A cheap Denver history activity for kids during summer months

Touring government buildings is generally not on the list of must-do for any kido during summer vacation. But, have you heard that there are secret tunnels under the State Capitol Building? Did you know you can see a real penny being designed, cut, and stamped? Denvers historic buildings are unique and filled with stories of gun-toting outlaws and gold-hungry barons so dont let the family miss the outrageous history of the great Denver landmarks: for free.

Colorado State Capitol

Sitting tall above Civic Center Park, watching over the Denver County Courthouse, the capitol building is a grand structure sheltered in gold. During the no-cost tours educated guides cover really cool history of not just the building and some of the men (and early women) who helped shape Colorado history, but they also include stories of an unruly, wild-west place that, Beware!, may entice your teenager to stop texting for at least a minute or two. The free tours start at 9 a.m. and run about every 30 minutes, until 3:30 p.m. With less than 10 people, you dont need a reservation. It is recommended that you plan your family tours after lunch however, because mornings are often busy with school and daycare groups. A separate unguided tour is also offered called the dome walk. Be ready for a lot of stairs and it is kind-of hot, but the views from the top will take your breath away. The capitol is located at 200 E. Colfax Ave. Denver 80204 and you can call 303-866-2604 to speak to a real live person about the tours.

The Denver Mint

The Denver Mint is only one of six places in our country that makes congressionally commissioned coins, generally circulated coins, and is a storage site for gold and silver bullion, among other things. As the need grew for currency production and gold and silver storage in the late 1800s, Denver was an easy choice for a western hub because of the extensive gold and silver exploration in our state and the central location of our city in the west. The free tours offered here are a bit more technical and may not keep the attention of younger children, but there is a lot to see and the guides are well educated. "The key to budget travel is to prepare in advance. When it comes to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved trips and/or going to see new places we have never been before, the actuality of cost and budgeting is generally in the back of our heads. Preparation and expending our travel budget properly is a concern for most families. Minimizing spending and costs, while still taking pleasure in your vacation to its fullest, is the key to assured achievements and fiscal responsibility. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The reasoning behind saving money while touring is simple: Even if your personal finances is highly limited, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or departing the homestead! Also thinking about that while traveling, whether on a resources or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a huge vacation or travel bill!..". Imagine piles of pennies and monstrous machines spitting out money, wow is a word used a lot on this tour. Everyone has to have a reservation to go through the facility, but it is easy to do online at usmint.gov. The tours run every hour starting at 8 a.m.-2 p.m., the rules are pretty strict about what you can bring in (no backpacks, purses, strollers), and there is security screening 15 minutes before your tour start time. The mint is located at 320 W. Colfax Ave. Denver 80203 and you can call 303-405-4761 for general information.

Lets cover the downside to these adventures:

Be prepared to pay for parking, street parking may not be an option as most meters only allow a 2 hour window, and most of the lots only accept cash.
Tours are only Monday-Friday
These are professional, working businesses, who acknowledge that the public is there to visit, but expect inside voices and respectful manners. If the kids are not into it, dont be afraid to duck out.

You will be pleasantly surprised at the entertainment value of these old buildings, so be prepared. They may create dinner-table conversations, questions related to government (So what is the difference between a State and a Territory, Dad?) and real memories that will be part of your own history.

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