Ask almost anyone around the globe what their initial impression of Los Angeles is, and the universal consensus is that it’s a fun city –and they’re not wrong. Add kids into the mix and that fun factor skyrockets to another level! Whether you’re looking for safe outdoor places for the kids to burn off energy, or want to discover cultural or educational attractions for the whole family to enjoy together, there’s no shortage of exhilarating options to pass the time – both indoors and outdoors.

Is Los Angeles good for kids?

In short, yes! With consistently beautiful weather, beaches and wildlife nearby, and a long list of unique attractions that truly deliver on entertainment, education, and inspiration, LA simply has it all. One thing’s for sure: Your kids will never be bored in this sprawling SoCal city.

The restaurant scene is diverse and active, so you make your choices about where to take your kids. Of course there are places that are less kid-friendly than others, but in general, the city is welcoming to youngsters and expect to see them in a variety of places.

Transportation options abound. You can rent bikes and take to the beach-side bike paths, there is a subway and the train system for getting out of town a bit is just about as quick as driving. However, you may find that while there are fairly robust public transportation options, renting a car may be easiest. LA is very spread out and the different areas are diverse and wonderful to explore. To easily hop from one place to the other with your brood in tow, a personal car is probably the best way to go.

Best things to do in Los Angeles with kids

The Arts District Wall Murals

Add some color to your life with a trip to the trendy Arts District in downtown LA (aka, DTLA). Here, you can find dozens of fabulous wall murals and cool painterly creations that will undoubtedly inspire an Insta-worthy photo session for the whole family. We have a feeling that older kids, tweens and teens will likely appreciate this area more so than little ones, and be sure to check out the up-and-coming retail shops and fun eateries (like Salt & Straw Ice Cream or The Pie Hole) for a treat in the area, too.

California Science Museum

This very kid-friendly museum located at Exposition Park is a winner with its educational exhibits on life sciences, ecosystems, human innovation, and powered flight. Top billing at the Science Center goes to the Space Shuttle Endeavour, one of only four space shuttles nationwide, where visitors can have a multi sensorial experience while simultaneously learning about life in space. Admission is free, but certain exhibits and IMAX movies may require an entrance fee.

Aqua Surf School Surf Lessons

It doesn’t get more LA than an afternoon catching some waves! Book a surf lesson for your little ones and make memories while soaking up the sun in Santa Monica. Aqua Surf teaches private lessons, surf camps, team building events, and more for all ages (4 and up) and abilities, and you can rest easy knowing that this insured and certified school prioritizes both safety and education. Bonus: They also pride themselves on teaching students how to surf in two hours or less!

You could also take a picnic to one of Los Angeles' fabulous beaches.

Duff’s Cake Mix

Put your culinary talents to the test at this kid-friendly do-it-yourself cake decorating studio founded by Food Network star, Duff Goldman. With five locations throughout Los Angeles and surrounding areas, it’s never been easier to pop into an interactive experience that’s totally unique and fun for all. Duff’s Cake Mix provides absolutely everything you need to bring your cake vision to life, and may inspire some budding bakers to follow their decadent dessert dreams one day. If anything, the whole family will most definitely enjoy a few delectable treats together in a fun, lively setting.

Los Angeles Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo is special and extraordinary, and not just because of its oceanic size. Built on 133 acres in the hills of Griffith Park, this family-friendly attraction is the place for visitors of all ages to get up close and personal to many endangered animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and plants of different species. There’s a classic carousel and educational exhibits for kids to interact with animals, too.

Aquarium of the Pacific

Trek down to Long Beach for an unforgettable and very worthwhile visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific. This expansive site has plenty of awe-inspiring tanks filled with beautiful species of fish and stunning sea creatures, including a shark lagoon, a sea otter habitat, and interactive exhibits like an outdoor touchable area, too. Don’t miss the Lorikeet Forest exhibit, where you can feed the small, colorful birds and snap some vibrant photos, too.

Descanso Gardens

Step into a stunning fairytale-like nature scene at the Descanso Gardens. This massive 160-acre botanical garden is located in La Cañada Flintridge, and features mostly forested areas with artificial streams, ponds, lawns, nine botanical collections, a miniature railroad, house museum, modern art gallery, and more. The urban retreat also boasts a redwood forest, a lake, a bird sanctuary and the largest camellia garden in the United States. There’s even programmed events like morning yoga, weekend walks, story time for kids, gardening tutorials, and annual festivals to cater to visitors of all ages.

Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens

Tucked away in the picturesque San Marino neighborhood of Los Angeles is the majestic Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. This massive research and cultural center is immaculately maintained and surrounded by 120 acres spread across 12 specialized gardens (including a Children’s Garden, Shakespearean Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, and more), and also features the Library Exhibition Hall, the Huntington Art Gallery, a botanical conservatory, research library, and the Scott Galleries of American Art, to name a few. Tip: Admission to The Huntington is one of the free things to do in Los Angeles on the first Thursday of every month, with advance tickets.

Griffith Park

World-famous Griffith Park is possibly the most well-known and beloved public park in all of LA and for good reason. This massive outdoor space offers over 70 miles of crisscrossed hiking and biking trails, several mountain peaks, three golf courses, and endless attractions for visitors of all ages. Kids will have a blast enjoying different playgrounds and pony rides, in addition to exploring Batman’s caves, Travel Town, The Southern Railroad, and Walt’s Barn, an old-fashioned model train museum, with collectibles and nostalgic souvenirs from Walt Disney's life and hobbies.

Los Angeles Arboretum

Frolick outside and enjoy the good weather with the kids at the Los Angeles Arboretum. Spread out over 127 acres of natural and historic wonder, this expansive outdoor oasis is the perfect place to let the kids roam and run free in a stunning and peaceful setting. There’s free parking, a hiking path, peacocks a plenty, a serene waterfall, and rare plant collections to admire, as well. Check out their updated schedule for nature and gardening classes, bird walks, cooking classes, tram tours and train rides, family field trips, outdoor concerts, and even a vast horticultural library so your family can get outside and appreciate the beauty of nature together.

Kidspace Children’s Museum

Parents love Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena because there’s an endless stream of activities to occupy kids of all ages here. Walk through the kaleidoscope entrance and dive into a world of fun and education for the whole family. This popular interactive children’s museum offers music classes and story time, and boasts both indoor and outdoor environments that will keep the kids occupied and engaged for hours on end. Expect to find a vast variety of interactive exhibits, a climbing structure, an ant hole, a rain drop tower, tricycle path, STEM play, a physics forest, and so much more.

