End of Summer Family Bucket List
With the start of a new school year fast approaching, consider heading out for a family fun day before the end of vacation. To make the day special, start with a hearty breakfast in Denver at Original Pancake House. With menu favorites such as Chocolate Chip Pancakes or OPH Smiley Cakes for the kids, and a plethora of egg dishes and more for the parents, everyone will leave full, happy, and ready to enjoy a day of adventure. Read on to learn about a few of our favorite local spots to spend the day with the family.
Dinosaur Ridge
A part of the Morrison Fossil Area National Park, Dinosaur Ridge is a great place for families to see actual dinosaur footprints sealed by time. Dinosaur Ridge is famous for its Exhibit Hall and summer camps where young people can learn more about paleontology.
Cherry Creek State Park
A perfect spot for nature lovers, Cherry Creek State Park offers families a relaxing spot to spend the day. Enjoy hiking, biking, or horseback riding on the many trails throughout the park. If it is a hot day, rent a canoe or kayak from the marina and picnic on the sandy beaches surrounding the reservoir. Cherry Creek Park even offers an “airstrip” for flying model airplanes and a family shooting range.
Elitch Gardens
Summer vacation isn’t complete until you spend a day at Elitch Gardens. Ride the slides to cool off in the water park and then test your adventurous spirit on the roller coasters and thrill rides. There are attractions, rides, concerts and entertainment for kids ages 4 -100 which means the whole family will enjoy the day.
Tiny Town
Open to the public since 1920, Tiny Town, is a miniature collection of houses, buildings, and railroads to entertain kids of all ages. With more than 90 buildings on display, visitors enjoy stepping back in time with a ride on the railroad and marveling at all of the creations. Located close to Morrison, you get the added bonus of enjoying mountain surroundings on this trip!
The Children’s Museum
If you have younger children, Denver’s Children’s Museum is the place to go to “learn through play.” With interactive exhibits, educational programs, and play areas, the kids will enjoy explorative play with everything from rockets, to bubbles, nature, and painting.
We hope you enjoy these last few weeks of summer, Denver!
Cool Breakfast Treats to Beat the Summer Heat!
Every year in Denver we have a few weeks that are just plain hot. When the thermometer has already reached 80 degrees before breakfast, sometimes you need a cool treat to start your day off on the right note. Here are a few ideas for a refreshing morning meal!
Frozen Nutty Banana:
Cut one firm (but ripe) banana in half and un-peal. Arrange on a small baking sheet or freezer-safe plate, and spread each half evenly with 1 tablespoon of nut butter. Next add toppings such as granola, chia seeds, or flax seeds and cinnamon. Insert a popsicle stick or skewer into the cut end of each half, and freeze until solid (at least 2-3 hours).
Breakfast Parfait:
Grab a large glass or ice cream bowl andadd a scoop of your favorite yogurt, fruit and granola. Continue adding layers until the glass or bowl is full. Enjoy!
Breakfast Smoothie:
Blend one cup of milk, almond milk, or soy milk with ice and one cup of frozen or fresh fruit. Berries and bananas work best! For a thicker shake and extra calcium, add a little yogurt to your blender. For an alternative to the classic fruit smoothie, replace the fruit and yogurt with a banana and 2 tablespoons of peanut or almond butter and blend until smooth.
Nutty Apple:
Select a large apple and slice in half. Remove the core, plus a little additional apple flesh to create a large hole in the center of each half. Fill each hole with peanut or sunflower butter and granola and reassemble apple. Wrap the apple in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and enjoy on the run!
If you are dining out for breakfast in Denver, visit the Original Pancake House! We have several cool treats on our menu including the Fiesta Bowl, a healthy breakfast of non-fat yogurt and our Homemade Granola topped with fresh fruit. Or try our Homemade Granola, a healthy, delectable dish made from thick oats, pecans, raisins, and coconut seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg, and served with skim milk. Enjoy the summer!
Summer Road Trips in Colorado
With the kids out of school, summer is the perfect time to explore the magnificent state of Colorado. Our state offers nearly unlimited adventures for the family, but here are a few of our favorite places to visit during the summer months.
Glenwood Springs –
An easy three-hour drive from Denver, Glenwood Springs is home to the world’s largest hot springs pool. The whole family will enjoy playing in the water on a hot summer’s day. Glenwood Springs also offers opportunities for hiking, whitewater rafting, fishing, and horseback riding, all nestled within a spectacular canyon of the Colorado River.
