어린 자녀와 함께하는 봄방학: 덴버 근교 미니 휴가

The idea of a spring break with young kids might be enough to send any family into panic mode. The logistics and costs of a long-distance trip for spring break are often overwhelming. From travel snafus to navigating new cities, trying to manage it all can disrupt the relaxing environment that many people aim to achieve on vacation. Fortunately, there are several refreshing and affordable options for families looking to make the most of spring break with young children. A mini vacation close to home can help you create lasting memories within a few hours’ drive of Denver. Whether your ideal mini-adventure includes indoor pools or outdoor hikes, we have fresh ideas for family-friendly spring break mini vacations with young kids close to Denver. 

Hotel-Based Getaways For Spring Break

• Gaylord Rockies Resort — Located in Aurora, the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is the perfect location if you want everything under one roof. From an year-round indoor water park to the Grand Lodge lawn full of games and activities, staying in a hotel has never felt so active! The Gaylord also offers nine onsite family-friendly restaurants. In March 2026, guest rooms with a king bed and pull-out sofa start at $322/night. 
• Great Wolf Lodge — This Colorado Springs staple includes a massive indoor waterpark, a climbing wall and seasonal kid-centric exhibits. The Great Wolf Lodge includes six sit-down restaurants as well as an in-house Dunkin Donuts and an ice cream parlour. Prices in March start at $251/night for a double queen suite. March 2026, double queen suites start at $251/night. Also, be sure to check out the resort’s themed-suites. These cabin and animal-themed rooms include bunk beds, fridges and multiple TVs to ensure your vacation doesn’t involve a fight over the family movie. 
• Resort Pass – Spend the day at an indoor hotel pool, enjoy a hotel room without the overnight commitment and more through Resort Pass. Check out Denver day pass options or venture outside of the metro area for a little fun. Many options start at just $25. 

Trips Under Three Hours From Denver For Spring Break With Kids

• Red Feather Lakes — Just 90 minutes north of Denver, Red Feather Lakes is a relaxing, rustic and scenic destination for families looking to play outside. Surrounded by the expansive Roosevelt National Forest, Red Feather Lakes offers snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, snow tubing and more during the winter and early spring months. For lodging, stay at Marr’s Mountain Cabins and eat onsite at The Tavern at Red Feather Lakes 또는 Potbelly Restaurant and Lounge for some family-friendly food. For a little extra fun, check out the Gnome Road, a forest trail scattered with hundreds of gnomes, fairies and woodland creatures. Look for signs around Nokomis Road or Hiawatha Highway, and remember that finding it is half the fun. 
• Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs is a crowd-pleaser in any type of spring weather. Just three hours from Denver, Steamboat has world-class skiing, natural hot springs, snowshoeing and shopping. “The Top Things to Do In Steamboat in the Spring” include renting bikes and pedaling around the Core Trail, taking a soak in Strawberry Hot Springs, waterfall hikes and escape rooms. Stay at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas 또는 Steamboat Grand. Head into downtown and grab some grub at one of the many family-friendly restaurants on the main drag. 
• Glenwood Springs – Less than three hours from Denver (pending traffic), Glenwood Springs offers year-round fun with hot springs, indoor pools, and more. Enjoy an indoor water park at Hotel Glenwood Springs, which has double queen bed rooms for around $150 during spring break. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park features gondola rides, cave tours, family rides, and more. Spring Funday ticket prices start March 6 and are $57.99 for children ages 3-12 and $62.99 for anyone 13 and older when purchased online (kids under 3 are free!). 

Spring Break Trips With Kids Four-Plus Hours from Denver

• Pagosa Springs — Near Colorado’s southern border, Pagosa Springs is an aptly-named hot spring mecca. Wolf Creek Ski Resort is close by, making it a great home base if skiing is on your list. Stay at the Springs Resort, which includes 50+ hot spring pools, a hot tub grotto, yoga classes and even horse-drawn sleigh rides. Let the little ones run around in Pagosa Town Park or head to Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park to get up close with mountain lions, grizzly bears and other mountain animals. Kid-approved food options include Kip’s Grill 그리고 Riff Raff Brewery.
• Santa Fe, New Mexico — Roughly six hours from Denver, the drive to Santa Fe is about as long as most preschoolers (and adults) can endure. However, exposing your kids to the beauty of the southwest and, perhaps, some warmer weather will be worth it. The first stop on any Santa Fe adventure is the historic Plaza for some shopping and food. The Shed is family-owned, perfect for all ages and located on the square. For a little fun and culture, try the Santa Fe Children’s Museum or check out the famous Canyon Road art galleries. Santa Fe is surrounded by hiking trails and has a small ski resort right in town called Ski Santa Fe. Stay at the Inn at the Alameda to be walking distance (especially for little legs) from the action. 

Spring Break Resources for Preschool Families

Regardless of destination or if you decide to hit the road with little travelers, be sure to check out our other blog posts to help inspire your spring break with little kids: 

• “Spring Break Tips for Traveling With Children” 
• “Road Trip Survival Tips for Preschool Families” 
• “Family-Friendly Day Trips from Denver: Fun That’s Under An Hour Away or an Hour-Plus For a Full Day Adventure”
• “Outdoor Winter Activities for Preschoolers In Denver” 
• “Top Games for Preschoolers”
• “Spring and Summer Ideas for Preschool Kids and Toddlers in Denver”
• 미취학 아동을 위한 봄철 활동: 미술 활동, 운동회 등!

Finally, just remember that making memories doesn’t need to stretch the wallet or stress your nerves. When in doubt, keep it simple and just have fun. Looking for ways to save on your preschool costs so that you have more money for adventures? Check out our guide for Denver families to lower your preschool costs.