We will be in Denver for a sports tournament next week. We will have some half days and some full days at the end for fun stuff.
What would be day trips you could recommend? What are good places or companies for wild water rafting in the area?
We have been to Garden of the Gods and Rocky Mountain NP before (though might go to RMNP again).
I loved Golden and Red Rocks.
I enjoyed this place
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My D who lived in Denver for a bit recommends CastleWood Canyon south of the city or the Flat Irons in Boulder.
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I loved our Denver/Colorado trip back in 2018. One day we drove to the top of Mt Evan’s and ate in Idaho Springs. Next day back to Idaho Springs to white water raft. I think it was in Clear Creek. The kids had never been and H and I had only been once 20+ years prior - so I didn’t need scary! Next day we drove to Estes park and toured the Stanley Hotel. Stayed the night and hiked RMNP the next day. Then back to Denver.
Next day a trip to Cheyenne to say we went to WY - don’t recommend that! Not the nicest city. Reminded us of home, lol. Another day we toured the Broncos stadium and did a ghost tour.
Last day we drove to the top of Pikes Peak and went through garden of the gods.
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There’s a bus that goes to Boulder if you don’t want to drive.
We really enjoyed the drive to Estes Park, very scenic.
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There are dozens of hikes – too many to list here, but you can google “hikes within 70 miles of Denver” and find a bunch. Some of my favorite close-to-Denver trails are in Castlewood Canyon, Roxborough State Park, Red Rocks, Matthews-Winters Park, and Deer Creek Canyon.
Pikes Peak has a cog railway to the top, which is fun (reservations required). And Manitou Springs (at the base) is funky and fun.
Note that anything you do in RMNP will require timed entry passes, including just driving over Trail Ridge Road. And the road to Mount Blue Sky (formerly known as Mount Evans) is closed for construction.
So if you don’t get a timed entry pass for Trail Ridge Road and still want to do a scenic drive, one idea is the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, which starts out of Georgetown (exiting from I-70) and connects to highway 285 on the other side of the pass, which will get you back to the metro area. A lovely day out with plenty of places to stop (though I recommend eating in Georgetown or packing a lunch).
There are plenty of rafting companies in Clear Creek Canyon, but I haven’t used them so couldn’t recommend one in particular.
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We rented a pontoon boat on a gorgeous lake in Frisco, CO.
Highlight of our trip to Colorado.
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If you like historic trains the one that runs out of Georgetown is fun. We rode in the back car and could step out onto the platform to take pictures. We haven’t been since pre-pandemic but there were a number of interesting old restaurants and shop buildings.
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Frisco/Dillon is a great idea, with or without a boat rental. The ride takes you through Eisenhower tunnel to get “over the Continental divide”. It’s higher elevation, always cooler than Denver.
If you go, consider stopping at the Tiki Bar for lunch. We did that twice as daytrip the first summer of Covid. Link has pretty photos of Dillon Rervoir.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g33389-d2646751-Reviews-Pug_Ryan_s_Tiki_Bar-Dillon_Colorado.html
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So many amazing suggestions! I was unaware of the timed entry passes to RMNP. Last time we could just enter whenever. So we’ll probably forego that and do the Guanella Pass drive.
The Boulder teahouse looks great. That will be a definite visit. I love a good tea and the menu looks yummy too.
I’ll look into the boat rental, that looks like fun. And some of those state parks look great for half day trips, especially those South of Denver, as that is where we are staying.
Now do I want S26’s team to do well or rather not break out of bracket play so that we have more time for the fun stuff 
?
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Responded with info about wrong city.
About Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry:
- for most areas (except Bear Lake corridor), you don’t need reservation if you are in the park by 9am (but expect a line) or after 2pm
- most passes have to be reserved prior month (ie starting 7/1 for Aug), but I heard that 30% get held til 7pm the night prior
- more info Rocky Mountains National Park Timed Entry Permit Reservations
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If you go to the Dushanbe Teahouse in Boulder, I suggest also do a walk along the nearby Boulder Creek path.
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My nephew had his rehearsal dinner at the Teahouse 10 days ago. They really had a good time
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Just wanted to note that the food and teas served at the Dushanbe Teahouse are not authentic Tajik cuisine. More like fusion cuisine, which is absolutely fine! 
Those expecting Central Asian dishes because of the name might be disappointed.
Good point. To be honest, it was a while before I even realized they had food at Dushanbe Tea House. So I was pleased to learn we could eat there. Attended a lovely wedding shower luncheon there a few years ago.
NOTE - Parking in downtown Boulder can be a challenge. If Sat/Sun, you can use the adjacent parking lot. More info - FAQ — Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
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The Air Force Academy is an interesting look see if folks can still get on the campus. Visited in 2002.
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You can visit the AFA. I think all over 18 need a government ID and SS number, and any driver (so a 16 year old driving would need these also). There recently was a hs that had graduation planned at the AFA and it was changed because they were afraid not al guests (parents, grandparents) would be able to produce the required ID.
This is the time when the new class shows up for summer training, so it could be busy, but if you are near there on a weekend it is nice to go to a church/religious service and see the beautiful building.
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AFA is a great idea. I think S26 would love that.
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