With the kids out of school for the summer, it can be challenging to find enough activities to fill the day. Check out this family-friendly list of fun things to do around town, such as floating down the Yampa River or playing in the sand at the local “beach.” Introduce the little ones to the Bud Werner Memorial Library for endless hours of reading and getting lost in their favorite fictional worlds.
Explore the Yampa River Botanic Park
📷 Photo courtesy of Yampa River Botanic Park via yampariverbotanicpark.org
Where? 1000 Pamela Lane
Looking for a serene afternoon outing in Steamboat Springs? The Yampa River Botanic Park offers families an enriching experience and an opportunity to connect to the wonders of nature. In 1995, the botanic park was born from a horse pasture and is now an impressive six acres of ponds, berms, and 60+ gardens to enjoy. Traipse around the grounds on pathways that gently meander through trees, perennials, annuals, and a variety of plant life. You’ll also notice various sculptures throughout the park.
Pets are not allowed in the botanic park, so leave Fido at home for this outing. Admission to Yampa River Botanic Park is free, though donations are greatly appreciated and help to ensure that the gardens remain in bloom for many years to come. Guided walking tours are organized on Fridays and Sundays at 10:00 AM — so if you want a knowledgeable run-down of the property, meet inside the main entrance and get ready to learn all about the history of the gardens.
Take a Summer Scenic Ride on the Steamboat Gondola
Where? 1001 13th Street
Kiddos of all ages will love the expansive views from the Steamboat Gondola or the Christie Peak Express. At the summit, families can enjoy the fresh mountain air and can hop off to explore the miles of trails in the area. Tickets are good for unlimited rides on the date printed on the ticket, which is great for little ones wanting to experience the ride multiple times. Families can receive one kid rides free ticket for children between the ages of 5 and 12 with the purchase of one adult ticket. Children 4 and under always ride for free.
From June 14th through September 2nd, the gondola and the Christi Peak Express run daily. If you purchased an Ikon Base Pass for the 24/25 season — you’ll also receive unlimited scenic lift rides. Grab yours from the ticket office!
Spend the Afternoon at Little Toots Park
Where? 55 12th Street
Nothing beats a summer day at the local playground. Little Toots Park has a wide variety of amenities for families of all ages and sizes, including BBQ grills, horseshoe pits, picnic tables, river access, and plenty of trees for shade on sunny days. The park also features an open play area and a playground, where the little ones can get out excess energy and enjoy the fresh air. The park is open from dawn to dusk and is a great spot to enjoy a picnic lunch or watch the sunset.
In recent years, the park has undergone a remodel and now features landscape improvements and all-new playground equipment. The park now has inclusive play options for kids ages 2 to 12 years old, featuring swings, the tri-rock, and the grand stand.
Check Out Bud Werner Memorial Library
Where? 1289 Lincoln Avenue
If the kids have summer reading goals to accomplish, there’s no better spot to visit than the Bud Werner Memorial Library. The library is home to over 80,000 pieces of work, including audiobooks, videos, and music. Signature events throughout the year include the library author series and the One Book Steamboat community read. There are also a range of storytimes for children, including Crafty Tales every Monday and Sunday Stories on … you guessed it! Sunday. There’s a music and movement activity on Tuesdays, where toddlers can stretch, sing, and dance while they explore music with different rhythm instruments.
While enjoying all that there is to do at the library, families can also swing by the Riverside Cafe for a beverage and a nutritious homemade snack. The cafe is nestled within the library, along the water’s edge for a relaxed, ambient setting.
Make Your Escape from Crooked Key
Where? 435 Lincoln Avenue
If the kiddos enjoy a fun challenge, head over to Crooked Key Escape Rooms. Choose from one of the four top-rated escape rooms, where families will be tasked with uncovering clues, solving puzzles, and of course, having a blast. Step back into the early 1900s with an Old West mystery or act as a Steamboat Springs firefighter in “Flashover!” where participants will be dispatched to save their pets.
Crooked Key is open 7 days a week and walk-ins are always welcome, though reservations can help cut down on your waiting time. Families that book fewer than four tickets may be paired with other players but parties with kids 7 and under must book a private room to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience.
Go for a Float Down the Yampa River
📷 Photo courtesy of Steamboat Springs Chamber via steamboatchamber.com
Where? Various Locations
Tubing down the Yampa River is a popular local activity and for good reason. Hitting the water provides an opportunity to view your surroundings from a unique vantage point, as well as cool off on a hot summer day. Families can make their float as short or as long as they’d like and there are plenty of small rapids along the route to enjoy a little bit of a rush. Tubing season in Steamboat Springs typically kicks off in June and lasts through August, though conditions are heavily reliant on the amount of snowmelt and rainfall the area receives. If water levels are too high or too low, tubing activities will be paused.