Santa Monica Pier

Another memorable experience that can’t be missed is the Santa Monica Pier, where you can find the Pacific Park amusement park complete with a fun solar-powered Ferris wheel, a mild roller coaster, midway games, carnival rides, food and snack stands, and endless entertainment overlooking the glittering ocean. This classic pier is also home to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and gets busy on weekends, so keep that in mind if you’re trying to avoid crowds.

Natural History Museum

For an educational experience unlike anywhere else, make a stop at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. With nearly 35 million specimens and artifacts, this site is the largest natural and historical museum in the western United States, and offers plenty of opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. Explore the Butterfly Pavilion, Nature Gardens, Dinosaur Lab, insect exhibits, and 3D movies for a full day of awe-inspiring memories.

Underwood Family Farms

One unique way to unwind on the weekends is to head north to Moorpark and enjoy a day at Underwood Family Farms. This working farm invites guests to experience interactive activities like picking their own super fresh, locally grown produce, educational farm tours, or petting and feeding sweet animals like baby goats, sheep, ducks, alpacas, and rabbits.

There’s also no shortage of smile-inducing attractions, including a bounce house, electric train, petting corral, and mini electric tractors for a healthy dose of good wholesome fun. Underwood Family Farms makes a great day trip from Los Angeles, take a look at these other places to get out of the city a bit.

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Los Angeles with Kids

There is much more to Montenegro than its gorgeous Adriatic coastline. Head inland and immerse yourself in this fascinating little country’s wild side, showcased in its five vastly different national parks.

Lovcen National Park

If you visit just one Montenegrin national park, this should be the one. Looming above the Bay of Kotor, Lovcen is the black mountain that gave Montenegro its name. For centuries, this karstic massif was the very crucible of Montenegrin culture – a rocky redoubt of resistance to the Ottomans, populated by fearsome warriors, clerics and poets – and it remains the nation’s heartland to this day. The old royal capital, Cetinje, is nestled on its slopes and is the perfect base for exploring – although the park also can be easily accessed from the coastal hotspots of Kotor and Budva.

Allow time to peruse Cetinje’s palaces and museums before heading into the park proper. There’s a visitor center in the hamlet of Ivanova Korita where you can gather information on Lovcen’s numerous hiking and mountain-biking tracks. Continue to the park’s most famous feature, the striking Njegos Mausoleum, sitting at the top of its second-highest peak (5,436 feet). Gargantuan statues by acclaimed Yugoslav-era sculptor Ivan Mestrovic compete for attention with the extraordinary views, as the craggy landscape dissolves into the distance.

As you loop back, be sure to stop for a snack at the village Njegusi. As well as being the ancestral home of Montenegro’s Petrovic dynasty, it is famed throughout the region for its prosciutto, cheese and honey.

Lake Skadar National Park

Split between Montenegro and Albania, Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of the most important habitats for wetland birds in all of Europe. The entire Montenegrin side of the lake has been protected as a national park since 1983. Birdwatchers from around the world come here to spy the 270 species that shelter in its surrounds, including the endangered Dalmatian pelican and a globally significant population of pygmy cormorants.

Boats and kayaks can be rented from the lake’s main settlement, Virpazar, and from the National Park Visitor Centre across the causeway near Vranjina. Birdwatching expeditions can be combined with visits to a cluster of tiny islands which are home to medieval monasteries and the Ottoman-built prison fortress, Grmozur, once known as the Montenegrin Alcatraz. Or you can paddle up the sinuous Crnojevic River to the pretty historical village Rijeka Crnojevica. Alternatively, hire a bike to explore the tiny winemaking villages and ruined fortresses hidden within the lush hinterland.

The best beach is remote Murici, on the lake’s southwestern shore. It’s also fun to take a plunge in the river from the terrace of the floating restaurant at the village of Dodosi, or join the local larrikins diving off the bridge.

Durmitor National Park

The jewel in the crown of Montenegro’s national parks is mountainous Durmitor in the country’s untamed north. It is a highly dramatic landscape with around 50 peaks higher than 6,562 feet, dotted with 18 glacial lakes (known as gorske oci, or mountain eyes). It also embraces the Tara Canyon, a cleft in the limestone cut by the Tara River over many millennia, its forested walls reaching 4,265 feet at their apex.

Rafting is by far the best way to see the canyon, and numerous operators offer trips along the last 18km, where you will find most of the rapids – although you will have to book the classic two-day journey to visit the deepest part of the canyon.

In winter Durmitor is a major ski destination, offering the country’s most reliable snow cover and two ski centers: Javorovaca for beginners and Savin Kuk for more advanced skiers. In summer, the focus shifts to hiking and mountaineering. There are 93 miles of marked trails heading through the mountains, ranging from an easy two-mile stroll around the picturesque Black Lake, to major alpine expeditions where a local guide is recommended.

Biogradska Gora National Park

Located within the Bjelasica mountain range, Biogradska Gora National Park protects an exceptionally lovely six square miles of virgin forest. From the park entrance you can take a 2.2-mile trip on a tourist train to the vividly green waters of tree-lined Lake Biograd. Here you will find the main park infrastructure, including a campsite, cabins, rowboat and kayak rental, and a restaurant serving traditional Montenegrin mountain fare.

Take the easy 2.1-mile amble around the lake, and then inquire at the visitor center about the more challenging hiking and mountain-biking tracks through the surrounding mountains. In summer it is possible to take multi-day hikes staying overnight in katuns, the traditional wooden huts used by the region’s semi-nomadic shepherds. There are also glacial lakes to explore and several peaks above 6,500 feet, culminating in 7,018-foot Crna Glava (Black Head).

Prokletije National Park

For true wilderness you cannot beat Montenegro’s newest national park, dedicated in 2009 to protect a 62-square-mile expanse of the Prokletije Mountains bordering Albania and Kosovo. This southernmost and highest section of the Dinaric Alps is surely one of Europe’s least-explored corners. Prokletije translates to ‘accursed,’ which says all you need to know about the treacherous and unforgiving nature of the terrain. If you want to push your limits in extraordinarily beautiful, off-the-beaten-track wilderness, this is the place to come.

