Do you have a kid who is obsessed with “choo-choos?” I do. Of course, his only train exposure has been limited to his Thomas the Train Set and the obnoxious one that blows its horn at all hours of the night near our house.

But to ride a real-life train that Mommy does not yell at every time it passes by? The Georgetown Loop Railroad is my son’s idea of Mecca…but without the long pilgrimage. Located just 45 miles west of Denver, Colorado off I-70, the railroad brings Colorado history to life in a family fun activity that will thrill kids of all ages.

Not just the ones obsessed with “choo-choos.”

This isn’t just any train ride. Most importantly, “It moves!!” as my son delightfully repeated every few minutes, just in case we had missed that our old-time locomotive was winding up Clear Creek Canyon. The open cars afforded us breathtaking views of bustling Clear Creek, gushing waterfalls, fascinating Devil’s Gate Bridge, historic mines and epic Rocky Mountain vistas. Best of all, the train ride was neither too short nor long; 70 minutes was just right.

Departures are available from the Silver Plume Depot or Devil’s Gate Station in Georgetown during the regular season. Gift shops at both ends of the line offer great selections of railroad-themed items, books, clothing, snack foods, and hot and cold drinks.

After your Denver, Colorado family fun activity be sure to visit the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District, established in 1966. The two towns have one of the largest concentrations of Victorian buildings in the country with many unique shops and restaurants. Grab some ice cream from End of the Line’s 1901 soda fountain or if you want to experiment a bit, try Georgetown Valley Candy’s valencian fudge–vanilla fudge with hints of saffron and anise.

Family Activities in Denver & Colorado. By Amber Johnson, Editor MileHighMamas.com.

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