, a children’s museum, 300+ restaurants, a wonderfully restored historic district, several museums, great shopping, the second largest performing arts center in the nation and three college campuses. And, in the spirit of the wild west, each winter Denver hosts one of the one of the world's largest rodeos: the National Western Rodeo and Stock Show.

Near Aurora, there are over 100 parks, nearly 100 miles of trails, nine public golf courses, three beautiful reservoirs and over 8,000+ acres of open space. The cultural scene in Aurora is rich, with theaters, museums and family-friendly attractions. Independent and locally owned boutiques thrive in the area, and there are plenty of authentic restaurants and cafes to enjoy, such as the Stanley Marketplace.

Many of Colorado’s most popular attractions are just a short from the Anschutz Medical Campus and other Children’s Colorado locations, including Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.

Museums and culture throughout the state

Colorado and the Denver metro area are a hub of arts and culture, with many opportunities for kids and their families.

• The Denver Art Museum’s collection includes more than 70,000 works of art. The Museum is known internationally for the way they help visitors explore art and their own creativity.
• The Butterfly Pavilion houses over 1,600 butterflies in a rainforest room that kids of all ages can explore.
• The Denver Performing Arts Complex is the second largest in the nation with ten theaters for plays, symphony, opera and ballet.
• The Denver Zoo is the fourth most popular zoo in the nation and has proudly hosts a number of rare animals across 80 acres in the heart of Denver.
• The Downtown Aquarium has 15,000 fish and plants, plus tons of space for kids to roam and explore.
• The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has added a space museum and the world’s most advanced digital planetarium.
• The Children’s Museum of Denver has a number of enriching exhibits, including an art studio, a child-sized fire station, a “mountain” excursion, a food market and more.

Across Colorado, there are more than a dozen historical museums and sites to see, including:

• Mesa Verde National Park
• The Molly Brown House
• Denver Union Station
• Dinosaur Ridge
• The Stanley Hotel
• The U.S. Mint (free admission)

Whether you’re looking for a fun day trip between your child’s appointments or extending your stay in Colorado, these are great places to add to your “must see” list.

What to see in Colorado Springs

If your child’s care takes you to Colorado Springs or you want to make a day trip to the area, make sure to see all the area has to offer. Less than 1.5 hours south of Denver, Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas offer a ton of family-friendly attractions:

• The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
• The North Pole (open mid-May through Christmas)
• Manitou Cliff Dwellings
• Garden of the Gods
• Cave of the Winds
• Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Explore the mountains

Of course, Colorado is known for its majestic Rocky Mountains and quaint mountain towns. When you come to Colorado, it’s worth making the time to visit at least a few of our most popular mountain attractions if possible.

Colorado has four national parks, countless national monuments and 28 major resort areas – most within a two-hour drive of Denver. World-class skiing, hiking, biking, hot springs, rafting, camping and breathtaking scenic wonders are always close by.

A few family attractions to see while you’re in the mountains include:

• The Royal Gorge (walk across the bridge, ride a rollercoaster or take a gondola)
• The Alpine Slide at Winter Park Resort
• Zip line tours in Idaho Springs
• Georgetown Loop Rail (with special tours year-round)

Limitless shopping, entertainment and dining options

There are many things for your family to enjoy near each of our Children’s Colorado locations, including many shopping and restaurant options. You can enjoy anything from national retail chains to locally-owned shops, and there are hundreds of restaurant options serving everything from classic American food to a wide variety of ethnic options.