Baseball was one of the events I missed the most when the shutdown happened last year. When it was announced that fans could attend games again at a limited capacity this season, I knew I would be purchasing tickets for our first family baseball game. Taking our toddler and newborn to their first game was an event I was excited about, but also knew we would have to be well prepared for. Read more
There’s something about spending quality family time in the mountains. It’s a time to slow down, disconnect from technology, and enjoy the beautiful facets of God’s country. Read more
How We Planned for and Enjoyed our Day at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
We recently took our first family trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Growing up outside of Denver, I had always heard about it but never had a chance to visit. I’m glad my first experience of the zoo was with my husband and two daughters.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is very interactive with close-up animal experiences and feedings. I will share how we planned for and enjoyed our day at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in this post.
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Planning for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is located at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. It is just south of The Broadmoor, a Colorado Springs luxury hotel. It is about an hour and 20-minute drive from Denver. Colorado Springs has a variety of hotels to if you’re looking for a great place to stay. Check out this Colorado Springs itinerary for other things to do in the area!
Buy Tickets Ahead of Time
Advanced tickets are requiredat Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. According to the Zoo FAQs, popular days and times may become sold out. Choose a time slot for arrival when purchasing tickets. You have 30 minutes after that time slot to enter the zoo.
We visited the zoo in April, which is before their peak season. However, we saw signs that they were sold out for the day when we got there. I was glad I got our tickets ahead of time!
Visit the Website to Plan Your Zoo Visit
Along with purchasing tickets in advance, I suggest exploring the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo website ahead of time to plan your visit. If this is your first time visiting, you will find that it is a very interactive zoo. You can feed the giraffes, elephants, rhino, and other animals. I suggest that you bring cash for animal feedings when you visit.
Our Experience at the Zoo
Our family spent about 3 hours at the zoo. We also met up with our cousins who live in Colorado Springs. It was jacket weather when we first arrived until the afternoon when the weather got much warmer.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Food
We arrived at the zoo at 11:30 to grab lunch at the Grizzly Grill first before walking around. They have great food selections at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, including pizza, sandwiches, salads, burgers, and snacks. I ate a delicious chicken salad sandwich, and my husband and daughter had the pizza and garlic knots.
Giraffe Feeding
After lunch, we headed to the Giraffe Feeding exhibit, located in the African Rift Valley near the zoo’s main entrance. The giraffes were at eye level as we walked right up to them on an elevated boardwalk. We purchased two lettuce bundles for $5 (pricing is $3 for one bundle, 2 for $5) to feed the giraffes. Feeding the giraffes was like nothing I had experienced before. It was truly remarkable being so close to them and feeling a sense of their gentle demeanor.
Elephant Feeding
We also got to feed Lucky the Elephant at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Lucky is in the Encounter Africa exhibit, and feeding times are from 11-11:30 am and 2:30-3 pm. The cost for elephant snack time is $10 for one (carrot or cucumber) or $15 for two. There was just one elephant for feeding time, so we waited in a short line to feed Lucky. Although six African elephants live together at the zoo, you feed one at a time during the feeding experience. This was different from the giraffe feeding experience, where dozens of giraffes were available to feed. My daughter kept talking about feeding the elephant at the zoo, so this was a memorable experience for her.
Zoo Layout and Other Animal Exhibits
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is designed on the side of a mountain. What is unique about the zoo is that you can take an elevator up to a higher area and look at the animal exhibits below. They also have a Mountaineer Sky Ride, a chairlift that takes you above the zoo. With our girls being so young, we couldn’t take the sky ride, but we have this on our bucket list to do in the future!
We saw many other animal exhibits throughout the zoo. We saw lions, monkeys, bears, alligators, hippos, emus, reptiles, birds, and the tiger. The animals were grouped by world locations and species. There was plenty of room for the animals to run, swim, or fly around.
We also got to enjoy a budgie buddies bird feeding experience. They gave us popsicle sticks with food to feed them. The cost was $1 per stick of food.
End of the Day Ice Cream Treat
Toward the end of our zoo trip, we enjoyed an ice cream cone at The Express Carousel Sweets stand. It was the perfect treat after an adventurous day. We enjoyed sitting down for a bit to enjoy the nice weather and soak in our day. This was one of the spots where my daughter talked about how much she enjoyed feeding the elephant.
