10 Reasons Your Kids Will Love You If You Bring Them To Telluride This Summer. As parents, we essentially all want the same thing – and that is, for our kids to be happy. And with summer quickly approaching the pressure is on!
Bringing your kids to Telluride during the summer will not only have you in the good books with your kids, but a trip to the mountains gives children the chance to explore nature, develop their imaginations and take unique and memorable adventures that only the great outdoors can offer. The beauty of bringing your kids to Telluride during the summer is that you don’t need to spend a bunch of money entertaining them. And the best part…a lot of the fun is free! Here are our top 10 picks of things to do with your kids in Telluride this summer.
Inner Tubing Down The San Miguel River
One of the easiest, and cheapest activities for kids, inner tubing down the San Miguel River is extremely popular during the summer months. Throw your tubes in at Town Park and drift as far as the river will take you. You can drift as far as the end of the valley floor – thats 3 miles! You just need to find a way to get back to town. They sell various flotation devices at Ace Hardware on Main Street, but we recommend bringing your own from home. The more durable the better! If you fall in, the water is chilly!
4th of July & Festival Fun
Telluride is famous for it’s festivals. We do know how to have fun! Bring your family to Telluride’s fantastic Fourth of July Parade where quirky local floats include “Men Without Rhythm” dancing down the street, the dog parade, and a local brass band trumpeting along the street. The parade begins with fighter jets that swoop down through the box canyon, and right after the parade you can head to Telluride Town Park for the town picnic. The holiday is capped off with one of the most incredible fireworks displays in Colorado.
In fact, most festivals in Telluride are very family friendly. The Telluride Bluegrass Festival & Telluride Blues & Brews Festivals have specially allocated kid zones where your kids will be entertained and amused all weekend long. The only catch is how to go and see some music when the kids are having so much fun!!!
Gravity Play In Mountain Village
Head up to the Mountain Village for some fun at the Adventure Center. Kids can get an adrenaline rush on the bungee trampoline and test their luck in striking gold at the mining sluice. Adventure Center activities are available daily mid June – Sept. If you are staying in Mountain Village, you can walk to Heritage Plaza where the Gravity Play structures are set up.
The Telluride Academy is by far the most established outfitter of kid’s programs during the summer. The academy offers a broad range of camps that include day programs, overnight excursions and full on adventure travel for 3-7 nights. This summer, programs start on mid June and end mid August. These educational programs include activities such as mountain biking, climbing, fly fishing, gardening, cooking, film making, flower fairies, treasure hunts, tree climbing, SUP, music, insect hunting, computer programing, surfing and so much more. To view the summer schedule, click here.
Telluride Town Park
If you are looking for a relaxing, unstructured day with kids, head to Telluride Town Park. The park offers endless outdoor choices for the kids including the brand new swimming pool precinct, an awesome skate park, the Imagination Station kid’s playground, bicycle pump track, disc golf, volleyball courts and kid’s fishing pond. Take a soccer ball to kick around on the grass and pack a picnic to enjoy in the sunshine.
Ride The Free Gondola
Photo Credit: Kim Olson via Flickr CC2.0
The town’s of Telluride and Mountain Village are joined by a gondola that runs from 7am until midnight daily. Not only is our gondola the only FREE transportation system of it’s kind in North America, but this is one of the most beautiful journey’s you will ever enjoy with your kids. The gondola starts on South Oak Street in Telluride town and travels up and over the San Sophia ridge, and then down to Mountain Village. Jump off the gondola at the mid station and take a short walk out onto the ridge to enjoy some of the most breathtaking mountain views in all of Colorado.
Take A Fun Hike
Photo Credit: Arizona Shona via Flickr CC2.0
The beauty of a vacation in Telluride is that you don’t need to pack the whole family into the car to enjoy the sights and surroundings. One of the most fun (and free) things to do with your kids is to take one of the many hikes that go directly from town. Wander along the Telluride River Trail to adjust to the altitude on your first day. Then you can venture further afield. Some of the best hikes from town include the Bear Creek Trail, the Jud Weibe and the Telluride Valley Floor.
Explore Area Waterfalls
Photo Credit: Michael Buck via Flickr CC2.0
There is something so magical about a waterfall. Telluride is also home to a number of beautiful waterfalls, including the highest free falling waterfall in Colorado! From town you can access Cornet Creek Falls in about 10 minutes from North Aspen Street. The Bear Creek Trail leads to Bear Creek Falls in a 2 hour round trip hike. The most impressive waterfall is undoubtedly Bridal Veil Falls. At 365 feet, this is the crowing glory of waterfalls. Sit underneath the falls and enjoy the cooling spray of Colorado’s highest free falling waterfall.
The Telluride Skate Camp debuted in 2007 and has quickly gathered a loyal following. Founded by Telluride local teacher and father Craig Wasserman,
“Telluride Skate Camp delivers quality skateboarding introduction in a purposefully safe, supportive, fun and effective way. Inspiring constant skill progression at all levels, and fostering the life lessons of focus, respect, dedication, perseverance, and grit, it’s much more than your typical summer sport camp. It’s a source of happiness, health, community, and the path to life-long shredding”.
How much will your kid love returning to school, and telling their friends they went to “summer rock camp”? This award winning, week long program runs throughout the summer & will give your child the chance to explore & expand their musical abilities in a fun, encouraging environment
Of course, this is just a taste of the many wonders available for families during your Telluride vacation. To start planning your summer trip, call Lodging In Telluride on 888-998-6471. We manage a selection of affordable vacation rental condos in Telluride town, and we pride ourselves on friendly, local knowledge & se