Colorado National Monument –
Just past Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument is a beautiful park with interesting red rock formations, cool hikes, and westward views as far as the eye can see. Be sure to stop in Palisade on your way and visit the orchards and vineyards for a taste of farm fresh Colorado peaches and cherries!
Great Sand Dunes National Park –
Near the sleepy town of Alamosa, Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes rise out of the plateau forming a truly unique natural wonder. Like a bit of the Sahara in the middle of our state, these dunes provide ample opportunity for exploration and family fun. Many folks bring snowboards and skis to slide down the immense slopes.
Mesa Verde National Park –
Near the mountain town of Durango, Mesa Verde National Park is one of only twenty World Heritage sites in the United States. Tour the ancient cliff dwellings, check out petroglyphs and enjoy the natural beauty of this special area. Afterwards, pack a lunch and take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway.
Each of these destinations offers a unique adventure within an easy drive of Denver. So collect the kids, pack up the car, and head out on a summer road trip! Just be sure to fuel up with a nice big pancake breakfast in Denver before you hit the highway.
Celebrate Berry Season!
At the Original Pancake House, we love many things about the summer season. One of the things we look forward to most is fresh berry season which begins in late May and early June throughout the country. Many of our breakfast menu items feature berries including our popular Seasonal Berry Crepes, Strawberry Belgian Waffles, Blueberry Belgian Waffles, Seasonal Berry French Toast, and our Blueberry Pancakes. Next time you are heading out for breakfast in Denver, be sure to try one of these berry delicious breakfast dishes!
Did you know you can celebrate berry season in Colorado by picking your own fresh fruits? There is nothing quite as delicious as a strawberry or raspberry warmed by the sun and picked straight from the vine. Here are a few places to visit this berry season:
Berry Patch Farms
: Berry Patch Farms is an organic farm and orchard featuring Pick-Your-Own strawberries, cherries and plums. Located in Brighton, Colo., this local farm’s picking season begins in June. Be sure to call in advance for hours of operation and seasonal fruit availability.
Hoot ‘N Howl Farm:
Located near Gunbarrel, just outside of Boulder, Colo., Hoot ‘N Howl Farm grows a plethora of fruits and veggies throughout the summer growing season. Their berry selection includes a variety of raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and elderberries. Check their website for fruit availability and U-Pick harvest schedules.
Strawberry Days Festival:
For a full weekend of strawberry fun, plan a visit to Glenwood Springs, Colo. for the 117th annual Strawberry Days Festival. Held June 20-22, Strawberry Days features arts and crafts, family fun activities, an old fashioned carnival, and parade. Free strawberries and ice cream are served to all on Saturday afternoon, a festival tradition for over 100 years!
Happy berry season and happy picking, Denver!
Meaningful Ways to Celebrate this Memorial Day
Memorial Day marks the non-official beginning of summer. This favorite American holiday is often filled with BBQ’s, time spent with family and friends, and perhaps the first family trip to the pool. At Original Pancake House, we love to celebrate this holiday by taking our families out to a leisurely breakfast in Denver!
In addition to relaxing with family and friends, Memorial Day is meant to be a day of remembrance and a time to celebrate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Read on to learn other popular ways to celebrate this Memorial Day.
Displaying the flag:
Flying the American flag on Memorial Day is a great way to show thanks to those who have served our country. According to tradition, the flag should remain at half-mast until noon to honor the men and women who have fallen in combat. Remember it is customary to put your flag up at dawn and take it down by dusk.
Attend the Memorial Day Parade:
Denver will host a Memorial Day parade on Saturday, May 24 at Civic Center Park. The parade begins at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by a Veterans Memorial Day tribute at the Veterans Monument.
Learn Your Family History:
Memorial Day is a great time to pull out the family photo album and share your own family history with your children. Many of our grandparents and great-grandparents served our country and sharing their story with the next generation is a great way to honor and remember their sacrifices.
Display Memorial Day Poppies
: Red poppies are a symbol of Memorial Day inspired by John McCrea’s 1915 war poem In Flanders Fields. Since the First World War, red poppies have become a way to “keep faith with all who died,” and are a memorial tradition in the United States, England, France, and more than 50 other countries.
On behalf of the Original Pancake House family, we would like to thank all of the men and women who have served our country. Happy Memorial Day, Denver!