At the beginning of March, I heard on the news that this is one of the busiest months at Denver International Airport. It’s spring break across the country and that means one thing: we don’t travel much in March.
I am not generally opposed to children, but I prefer my travel to be more adult-oriented. We like to sit at the bar, for instance. We enjoy adult-only sections of hot springs. Is there anything worse than a child doing porpoise dives in your resort hot tub? Could you take it to the swimming pool, kid? And hell will have frozen over if I am ever at a Great Wolf Lodge.
Take the Edge Off: Ska Brewing & Durango Hot Springs
If you’re an empty nester, or haven’t procreated, like me, March may seem like a good time to stay home. For those Pisces or Aries who want to celebrate with a weekend birthday trip sans children or the couple who are commemorating their March wedding anniversary sans children, or, perhaps you like to travel with less interference from offspring (yours or someone else’s), this post is for you.
Consider a Bed & Breakfast
First, I’d discourage you from traveling in March, but if you must, adult-only lodging is an option in Colorado and beyond. Many bed and breakfasts do not allow children under 10. Some bed and breakfasts do not allow children under 16, and some have a childfree policy.
Some of my favorites from the past that do not allow children under 10 are the Rose Street Bed & Breakfast in Georgetown, Edwards House in Fort Collins, and The Clipper Inn in Ouray (no kids under 12). In the past, we frequently visited Ouray, and their hot springs were a major draw. Some years ago, when they did a big remodel, they added adult-only pools.
Hot Springs for For the Win
Several other hot springs offer adult-only areas. The Springs in Pagosa Springs has a beautiful adult-only overlook with multiple pools. Guests of one of the multiple hotels on the property have 24-hour access to the hot springs, which is another way to ensure a little peace and quiet.
I visited soon after they had opened The Greenhouse at Sand Dunes Pool. This venue is located in the small town of Hooper in the San Luis Valley. Worth the drive if you’re looking for a getaway with your honey to a kid-free zone. Their outdoor pool is kid friendly.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs, which I haven’t visited since they opened in 2015, offers 11 adults-only pools in their WorldSpring area. They also have a cafe serving food and adult beverages. Durango Hot Springs has a vast adult-only area.
After dark, Strawberry Hot Springs outside of Steamboat Springs is adults-only. Back when I started going, long ago, the hot springs were also clothing-optional after dark but now you must keep your bathing suit on at all times. By the way, many websites have not updated this, but I went to theirs and that’s the policy. Should you want a clothing-optional hot springs destination, Orvis in Ridgway and Valley View in Moffat (reservations are necessary at Valley View) allow soaking in your birthday suit.
Wine not Whining
Hot springs are a good way to avoid children splashing around, but another childfree activity involves wine. We’ve been wine tasting in both the Grand Valley AVA and West Elks AVA. This is a pursuit that tends not to involve the entire family. Wineries are often filled with earnest wine lovers excited to try a new vintage.
Artful Bliss
Unless it’s field trip day, art museums are a good way to avoid crowds of children, especially those like the Clifford Still Museum in Denver, the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs and the Museum of Art in Fort Collins. Now, I don’t believe children shouldn’t be exposed to great art. I married an artist, and I am an advocate for taking children to art museums. However, if there are children present at any art museum, they tend to be on their best behavior! Which I can’t say for all adults at museums.
Gallery browsing also comes to mind as an adult activity, and our recent stay at Hotel Clio in Cherry Creek resulted in some excellent nearby gallery finds.
Get WAY Out There and/or Go Off Season
If you’re looking for a break from kids (yours or someone else’s), I wouldn’t recommend a resort town. There are beautiful spots in far-flung places in Colorado and beyond.
When we went to Dinosaur National Monument in May 2016, staying at the popular Echo Creek Campground, we didn’t see another soul. Dinosaur National Monument is in Northwest Colorado and Northeast Utah. I think this was partly the time of year and partly that it’s a fairly long drive to get there from anywhere.
Last year, we visited Dodge City, Kansas, a city brimming with families during the summer. In April 2024, we saw the first Variety Show of the season at Boot Hill Museum. While we saw a couple of kids at the daily shootout, they were absent from the museum and the variety show in April. If you are hunting for something entertaining to do with the kids this summer, Boot Hill Museum is the best! They’ll learn something and have fun.
I’m Your Huckleberry, a Cattle Drive Road Trip: Dodge City, Kansas
Several years ago, on our anniversary in mid-May, we visited New Mexico wine country. First of all, it’s good to get to New Mexico before the heat, and because we were staying in a smaller town, we felt like we’d gotten away from everything and everyone. By the way, we didn’t see one child on this trip (wine + remote + May). We’re heading to Choco Canyon National Historic Park in New Mexico this May. A remote area, I doubt will see many people at all.
Ryan and I were married in May before Memorial Day, meaning our anniversary is always immediately before prices go up and hotels fill up for the summer. From Colorado to Kansas to Wyoming, traveling during non-peak seasons is our jam.
I highly recommend heading to Mexico during the off-season. Some of this period is during hurricane season, so its is not without risk. I have no idea what it would be like to head to a Mexican resort during the height of tourist season (December to April) but I’m pretty sure I’d hate it. Spring and fall trips suit our style and we avoid town when the cruise ships are docked.
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So, there you have it. I’m sure I’ve missed a slew of ideas for traveling without kids underfoot. Feel free to leave me a comment with your thoughts. And don’t leave me comments about how I’m a kid-hater. I’m not. Well-behaved children and well-behaved dogs are my favorite, but honestly, mostly dogs. Also, I love a good multi-generational Oktoberfest where grandmas polka with their grandkids.
By the way, if you are looking for an excellent place with the kids this summer, check out HeidiTown advertiser Little America Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Everything you need is onsite including a swimming pool, restaurant, coffee shop and more. While it’s fun for kids, it’s also exceptional for a couple’s getaway (we once stayed for Valentine’s Day) or even for Cheyenne Frontier Days (which we’ve done several times).
