Two epic states, three great cities, and ten days of family fun. This route stitches together Colorado’s snow-dusted peaks and sandstone masterpieces with Tennessee’s music history and Southern flavor. It’s built for families and shutterbugs—think golden-hour overlooks, wildlife spotting, and colorful murals—balanced with engaging museums and easy meals.

Colorado’s Front Range pairs big nature with approachable cities. Denver’s creative neighborhoods and Red Rocks amphitheater frame the Rockies, while Colorado Springs sits beside the iconic Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. In Tennessee, Nashville welcomes you with sing-along hits, the Grand Ole Opry, and leafy parks perfect for stroller-friendly strolls and skyline shots.

Expect mid-range costs (budget 50/100): free parks balanced with smartly chosen tours that maximize time and photography. Weather swings in the mountains, so pack layers. Altitude is real—hydrate, ease into hikes, and plan early starts for the best light (and fewer crowds).

Denver

Denver’s “Mile High City” mixes Old West rail history with contemporary art, food halls, and some of the country’s best mountain day trips. Union Station anchors downtown; RiNo’s murals turn alleys into open-air galleries; and Red Rocks frames unforgettable sunsets. Families love the walkable neighborhoods and numerous parks.

• Top photo ops: Union Station’s Beaux-Arts façade, RiNo street art, Red Rocks amphitheater at golden hour, city skyline from the Highlands.
• Don’t miss: Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and a quick mountain foothills excursion.
• Eat & drink: Denver Central Market for casual variety; Safta for modern Israeli; Tavernetta for pasta near the trains; Huckleberry Roasters or Little Owl Coffee to fuel up.

Where to stay: Browse family-ready condos and hotels near Union Station or LoDo: VRBO Denver | Hotels.com Denver

Getting there: Fly into DEN (many nonstop options). Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Colorado Springs

At the foot of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is postcard Colorado: soaring sandstone spires, old-time trolley towns, and kid-pleasers like an award-winning zoo. Garden of the Gods is free, photogenic, and easy to explore with little legs.

• Top photo ops: Kissing Camels and Balanced Rock in Garden of the Gods; Pikes Peak summit panoramas; Manitou Springs’s vintage arcades.
• Family favorites: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, easy trails around Garden of the Gods.

Where to stay: Base near Garden of the Gods or downtown for easy dining: VRBO Colorado Springs | Hotels.com Colorado Springs

Getting there from Denver: Drive ~70 miles/1.5 hours via I‑25. Having a car makes park time flexible and budget-friendly.

Nashville

Welcome to Music City—home of the Grand Ole Opry, hot chicken, and neighborhoods filled with murals and live tunes. It’s also surprisingly green, with lakeside trails and lush gardens perfect for family walks and skyline shots.

• Top photo ops: John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge skyline, the Parthenon in Centennial Park, colorful murals in 12South and the Gulch.
• Musts with kids: Country Music Hall of Fame’s interactive exhibits, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, donut runs to Five Daughters Bakery.

Where to stay: Consider downtown for walkability or Germantown/12South for neighborhood charm: VRBO Nashville | Hotels.com Nashville

Getting there from Colorado: Nonstop DEN→BNA ~2h40m; typical fares $120–$250. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1 — Arrive in Denver

Afternoon: Land at DEN and settle near Union Station. Stretch your legs with a short loop through the station’s Great Hall and Confluence Park—easy stroller paths and nice late-day light on the South Platte River.

Evening: Dinner options: Blue Pan Pizza (Detroit-style, kid-pleasing), Stoic & Genuine (seafood and oysters; great for sharing plates), or Denver Milk Market (food hall with choices for picky eaters). Cap with Little Man Ice Cream and a family photo on the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall.

Day 2 — Denver’s highlights, murals, and Red Rocks sunset

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Little Owl Coffee. Then get oriented on the Best of Denver Bus Tour: Highlights, Views & Local Favorites—a fun overview that’s easy with kids.

Afternoon: Explore RiNo’s street art. Lunch at Denver Central Market—try Vero for pizza, Green Seed for salads, and High Point Creamery for dessert. Parents: quick espresso at Huckleberry Roasters inside the market.

Evening: Head to the foothills for Red Rocks & Beyond, a 4-hour guided outing to Red Rocks Park and nearby lookouts—fantastic golden-hour photos and short, family-friendly walks.

Day 3 — Rocky Mountain National Park day trip

Full-day tour: Let a local guide handle the mountain roads on the Rocky Mountain National Park Tour from Denver. Expect scenic overlooks, short walks suited to families, and frequent wildlife sightings (elk in fall, marmots in summer). Tip: pack layers; weather can swing quickly at elevation.

Post-tour dinner back in Denver: Safta (airy dining room, shareable hummus and pita) or Cart-Driver (wood-fired pizzas). Early night—tomorrow you’ll change bases.

Day 4 — Denver to Colorado Springs + Garden of the Gods

Morning: Drive ~1.5 hours to Colorado Springs. Drop bags and refuel at Loyal Coffee (house-roasted) or Urban Egg (popular breakfast spot; kids’ menu available).

Afternoon: Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center for exhibits and viewpoint orientation. Then stroll the Perkins Central Garden Trail (paved, stroller-friendly) to frame Kissing Camels and North Gateway Rock.

Evening: Dinner in Old Colorado City: Paravicini’s (classic Italian) or Front Range Barbeque (live music some nights, casual). Sunset photos at Balanced Rock—easy pull-off for family portraits.

Day 5 — Pikes Peak and sandstone giants

Full-day tour: Ride the summit in style on the Pikes Peak COG Railway & Garden of Gods Tour, blending red-rock exploring with the iconic cog railway. The views from 14,115 feet are astounding—perfect for wide-angle shots. Hot cocoa at the top is a kid favorite.

Alternate or add-on for shorter adventures: Sightseeing Jeep Tour in Garden of the Gods—fun, breezy, and great for quick photo stops.

Day 6 — Zoo, museum, then fly to Nashville

Morning: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (giraffe feeding is a hit). Alternatively, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum—interactive exhibits and inspiring stories.

Afternoon: Drive back to DEN (or fly from COS if schedules work) for an afternoon flight to Nashville (~2h40m nonstop). Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Ride-share to your hotel.

Evening: Welcome to Music City. Casual dinner ideas: Hattie B’s (spice levels from “Southern” to “Shut the Cluck Up”), Martin’s Bar-B-Que (downtown rooftop), or Assembly Food Hall (plenty of kid options). Walk the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for blue-hour skyline photos.

Day 7 — Nashville’s essentials

Morning: Grab biscuits at Biscuit Love (try the “bonuts”). Then explore at your pace with the Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour—13 stops, live narration, and easy on/off for families.

Afternoon: Dive into country music history at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Interactive galleries engage kids; photographers will love the classic costumes and instruments displays.

Evening: Dinner in Germantown: Rolf and Daughters (seasonal plates) or Monell’s (family-style Southern; reservations recommended). Early live-music sets along Lower Broadway are typically family-friendly before 8 pm.

Day 8 — Gardens, parks, and murals

Morning: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens—seasonal blooms, sculpture trail, and an easy-to-navigate property for little ones. It’s prime for portraits under tree canopies.

Afternoon: Picnic at Centennial Park and photograph the full-scale Parthenon. Swing through 12South for murals and a sweet stop at Five Daughters Bakery (100-layer doughnuts).

Evening: The Pharmacy (old-school burgers and house-made sodas) or Edley’s Bar-B-Que (kid plates available). Sunset from Love Circle (short uphill walk) for a wide skyline frame.

Day 9 — Opry day & lakeside nature

Morning: Radnor Lake State Park—flat, lakeside trails with wildlife viewing; great for quiet morning photography.

Afternoon: Go behind the curtain on the Grand Ole Opry House Guided Backstage Tour to see dressing rooms and the famed stage.

Evening: Experience the show itself with Grand Ole Opry Show Admission—a family-friendly, multi-artist concert that’s pure Nashville.

Dinner nearby at Assembly Food Hall (variety for all appetites) or grab hot chicken at Prince’s (mild heat for kids).

Day 10 — Nashville morning + departure

Morning: Brunch at Frothy Monkey (great coffee, kid options) or Pancake Pantry (go early to beat lines). Last stroll through the Gulch for angel-wing mural photos and boutique browsing.

Afternoon: Transfer to BNA for your flight home. Check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Practical Notes & Budget Savers

• Altitude tips: Drink water, take it easy the first 24 hours in Denver/Colorado Springs, and schedule big hikes later in the trip.
• Family pacing: Aim for early starts to snag parking and soft morning light; schedule playground or snack breaks every 90–120 minutes.
• Costs: This plan mixes free parks with 3–5 paid experiences to stay in a mid-range budget. Food halls are reliable for variety and value.
• Driving: I‑25 traffic can slow; build buffer time between Denver and Colorado Springs, especially on weekends.

From soaring Rockies to toe-tapping nights, this 10-day route balances big scenery, easy logistics, and culture-forward fun. Bring your camera, pack layers, and let the music and mountains set the rhythm for an unforgettable family trip.