Denver/Rocky Mountains or Austin Texas

[popsickle555]

DH works for an American company and has two potential work trips happening this year to the above places that we can ‘tag along with’. Both fall during school hols so I plan to go too and take the children to one of them.

The Denver trip will be end of August
The Austin trip will be October half term

DC’s are 11 and 8.

Has anyone been to either of these places with kids? Happy to travel around. I can drive that no issue but just really wondering which would offer the most interesting experience for the kids. DH would need to work 3-4 days so I’ll be solo with the kids those days.

maximum stay for either would be 2 weeks but ideally 10 days.

Has anyone been to either of these and could you share any tips?

The route up to Telluride is fantastic. Go via Durango and go on the Silverton railway. Dc should love that. Durango has a decent little museum too. We drove along the Million $ Highway. You need your wits about you but it’s fantastic. Try and go off road somewhere. It’s just fantastic. I have not been to Boulder but I would look at a Rocky Mountain itinerary put together by travel companies with experience , eg Audley do Colorado Rockies explored. Worth a look for ideas. You can even book with them. We do this. Sort our own flights and tag a tour on.

Hi OP. Another vote for Denver - we used to live there. The mountains nearby have summer activities that will appeal to the kids - look at Breckenridge. Glenwood Springs has a giant hot springs pool and there's also a mountain nearby with activities. There's not a ton in Denver itself, but the amusement park Elitch Gardens will still be open and it's fairly large and fun. The Denver museum of nature and science was fun when mine were 6-11 or so.

Austin is fine, but from what I saw, it's mostly fun for the 21+ crowd because of all the bars. And the humidity is bad.

These are a few ideas from Audrey. Denver and around. They then suggest Colorado Springs, Breckenridge,Aspen, and Estes.

I like that they recommend the Kimpton. That's where I always stay in Denver. Love the hotel and the service is outstanding (even by US standards). Great toiletries by Atelier Bloem (which is actually Malin & Goetz). They have a very good hotel restaurant Panzano that's a destination for lots of people (so not your average hotel restaurant). I'm addicted to their Brussel sprouts & apple starter (sounds weird but it's INCREDIBLE!). I like Audrey already, they clearly have excellent taste. 😜

Ha! It’s making me want to go to Colorado again! Have not seen enough of it!