Animal Conservation
At the exit of the zoo was a spot to donate to animal conservation. There was information displayed throughout the zoo about wildlife preservation and how you can support conservation for different species. At the end of our zoo trip, we donated to various animal species, including elephants. This was a unique feature that I had not seen at other zoos. I can appreciate their efforts in protecting animal species.
Our experience at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was overall a great experience. Now that we have visited it once, we will be sure to see it again when visiting Colorado Springs. It is just over an hour from Denver, making it a perfect getaway for the family.
*Disclaimer: We received tickets to the zoo in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.
Colorado Race Track in Dacono, CO Makes a Great Date Night
I have always enjoyed a sporting event as a date night. There is something about a fast-paced activity and the atmosphere of a cheering crowd that excites me. When we had the chance to enjoy an evening at a Colorado race track, we took up the opportunity to make it a date night.
Colorado National Speedway (CNS) is located in the town of Dacono, Colorado, which has a population of just under 6k. The speedway is considered Colorado’s Premiere NASCAR Short Track and is home to local racers along the Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas. From the Denver metro area, it is about a 45-minute drive north to Dacono along i-25.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through a qualified link at no additional cost to you. Affiliates allow me to pay for my blog so I can continue creating great content for my readers. Thank you for your support!
Arriving at the Colorado Race Track
As we arrived at the parking lot, we heard the loud revving of engines from the racecars doing warm-up laps. Entering the stadium, I couldn’t help but notice all the history of the race track which was displayed all around through stats, driver representation, and sponsors.
We learned that the race track was first built in 1965. It has a great hometown feel of avid racecar fans and a family-friendly atmosphere. Local racers can earn points at the Colorado race track throughout the season that go toward the season-ending championship race.
Line-up of Races For the Night
The lineup of racing divisions for the evening were: Bandolero, Legends, Late Model, and Trains. To read a full description of the divisions, visit Colorado National Speedway – Divisions.
Bandoleros
I was surprised to learn that the bandoleros were driven by racers between the ages of 8 and 15 years old. The racecars have 30hp motors and are considered safe vehicles for young drivers to learn the sport. Within the division are two smaller divisions: the Bandits and the Outlaws. Bandits are the younger and newer drivers, while the Outlaws are more experienced racers. We got to see both during the race we watched.
Legends
I personally liked the style of the legends. These are replicas of some of the earliest race cars to exist. With their 1200cc motorcycle engines, these cars can hit great speeds around the track.
Late Model
The late models have the common look of traditional race cars, in my opinion. They are known for their fierce competition. According to the CNS website, this is one of the fastest-growing divisions at their Colorado race track.
Trains
If you have never seen trains before, this is an exciting and thrill-seeking race to watch. It is a chain of 3 cars together. There are two drivers: the front which controls the acceleration and steering, and the back which controls the braking. As the announcer explained, “business in the front, party in the back!” This was the last race of the night and we were told by some fans sitting next to us that we didn’t want to miss this one. It was wild watching these trains. One of them even shot up some sparks as it was riding on its side.
We had a great date night at the Colorado National Speedway. The Colorado race track is perfect for a date, or even a night out with the family. The stadium also has a “family-friendly” section designed for young families. You can find concessions including different food and drink options. I suggest bringing earplugs to the event.
To see a list of upcoming events, visit CNS Schedule.
*Thank you for hosting us, Colorado National Speedway. All opinions are my own.
We recently took an Oklahoma road trip as a family of 4. Our main destination was Altus, but we also explored Oklahoma City and Indiahoma. We also made a lunch stop at Amarillo on the way there. Altus wouldn’t have been a town we would have considered visiting had it not been for my cousins who live there. It’s a smaller town with just under 20k in population with an Air Force Base. My cousin and his family moved back after retirement because they enjoyed their tight-knit community.
Road Tripping with a Toddler and Baby
Denver to Altus is a 9-hour drive straight through. With a toddler and baby, it took us closer to 11 hours. On the drive out there and back, we left just before 5 am. We did this so that the kids would sleep for the first 3-hour stretch of the drive.
After they woke up, we kept our toddler busy with lots of activities: a busy board, coloring book, interactive travel toys, and snacks – lots of snacks. Here is a great list of kid snacks for road trips. A long road trip is also the time to bring the iPad. Before we left, I downloaded a few shows on Netflix, including her favorite – Go, Dog. Go! Read my blog about road trip with toddlers tips for more great ideas to make the drive successful with young children.
