When families or groups are involved, it’s nice to have options. That’s one of the benefits of a day at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, which offers cave tours, including views of stalagmites, cave bacon and soda straws, with levels of experience from a 70-minute leisurely walk to the three-hour “Wild Tour” that involves belly crawling and a lot of tight spaces. There’s laser tag and an alpine coaster, and you get to ride the Iron Mountain Tramway to the entrance. And when the weather gets better, the place really kicks it into high gear with a giant swing, a “Wild West” simulated wagon experience, a bungee trampoline, rock climbing wall, mechanical bull and a discovery area for younger kids, including a fossil-dig sandbox. Cost varies according to activities, but a $29 winter pass right now nets a tram ride, cave tour, 4-D theater show and unlimited laser tag and alpine coaster, weather permitting, through April 30. Kyle Wagner
51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road, 800-530-1635,
STAY: With hot springs and a place to eat breakfast, the Hot Springs Lodge & Pool is the ideal sleepover spot. Your overnight rate allows for two days’ worth of passes for each night’s stay to the exceptional hot springs pools for the room’s guests, as well as a continental breakfast the next morning. Two water slides and mini-golf are available at an extra charge, there’s a top-notch fitness center on-site, and the rooms, with king or queen beds, have free Wi-Fi. Rates start at $179. 401 N. River St., 800-537-7946,
DINE: Small but welcoming, JH Chen Asian Bistro is a pan-Asian eatery that does particularly well with sushi and sashimi, fried dumplings and hot-and-sour soup. The Chinese stir-fries are Szechuan-style, so look for some heat, and the Thai dishes also shine. The place has the feel of a mom-and-pop shop, so expect it to get overwhelmed easily during peak times, but the staff is gracious, and the prices are very reasonable. 730 Cooper Ave., 970-945-6422
Glenwood Springs is 158 miles west of Denver via Interstate 70.