Yet visits to Prokletije need not be major expeditions. Start at the gateway town of Gusinje with a visit to its 17th-century Vizier’s Mosque and then take a half-hour walk to the beautiful Ali Pasha Springs, which bubble up from the karst at the foot of the mountains. On the way stop at the park visitor center, where you can gather information about more advanced hiking and climbing routes to suit your experience and abilities. It can also be a place to connect with local guides.

Adventure your way through Montenegro’s national parks

While it may be the beach that lures you to Montenegro, look up from your towel and you will discover a land full of culture, history and natural wonders, not to mention delicious food. These are the things Montenegrin memories are made of.

Scenic drives

There is no more spectacular introduction to Montenegro than the drive around the breathtakingly beautiful Bay of Kotor. Its fjord-like proportions get more dramatic the further you journey into the inner parts of the bay on a road wedged between brooding mountains and inky waters. Mountains remain a constant backdrop along the busy Adriatic Coast highway, as well, although your eyes will be constantly drawn to the sparkling waters below.

Most memorable of all is the white-knuckle drive along the old serpentine road linking Kotor to Lovcen National Park. As you loop up and up through 25 hairpin turns, the view continually expands until it eventually takes in the entire Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic beyond.

Quite frankly, there is barely a route in Montenegro that isn’t gorgeous. Even the main highway heading north from Podgorica to Serbia is a scenic tour-de-force, traversing the exquisite Moraca Canyon. Likewise, the road heading north from Niksic along the Piva Canyon is remarkable, clinging to cliffs as it passes between 56 small tunnels blasted through the mountainside.

Cities

Montenegro’s capital Podgorica and student-filled Niksic have a low-key charm and some buzzy bars, but don’t come expecting big-city thrills. Far more interesting are the palaces and museums of the old royal capital, Cetinje, and the ancient walled towns of the coast. One of these, Herceg Novi, is a sun-soaked holiday town which spreads along the slopes between the coastal highway and a gorgeous pedestrian promenade that winds along the shoreline.

Kotor tops the list of historic streetscapes and the magnificence of its setting. Wedged between the mountains and the bay, its ancient core is encircled by mighty stone walls which extend in a broad loop across the mountainside to a height of 853 feet. Within its fortifications is a warren of marbled lanes liberally peppered with churches.

Medieval villages

Little lost-in-time villages are a hallmark of the Montenegro hinterland. There are some particularly charming ones to explore in the countryside around Lake Skadar, where families still make wine as they have done for centuries. Pretty little Rijeka Crnojevica, on the banks of the river of the same name, has a cluster of historic structures including the modest house of Petar I Petrovic (aka St Peter of Cetinje) and a stone bridge commissioned by Prince Danilo. Also worth a visit is the nearby village of Dodosi, where you can swim from a floating bar or leap off a bridge into the river.

Is a village really a village when its composed almost entirely of grand Venetian palaces and churches? With a population of less than 300 people Perast can hardly be called a town. Located seven miles along the bay from Kotor, Perast hums with tourists in summer who flock here to dine at its excellent water’s-edge restaurants and to visit the fascinating church on Our-Lady-of-the-Rock Island.

Cuisine

Perhaps the village most synonymous with Montenegro’s heartland is Njegusi, the ancestral home of its former Petrovic rulers. It is famed for its cheese and honey, but especially its prsut (prosciutto), which is prized throughout former Yugoslavia. If you see a dish with the adjective Njeguski on a menu (whether it be schnitzel, steak or pork chops) expect it to be stuffed with top-quality prosciutto and cheese, and calculated to tug at Montenegrin heartstrings.

On the coast the cuisine is indistinguishable from that of neighboring Dalmatia: lots of delicious fresh seafood liberally doused in olive oil, lemon, flatleaf parsley and garlic. The Venetian influence lingers in the form of excellent pasta, risotto and gnocchi. Around Lake Skadar, squid and octopus is swapped for freshwater fish such as eel, carp and bleak.

Head into the mountains and you will encounter stomach-expanding comfort food designed to get you through the long winter nights. A particular treat is meat slow-cooked ispod saca, roasted on a hearth under a dome-shaped metal lid covered with charcoal.

Archaeological sites

Waves of empire have crashed over this land since time immemorial. The Romans took over from the native Illyrians in the 2nd century BC, and the legacy of their long rule can still be seen today – most notably in the form of a wonderfully well-preserved set of floor mosaics uncovered in Risan on the Bay of Kotor. There are further mosaics in an unassuming site at the beach resort of Petrovac na Moru.

Montenegro’s buzziest beach town, Budva, was once a Greek colony and is one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic. Budva Museum houses many archaeological treasures from the Classical period, some of which were unearthed from the Roman-era necropolis which can still be seen just outside the old town walls.

Immersing yourself in nature

Between the mountains, lakes and rivers of the hinterland, there are plenty of memorable places to stay and be surrounded by nature. One of our favorites is a lovely family-run campsite near Dobrilovina, above the banks of the Tara River, where you can pitch a tent, pull up a motorhome or rent a sweet little wooden cabin. Glamping is a relatively new concept in Montenegro, but a couple of sites have sprung up in recent years offering pre-pitched tents with comfortable beds. Also worth considering are the etno or eko villages, small complexes of wooden huts reminiscent of traditional katuns (shepherds’ dwellings), that are scattered around the mountainous regions at the north of the country.

Montenegro offers plenty of opportunities to escape into nature, with well-marked hiking and biking tracks all over the country. However, if we were to single out just one unforgettable nature-based activity in this action-packed country it would be to take a rafting trip through the magnificent Tara Canyon in Durmitor National Park. The scenery is truly astounding.

Montenegro’s most unforgettable experiences

The best way to explore the remarkable little country of Montenegro is to get out and about in nature. Here are the best options for doing exactly that.

Rafting

One of Montenegro ’s prime natural wonders is the Tara Canyon, a deep cleft carved by the Tara River through the mountains of Durmitor National Park in the far north of the country. At its most powerful, the river passes between forest-clad walls of rock that are more than 4,250 feet high. It is exceedingly difficult to get a good view of the scale of the canyon from above, making rafting the best option to experience it in all its grandeur.

The rafting season runs from around April to October, with the fastest flows coinciding with the spring melts in April. A 51-mile section of river is navigable, and a classic two-day trip starts near the Tara Bridge and will take you through the deepest parts of the canyon. Most day trips only traverse the last 11 miles of canyon, which is still a beautiful stretch including most of the modest rapids.

