We are taking our 3 year old to Boulder and the Red Rocks area next month. (All 3 of us are James Taylor fans and are going to his concert). Any ideas as to fun things to do during the day in this area? This will be our first time there. Thank you, in advance, for your help.

This site has some suggestions and sample itineraries for various Colorado locations, including Boulder:

http://www.colorado.com/itineraries/...es.asp?f=1&u=5

Between Denver and Boulder there is a butterfly pavilion where you can walk amongst butterflies in a natural setting. I don't have much info about it, but it is right on the road between the 2 towns which now almost converge. Worth a stop.

We'll be at the concert too!... Not sure what's going on at the Arvada theater - but they have children's plays. There are lots of hikes - many easy - in Boulder and in the mountains west of Red Rocks. And you can see the buffalo herd just off I-70 west of red rocks (about 5 miles). There is a nice lake in Evergreen that you can walk around - at dusk we often see beavers - and elk. There's the zoo in Denver. Pick up a Denver Sunday Post and look at the section on what's happening. Typically a large piece is devoted to children activities.

There is a children's museum in Boulder called WOW (World of Wonder) which is worth a visit.

the butterfly pavilion is a big ho hum. Better yet go to the waterpark that's right in between boulder and redrocks on heritage road. i think it's called heritage park. you can also fish in a stocked pond there as well.

at exit 254 (genessee park) there is a buffalo herd and you can see it from just off the highway exit. just before red rocks park there is a park called matthews winters which is very nice for early morning and late afternoon (no trees, very sunny and hot during day) walk. my 3 yo calls this park "rock water" because ever since he could walk we've taken him there and he throws rocks into the creek. nice place to have lunch. in the broomfield mall, in between boulder and denver, there's a great sandbox area where lots of kids play too. at the colorado mills mall, near red rocks, you can get a bowling ball for your 3 yo and go bowling at Jillias where there are also lots of video games, etc.

enjoy the concert -- i hear james doesnt even buy green bananas anymore!

green bananas????

yeah. my grandfather, when he turned 90 said, "at my age i don't even buy green bananas anymore." meaning he was so old he might not be around to see them ripen. Baby james is like, what 69?

oh, and don't forget the Railroad Museum in Golden, our 3 yo loves it.

Thanks so much for all of your great ideas!

(And, for the record, James Taylor is 54, still topping the charts and selling out concerts at huge venues. So there!)