The Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum The Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum is home to one of the finest collections of minerals in the world including one of Colorado's Goodwill Moon Rocks. Located at 1310 Maple in Golden, this museum is a great learning resource for children and adults alike. It's a must-see stop of the Geology of Golden, which includes the Triceratops Trail. For details, click here Mines Geology Museum.
U.S. Geological Service National Earthquake Information Center Also located on the Colorado School of Mines campus in Golden is the U.S. Geological Service National Earthquake Information Center. For details and tour information, click here.	Paul Caruso, USGS, explains a "fault".
Dinosaur Ridge Oh, give me a home where the dinosaurs roamed! .... Located just a few miles from Genesee, Dinosaur Ridge is where the Rocky Mountain uplift exposed fascinating rock formations containing traces of dinosaurs, ancient swamps, and other geological phenomena. Some of these rock formations could have once existed under your own home in Genesee millions of years ago! Visit Dinosaur Ridge or for other information.	Photo by Dinosaur Ridge
The Foothills Art Center The Foothills Art Center in downtown Golden hosts a variety of activities for children and adults, including rotating exhibits and classes. Call 303-279-3922, or click Foothills Art Center.	Photo by Foothills Art Center
The Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve The Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve is located on 110 acres of pristine ponderosa pine forests and montane meadows, just north of Genesee on Lookout Mountain. The Center sits next to Boettcher Mansion, a beautiful arts-and-crafts style home built in 1917 by prominent Denver entrepreneur Charles Boettcher to serve as a summer home and seasonal hunting lodge. In 1968, the site was donated to Jefferson County, which opened the current Nature Center in 1997. The LMNC creates awareness, understanding, and conservation of Jefferson County's open spaces through year-round educational programs and exhibits. If you want to educate your kids—and yourself—about the local ecosystem, this is the place to do it. Click here for complete details, and click for map.	Photo by Jefferson County Open Space
The Historic Georgetown Loop Railroad From their web page: "Journey To Another Time on a Scenic and Historic Train Ride ... The Georgetown Loop Railroad brings Colorado history to life in a fun adventure that will thrill the entire family. The beauty of the rugged Rocky Mountains surrounds you as an old-time steam locomotive or one of our powerful diesel locomotives winds up the Clear Creek canyon, hauling your train past the remains of several gold and silver mines." The railroad is located in historic Georgetown and is a pleasant drive from Genesee. While there, you can enjoy a mine tour, lots of wonderful tourist traps, and enjoyable restaurants.	Photo by Colorado Historical Society
The Butterfly Pavillion This is such a cool place for kids and adults. It is located at 6252 W. 104th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80020. From its webpage: "The Butterfly Pavilion combines science education with interactive fun to teach visitors about invertebrates and conservation. Our five immersive exhibits, including our rainforest filled with 1,600 free-flying tropical butterflies, provide a year-round, unforgettable experience. Visitors can get up close and personal with live animals, enjoy daily educational programs, explore the wonder of the outdoors on the nature trail, and discover the newest traveling exhibit. Butterflies are just the beginning." Complete information can be found at Butterfly Pavillion.	Photo by Butterfly Pavillion
National Center for Atmospheric Research  "Among NCAR’s mission mandates is supporting, enhancing, and extending the scientific community’s capabilities and fostering transfer of knowledge and technology, nationally and internationally. A vital part of this mission is served by providing opportunities to exchange information and ideas between those within our scientific community and NCAR staff through NCAR’s visitor programs. NCAR hosts hundreds of visitors each year. Visit opportunities are available to university faculty, lab scientists, professionals, and students." Click for NCAR's website or for directions.	Photo by NCAR
The National Institute of Standards and Technology From the National Institute of Standards website: "The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a federal technology agency whose mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. NIST is a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce." Click for National Institute of Standards and Technology website.	Photo by NIST
The National Western Stock Show From the National Western's website: "In its 105th year,is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas. It is also our mission to serve producers and consumers throughout the world by being the premier Stock Show, Rodeo, Horse Show and center for year‐round events. The 16‐day show also serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world's richest regular season professional rodeos, largest horse show and Colorado's largest tradeshow. More than 15,000 head of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas, bison, yak, poultry and rabbits step foot on the grounds of the National Western Stock Show each year. The National Western Stock Show is noted for hosting the world’s only carload and pen cattle show, held in the historic Denver Union Stockyards." The National Western is an easy drive from Genesee by going east on I-70. See map.	Photo by National Western
National Renewable Energy Laboratory The NREL Visitors Center showcases technologies that can save energy, improve the environment, and lower the cost of energy bills. Visitors of all ages can take a self-guided tour through the interactive exhibit hall and learn about energy from the sun, wind, biomass, and other sources of renewable energy. We also offer education programs for children, teens, and adults—free of charge. These programs provide a fun and engaging way to explore renewable energy and energy efficiency concepts and applications in an interactive environment. For further information, go to National Renewal Energy Laboratory.	NREL's High-flux Solar Furnace
Westernaires From the Jefferson County Westernaires website: "Welcome to Westernaires, a non-profit organization for over 1,000 dedicated young people, ages 9 to 19, from Jefferson County, Colorado. For over 60 years, Westernaires has proudly trained young people to use their talents and skills in the best traditions of the West. We encourage self-respect, responsibility and leadership through horsemanship and family participation." Events: http://www.westernaires.org/Events/events.html	Photo by Westernaires
Heritage Square Family Entertainment Village Shops, rides, dinner theatre, children’s theatre, and more! Just minutes away and open year-round. More information may be found at Heritage Square.	Heritage Square
KID-FRIENDLY DENVER ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS Denver.org's wedsite lists: "Denver is a year-round playground for families, with countless days of crystal-clear blue skies, a myriad of open spaces and public parks, an endless array of museums and cultural facilities, and a multitude of children’s programs. From catching a dose of Mile High air at a Colorado Rockies baseball game to slumbering overnight with a boon of nocturnal beasts at the Denver Zoo, Denver is the ideal city in which to experience an unforgettable family excursion." Many of Denver's activities are a 25 to 30-minute drive from Genesee. In 2013, the west-corridor light rail will be open and it will take you to downtown from the Jefferson County Courthouse. Please visit Kid-Friendly Activities and Kid's Events for listings and links to many fun and educational sites.	There is a T-Rex like this at the museum.