Scheduling a getaway with children can be challenging because of work, school, and play. We’re here to help. From luxury downtown hotels to rustic mountain resorts, a family-friendly staycation is waiting close to home. Use this guide to plan your adventure near Lone Tree, Colorado.

Unwind at a Luxury Downtown Hotel

Parents and their child check in at a hotel for a family staycation in Lone Tree, Colorado

“Check in” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Holidayextras

One of the best things about Lone Tree is its proximity to Denver’s wide range of accommodations. When you’re looking for a hotel, you want one that offers plenty of activities to keep the kids busy while also providing entertaining pursuits for mom and dad.

The Ritz-Carlton is an ideal weekend destination. Located on Curtis Street, it’s close to all the downtown attractions you want to explore, and it’s comfortable enough to spend your staycation lounging in your room. You can also bring your four-legged friend to this pet-friendly establishment. Its modern, luxurious rooms come with mountain or city views, and they all feature flat-screen TVs, oversized tubs, and butler service.

Parents can take advantage of seasonal spa treatments, while the staff invite children to join the Ritz Kids program. This hotel’s youngest guests have their own check-in area, and they’ll receive a welcome packet with an activities book and scavenger hunt. Everyone can meet up later at the upscale, onsite steakhouse for dinner.

Go Skiing in the Foothills

Echo Mountain Resort is the ideal place to hit the slopes for a winter staycation. This location is ideal for a cozy holiday during the school winter break. It’s the city’s closest ski resort in Idaho Springs, just 45 minutes west of Lone Tree, tucked in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Rent a cozy mountainside cabin located within minutes of Echo Mountain’s slopes in this historic small town. The whole family can go skiing, tubing, or snowboarding in a welcoming and supportive environment that’s ideal for beginners. You can even rent equipment here if you don’t have your own.

Stick to the resort’s “The Yard Sale” beginner area if you’re getting the basics down. Once you know how to stop and turn, venture out to the rest of the mountain and keep an eye on the trail ratings. It’s best to leave any run with a blue, black, or orange marker to the experts.

Explore Historic Castle Rock

Castle Rock is nestled in the heart of East Plum Creek Valley, just 20 minutes south of Lone Tree. Rocky butte formations surround this former prospecting town and inspired its name. Castle Rock features stunning views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range and offers families loads of activities for a staycation close to home.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy Castle Rock’s small-town vibe. For lodging, pick from popular brand-name hotels and budget-friendly local motels or book something neat, like an entire house. Then, kick back and relax or enjoy the city’s many amenities. The whole family can go outlet shopping, or mom and dad can play a round of golf.

Go Camping at Chatfield

If your family enjoys spending time in nature, the Chatfield State Park Campground on Roxborough Park Road in Littleton is an ideal location. Only 30 minutes west of Lone Tree, this must-stop attraction has lots of entertainement and relaxation for kids of all ages, even toddlers.

This campground offers 197 sites, fire rings, and modern conveniences like a bathhouse with flushing toilets, showers, and laundry facilities. In addition to primitive tent and full-hook-up RV camping, this natural wonder offers tremendous boating, hiking, and picturesque views. Bring your camera in hopes of catching of glimpse of Colorado’s extensive native wildlife species on film, like:

  • American badger.
  • Bobcats
  • Colorado chipmunk.
  • Gray fox.
  • Mountain lion.
  • Mule deer.
  • Canadian geese.

Escape to the YMCA of the Rockies

Make new memories or start a new family tradition at the YMCA. This isn’t your typical neighborhood Y, where you’d go for a pickup basketball game. Organizers nestled this branch in the peaks, just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park.

If you’ve been dreaming of a relaxing staycation with your loved ones, you’ll find it here. Choose from various lodging options and spacious, dog-friendly cabins to a cozy hotel in the lodge. There are even dining options at this Y, so you don’t have to stop enjoying all the premier amenities to cook the kid’s meals.

The YMCA of the Rockies offers active families loads of opportunities for every adventurer, no matter the weather. You can bond and see different sides of your loved ones during a heated round of games. There are loads of fun things to do at this Y, like:

  • Roller skating.
  • Tennis.
  • Archery.
  • Guided hikes.
  • Survival skills training.
  • Disc golf.
  • Arts and crafts.

Spend the Night in The Clink

No, this isn’t one of those scared straight programs. The Station on the Riverwalk is Pueblo’s most curious boutique hotel. The owners repurposed the town’s former police station and jailhouse into a unique family getaway on Central Main Street.

The designers paid attention to every detail, ensuring an incredible experience under its roof, from fancy linens and fluffy down pillows to cozy robes and slippers. You can be sure previous inmates didn’t receive this kind of hospitality. Each room is named by cell number, one through seven, for another comedic twist to the decor. Meet up in the lobby for a variety of family-friendly activities around the area. Embrace the city’s rich history and culture by:

  • Touring the Buell Children’s Museum.
  • Floating down the historic Arkansas Riverwalk channel.
  • Visiting the animal residents at the Pueblo Zoo.
  • Paddleboarding on Lake Pueblo.
  • Watching a movie at the old-school Mesa Drive-In.

There you go! Crème de la Crème of Lone Tree just informed you of the best places to go for a family staycation. Did you like our picks? If we missed your favorite destination, one that locals would love, let us know. Drop us a line so we can add it to our guide and share it with other Colorado parents.