Lunch in Amarillo
On the drive there, we stopped at Tyler’s Barbeque for lunch in Amarillo, Texas. Tyler’s Barbeque was as southern homestyle as they come. My husband and I both ordered the sliced brisket sandwich. He got a side of pinto beans, and my toddler and I got the side of the day, mac & cheese. Everything we ate there was delicious and flavorful. We also liked that it was fast-serve, similar to Chipotle. The restaurant itself was large with a couple of different seating areas. It was busy but very spacious, perfect for a family meal.
Family Activities in OKC
On the first day of our Oklahoma road trip, we settled in with family. The next day our family drove to Oklahoma City, before exploring their small town. The first stop was Science Museum Oklahoma. The museum was founded in 1958, by Navy Admiral John Elson Kirkpatrick, and is one of the largest science museums in the nation.
The whole facility has interactive meteorology and physics exhibits that are fun for kids and adults. You can learn how things work like hot air balloons, bikes, tornados, gravity, pressure, clouds, earthquakes, and much more. You can even walk into a small tornado simulator that increases to 80mph winds. There were many areas for kids to explore, but my husband and I, along with my cousins, had just as much fun. If you are in OKC, Science Museum Oklahoma is a family must-see.
After the museum, we took a boat taxi around the city’s canal. We learned about the history of the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. About 50k people lined up on horses and carriages at noon in an effort to occupy a piece of the Indian Territory Unassigned Lands that covered 2 million acres, including Oklahoma City. The lands were considered one of the most valuable unoccupied lands in the US. Shortly after, The Indian Appropriations Act of 1889 was passed which allowed for settlement within those 2 million acres. The settlement created rapid growth of 10k people in Oklahoma City in 1889.
From taking the water taxi and walking around the city, we couldn’t help but notice how the people are very sports-minded in OKC. College-branded attire was seen worn by people all around us. Nebraska Cornhuskers were in town with a very large following of football fans yelling “Go, Big Red!” They played the Oklahoma Sooners the next day with a final score of 23-16, Oklahoma. There were a lot of great family activities in OKC. Not to mention, many of these places include fun things to do in Oklahoma City for couples.
Witchita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Indiahoma
On Saturday, we drove to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Indiahoma, OK. Bison, turkey, numerous species of birds, and other wildlife can be spotted there. We saw herds of bison in the distance, but none were close enough for good photos. A list of the wildlife and habitat can be found at the Wichita Mountains website. The website includes information about the refuge, events, and family-friendly hikes around the area.
We also drove up to the top of Mount Scott, the second-highest peak of the refuge. I noticed that the peak was a popular local spot. Friends and family sat down to have lunch together. A lot of people were climbing the rocks to take fun photos. Looking around, you could spot dozens of birds flying around searching for their prey below. We enjoyed spending some time at the top of the peak after driving around the refuge area.
Small Town of Altus, Oklahoma
The last two days of our Oklahoma road trip we spent relaxing and touring around my cousins’ town. We went to some of their local restaurants and shops. We also visited the college in town, Western Oklahoma State College where my cousin’s wife works.
Altus, Oklahoma is most known for its Air Force Base, and many of its population consists of military personnel and their families. My cousin is retired military and teaches new pilots how to fly. We got to tour the base, as well as go inside a Boeing KC-46 Pegasus simulator. My toddler is fascinated with airplanes, so she enjoyed seeing them up close and going into the simulator.
My cousin’s family moved back to Altus after retirement from the Air Force. Of the different bases they lived at throughout the years, Altus was one of their favorites for its small-town community of great people. When we visited, we noticed how welcoming the community members were which my cousins have told us about. Our family road trip to Altus, Oklahoma was one to remember.
Our First Family Baseball Game
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Baseball was one of the events I missed the most when the shutdown happened last year. When it was announced that fans could attend games again at a limited capacity this season, I knew I would be purchasing tickets for our first family baseball game. Taking our toddler and newborn to their first game was an event I was excited about, but also knew we would have to be well prepared for.
A few years ago, I made the mistake of not reading the prohibited list of items to bring to the stadium. I brought my aerosolized sunscreen, which I would bring to any outdoor activity, and had it taken away at entry. I knew that especially this time, I needed to visit that permitted and prohibited list. After all, you need to pack up the whole house to go anywhere with kids.