Some safety tips for floating down the Yampa with your family include always wearing life jackets, wearing water shoes with straps and making sure to leave no trace. No tubing gear? No problem! Steamboat Springs has several local outfitters, such as Bucking Rainbow and Backdoor Sports, that offer rentals and even shuttle rides for a stress-free experience from start to finish!
Jam Out at Music On the Green
Where? 1000 Pamela Lane
Music on the Green is one of the best ways to spend a late morning/early afternoon in Steamboat Springs with your family. Partnering with the Yampa River Botanic Park, this outdoor concert series runs from June 26th through August 7th from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM on Wednesday mornings. All concerts will take place at the Botanic Park and admission is totally free for music lovers of all ages.
The first artists on the schedule for this year’s Music on the Green are Carolyn Berns and John Fog on June 26th. Families can enjoy the sounds of classic acoustic and electric violin while they stroll the paths around the gardens or watch the performers in action. The final two concerts on August 14th & 21st are scheduled for later in the day — at 5:30 PM. The finale will include food trucks as well, making it the perfect evening to cap off the summer and enjoy good music and tasty bites.
Practice Your Strike at Snow Bowl
📷 Photo courtesy of Western Centers
Where? 2090 Snow Bowl Plaza
Bowling is one of the nation’s top participatory sports and for good reason! Not only is this activity inclusive for everyone in the family, but it can also be a great indoor activity for days when it’s rainy outside or just too hot to hang out at the park. The bowling facility hosts events throughout the year, including bowling tournaments and even free concerts! On Saturdays during the summer, head over to Snow Bowl Plaza at 11:00 AM for award-winning BBQ and live music on the patio.
Lanes are priced at $40 per hour all day Tuesday through Thursday and $50-60 on the weekends. Up to six people can bowl per lane, so bring the whole family out and engage in a friendly competition of who can pick up the most spares.
Splash Around at Burgess Creek Beach
Where? Burgess Creek Road
This hidden Steamboat Springs gem should be on any summer bucket list. Children will enjoy the shallow waters, perfect for splashing around and cooling off on a warm day. Parents can grab one of the Adirondack chairs on the beach to sunbathe and supervise the kiddos while they enjoy the water and explore the wading pools. The water comes down via a rock spillway, which effectively creates a waterfall effect.
The beach is located at the base of the ski area, with the creek running down Mount Werner. Pack a picnic lunch and bring your sandcastle-making supplies for hours of fun in the sand! Pair a trip to the beach with a gondola ride and the little ones will have a jam-packed day of fun that they won’t soon forget!
Take a Relaxing Soak at Strawberry Hot Springs
Where? 44200 County Road 36
Strawberry Hot Springs is a Steamboat Springs gem, tucked away in the natural beauty near Routt National Forest. Families can make pool reservations up to 30 days in advance and day-use guests can reserve 2-hour windows. The pools are typically no cooler than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, so parents should ensure that this is comfortable for their child. Kids under the age of 3 must wear a swim diaper and all youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Minors aren’t allowed at Strawberry Hot Springs after dark when clothing becomes optional. Families with little ones are encouraged to schedule their soak for earlier in the day. The springs are open 365 days a year and there are shuttles that operate out of downtown Steamboat Springs to the facility, making it convenient to enjoy a quick dip in the springs.
Eat BBQ at the Pro Rodeo Series
Where? 401 Howelson Parkway
The Pro Rodeo Series comes to Steamboat Springs for two months during the summer, from June 21st through August 24th. From the iconic bull riding event to bronco riding and steer wrestling — the rodeo is fun for the entire family. The little ones can even get in on the action themselves, with the calf scramble event! Of course, you’ll need a hearty meal before watching all the high-intensity drama unfold, so enjoy some Routtie’s Barbecue served with a secret BBQ sauce that’s sure to knock your socks off.
Tickets can be purchased in one of several ways, including by the day or via a season pass that’s good for any event in that year’s season! If you expect to attend multiple weekends during the summer, this may be the best bet for getting your money’s worth.
Lace Up Your Skates at Howelsen Ice Arena
Where? 285 Howelson Parkway
Howelsen Ice Arena is an Olympic-sized rink and has something for every interest and skill level, including hockey and skating camps. Cool off this summer and practice your skating with private lessons or have a family fun day on the ice.
Kiddos will love the bumper cars on ice at Howelsen Ice Arena, as well as the variety of public skating activities. The calendar includes a range of family-friendly options, such as freestyle figure skating, stick & puck hockey, as well as adult drop-in hockey if mom or dad wants to show off their skills. No reservations are accepted for public skating, so get there early to ensure you can maximize your time at the arena. For the popular bumper cars on ice, sessions operate on a reservation basis only.
Make Memories with the Family in Steamboat Springs!
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decide which activities to put on the bucket list. Steamboat Springs has an array of family-friendly activities around town and throughout the local area — so grab the kiddos and enjoy a summer full of live music, botanical exploring, and bumper cars on ice!