Boulder, Colorado, nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is a haven for families seeking adventure, education, and fun. With its stunning natural landscapes and a community rich in cultural offerings, Boulder provides a variety of tours that cater to all ages. Whether you visit Boulder for one day or for a longer trip, there are a wide variety of highly rated tours to explore the area. Here is our local’s guide to some of the top family-friendly tours in and around Boulder, Colorado, that you won’t want to miss.
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Boulder Family Friendly Tours Highlights
- Discover Rocky Mountain National Park – Picnic Lunch Included
- Celestial Seasonings Tour
- Ride Boulder’s Best Guided E-Bike Tour
- Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek
- Scenic Mountain Photoshoot in Boulder, Colorado
- Boulder Dash Scavenger Hunt
- Colorado Railbike Adventures (Erie)
- Snowshoeing in the Rocky Mountains
1. Discover Rocky Mountain National Park – Picnic Lunch Included
Just a short drive from Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park offers breathtaking beauty and wildlife. The “Discover Rocky Mountain National Park – Picnic Lunch Included” tour on Viator is the top rated tour in Boulder and not to be missed. This tour includes pickup in either Denver or Boulder, a stop for coffee in Lyons, multiple stops within Rocky Mountain National Park, and a picnic lunch (assuming good weather). You’ll have a chance to see wildlife, beautiful views, and to learn more about the park itself.
Tour details
| 2024 Cost | From US$159 |
| Duration | About 8 hours |
| Pickup and transportation Included? | Yes, upscale transportation from 2 locations, 1 Denver & 1 Boulder |
| Language(s) | English |
| Age restrictions | No children under 8 years old |
| Food & drinks included? | Water refills are included (bring your own water bottle) Picnic lunch included |
2. Celestial Seasonings Tour
Dive into the aromatic world of tea with a tour of the Celestial Seasonings tea factory just north of Boulder. This tour offers a glimpse into how teas and herbal infusions from around the world are blended and packaged. The highlight for many is the famous Mint Room, where the powerful scents of peppermint and spearmint offer a thrilling sensory experience. Either before or after your tour, don’t forget to sample some of the 100+ varieties of tea!
Visit the gift shop before leaving to purchase boxes of tea to bring home as a souvenir.
Tour details
| 2024 Cost | US$5 |
| Duration / Schedule | 45 minutes, scheduled on the hour during business hours (no reservations needed). |
| Pickup and transportation Included? | No |
| Language(s) | English |
| Age restrictions | No children under 5 years old on the tour. Children under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Food & drinks included? | Free tea samples of 100 varieties of tea. There is a café to enjoy a lunch before or after your tour (this is an extra cost). |
| Other tour notes: | – Walkers and wheelchairs are welcome; – No photography or videography on the tour; – Hairnets and beard nets are required to be worn; – Service animals are not allowed on the tour |
3. Ride Boulder’s Best Guided E-Bike Tour
Explore the beauty of Boulder with ease on Boulder’s top rated e-bike tour. The tour takes you past the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, University of Colorado’s Boulder campus, Wonderland Lake, Boulder Creek the Boulder Flatirons, electric bikes provide a boost, making it easy to navigate the city’s bike-friendly trails and paths. The tour offers a fantastic way to see Boulder’s top sights while enjoying the fresh mountain air. Electric bike, helmet, and bottled water are included.
Tour details
| 2024 Cost | From US$100 |
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Pickup and transportation Included? | No (the meeting point is close to public transportation) |
| Language(s) | English |
| Age restrictions | 2 children, 12 and under can ride with adults |
| Weight restrictions | Maximum. weight limit of 350 lbs |
| Food & drinks included? | Bottled water provided, no other food & drink |
| Other tour notes: | The tour is not wheelchair accessible |
4. Beginner Whitewater Rafting on Historic Clear Creek
Gear up for excitement with a family rafting trip, available through Viator. Tailored to all skill levels, these rafting tours glide through mild to moderate rapids. It’s an exhilarating way to bond as a family and cool off during the warmer months. Free use of wetsuits, splash jackets, helmets, paddles, and personal flotation devices Note that this tour goes from Empire, so does require a roughly 1 hour drive.
Tour details
| 2024 Cost | From $105 |
| Duration / Schedule | 3 hours |
| Pickup and transportation Included? | No |
| Language(s) | English |
| Age restrictions | Children are able to join in on this tour |
| Food & drinks included? | No |
| Other tour notes: | The tour is not wheelchair accessible. However, they may be able to make arrangements for many with mobility challenges. Contact the tour company directly to discuss options. |
Other options are available for intermediate and advanced rafting tours. Check Viator here for availability!
5. Scenic Mountain Photoshoot in Boulder, Colorado
Capture your family moments with a scenic photoshoot in the Rocky Mountains. Professional photographers can guide you to picturesque locations around Boulder for that perfect family portrait with a stunning mountain backdrop. It’s not only a fun outing but also a great way to keep your vacation memories alive.