What should you bring to your first family baseball game?
Hearing protection headphones – this is something I didn’t bring but wished I had. My newborn would get startled when fans would cheer loudly.
What are the new Coors Field regulations for Covid-19?
Tickets are sold in groups of two, three, or four, with open seats in- between for social distancing
Masks are no longer required, since the mandate was lifted
Stadium capacity is at 70%
Credit/debit only for all purchases – no cash allowed (including parking lot)
Digital tickets (no paper tickets) must be presented at gate entry
Tickets are sold for only two homestands at a time for single-game purchase
See mlb.com for more details on Covid-19 regulations
Covid-19 regulations are changing rapidly. These MLB Covid-19 rules were researched on June 7, 2021.
For the 2021 season, tickets are only available for two homestands at a time. I visited the ticketing page daily when the game we wanted was coming up for purchase – especially since we were going with a group of 6 adults and 2 kids. The page had mentioned that tickets would be available for the next homestand “soon,” but did not give an exact date. I put a daily reminder in my phone so I wouldn’t forget to check the page.
When it came to purchasing tickets, I made sure to buy aisle seats for ease of access with the kids.
It was nice having the grandparents with us for our toddler and newborn’s first game. I always had either my mom or my mother-in-law next to me to help with diaper changes for our newborn, handing me snacks/water while I was feeding, etc. My husband and dad were usually giving attention to our toddler.
I wasn’t sure how long we would end up staying. My husband and I set low expectations for our first family baseball game and planned to leave early if needed. To our surprise, we made it through the entire nine innings.
Our toddler had a blast watching the game and seeing all the people around. Her grandparents took her for a walk to buy some Rockies gear. She even made it on the Jumbotron while they were walking around! During the last half of the game, the fans did the wave around the stadium. That seemed to be her favorite part of the day.
I grew up watching baseball and had a summer job at Coors Field in my early years of college. Going to the game brings back so many memories. The atmosphere of fans cheering, the outdoors, and the smell of stadium food brings a sense of nostalgia every time. Now, I get to experience that same excitement with my kids.
Overall, our first family baseball game was one to remember. And for the icing on the cake – Rockies swept the Diamondbacks!
The Best Mountain Town Getaway to Fraser, Colorado
Since we became parents slightly over a year ago, we haven’t had a chance to get out for a vacation yet. This past weekend was our first family vacation. We spent the night and an enjoyable Saturday in Fraser, Colorado.
Road tripping with a toddler was easy-going for our first trip. We made sure to bring lots of snacks and activities for her to work on. Thankfully the drive was less than 2 hours to Fraser from Denver.
There’s something about spending quality family time in the mountains. It’s a time to slow down, disconnect from technology, and enjoy the beautiful facets of God’s country. My husband and I sat out on the front patio of the cabin we were staying at, after our toddler fell asleep for the night, and couldn’t help but mention how quiet it was. Back at home, our house is near a busy intersection. Nighttime is full of cars zooming by constantly, sometimes waking us up from revving their engines. I recognize that these are first-world problems, but Fraser was a welcome change. Just us in deep conversation, next to a warm fire.
The next day was adventure time with our toddler. We took a drive to Winter Park and strolled around the ski resort. The resort was filled with mountain bikers taking the gondola up to ride down the trails. We took a seat in the shade and watched bikers rush down the mountain. I’m usually at the ski resorts during wintertime, so it was neat to see what it was like in the summer. We also walked in a couple of gift shops.
After spending about an hour or so in Winter Park, and with a tired toddler, we decided to take a drive toward Lake Granby to get lunch. While our daughter napped, we ordered burgers, to-go, from a local grille. We didn’t want to wake our tired toddler, so we ate in the car. As they say, “don’t wake a sleeping baby.”
We got back to the cabin and rested after our adventurous day. In the early evening, we headed back home from our trip. My husband had mentioned stopping by the “historic” Dairy King in Empire on the way home. That’s all he had to do to convince me – I can’t decline good ice cream!
Driving home, I felt rejuvenated from our quick mountain getaway. Colorado mountain towns are gorgeous, so it was a nice scenic ride to there and back. Getting away and in a new environment is refreshing for the soul. Especially as parents of a toddler. Things can become so hectic and it’s nice to slow down.
