Summer as a child is pure magic. Each of us has treasured memories of sun-soaked, adventure-filled days fading into warm, relaxing evenings. But why should kids have all the fun? We’ve rounded up nine activities that recapture those nostalgic summer feels—with a few adult-friendly upgrades.
Fly Among the Treetops at a High Ropes Course
Get the adrenaline pumping and capture the feeling of soaring through the air with a day at a high ropes course. For a relaxed, self-guided adventure, check out Treehouse Adventure Park in Bailey. Set high in the ponderosa pine treetops, a series of zip lines and challenge bridges at varying skill levels means you can literally choose your own adventure. For a river-side backdrop, check out Browns Canyon Adventure Park in Buena Vista, where a leap-of-faith obstacle and big drop swing add even more exhilaration. treehouseadventurepark.com, noahsark.com
Polish Off a Sundae at an Iconic Ice Cream Parlor
Whether you’re 10 or 100, hot summer days call for ice cream. Silver Scoop Creamery in Fairplay scoops up the cold stuff in a charming, turn-of-the-century soda fountain-inspired ambiance. Treat your inner child to a loaded banana split—or go for an affogato if your tastes lean a bit more adult. For ice cream in the city, head to the LoHi location of Little Man Ice Cream in Denver. Waiting in line is well worth it once you’re enjoying your scoop of salted Oreo from the landmark eight-foot milk can. littlemanicecream.com
Recreate Summer Camp With a Dash of Luxury
Missing the sleep-away camp vibes of your childhood? Recreate them at C Lazy U Ranch, an all-inclusive dude ranch in Granby designed to evoke the carefree spirit of childhood summer camp—complete with horseback riding, fly fishing, swimming, biking and more. The only difference is that this camp has gourmet food, fine wine and first-class service. For a less bougie but no less evocative experience, opt for nearby Camp Chief Ouray, which offers affordably priced adult and family camps every August and September. clazyu.com, campchiefouray.com
Joy-Ride Your Bike Along a Winding Path
Coloradans certainly love ripping down a challenging single-track trail or pedaling up a steep road bike traverse. But many of us have forgotten the simple joy of biking along a meandering flat trail while enjoying the summer sights, sounds and smells. For a relaxing ride, The Highline Canal offers 70-plus miles of flat-ish paved and gravel trail stretching from Littleton to Aurora—much of it shaded by mature cottonwood trees. The Boulder Creek Path and the St. Vrain Greenway are also great options. visit.highlinecanal.org, bouldercolorado.gov
Game in a Vintage-Inspired Arcade
If you were obsessed with Neo Geo, Sega Genesis or N64 in your youth, then a visit to Channel 3 Retro Gaming Center in Wheat Ridge will make your inner child very happy. Buy a day pass and enjoy all-you-can-play games—from Mortal Kombat to Mario Kart—as you escape the summer heat. For gaming with a side of booze, check out The 1Up Arcade Bar in Westminster, where you can sip a local microbrew as you play retro games and pinball. onchannel3.com, the1uparcadebar.com
See a Drive-In Movie
Catching a flick is just more fun when it’s outdoors, no matter how old you are. Luckily, Colorado still has a few spots left where you can participate in the old-school drive-in theatre experience—hot popcorn included. Comanche Drive-In Theatre in Buena Vista and Holiday Twin Drive-In in Fort Collins are two of the best places to catch those summer blockbusters al fresco. comanchedrivein.com, holidaytwin.com
Have a Colorado-Style “Beach” Day—And Shred Sand
Colorado may be landlocked, but we’ve still got plenty of sand. Plan a road trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park to enjoy sandboarding and sand sledding—and, if you feel inspired, maybe build a sandcastle or two. Mark your calendar for late spring and early summer snowmelt, when the Medano Creek flows through the base of the dunes, creating a gentle, shallow wave pool for frolicking. Bring your lounge chairs and a picnic and enjoy the soft sand beneath your toes and flowing creek waves all day long. nps.gov
Go to a Fair or Amusement Park
The smell of deep fried, well, everything. The sound of carnival music and laughter. The thrill of taking a few spins around the Ferris wheel. Turns out, a fair is just as much fun as you remember it—and in the case of the Colorado State Fair, held in Pueblo in late August, the food is way better. (Don’t miss the pork chop on a stick and gourmet caramel apples.) For fair vibes that last all summer long, check out Lakeside Amusement Park, a north Denver destination for rides, carnival games and Beaux Arts architecture for more than a century. coloradostatefair.com, lakesideamusementpark.com
Watch the Stars and Toast a Few S’mores
Cool night air, the stars twinkling above and marshmallows toasting over an open flame—what could be a more core childhood memory? Luckily, entering adulthood doesn’t make the ritual any less enjoyable. If you don’t feel like pitching a tent and building a fire yourself, you’ve got options. Overnight guests at Tabernash’s Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Winter Park’s A-Frame Club or Breckenridge’s Hotel Alpenrock can partake in free nightly s’mores roasting—so plan a mini staycation and treat yourself to an ooey-gooey—and sophisticated—chocolatey treat in the mountains. devilsthumbranch.com, aframeclub.com, hotelalpenrock.com
Float a Lazy River
Some of the water park activities you enjoyed as a kid—ahem, looking at you sky-high slides and sketchy wave pools—may be best left to the past. But the lazy river is even better as an adult. Enjoy a slow float around the river at the Gaylord Rockies or the smaller one at Pirates Cove in Englewood. The latter is especially great during the adult-only nights held throughout the summer, when a live band plays in front of the lazy river and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. marriott.com, englewood.gov