Tour details
| 2024 Cost | From US$100 per group. Each group receives a $50 digital image credit |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Pickup and transportation Included? | No, photo shoot locations vary. Drive or take an Uber to the trail sites if not on public transportation. |
| Language(s) | English |
| Age restrictions | No |
| Food & drinks included? | No |
| Other tour notes: | The trails are not wheelchair accessible. |
6. Boulder Dash Scavenger Hunt
Engage in some friendly competition with the Boulder Dash Scavenger Hunt. This city-wide scavenger hunt takes you through the vibrant streets of Boulder, solving puzzles and challenges along the way. It’s a creative way to discover the city’s hidden gems while spending quality family time.
The game uses your smartphone, and participants interact with a live remote guide. This is a great way to explore Boulder and learn more about this great town!
Tour details
| 2024 Cost | From $22 |
| Duration / Schedule | 2 hours |
| Pickup and transportation Included? | No |
| Language(s) | English |
| Age restrictions | None |
| Food & drinks included? | No |
7. Colorado Railbike Adventures (Erie)
Experience the Colorado landscapes in a unique way with the Colorado Railbike tour. Situated a short drive from Boulder, this tour allows you and your family to pedal custom-built railbikes along historic railroad tracks. Enjoy the scenic views of the Front Range and plains without the worry of steep hills, making it perfect for all ages.
A typical tour includes instructions for all riders followed by a gentle ride to the turnaround spot. As the staff turns the bikes around, enjoy a break and learn about the history of the railways in the area. Bike slightly uphill back to the station after your break. Though it was uphill, this was not very challenging.
Tour details
| 2024 Cost | US$160 per railbike (fits 4 people) |
| Duration / Schedule | 2 hours (see website for times) |
| Pickup and transportation Included? | No |
| Language(s) | English |
| Age restrictions | No age restrictions. There is an option (for $180) to rent a rail bike with an additional spot for one non-pedaling rider under 48 inches tall. |
| Weight restrictions | Each rider must be less than 300 lbs. |
| Food & drinks included? | No |
| Other tour notes: | There are lawn games at the depot to play before or after your ride. |
8. Snowshoeing in the Rocky Mountains
Embrace the winter wonderland of Colorado with a small group 4-mile snowshoe tour in the Rocky Mountains. This family-friendly activity is perfect for those looking to explore the serene, snow-covered landscapes in a fun and engaging way. Depending on trail conditions, participants may snowshoe or use micro spikes.
Options are driving to a mountain lake approximately an hour and a half past Nederland (west of Boulder). There, the group will visit either a ranch or alpine lake. Alternatively, do a 3.5 mile hike around a bison preserve closer to Denver/Boulder.
Tour details
| 2024 Cost | US$145 per person (max 6 people) |
| Duration / Schedule | 6 hours |
| Pickup and transportation Included? | Yes, if within 20 minutes of Denver |
| Language(s) | English |
| Age restrictions | No age restrictions. This is not be suitable for those over 95 years of age; those who are pregnant, or have pre-existing medical conditions. |
| Food & drinks included? | Yes, lunch (sandwich, chips, snacks) and water |
| Other tour notes: | Snowshoes or micro spikes, hiking poles, and gators (keeping snow out of your boots) are included. Other warm clothing is not included. |
Boulder, Colorado, offers these and many other family-friendly activities to ensure that your vacation is filled with excitement, learning, and unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s exploring the natural beauty of the mountains or diving into the fascinating world of tea, Boulder has something to offer visitors of all ages.
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Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
| Air Travel | SkyScanner |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | Trainline, RailEurope |
| Bus tickets | Flixbus, Busbud |
Not really into family travel, but this still seems like a fun adventure 🙂
Thanks, most would be fun for all ages!
I had no idea the Celestial Seasonings factory was by Boulder! I’ll have to visit next time I’m in Boulder 🙂 There are so many things to do in the area!
It’s a fun tour, especially visiting the mint room.
The railbike experience looks amazing. That would be so much fun to do. Oh and you had me at seeing a moose in a national park!
We see moose fairly frequently near both the east entrance to the park (near Sheep Lake) and near the Grand Lake entrance. Definitely worth visiting!
Many interesting tours to choose from. I would go for a Railbike tour. it seems amazing. Thanks for sharing!
The railbike tour is new this year and quite unique, which is always fun. We really enjoyed it.
Loved learning about snowshoeing in the Rockies. I never knew about that and think that would be a great tour. Thanks for the info.
Snowshoeing is a great way to explore in winter, one of my favorites (2nd probably to cross country skiing in winter).
Great post. We have some friends in the Boulder region and we keep saying we should get down there for a visit. This has inspired me even more. Saving for later.
Great, hope you have a chance to visit and explore the area.
Hi, very interesting info. Thanks to getting me in this part of the world.
Thanks for the feedback!
Boulder will definitely be on our travel plans when we finally get to spend time in Colorado. Great to read about the great variety of tours we can plan to do. We would certainly check out the eBike tours and white water rafting has been on our list for some time. A Railbike adventure looks like a unique thing to do in this area when we finally get Colorado on our plans.
The railbike was a new experience for us as it recently opened. We learned more than we thought and had a pleasant afternoon on the rails.