Climbing & canyoneering

The Durmitor mountain range also offers a vast array of more daring pursuits. At Pirlitor, two rock faces have been prepared for climbing, but you will need your own ropes – or to enlist the services of a specialist adventure agency.

Just south of the national park is one the country’s prime canyoneering sites, the extraordinary Nevidio Canyon enclosing a 1.7-mile-long section of the Komarnica River. Nevidio translates to ‘invisible’ which is a reference to its narrowness; at some points it is mere yards wide.

Canyoneering (or canyoning as it’s known outside of the USA) involves sliding along gorges, scrambling over rocks, abseiling down waterfalls and swimming through river basins. It is great fun but inherently dangerous, especially in a narrow gorge such as Nevidio, so it should only be attempted in the driest months (July and August) and only under the direction of experienced guides.

Other canyoneering options include the Sopot Canyon (near Herceg Novi), the Skurda canyon (above Kotor), the Rikavac and Medjurecje canyons (both near Bar), and the Grlja Canyon (in Prokletije National Park).

Paragliding

With so many accessible mountains with sheer drops, there are plenty of opportunities for daredevils to fly like the double-headed eagle on the Montenegrin flag and soak up spectacular scenery.

One particularly excellent launch site is in the mountains high above the Budva Riviera, where you can glide down to a landing on the beach. Or how about an eagle’s eye view over the Bay of Kotor on a descent from Dizdarica on Mt Orjen? Many swear flights from the peaks of Durmitor National Park are the best of the lot.

Diving

There is an awful lot of history on show in this compact nation and not all of it is above ground. A millennia’s-worth of shipwrecks – from Greek and Roman times to World War II – provide a backdrop to interesting underwater flora and fauna in waters that average around 49 feet of visibility but can stretch to 82 feet. The best time to dive in is from May to September, when the surface water is at its warmest – although you will still need a neoprene wetsuit.

All along the coast there are drop offs, underwater caves, springs and reefs. You might spot the odd sea turtle and lobster, along with schools of dentex and gilthead bream. Keep an eye out for conger eels, scorpionfish, octopuses, sea snails, red coral, colorful sponges, red gorgonian fans and the rare giant mussel. Off Ulcinj, as well as the wrecks created over the centuries by the town’s notorious pirates, there are the remains of a submerged town to explore.

Bushcraft

While Montenegro might not have bush of the classic kind found in Australia, New Zealand or Africa, it does have plenty of real wilderness to explore. In recent years Montenegrin versions of Bear Grylls have started leading guided expeditions into remote areas, imparting basic survivalist skills along the way. Expect to learn how to start a fire without matches, how to forage for edible plants, how to build a shelter, how to purify water and how to navigate using just natural cues. Think of it as Scouting for adults with a yearning for adventure.

Camping

Quite apart from the wild camping offered by the bushcraft enthusiasts, there are commercial campsites scattered all over Montenegro. Some of them are quite basic (squat toilets are not uncommon) but spectacular locations are pretty much a given, no matter where in the country you happen to be. There are even a few glamping sites, where pre-pitched tents are rented – complete with proper made-up beds.

Campgrounds cater to all proclivities, including an excellent clothing-optional site in a remote spot near the Croatian border and a complex on the Bay of Kotor where guests can keep their beer cool in a chilly spring-feed stream. Also worth considering are the eko and etno villages of the mountainous areas, where accommodation is provided in rustic wooden cabins reminiscent of traditional shepherd dwellings.

Montenegro’s best outdoor adventures

Portugal is the latest European country to reopen its borders US travelers this summer.

The US Embassy in Portugal advises that from today (June 15), non-essential travel from the US to mainland Portugal is permitted for travelers with proof of a negative COVID-19 test result.

Visitors are required to submit a negative COVID PCR result from a test taken no more than 72 hours before traveling, or a rapid antigen test performed within 24 hours of boarding. Children under the age of two are exempt. You can find out more about testing requirements here.

Economy Minister Pedro Siza Viera suggested last week that vaccinated travelers from the US could potentially visit Portugal, provided they show proof of vaccination. However, in this latest travel update, test exemptions for vaccinated travelers have not been set. The rules will be reviewed in two weeks' time on June 27.

Read more: Best time to visit Portugal

As Portugal opens to American tourists, the UK recently reintroduced quarantine restrictions on travelers returning from Portugal, which Reuters reports, will be a big blow to the country's tourism sector as Britain is one of Portugal's largest foreign tourism markets.

Lifting restrictions for Americans will be a last-ditch attempt by the country to avoid another catastrophic blow to the country's GDP. According to Reuters, 1.2 million tourists from the US visited Portugal in 2019. That number dipped to 135,229 in 2020.

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Portugal reopens borders to US travelers from today

With five fabulous national parks, roads that encircle mountains and navigate red-rock deserts, and miles of slopes for skiing and hiking, Utah is an outdoor playground. For families, it's one of the best destinations for exploring only-in-Utah natural wonders. Whether you're looking to dip your toe into a canyon river or hike to a remote stone arch, these top experiences are perfect for families.

Is Utah good for kids?

Utah has one of the youngest populations in the nation and more kids per family than any other state. As such, local communities take great pride in accommodating children at nearly every turn.

While there are certainly areas of the backcountry that are probably too rugged for younglings – such as the Maze, one of the most remote and road-free areas in the Lower 48 – the majority of the state is easily accessible to adventuring families.

To get the most from your visit, you’ll need a rental car to get around. To really have some fun, you might want to splurge on an all-wheel-drive or 4x4 to see more of the southern part of the state or to access the best winter resorts. Either way, you’re sure to have a good time among some of the friendliest locals in the nation and lots of comfort food to keep everyone happy.

Best things to do in Utah with kids

When traveling to the Beehive State with families, you’d do well to focus on five of its biggest draws: canyons, skiing, national landmarks, water sports and sacred lands.

Play in world-class canyons

Although not quite as big or as famous as the one in Arizona, Southern Utah ’s “grand canyons” are more geographically diverse and come in more shapes and sizes – from wide-open spaces and the narrowest of slot canyons to hanging gardens and a bevy of arches to canyoneer through. And many of them can be enjoyed in one of three ways: on foot, by bike or off-road.

