Denver’s Wildest Playground Is Open Again

Happy Wednesday, Denver ! 🎉

Somewhere in this city today, a kid is about to absolutely smoke their parent on a 500-foot climbing course. Spring in Denver officially hits different once the outdoor adventure spots start waking back up. And this one? It’s part obstacle course, part art installation, and fully designed to tire your children out in the best possible way.

Looking for more things to do in Denver? Dive into Things to Do in Colorado, Kid-Friendly Hikes, or discover our favorite Colorado Day Trips.

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🌿 Adventure Forest Is Back at the Children’s Museum of Denver

Starting today, May 6, Adventure Forest officially reopens for the season at the Children’s Museum of Denver — and honestly, it might be one of the coolest family attractions in the city.

This isn’t your average playground. Adventure Forest is a massive 500-foot-long climbing structure mixed with immersive art, hidden pathways, and interactive storytelling created by local artist Wes Bruce and the museum’s exhibits team. Kids can climb through towers, crawl through tunnels, decode secret symbols, and meet the “Council of Creatures” while navigating the course.

A few things to know before you go:

🌲 Climbers must be at least 5 years old or 44 inches tall
🪖 Helmets are required and provided
👟 Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended
☀️ Sunscreen and comfy clothes = smart move
⏰ Last Adventure Forest entry is at 3:30 PM
🌧️ The course closes during bad weather

And if you haven’t visited the Children’s Museum of Denver lately, the whole place has quietly become one of the best family-friendly spots in the city. Beyond Adventure Forest, there’s Joy Park’s river feature reopening for summer, hands-on exhibits, teaching kitchen workshops, and special evening events like the upcoming free Joy Park night later this month.

A few summer highlights worth bookmarking:

💦 Joy Park River reopened May 1
🍦 Teaching Kitchen workshops include homemade ice cream sessions
🎟️ $12 Tuesday Nights return June 2, July 7, and August 4 with evening hours until 7 PM
🆓 Members get unlimited admission all year

The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, and yes — adults can only enter with kids. So unfortunately, you cannot casually spend your Wednesday climbing around solo pretending you’re in a nature-themed ninja course.

Before it became one of Denver’s favorite family destinations, where did the Children’s Museum of Denver first operate in 1973?

A) Inside Union Station

B) In a converted school bus

C) Beneath the Denver Zoo

D) Inside an old fire station

Click an option to vote

Mile High Happenings

Wednesday, May 6

Traqueros: Mexican Trackworkers and the American Railroad - Colorado Railroad Museum, Denver | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Ticketed

Conversation Pieces - Denver Art Museum, Denver | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Ticketed

Borderlands of Southern Colorado - History Colorado Center, Denver | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Ticketed

Thursday, May 7

'Round the Clock - Denver Art Museum, Denver | 10:00 AM | Ticketed

Thursday Night Tacos & Trivia - Vib by Best Western Denver RiNo, Denver | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Ticketed

Denver Astronomical Society's Public Night - Denver, CO, Denver | | Ticketed

See our full calendar → Denver Event Calendar

Real Talk ☕

What’s Happenin’ is 100% free and independently run (yep, it’s just us). If this newsletter helps you discover cool things around town, your support helps keep it going and growing. We truly appreciate any and all love. Thank you for being part of the community.

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💼 Local Jobs Worth Checking Out

You asked for it — we delivered. In our recent poll, a big chunk of you said you want a small job board in the newsletter, so here it is! We believe great communities connect people to great opportunities. Here are a few roles submitted by readers and local businesses:

Local Jobs

Part-time

Local Partnerships Rep at What’s Happenin’ | denver

Full-time

Environmental Organizing Advocate at Green Corps | Denver

Project Administrator at trane technologies | Denver

👉 See More Local Openings →

💘 Date Spot in Denver

Denver makes dating easy—in the best way. Think sunset walks in LoHi, artsy wandering in RiNo Art District, garden strolls at Denver Botanic Gardens, or drinks and people-watching at Union Station. Casual, cozy, or a little romantic—Denver’s got a spot for it.

👉 Vote and we’ll share the top picks—chosen by locals—in an upcoming issue. 💌

👉 Vote for your favorite Denver date spot.

🍽 Not sure where to eat tonight?

Our Restaurant Finder takes the guesswork out of dining by showing you the best local restaurants based on real reviews and vibes, not just ratings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a date-night spot, we’ve got you. No endless scrolling, no decision fatigue...just solid recs.

🧠 Need a brain break?

Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend.

🗳 Now Voting: Denver’s Best Brunch 🍳
Beer had its moment. Now it’s brunch time.

We’re opening voting for Best Brunch in Denver, celebrating the spots that turn late mornings into a full-on ritual. Green chile, bottomless coffee, patio hangs, and menus worth waiting in line for. From RiNo hotspots to Wash Park staples, this is about the places you keep coming back to every weekend.

Vote and help crown Denver's best!

🌞 See You Out There

Denver really shines this time of year when the outdoor spaces come alive again. Adventure Forest feels like one of those places kids remember for years — and parents remember because everyone actually slept well afterward.

👉 Trivia Answer: B) In a converted school bus! The Children’s Museum of Denver got its start in 1973 before growing into the massive hands-on campus families know today.

I’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply — I read every message and always respond when I can.

Catch you Friday with more ways to make the most of your mother's day weekend.

— Ben

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