Location: Thornton
Top Things to do in Thornton
- 1. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
- 2. Water World
- 3. Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center
- 4. Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
- 5. The Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park
- 6. Mid-Air Adventures
- 7. Denver Escape Room
- 8. Boondocks Food & Fun
- 9. Margaret W Carpenter Recreation Center
- 10. Cabela's
Top 10 Things to do in Thornton, United States
The City of Thornton is a home rule municipality in Adams and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado, located in the northeast quadrant of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thornton is 10 miles (16 km) north/northeast of downtown Denver. The United States Census Bureau reported the city's growing population at 118,772 on April 1, 2010, a 44.2% increase from the 2000 Census population of 82,384. Thornton is the sixth-most populous city in the state of Colorado and the 213th-most populous city in the United States.
Restaurants in Thornton
1. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 239 reviews
Reviewed By Sarah S - Denver, Colorado, United States
This is a cool attraction I don't think a lot of Denver citizens have visited. It's actually one of the largest urban wildlife sanctuaries in the country, with over 330 species of wildlife. There are great hiking trails, bird-watching opportunities, and even bison. We did Lake Ladora Loop, which is 1.8 miles. It goes by lakes, marshes, and ponds and has a floating boardwalk! We hiked for quite a while, and then took about a half hour drive around the outside to see more animals. There are also kids' activity pamphlets available outside the main building in boxes with maps.
2. Water World
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 371 reviews
Wet and wild amusements that include wave pools, white water rapids and speed slides located on 64 landscaped acres.
Reviewed By bd W - WY
Hall your own tubes up the hills??! – 10-15 minute haul for a 3-5 minute ride -- it effectively limits the number of rides one takes especially with more children than adults in a group. At $45+ entry fee they should have a simple pulley system or ATV/trailers to haul many tubes at once so patrons could enjoy the rides. ‘Journey to the center’ was especially loved by kids, but too much ‘haul’ for adults to allow a 2nd ride. Valet tube service is about $70 but allows for 4-person group. Lockers are ~$8-12 for the day. Coolers are allowed and shady-grassy areas all around for picnics. Cabanas are avail to rent as well. It is a huge park with rides & slides for all ages. I would recommend a full day here; we ended the day at the wave pool so we needn’t haul the heavy family tubes (4-person) up the hills.
The area is clean and well-staffed, life-guards and employees are mostly cheerful.
3. Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 602 reviews
The first stand-alone non-profit invertebrate zoo in the nation.
Reviewed By BILL W - Gunnison, Colorado
Butterfly Pavilion takes you right into to the forest/jungle habitat so that you can see the butterflies in all stages of their development. They are flying about so that you can see them in their natural habitat. There is also an area where the staff can show and tell about insects and one can even handle them.
4. Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Arts peerformance center with art galleries, classes and a children's playground.
Reviewed By Maui2014NMR - Colorado
Our group of four recently purchased tickets to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Arvada Center. We were completely happy with the performance! The sets were amazing, the music was terrific, and the performers were truly outstanding! Bravo to each and every one of them! There is plenty of free parking available. Wine is sold in the lobby for $6.00/glass.
5. The Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By LateLate77 - Cork, Ireland
Visited here lately and had a fantastic day out. The slides are brilliant. The lifeguards were really vigilant and they were at the top and bottom of slides so it felt really safe. The price was good and the bathrooms were lovely and clean. Would highly recommend this pool!
6. Mid-Air Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Mid Air Adventures is an Indoor Adventure Center designed to keep kids active in a fun and exciting way. Our belief is that kids should play, not in front of a TV or computer screen, but in an exciting, interactive way that keeps them physically active. Our 90 minute adventures include Rock Climbing, Zip Lining, Giant Rope Swings, Rope Bridges, and good old fashioned slides! Adventures can happen at any age, too! We harness up as young as 2 years old, and we've had even a 92 year old grandmother try! If the harness isn't for your kids, we also have a toddler area with slides and other fun things.
Reviewed By 303TRH - Thornton, Colorado
We had our daughters Birthday party here after going to one for a friend. My daughter loved it and so did all of her friends. They have different zip lines so you can go to the highest, shortest, go together like a swing etc. The best part is the people working there have a ton of fun with the kids which my daughter loved. They try to grab their shoes they just have fun! They also a great spot for parents to watch at tables, very comfortable and you can keep an eye on the kiddos. Good place to go! They also have an area for little kids.
7. Denver Escape Room
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Denver Escape Room is a fun, challenging, immersive, interactive game experience taking place every day. While it looks like an ordinary room, it's actually a puzzle. During your adventure in our escapes, you will find yourself flexing your brain and looking in nooks and crannies you never even noticed. Find the hidden objects, figure out the clues and solve the puzzles to earn your freedom. You have a limited amount of time, so be quick! Come with your friends, family and coworkers and have a great time.
Reviewed By HotGamerGrrl - Firestone, Colorado
We had 5 people escape the Crimson Storm pirate ship themed room. Sooooooo much fun - words cannot even describe. Wow! You just have to experience an escape room for yourself. Very family-friendly and the kids were thoroughly entertained too - not just for adults. DER has inexpensive t-shirts to buy as souvenirs as well, which was great. They also gave us all little rubber bracelets that said "Crimson Storm" on it which the kids thought was very cool. Overall - 6 out of 5 stars, yes, I went there - it was that good. Amazing time! We will be back.
8. Boondocks Food & Fun
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By plentyfun - Denver, Colorado
Went to the new Boondocks @ E470 and Parker Road. Very very nice facility, many things for all family members to do. Moderately priced. Excellent food, also moderately priced.
BUT, beware the Rookie car ride. There is a stated 48" minimum size for drivers, but that safety feature was ignored. Small children who could walk under the 36" turnstyle were allowed on, including one who looked barely 3 years old, with the results you might expect. The tiny child did not make it 20' out of the chute, then t-boned into the wall another 100' out, exposing herself to the ongoing rush of other drivers. I spoke with the very young attendant, he did nothing. My wife spoke with the only slightly older "team leader", who just watched the debacle unfold. VERY dangerous. She did not stop the ride and remove the too-short (too young to drive anything other than a non-motorized tricycle) drivers.
There were no "adult" managers to be seen. I attribute this situation to poor training, at the attendant and leader levels, and lack of managerial oversight of what is going on.
I would rate Boondocks "excellent" on facilities, "poor" on management safety. Expect ambulances to replace minivans if this is not corrected.
9. Margaret W Carpenter Recreation Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By KendraP05 - Denver, Colorado
Wow! What a beautiful park. This is a great location for families. During the summer, they have paddle boats, a fountain for kids to run through, a carousel, a big playground with swings and slides, a lake to walk around, tennis courts, basketball courts, nice picnic tables, plenty of grass, etc. We will be going back. We loved it!
10. Cabela's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
Big store with lots of choices. Mostly over priced. You can shop around and beat most of their prices. Fun to walk through and look around.
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