When it comes to family-friendly red rock, you’ll certainly want to zero in on the state's many national parks. But you should also widen your scope to include national monuments and state parks. For example, Little Wild Horse Canyon and nearby Goblin Valley State Park are wonderful starting points, as they’re easily accessed and great for kids of all ages.

The Peekaboo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante's Lower Calf Creek Falls are a bit more strenuous for capable kiddos – get there early to beat the heat and crowds.

Take them skiing

Why is Utah so world-renowned for its skiing? Two reasons. Every year over 500 inches of some of the fluffiest and driest snowflakes in the world blanket the state.

On ideal powder days, it feels like skiing on clouds. Secondly, unlike other famed resorts, the best terrain (and nearly a dozen resorts) is less than an hour from Salt Lake Airport, which is especially germane to those traveling with kids.

So which of Utah’s 13 resorts are best for your family? In terms of the best value with excellent and varied terrain, Brighton Resort is affordable and fun for all skier types.

For the best amenities and nightlife, however, you'll want to splurge at massive Park City Mountain Resort or upscale Deer Valley, which is home to some of the best-groomed runs and nicest hotels in the nation. That said, you can’t go wrong with any of the central resorts – they’re all good.

Road trip the “Mighty Five”

While Utah (especially Moab) is known for its off-roading, the state is equally well-known for its paved roadways in, around, and between some of the most surreal landscapes on Earth. And since all five of Utah's national parks are located somewhat alongside each other in the southern half of the state, you can combine several or even all of them in one fell swoop.

The best place to start? Arches National Park, where you can see the namesake formations and towering spires right from the road or from a simple turnoff. Scenic Byway 12 is also highly recommended and connects Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef.

If at the latter in summer, take time to pick fruit with the kids (the orchards near Fruita are the remnants of the trees originally planted by settlers in 1880). And if you don’t have a rugged 4x4 vehicle to take you to the innermost parts of Canyonlands, consider the Green River Overlook, Shafer Trail, and Dead Horse Point which are easily accessed by most cars.

Zion or Bryce Canyon? How to choose between Utah's top national parks

Get in the water

Kids love water, and despite being a desert, Utah has plenty of it that runs off the mountains and into strategically and beautifully set reservoirs. None is better or more beautiful than Lake Powell, which in addition to water sports, allows you to “boat hike” to Rainbow Bridge, which is often described as the world's highest naturally occurring bridge.

You can also raft and fish in the state’s many rivers, or canyoneer through the world-famous Narrows or unassuming Sulphur Creek, two of the most spectacularly refreshing hikes in this desert state.

Other highlights include kid-friendly cliff-jumping at Dinosaur Trackway, and even underrated Lagoon and Splash Summit theme parks if you need to cool off near Ogden or Provo, respectively.

Visit sacred lands

Utah is headquarters to the largest homegrown church in America (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka the Mormons, with 17 million adherents worldwide), and you can wander the religion's landmarks and neo-Gothic architecture in Salt Lake City.

Down south, explore Native American history in the Anasazi cliff dwellings of Cedar Mesa, or at iconic Monument Valley, which is important to the Navajo and seen in many Hollywood Westerns.

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As California drops most of its COVID-19 restrictions and reopens the state, one of its most popular hiking trails is opening to the public for the first time in 13 years.

Big Sur's Pfeiffer Falls Trail is reopening on June 18 after suffering devastating fire damage 13 years ago. The massive Basin Complex Fire tore through 162,818 acres of Big Sur coastline in June 2008. Considered one of the worst California wildfires, the lightning-sparked blaze destroyed much of the Pfeiffer Falls Trail's infrastructure, including bridges, railings, steps, signs, and walls.

Read more: 'The beginning of a new era' - what to expect as California reopens today

Now thanks to a combined effort from California State Parks and the conservation group Save the Redwoods League, the trail will reopen to the public on June 18 and will look better than ever before, with improved access for hikers and bolstered ecosystems for the trail's wildlife inhabitants.

One of the most impressive new features of the Pfeiffer Falls Trail is the scenic 70-foot pedestrian expansion bridge spanning the Pfeiffer Redwood Creek ravine. The bridge takes foot traffic away from the sensitive streambed to improve the natural habitat of the aquatic ecosystem below, and gives hikers incredible views of the ravine and waterfalls. Additional improvements along the trail include the replacement of more than 4500 square feet of asphalt and concrete with a more aesthetically pleasing, and ultimately more sustainable, dirt trail.

California's 15 best hiking trails

Speaking ahead of the reopening, Jim Doran, California State Park's program manager for Monterey District Roads and Trails, said "before the 2008 Basin Complex Fire, this was one of the most popular trails in Big Sur — a destination for California tourists. With the trail’s many improvements completed, we’re happy to welcome visitors once again.”

The newly renovated trail 0.75-mile Pfeiffer Falls trail completes a 1.5-mile loop with the Valley View trail. According to the League, visitors will find new interpretive panels along the trail, to educate them on redwoods and climate change, the Big Sur watershed, and the partnership between California State Parks and the US Forest Service.

If you're planning a trip to Big Sur this year be sure to check out other attractions in the area, including the quirky Henry Miller Memorial Library, a non-profit alt-cultural venue and bookshop, nestled deep in the redwoods; Esalen Hot Springs for night bathing under the stars; Point Sur State Historic Park; the postcard-perfect Pfeiffer Beach; and Los Padres National Forest.

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As one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities, regularly topping polls on characteristics like ‘most livable’, you’d expect Melbourne to be a breeze to navigate; and the city doesn’t disappoint.

Trains, trams (sometimes free!), buses and even boats whisk people between the metropolises' top attractions, while bikes can be rented from a number of convenient spots. To help you experience everything the city has to offer, here’s our guide to getting around in Melbourne.

Train

Melbourne’s trains are the fastest and most comfortable way to travel significant distances across the city. The city’s trains, along with the rest of the public transport, is coordinated by PTV, which has an excellent journey planner on its website.

Centrally-located Flinders St Station is the main city hub for Melbourne's 17 train lines, which skewer off in every direction. Trains start around 5am weekdays, run until midnight Sunday to Thursday, and all night on Friday and Saturday nights. Trains generally run every 10 to 20 minutes during the day and every 20 to 30 minutes in the evening – although during peak hour (7am to 9am into the city and 4pm to 6pm out), trains run every three to five minutes.

