Below is a list of free days for Colorado residents in 2008.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science
January 16
April 20
May 3
June 25
August 13
September 7
October 22
December 7

Denver Zoo

January 14
January 26
February 14
October 7
October 18
November 2
November 9

Denver Botanic Gardens

Jan. 21 – Martin Luther King Day
February 18 – Presidents Day
March 17
April 22 – Earth Day
July 21
September 27
October 18

May of the free days at the Botanic gardens correspond with craft and plant sales. Check the website for updates.

Denver Art Museum

January 5
February 2
March 1
April 5
May 3
June 7
July 5
August 2
September 6
October 4
November 1
December 6

Children’s Museum of Denver
The Children’s Museum is opened to the public for free on the first Tuesday of every month between 4 and 8 pm.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts

This is the hardest one to believe since everyone knows that a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts can be very expensive. However, there ARE free shows available for those who are willing to wait and take a chance. Tickets are only available through the box office, which opens about 30 minutes before curtain call. The tickets are first-come, first serve and only one per person, no reservations. Keep in mind that the tickets are for general seating and no children under the age of 6.

Free Shows between Jan 01, 2008 – May 08, 2008
January 10 – Our House – 6:30 p.m. – The Space Theatre
January 17 – Lydia – 6:30 p.m. – The Ricketson Theatre
January 24 – Plainsong – 6:30 p.m. – The Stage Theatre
March 13 – Gee’s Bend – 6:30 p.m. – The Space Theatre
March 20 – The Merry Wives of Windsor – 6:30 p.m. – The Stage Theatre
April 3 – Doubt – 6:30 p.m. – The Ricketson Theatre
May 8 – 3 Mo’ Divas – 6:30 p.m. – The Stage Theatre

Budweiser Brewery Tour - Anheuser- Busch has offered the public free tours of their facilities since 1865. Today you can take a tour of the Colorado facility located in Fairplay. On the tour you will learn all about the malting, brewing and packaging processes, as well as spend some time with the famous Budweiser Clyesdales. For those of you over the age of 21, the tour ends in the lounge where you can sample many of the well know Budweiser brews. During the winter months you will also be able to sample their Bourbon Cask Ale.

Hours:
Oct.- May: Thursday- Monday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
June- August: Daily 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Sept.: Daily 10:00 am- 4:00 pm

Location:
2351 Busch Dr.
Fort Collins, CO
(970) 490-4691

Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Visitor Center

Red Rocks is a beautiful geological rock structure with an open-air amphitheatre nested in the middle. There are many things you can do for free at the park. You can visit the visitor center and learn about the history of the park, walk through the amphitheater where some of the biggest names in music have performed or simply enjoy the natural beauty of the park.

The park, which is owned by the city and county of Denver, is located just 15 miles west of Denver within Red Rocks Park. The amphitheatre was designed by a Denver architect named Burnham Hoyt and it seats up to 9,450 people.

Hours:

Open- Nov. 1^st – April 30^th Monday through Saturday 9 am- 4 pm

Sunday 11 am- 4 pm

May 1^st – Oct. 31^st Monday through Saturday 9 am- 5 pm

Sunday 11 am- 5 pm

Closed- Holidays and if the weather is bad the road may close.

* Please keep in mind that the parking in the park is almost impossible during concerts and special events.

Location:

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is located near Morrison, 15 miles west of Denver.

16831 W. Alameda Pkwy
Morrison, CO 80465

Mad Science of Denver – has been educating and amazing children with science since 1996. They will be holding winter break science camps in Lakewood, Arvada and Longmont during the holiday break.

Dinosaur Ridge – Take a free self-guided tour which starts at the Visitor Center at the base of the east side of the hill and proceeds to the south up the ridge. Stop by the Visitor Center to obtain maps and directions for your self-guided tour. You can also purchase a guidebook at the Visitor Center if you require more detailed information and instruction. There are signs describing fossil remains and other important features along the 1.4 mile stretch of west Alameda parkway over Dinosaur Ridge. For those of you that would like more guidance and explanation there are guided tours available for $36.00 which covers a group of 1 to 12 people. Call 303-697-3466 for further information and reservations.

Hours:

Open- Nov. 1^st – April 30^th Monday through Saturday 9 am- 4 pm

Sunday 11 am- 4 pm

May 1^st – Oct. 31^st Monday through Saturday 9 am- 5 pm

Sunday 11 am- 5 pm

Closed- Holidays and if the weather is bad the road may close.

Location:

16831 W. Alameda Pkwy
Morrison, CO 80465

Celestial Seasonings – is the most advanced production plant in the world. The tour will allow you to see everything that goes into producing those small tea bags that we all enjoy. Follow the tour with breakfast or lunch at the Celestial Café or check out the tea shop where you will find all types of Celestial Seasonings teas for a discount price. Keep in mind that only children over the age of 5 are allowed on the tour of the facility.

Let’s face it, during the holidays our wallets can take a serious beating so during the entire month of December, Colorado Blog will be posting activities and locations to visit in Colorado for Free! Visit Colorado Blog daily for new opportunities to have to have fun and enjoy Colorado without spending a dime!

Coors Brewery Tours – Take a free tour of the Coors Brewery in Golden, CO. The tour takes about 40 minutes and it includes a walk through the facility where you will learn all about the malting, brewing and packaging processes. The tour ends with very generous samples of several beers and malt drinks, like Zima, for the adults and all you can drink soft drinks for the kids.

Hours: Open – Monday through Saturday 10am – 4pm Closed – Sunday and Holidays

Location: Between 13th and Ford Street, Golden, CO. Just follow the signs or call 1-866-812-Beer for further instructions.

Colorado has 53 14,000 ft peaks. There are more Fourteeners in Colorado than anywhere else in the US. The term Fourteener identifies a mountain that is 14,000 ft above sea level or higher. In Colorado it is like a badge of honor to try and bag as many Fourteeners as possible. Climbing a 14,000 ft peak is no easy feat. It can take a few hours to climb up a peak or it can take the whole day. It all depends on your level, the peak and of course the weather.

Find out more information by visiting:

Peakbagger.com or 14ers.com

Just outside of Downtown Steamboat Springs you will see a very unique and beautiful Mineral Hot Spring. Steamboat Springs is an aw inspiring city that should be on top of your list of places to visit. Once your there you should make Strawberry Park Hot Springs one of the first places to visit. Do not forget to bring your swimming trunks! Check out their website and make sure you visit their Gallery section.

Open all year round

Hours are:

Sun – Thur 10:00am – 10:30pm No Entry after 9:30pm

Fri – Sat 10:00am – 12:00am No Entry after 10:30pm

  Garden of the Gods

During my surfing on the web today I found the “Top ten things to do in Colorado”. I thought this was worth posting here on the Colorado Blog. I’ve done 7 of the 10 and I plan on completing the rest soon. 

1. Take the Cog Railroad to the top of Pikes Peak.
2. Visit  The Garden of the Gods.
3. Climb the stairs at Seven Falls.
4. Tour the Air Force Academy Chapel.
5. Take a trip back in time to the “Gold Rush” days with a visit to Cripple Creek.
6. Enjoy an afternoon of spelunking at Cave of the Winds.
7. Drive across the Royal Gorge Bridge, the world’s highest suspension bridge.
8. See where future gold medalists train: tour the Olympic Training Center.
9. Lions and tigers and bears…get acquainted with the local wildlife at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, then enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views from Will Roger’s Shrine of the Sun.
10. Shop, dine, and tour local galleries in Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs.