1. Lafayette Miner’S Museum
City: Lafayette, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (303) 665-7030
Address: 108 East Simpson Street
Description: This delightful refurbished 1890s coal miner’s home was moved into town during the 1910 coal strike. Maintained by the Louisville Historical Society, the six-room house displays clothing, tools and other mining equipment and household items of the time. Hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday and Saturday and by appointment. Admission is free.
2. The Peanut Butter Players
City: Lafayette, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (303) 786-8727
Address: 1370 Miner’s Drive
Description: Voted the “Best of Boulder in Kids’ Entertainment” by Daily Camera readers, this children’s theater company has been delighting audiences with musicals for 23 years. For a modest fee you can enroll your child, but be prepared for an extensive rehearsal schedule—the director expects a professional performance and makes kids toe the line. Regardless of his or her experience, every child gets a speaking part, even if it’s only one line. Summer programs are on a grand scale.
3. Lafayette Public Library
City: Lafayette, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (303) 665-5200
Address: 775 West Baseline Road
Description: This contemporary 30,000-square-foot library opened in October 1997 and is 10 times the size of the original library. The large and knowledgeable staff can help you access books, audio books, computer programs, and the Internet. Lafayette’s library is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
4. Wow! (World Of Wonder) Children’S Museum
City: Lafayette, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (303) 604-2424
Address: 110 North Harrison Avenue
Description: Call it a positive feature of the population growth in eastern Boulder County—another children’s museum! WOW is designed for toddlers and school-age children and their families. It offers a variety of interactive and informative educational and creative exhibits and programs that stimulate learning. A very clever pirate ship, for instance, turns out to be a dress-up room. Opened in 1996, the museum features both permanent and traveling exhibits. There are three party rooms, a snack area, and a gift shop. This museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from noon until 4 p.m. Sunday. Parents are admitted free, while children pay $7 for all-day admission. There are also frequent-visitor cards, memberships, and group rates.
5. Ymca Ice Arena
City: Lafayette, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (303) 664-5455
Address: 2800 Dagny Way
Description: A membership or day pass grants access to the indoor ice rink at this YMCA Arapahoe Branch in Lafayette. Learn-to-skate, youth, and adult leagues and recreational skating available. This facility offers recreational skaters ice time several days a week and is a great place for kids’ birthday parties. Be sure to call ahead for party reservations and current rates.
6. Lafayette Bob L. Burger Recreation Center
City: Lafayette, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (303) 665-0469
Address: 111 West Baseline Road
Description: This center has it all—a huge waterslide, a “lazy river,” and a children’s pool. Even when their fingertips look like prunes and their lips are blue, children beg to stay “just a little longer.” This center is open from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday. The admission fee for adults is $4.50; seniors pay $2.75; children ages 3 through 12 pay $2.50; and youths ages 6 through 17 pay $3.00.
7. Waneka Lake Park
City: Lafayette, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (303) 665-0469
Address: 1600 Caria Drive
Description: This 147-acre community park has a 1.2-mile fitness trail and a path around the lake for walking, biking, running, fishing, and cross-country skiing in winter. Paddleboat, canoe, and rowboat rentals are available. There is also playground equipment and plenty of picnic tables to enjoy the views of the lake and nearby mountains. There is no swimming allowed in Waneka Lake.
8. Alexander Dawson Summer Camps
City: Lafayette, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (303) 665-6679
Address: 10455 Dawson Drive
Description: Dawson’s camps cater to the athletes, academics, and artists in your family. They have a multitude of programs to satisfy any kid’s curiosity and needs. There is a juniors camp specifically for five and six year olds. The camps are held on the Alexander Dawson campus.