Tram

Trams are intertwined with the Melbourne identity and an extensive network covers the city. They run roughly every 10 minutes during the day (more frequently in peak periods), and every 20 minutes in the evening. Services run until around 12.30am Sunday to Thursday and 1am Friday and Saturday on most lines; a night service is available all night (every 30 minutes) on Friday and Saturday on a handful of lines.

Trams are free to ride within the city centre. The zone is signposted on tram stops, with announcements made when you're nearing its edge to warn you that you should either hop off or pay with a myki card (more detail on this below).

Bus

Melbourne has an extensive bus network, with over 300 routes covering all the places that the trains and trams don't go. Most routes run from 6am to 9pm weekdays, 8am to 9pm Saturdays and 9am to 9pm Sundays. Night Bus services operate after midnight on weekends to many suburbs. You'll need a myki card to use the buses.

Myki card

Melbourne’s buses, trams and trains use myki, a ‘touch on, touch off’ travel-pass system. It's not particularly convenient for short-term visitors as it requires you to purchase a $6 plastic myki card and then add credit before you travel, but once you’ve got your card, travel becomes very simple.

Note that myki cards aren't needed within the city centre's free tram zone, bordered by Flinders St, Spring St, La Trobe St and Harbour Esplanade, and extending further around the Queen Victoria Market and Docklands. See the PTV website for a detailed map, and listen for announcements on the tram for when you're entering and exiting the free zone.

Travellers could consider buying a myki Explorer ($16), which includes the card, one day's travel and discounts on various sights; it's available from SkyBus terminals, PTV hubs and some hotels. Otherwise, standard myki cards can be purchased at 7-Elevens, newsagents and major train stations.

The myki can be topped up at 7-Eleven stores, machines at most train stations and at some tram stops in the city centre; online top-ups take some time to process. You can either top up with pay-as-you-go myki Money or purchase a seven-day unlimited myki Pass ($45); if you're staying more than 28 days, longer passes are available. There are large fines for travelling without having touched on a valid myki card; ticket inspectors are vigilant, unforgiving and sometimes undercover.

For timetables, maps and a journey planner, see the website of PTV. Handy smartphone apps like tramTRACKER or CityMapper will help organise your outings.

Bike

Melbourne is up there with the most cycle-friendly cities in Australia, though work is ongoing to improve infrastructure and encourage more people to opt for two wheels rather than four.

For those visiting the city, bikes can be rented from spots like Humble Vintage, Blue Tongue Bikes or Rentabike. It’s worth noting Conventional bikes can be taken on trains (but not the first carriage), but only folding bikes are allowed on trams or buses. Helmets are compulsory and must be worn at all times.

Further information, and detailed cycle maps, are available from the Melbourne Visitor Hub.

Car and motorcycle

Cars tend to be more of a hindrance than a help if you’re planning to stay within the confines of Melbourne, as parking is difficult, roads are busy and public transport is good. There is also the struggle of sharing the road with trams, with specific rules around stopping at intersections and overtaking (vehicles can’t overtake a tram running along the centre of a road that is in the process of stopping). See Vic Roads for further details on the city’s road rules.

Cars, and campervans, can be hired from companies with offices at Melbourne Airport and in the city or central suburbs. Options are numerous but include Aussie Campervans, Avis, Hertz and Rent a Bomb. You can usually save money by booking hire cars online in advance. Motorbike hire spots are less common, but outfits include Garners Motorcycle Hire, near the city centre, and EagleRider Melbourne, located in the eastern suburb of Ringwood.

Parking inspectors are particularly vigilant in the city centre and popular suburbs, like St Kilda, Collingwood and Fitzroy. Most street parking is metered and it’s more likely than not that you'll be fined if you overstay your metered time. Motorcyclists are allowed to park on the footpath except in some parts of the city centre where there are signs.

Taxi

Melbourne’s taxis are metered and require an estimated prepaid fare when hailed between 10pm and 5am (you may need to pay more or get a refund depending on the final fare). Toll charges are added to fares.

Two of the largest taxi companies are Silver Top and 13 Cabs. Several ride-sharing services operate here, such as Uber, DiDi and Shebah, which features an all-female fleet of drivers offering rides for women and children.

Boat

Ferries and water taxis run on the Yarra River, which runs through Melbourne, offering a fun and relaxing way to traverse the city.

Water taxis run between Abbotsford, in the centre of the city, and Williamstown, a western suburb, calling at numerous landings and jetties en route, as well as on the Maribyrnong River as far as Essendon.

Additionally, Westgate Punt crosses the Yarra between Port Melbourne and Spotswood, and passenger boats link the Southbank promenade and Williamstown's Gem Pier several times a day.

Accessible transportation in Melbourne

All trains and most buses are accessible by way of ramps. If using trains, you need to be at the front of the platform as the train pulls in for the driver to see you and put the ramp out. Trams are more hit and miss: although there is an increasing number of low-floor, wheelchair-accessible trams, accessible tram stops outside the CBD are few and far between.

Visual and aural announcements on all forms of transport are inconsistent: newer stock is better equipped, but aural announcements are still rare. The journey planner on the PTV website (also available as an app) has a useful filter for wheelchair accessible services and stops.

13 Cabs offers wheelchair-accessible taxis, but be aware that – especially during peak hours and in the evenings – you may have to wait a very long time.

Holders of current and valid interstate or overseas disability parking permits may park in reserved disability parking spaces for the specified time, and may also park in ordinary parking bays for twice the specified time upon payment of applicable parking fees (often waived for permit holders – see signs on parking meters for confirmation).

Elsewhere, pavements are generally in good repair and kerb cuts are standard throughout the city and suburbs. The city centre and suburban shopping centres are relatively well endowed with tactile paving markers. Pedestrian crossings feature sound cues and accessible buttons.

Travellers Aid centres inside Flinders St station and Southern Cross station are particularly helpful for those with special needs and offer a variety of facilities for travellers, including fully accessible toilets (with ceiling hoist and adult-sized change table), accessible public Internet computers with JAWS software, wheelchair/scooter recharging facilities and wheelchair/scooter hire.

For more information, download Lonely Planet’s free accessible travel guide to Melbourne.

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How to get around in Melbourne

Travelers love Denver because it has great weather , good restaurants, even better bars, and a pretty lively arts and music scene. It's one of the fastest growing cities in the US, and was also chosen as a top city in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2020.

