July 15, 2009

Family fun can be had for little or no cost this summer

By John Gleason

Sure the economy may be affecting the kind of summer you and your family had planned. But even if that vacation getaway must be put on hold, there are still plenty of things to do in Colorado.  The following is a partial list of some of the events and attractions that you and your family can enjoy for free or for a nominal fee:

Art
Denver Art Museum, 100 W.14th Ave. Parkway in downtown Denver is open for a free day the first Saturday of each month (excluding July) through the month of October.  Free admission does not include ticketed exhibitions.  Check online for details at denverartmuseum.org.

Science
Come explore the Denver Museum of Nature and Science during their free days in 2009: July 13, Aug. 12, Sept. 13, Oct. 4 and Nov. 2.  Check out everything from dinosaur bones to a journey to the stars.   The museum is located in City Park at 2100 Colorado Blvd.  For more information go online to dmns.org or call 303-322-7009.

Movies in the Parks
The Denver Department of Parks and Recreation once again is sponsoring the Movies in the Parks series this summer.  Grab a blanket, a picnic lunch and prepare for an evening of great entertainment. Family films being offered include “Spiderman,” “Kung Fu Panda,” “Jurassic Park” and “Madagascar 2.”  Shows begin at dusk. For a complete list of movies and locations go online to denvergov.org/recreation or call 720-913-0765.

Wings Over the Rockies
Take a seat in a jet fighter at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd. in Denver.  Every second Saturday, the museum opens the cockpits of many of their display aircraft allowing the public to sit in the pilot’s seat and get the feeling of actually flying a military aircraft. Call the museum for times and admission at 303-360-5360 or online at wingsmuseum.org.

Mile High Movies
It’s Mile High Movies at Skyline Park, 17th and Arapahoe streets in downtown Denver behind the D & F clock tower.  This year’s lineup includes Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Iron Giant and The Wizard of Oz.  All shows begin at dusk.  Check online for show lineup at downtowndenver.com/ events. 

Concerts in the Park
No summer would be complete without the annual free Concerts in the Park series.  The Denver Municipal Band will have 15 performances this year at parks throughout the metro area.  All shows are free and open to the public.  For a complete concert schedule, call 303-322-8608 or e-mail  for an updated list.

Wildlife
Show the family wildlife in their natural habitat at the Rocky Mountain National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City.  Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. visitors will see a variety of deer, bison, fish, birds and reptiles.  Entrance to park located at E. 56th Ave. and Havana.  Call 303-289-0930 for information and nature programs.

Myriad free fun
Details on a myriad of other free or low-cost events going on this summer may be found online at denver.org/events/free-events or milehighmamas.com.

Petting zoo
A great venue for youth groups, birthdays or parties of any kind is Luke’s Farm Petting Zoo in Evergreen.  At Luke’s Farm children can get up close with a variety of barnyard friends including horse and pony, two donkeys, turkey, geese, goats and chicken.  Refreshments are included in the $8 per person cost and tractor train rides are available for $4.  Luke’s Farm is located at 30433 Ruby Ranch Rd. in Evergreen.  For directions and reservation information, contact Minetta at 303-526-1187.

Plays
The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada will present “Big River” July 14-Aug 9.  This musical version of the adventures of Huckleberry Finn is perfect family entertainment.  And making summer entertainment affordable, they will offer $1 children tickets on Fridays and 50 percent off kids tickets every other day.  Call the box office for ticket information, 720-506-4130