Stuff to Do W/kids in Southern CO

If you're willing to go as far as Colorado Springs, Garden on the Gods and Seven Falls are really cool. You can look them up online.

I love Colorado springs, there is a ton to do there...you could google it on line and see...7 falls, train to the top of their mountain, Santa's village, and more. Denver is near by...

I'm not too familiar with the area so I don't know how far Denver is from where you'll be, but the Denver Children's Museum is amazing. My in-laws live right outside of Denver and we just went there at Christmas time and fell in love with it. If we lived there I would take my boys there at least once a week! It's great for all ages.

Another thing you can do to great info from local parents is go to Craigslist.com Look for CO and then click on the cities where you want to go (or cities close by) and post a free ad in the baby and kids section asking for advice. I did this for CO and San Diego. I just posted on there that I was going to be there at a certain time and what my child's age was and asked for any advice on activities or places to go that would be age appropriate. I got some wonderful responses and some of the places where things that a "tourist" wouldn't normally hear about. Some people flagged my ad saying it wasn't supposed to be in that section but I just re-posted and it was left alone. The baby and kids section is appropriate in my opinion because that's the section most parent's are going to be looking and that's who you want the info from! Good luck!

Hi L.,
I recommend Pagosa Springs, CO. (I use to live there.) It's a beautiful mountain community. It's one hour east of Durango, however I suggest going north from Alb. up through Santa Fe to Chama, NM and then into Pagosa (Hwy 84). You can take the kids to the Pagosa Hot Springs with hot tubs along the river (great for us as adults, too). In late July and Aug, the river through town is perfect for tubing and wading around in. Also right there in town is Reservoir Hill. Perfect for a day hike with kids with a meadow near the top for picnic lunch. On your way into town from 84, you'll pass by a "zoo". It's perfect for small kids. If you like the outdoors, there is an abundance of fun to be had there. Google Pagosa Springs Colorado. Have fun and say hello to the mountains for me!
S.

Albuquerque has a lot to do for kids. We stayed at Hotel Alberquerque. From that hotel, you can walk to the downtown area where there are stores and restaurants. Old towne is very interesting, they have the world's oldest church. From that hotel, you can also walk to a very nice park with a playground. There is the Alber. Zoo, te Botanical garden , the Aquarium and the Nuseum of Natural History with a good dinosaur exhibit. The Planetarium is somewhat boring.
K.

Red River, NM is a little north of Albuquerque.... we went a few years ago and everyone loved it. It is a ski area, but we just went into town, the kids played at the park, we rented a surrey and rode around town, then waded in the stream by the park. Top that off with an ice cream cone downtown, and it was very cheap entertainment. My kids talk about it all the time and want to go back.

Also, in Durango (I grew up there).... the rec center is my kids' favorite. It has a rock climbing wall (call to make sure it's open)... bb courts, swimming pool, pool tables. Too me it didn't seem too fancy, but my kids LOVE it. We go every summer when we visit my family. It costs about $17 for the whole day for our family. Also, Durango Mountain resort has the Alpine slide and mini golf and stuff... a little more pricey, but fun.
Pagosa Springs is really nice as well... we love taking short hikes up to the mountains, waterfalls, riding bikes. They have a cute little theatre downtown that is cheap. Also, HUGE ice cream cones at The Malt Shoppe.

Hope this gives you some ideas to go on. Have fun on your trip!