Like other cities that are all grown-up, Denver's neighborhoods each have a flavor all their own, and the entire city is connected through a fabulous series of bike paths and park. Here are some great things to do to make the most from your trip.

Union Station

Gorgeously restored, historic Union Station is Denver's main transportation hub but it's way more than that and is well worth a visit. Inside, the main hall doubles as a waiting area and lounge with leather couches and chairs, shuffleboard and free wi-fi.

Swanky restaurants and coffee shops line the building along with boutiques and bars. Even one of Denver's best hotels – the Crawford – calls it home. In summer, a farmer's market sets up outside, drawing a huge crowd. Just beyond it, a pop-up fountain comes to life, enticing kids (and kids at heart) to run and play through the urban sprinklers.

Confluence Park

Confluence Park lies where Cherry Creek and South Platte River meet and is the center of Denver's sunshine-loving culture. It’s one of the city's most central parks, sitting at the edge of Lower Downtown, and is a good place for an afternoon picnic with tables along spots of the river.

There's a short white-water park for kayakers and tubers, and families can also enjoy a small beach and shallow water area for playing and swimming. Other popular activities include biking and hiking, with trails running along both Cherry Creek and the South Platte.

Read more : Denver's best city parks

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

For many people, visiting Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is reason enough for a trip to Colorado. Set between 400ft-high red sandstone rocks 15 miles southwest of Denver, the 9000-seat theater offers stunning views and draws big-name bands all summer. When the setting sun brings out a rich, orange glow from the rock formations and the band on stage launches into the right tune, it's a captivating experience, wholly befitting the park’s 19th-century name, ‘Garden of Angels.’

Red Rocks Park can be almost as entertaining when it’s silent. The amphitheater is only a tiny part of the 600-acre space and is open during the day for free. Miles of hiking trails provide opportunities to lose the crowds and take in lovely rock formations. The Colorado Music Hall of Fame is worth a visit and is accessible from the parking lot.

Stranahans Colorado Whiskey

Whiskey fans may want to head to Stranahans Colorado Whiskey, where only a dozen barrels of whiskey are produced at each week - and they’re damn good. Using award-winning water from the Rockies, Colorado barley and white-oak barrels, it’s a rare taste of quality over quantity. Guided tours of the facility are available throughout the week, though limited space means it’s best to sign up early and online.

Each year on a Saturday morning in early December, the family distillery hosts a release party for its cult whiskey, Snowflake. The name references its singularity: each “vintage” is aged in different types of barrels and no two are exactly alike. Superfans dubbed “Stranafans” camp out overnight (or longer) to snag one or two bottles, during which they enjoy a festive time of food, music and cocktails.

Tattered Cover Book Stores

There are plenty of places to curl up with a book in Denver’s beloved Tattered Cover Book Stores. Bursting with new and used books, the independent stores have a good stock of regional travel guides and nonfiction titles dedicated to the Western states and folklore.

Established in 1971, Tattered Cover hosts more than 500 events each year, including community events, book festivals and film and literature events. The kids' section is wonderful for families.

Denver Art Museum

Delve into one of the richest art collections in the state at the Denver Art Museum. Home to one of the largest Native American art collections in the US, it puts on special multimedia exhibits that vary from treasures of British art to Star Wars costumes. The Western American Art section of the permanent collection is justifiably famous. This isn't an old, stodgy art museum, and the best part is diving into the interactive exhibits, which kids love.

The landmark $110-million Frederic C Hamilton wing, designed by Daniel Libeskind, is quite simply awesome. Whether you see it as expanding crystals, juxtaposed mountains or just architectural indulgence, it’s doubtless an angular modern masterpiece. For the children, there are various play areas on every floor, a treasure hunt and make-your-own-postcard stations.

Cannabis Tours

For a party-bus atmosphere, Denver’s original cannabis tour operator still delivers. Bus and limo tours by Colorado Cannabis Tours include stops at a grow operation, up to three different dispensaries, a glass-blowing demo and, of course, a grub-run at Cheba Hut, a cannabis-themed sandwich shop. Tours leave from a designated spot near Union Station. Yes, you can get high on the bus.

Then there's City Sessions, a small cadre of cannabis guides who are all industry veterans. Four-hour tours include stops at a grow operation, dispensary and glass-blowing demonstration, and a deep dive into cannabis production and trends. Private tours are also offered for a customized experience in medicinal marijuana, concentrates and more, and cannabis cooking classes are also offered.

Read more: A guide to the best cannabis dispensaries, lodging and experiences in Denver

Denver PrideFest

Denver PrideFest is one of the nation’s largest LGBTIQ+ events, typically drawing more than 450,000 attendees over two joyful days, making it the largest Pride event in the Rocky Mountain Region. Held in June, the annual festivities include a parade from Cheeseman Park to Civic Center Park, plus events like the Dogs in Drag contest and the Denver Pride 5K.

The festival promotes the heritage and culture of the LGBTIQ+ community of Colorado,  and is organised by The Center on Colfax as its largest fundraiser to help it serve more than 57,000 people annually. It also features exhibitors from across the country, culinary vendors, a political rally, family activities and entertainment.

Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

This is one of the hottest tickets in town for kids. Highlights at Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus include an enclosed three-story climbing structure, a kids' kitchen with hands-on cooking classes, a 2300-sq-ft art studio, a maker space, a life-size marble run and a huge outdoor playground with lots of climbing, digging and splashing areas.

Toddlers also enjoy a section with fun areas designed for crawlers and new walkers. 'Adventure Forest,' a 500-foot-long aerial adventure course that looks something like Peter Pan's hideout offers amazing outdoor adventures for kids – at least those not afraid of heights. There's free admission on the first Tuesday of the month from 4pm to 8pm.

Coors Field

The Colorado Rockies play baseball at the highly-rated Coors Field from April to September. If you want to be close enough to smell the freshly-cut grass, buy tickets at the club level. If you're on a budget, you can't beat the Rockpile, located right behind centerfield, where admission costs less than $10 and the fans are their most exuberant.

If it's altitude you're after, buy seats in the upper deck's purple-painted 20th row, which is exactly 5280 feet above sea level. Tours of the stadium are available year round and include access to the field and Press Club.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The story of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science begins in 1868, when naturalist Edwin Carter moved into a tiny cabin in Breckenridge to pursue his passion: the scientific study of the birds and mammals of the Rocky Mountains. It's now a classic natural-science museum with excellent temporary exhibits on topics such as the biomechanics of bugs, Pompeii and mythical creatures.

