Fun Things to Do in Denver, Colorado in August

When temperatures rise and the sun is high in the summer sky, Denver, Colorado offers fun options for residents and visitors of all ages. August in the Mile-High City is one of the warmest months, on average, perfect for outdoor watery adventures or indoor air-conditioned entertainment. This casual yet cosmopolitan state capital offers something for every taste.

Water World

Named one of the best water parks in the United States by Budget Travel, Denver’s Water World offers fun watery attractions in a beautiful garden setting. Themed rides include Voyage to the Center of The Earth, an indoor tube ride complete with animatronic dinosaurs, and Lost River of The Pharaohs with its Ancient Egypt motif. Thrill seekers enjoy plunging speed slides and drop and spin rides like The Revolution. Gentler rides include the mild rapids at Tortuga Run and the very relaxing Lazy River. Separate areas for families with young children ensure that even the littlest ones have a good time.

Elitch Gardens Theme Park

With the Denver skyline serving as a scenic backdrop to the east and the spectacular Rocky Mountains rising to the west, Elitch Gardens is ideally situated. Both a theme and water park, Elitch offers thrilling roller coaster rides with names like Mind Eraser, Boomerang and Twister II, as well as family-style fun including a carousel, a giant Ferris wheel and a spinning tea cup ride. On especially hot August days, visitors enjoy getting soaked at Disaster Canyon, Shipwreck Falls and other water rides.

Downtown Aquarium

Right next to Elitch Gardens is Downtown Aquarium, Denver’s indoor aquatic entertainment and dining complex featuring underwater displays that educate and enchant. Visitors walk through informative exhibits that simulate ecosystems in North America and the tropical rainforest. Highlights include the tiger viewing area and the interactive reef tank where patrons can gently touch stingrays floating by.

Denver Zoo

Located in the heart of Denver’s beautifully landscaped City Park, the Denver Zoo is consistently one of the most popular attractions in the region. From its humble beginnings in 1896 when it opened to house an orphaned black bear cub, the zoo has grown into a world-class conservation center. Visitors enjoy the many exhibits, a number of them indoors, including the Great Apes building where gorillas and orangutans dwell. For the little ones, no visit to the Denver Zoo is complete without a ride on the Pioneer Train!

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Also located in City Park, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a great place to spend the day in quiet contemplation away from the hot sun. In addition to housing impressive collections of gemstones, North American Indian artwork, Egyptian mummies and other treasures, the museum is home to an IMAX 3D theater and a planetarium. The T-Rex Café and a snack bar offer pizza, sandwiches, soups, salads and other choices for hungry visitors. Free daily shows and demos provide visitors with plenty of interactive opportunities.