Trip Review - Two Days in Denver with a Five-Year-Old: Points, Pesach, and Family Fun
- diaryofapointstrav
- May 16
- 4 min read
Updated: May 21
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Planning a quick family getaway? Perhaps you want to make the most of Chol Hamoed? Denver might just be the perfect spot! We recently spent two days in Denver exploring the Mile High City with our five-year-old, making the most of our Southwest points, enjoying kid-friendly activities, and soaking in some gorgeous nature. From interactive museum fun to scenic creekside hikes, our trip was filled with adventure, and best of all—it didn’t break the bank!
How We Got There (Flights)
We flew Southwest Airlines using a total of 38,972 points plus $33.60 and our companion pass for our five-year-old. Southwest’s companion pass is such a great perk, allowing one person to fly free (excluding taxes and fees) with you every time you book a flight. You can read more about the Southwest Companion Pass here.
Where We Stayed (Hotel)
We stayed at the Grand Hyatt Denver for 18,000 points per night, totaling 36,000 points for two nights. The hotel was centrally located, making it easy to explore Denver. Our room was spacious, comfortable, and family-friendly, with beautiful views of the city skyline.
What We Did (Activities)
Day 1: Denver Children’s Museum and Zoo
We started our first day at the Denver Children’s Museum, which was a big hit with our five-year-old. She loved exploring the various interactive exhibits, but her favorite by far was the bubbles section. The museum is designed to be hands-on and engaging for kids of all ages. Admission for our family of three was $57. You can check out current admission prices here.
Afterward, we headed to the Denver Zoo. The weather was over 80 degrees, which made most of the animals sleepy or hidden in the shade, so our experience was a bit underwhelming. Nonetheless, it was nice to stroll around and see a few of the animals that were more active. Admission for our family of three was $71. You can check out current admission prices here.
Day 2: Clear Creek Park Hike
On our second day, we ventured to Clear Creek Park, about a 30-minute drive from downtown Denver. This little hike was the perfect blend of nature, easy terrain, and a scenic creek. The highlight was definitely the stunning photos we captured, and best of all, it was completely free!
How We Got Around (Parking, Car Rental, Transportation)
We rented a car from Thrifty via the Capital One Travel portal for $56. Additionally, we paid $32 for liability insurance. Parking at the hotel cost us $58 total for the parking facility. The hotel is attached to a public garage, but the rates are much cheaper if you go with the public parking option. The kind hotel valet directed us to the entrance for the public parking lot which was around the corner and saved us $40.
What We Ate (Food)
Since it was Pesach, we brought all our food from home. This worked out well as it kept costs down and allowed us to focus on enjoying ourselves, rather than running around to food establishments. I always recommend going to a far flung, kosher food challenged location for Pesach, since you anyways have to take along your own food. All you need is a betty crocker, and you can literally cook up anything in there. We had schnitzel, steak, french fries, fries, and zucchini. If you bring along a dairy one, you can make scrambled eggs, grilled cheese, french toast, and a host of other delicious cooked foods.
If you’re looking for kosher food in Denver, check out Eastside Kosher Deli. It’s a full kosher supermarket, perfect for stocking up on snacks, meals, and essentials. The store is fully stocked. As a kosher traveler, I'd feel comfortable arriving in Denver with zero food and getting everything there. Prices seemed reasonable too.
Total Cost Breakdown
Category | Total Points | Total Cash | Total Savings |
Flights | 38,972 | $33.60 | $956 |
Hotel (2 nights) | 36,000 | $0 | $1,074 |
Transportation | 0 | $146 | $0 |
Attractions | 0 | $128 | $0 |
Food (brought from home) | 0 | $0 | $0 |
Total | 74,972 | $307.60 | $2,030 |
To calculate the value of the points I used to offset the cost of the trip, I divided the Total Savings by the Total Points and that gave me a value of almost 3 cents per point. That's 3 times the standard cash out of 1 cent per point! I count that as a win.
Are you surprised by the total? Let me know in the comments!
Favorite Travel Products
Traveling light and efficiently is essential when exploring a new city with kids. Here are some of my must-have travel products that made our trip smoother:
Toiletries Bag: Keep all your essentials organized with this compact and waterproof option. Shop here.
Traveler’s Choice Suitcase: Durable, lightweight, and easy to maneuver. Shop here.
Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated on the go. Shop here.
95% Cotton T-Shirt: Soft, breathable, and perfect for travel days. Shop here.
Travel Sneakers: Comfortable and stylish for all day trips. Shop here.
Packing Cubes: Maximize space and stay organized. Shop here.
Portable Charger: Never run out of battery on the go. Shop here.
Denver turned out to be an affordable and family-friendly destination. Whether you’re planning to explore the city or take in the natural beauty, it’s definitely worth adding to your travel list.
Happy Travels!
Chavy
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