Permanent exhibits are equally engaging and include those cool panoramas we all loved as kids. Gates Planetarium, where you can discover black holes, volcanoes and more, and the IMAX Theatre are especially fun. The museum is located on the eastern edge of City Park, allowing for picnics or connected visits with the nearby zoo.

Denver Botanic Gardens

If you’re hankering for greenery, this 23-acre Rocky Mountain garden is the perfect place to lose yourself. Local flora mixes with relatives from faraway continents such as Australia and Africa to create a breathtaking landscape at Denver Botanic Gardens. Exhibits by well-known artists – think Calder and Chihuly – are set among the flowers and fountains to complement the living art.

The Mordecai Children's Garden has excellent hands-on exhibits, including a much-loved water feature, Pipsqueak Pond. Summer brings outdoor concerts to the gardens, while winter brings a holiday light show. Both are popular – be sure to buy tickets in advance.

Denver March Powwow

Since 1984, Denver has hosted its annual March Powwow, a time when tribes come together to celebrate and share their heritages through song and dance. This three-day event is one of the largest in the country, with almost 100 tribes from 38 states and three Canadian provinces represented in the festivities.

The festival takes place in the Denver Coliseum and features more than 1500 dancers, as well as singing, dancing, storytelling, food and art. Native American artwork and food are sold throughout the event, which is open to the public.

Great American Brew Festival

Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than any other US state, and this hugely popular festival sells out in advance. More than 500 breweries are represented, from the big players to the home-brew enthusiasts. It takes over the Colorado Convention Center for a month from mid-September each year.

You can also check out individual breweries around the city, including Wynkoop Brewing Co, a spacious brewpub serving the city’s most celebrated red ale, Rail Yard Ale. Sipping Great Divide Brewing Company's spectrum of seasonal brews is an experience that will make a beer drinker’s eyes light up, and tours are available.

Clyfford Still Museum

Dedicated exclusively to the work and legacy of 20th-century American abstract expressionist, Clyfford Still, this fascinating museum's collection includes more than 2400 pieces – 95% of his work. One of the founders of American abstract expressionism, Still ended his relationship with art galleries in 1951. In his will, the powerful and narcissistic master of bold insisted that his body of work only be exhibited in a singular space, so Denver built him a museum.

Free tours are offered at the Clyfford Still Museum throughout the week; check the website for dates and times. While the museum is less geared to children than the neighboring Denver Art Museum, there's a fun scavenger hunt that little ones will love.

A Taste of Colorado

For almost 40 years, A Taste of Colorado has brought food and beverage stalls, live music and arts-and-crafts vendors to Denver over Labor Day weekend. A variety of restaurants cook up their specialties to enable attendees to sample a variety of the food the state has to offer.

While it's usually held in Civic Center Park, the 2021 event takes place in downtown Denver, with the festival hosting attractions, events and food tastings out of restaurants, food trucks and parks around the area. Featured food will be exclusively sourced from local, independent Colorado restaurants, and attendees will be entertained by local artists and musicians.

Blair-Caldwell African American Museum

Tucked into the 3rd floor of a branch of Denver Public Library, Blair-Caldwell African American Museum provides an excellent overview of the history of African Americans in the Rocky Mountain region – from migration and settlement to discrimination and achievements. Exhibits on Wellington Webb, Denver's first African American mayor, as well as Five Points, Denver's historically African American neighborhood, are particularly interesting.

Stop on the 2nd floor to peruse the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, an institution that provides much-needed resources on the rich cultural heritage of African Americans in the West.

Marvel over monuments

Denver has many marvellous monuments, including Jonathan Borofsky’s whimsical 60ft sculpture Dancers, which is the centerpiece of Sculpture Park. Lawrence Argent’s I See What You Mean is better known around town as the Big Blue Bear. This beloved 40ft-tall symbol of the city peers into the mammoth convention center with a friendly, playful spirit that has come to epitomize its city. Scottish Angus Cow & Calf was created by Dan Ostermiller and pays homage to the historic cattle culture of Colorado. You can see it at Denver Art Museum.

A notable sculpture is Mesteño, which greets visitors to and from Denver International Airport. Nicknamed 'Bluecifer,' a piece fell on creator Luis Jiménez when this 32ft-high blue stallion with hellish, gleaming red eyes was being created, severing an artery in his leg and leading to his death.

You might also want to check out Bronco Buster and On the War Trail, two bronze sculptures located in Civic Center Park. In the early 1920s, Denver sculptor Alexander Phimister Proctor was commissioned to create these works depicting a cowboy and a Native American warrior, both paying homage to Colorado's Wild West roots.

RedLine Contemporary Art Center

This remarkable contemporary arts center has a huge gallery space where work by emerging Coloradan artists is exhibited year-round. Fifteen artists in residence are hosted by RedLine each year, their studio space lining the gallery. Open to the public, it provides an opportunity for visitors to watch works of art being created.

RedLine has two main exhibition spaces: the Exhibition Hall and the Project Space. It holds various events to promote community engagement, both inside and outside the center, with a focus on positive social change.

Elitch Gardens

If you’re finding all the museums a bit too serious, loosen up at this amusement park near downtown Denver – your kids will love you for it. Established in 1890 in northwest Denver, Elitch Gardens moved to its present location in 1995. The arts collective Meow Wolf even opened a ride here. Highlights include rollercoasters and thrill rides and a 100-foot-high Ferris wheel that provides great views of the surrounding area.

Check out Twister II, a super-sized replica of Mister Twister from the park's previous incarnation, and the Brain Drain coaster, which takes riders on a 7-story continuous loop. For younger kids, there's a 10-acre water-adventure park, bumper cars and tea cups, and the park also has live entertainment.

Absorb the arts

Art-loving visitors should note that on the first Friday of every month, Denverites come out for an art stroll, cruising galleries for free wine and fun conversations in the Santa Fe and River North (RiNo) Arts Districts. The 'First Friday' event typically runs from 6pm to 10pm. Smaller neighborhoods including Berkeley and South Pearl also open galleries on these nights.

Then there's the three-day Cherry Creek Arts Festival, which usually takes place around July 4, although 2021's event is being held over Labor Weekend. During this sprawling celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts, Cherry Creek’s streets are closed off and over 350,000 visitors browse the giant block party.

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