Description
Locally known as Elitch's, the Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park is an amusement park located in Denver, Colorado. Since it is located in a downtown area it is quite unique among all other amusement parks. 13 Thrill Rides wait for its guests to be enjoyed: Lose your mind on Boomerang, Brain Drain, Slidewinder, Twister II or Star Flyer, which is a swing ride new for 2017. There are also 12 Family Rides, such as Blazin' Buckaroo, Dragonwing or Troika, and several Kids' Rides. Check out the Balloon Race with your youngest or head to the Crazy Bus, which rises and drops round and round.
Water Park Island Kingdom
Island Kingdom is a 20-acre water park next to Elitch Gardens. Its admission is included in a one-day-ticket to Elitch's. A large tube slide tower, a family water playground, a large raft ride, a half pipe water attraction and many other main attractions await its visitors. To add to the atmosphere, palm trees are planted every year. Island Kingdom usually opens around Memorial Day, depending on the weather, and closes at Labor Day.
Concert Series and Entertainment Shows
Alongside its rides, the park hosts a summer concert series. Moreover, it has live entertainment shows, such as Showstoppers and The Elephant in the Room. The latter is a brand-new adventure consisting of Elle, the Elephant, who selects members of the audience to help her in an amazing game show finding the Elephant in the Room. Showstoppers presents classic and modern Broadway hits and is a non-stop fun for young and old alike.
Fright Fest
Celebrated annualy, the Fright Fest takes place in October and transforms Elitch Gardens into Family By Day and Fright By Night. It is one of Colorado's largest Halloween events offering scary fun on five weekends. Throughout the day little ghosts and goblins are free to enjoy Candy on the Trick or Treat Trail or be part in interactive challenges. At night, haunted creatures lurk around every corner and blood-curdling shrieks and shrills will take place.
Dining & Shopping
The park offers numerous dining options, ranging from Burger, Pizza, Gourmet Popcorn, Corn Dogs and Funnel Cakes to Panda Express' Chinese food to Tres Tacos and several other restaurants to sit, enjoy and relax. In case you are into shopping, you will not be disappointed at Elitch's: The Big Kahuna Surf Shop provides you with all the summer accessories you need, the Kid's Corner got fun toys for kids in store, and there are also plenty of souvenir shops to check out.
How to get there
As Elitch Gardens is located in Downtown Denver, it is easy to get there via public transport. Arriving by car, you go south on Speer Blvd coming from I-25 South and exit Speer South, then you turn right onto Elitch Circle. Parking is 15$ per vehicle per day, but is included when affording a season pass.
