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Too Cold Outside? 4 Indoor Sports Spots to Try in Denver

Oct 6, 2026
•
1 min read

Denver gets cold before most families have the snow boots out. The city's average first measurable snowfall lands around October 18, and freezing mornings start showing up in October as well. After that, a park day turns into a quick, chilly loop around the playground, and the kids come home with most of their energy left over.

If you've typed "indoor activities in Denver when it's cold" into Google lately, or asked an AI tool what kids can do in Denver when it's too cold outside, start with the four indoor sports spots below. They run from Centennial out to Lakewood, and the GetOut Colorado membership covers all four for $49.95 a year. If you still have a free weekend before the snow sticks, our list of Colorado mountain trips to take before the first snow can fill it.

Why Denver Families Need Somewhere Warm to Play

Snow can fall in Denver any time from October through late April. The average last snowfall comes around April 27, and an average season drops about 57 inches on the city. For half the year, a Saturday at the park can fall apart by noon. GetOut members in Utah go through the same long stretch of snow days along the Wasatch Front.

On cold days, a few things go wrong at home:

  • Kids get restless once recess and after-school play move inside.
  • Daylight runs out before many parents get off work, so there's no time left for a game at the park.
  • Ice on sidewalks and trails makes falls more likely for small kids and grandparents.
  • Screen time climbs when nobody has a plan.

An indoor sport takes care of most of this. Kids skate or swing a golf club in a heated building, and you get a cup of coffee and a break from refereeing cabin fever. Pick a couple of go-to spots now, before the morning you open the weather app and see 25 degrees. For restless afternoons when you only have an hour, our guide to quick drives near Denver to burn off your kids' energy has four more places to go.

1. Family Sports Center, Centennial

Best for: families, new skaters, hockey fans, and golfers who want to keep swinging all year

Family Sports Center sits at 6901 S. Peoria Street in Centennial, and South Suburban Parks and Recreation runs it. The whole complex covers 150,000 square feet. The Colorado Avalanche use it as their practice rink, so your kids end up skating on the same ice as NHL players.

Inside and around the building you'll find:

  • Two NHL-size rinks with public skate sessions, learn-to-skate classes, youth hockey, and figure skating.
  • A two-level driving range that's covered and heated, with lights for evening practice. It stays open all year, so you can hit a bucket of balls on a 30-degree afternoon.
  • Mini golf and a 9-hole course for the warm afternoons Colorado throws in every fall.
  • Avalanche Grill, where you can eat after skating without moving the car.

If your kids have never been on skates, the learn-to-skate classes start with balance and getting back up after a fall. Older kids who already play hockey can join clinics and leagues. Kids who catch the skating bug can also try The Ice Ranch in Littleton, which we wrote about in our easy Colorado weekend activities guide.

Before you go:

  • Look up public skate times on the day you plan to visit, since hockey practices and league games move the schedule around.
  • Put the kids in layers and gloves. The air by the ice stays cold even inside.

GetOut tip: You can use GetOut at Family Sports Center once a year. Open the app before you drive over to see what the visit includes, and bring golf clubs if someone in the family plays. A skate session plus a bucket of balls at the range fills a whole afternoon in one parking lot.

2. Holey Moley, Downtown Denver

Best for: families before 8 p.m., then date nights and adult friend groups after 8

Holey Moley Golf Club, at 1201 18th Street, turns indoor mini golf into something closer to an amusement park. It took over the old Denver City Cable Railway Building at the corner of 18th and Lawrence. That building went up in 1889 and held the Old Spaghetti Factory before the mini golf moved in. Denver was also the first U.S. city for this Australian brand.

What you'll find:

  • 27 holes split over three nine-hole courses, themed around pop culture and old-school nostalgia.
  • A full bar with themed cocktails.
  • A kitchen serving burgers and pizza.
  • Family hours until 8 p.m. The venue goes 21+ after that.

Anyone can play in jeans and sneakers, and you don't need any athletic skill to have a good time. A 6-year-old and her grandpa can play the same round with a fair shot at beating each other. Three separate courses spread groups out, so Holey Moley is one of the easier spots for indoor mini golf in Denver when you're bringing a crowd. If Grandpa spends the cold months somewhere sunny like Phoenix, an Arizona membership gives him his own list of places to take the grandkids when they come to visit.

Before you go:

  • Bring the kids in the afternoon or right after school so you finish before the 8 p.m. cutoff.
  • Book a tee time online for Friday and Saturday nights, since those fill up.

GetOut tip: GetOut lets you use Holey Moley once a month. That adds up to a round every cold month from October to April.

3. Brews N Birdies, Larimer Street

Best for: adult golfers, couples, coworkers, and birthday groups

Golf in Denver slows to a crawl once the courses ice over, and plenty of golfers find their swing has gone stiff by spring. Brews N Birdies is an indoor golf simulator bar at 2156 Larimer Street, a few blocks from Coors Field, where you can keep practicing through the cold months.

What you'll find:

  • Golf simulators that track your swing data.
  • Mats that copy different lies on the course, bunker shots included.
  • A full bar and a food menu, so your friends who don't golf have something to do.
  • Leagues and lessons if you'd like to come out of the cold season a better player.

Of the four spots on this list, this one leans the most grown-up. It fits a date night, and it also works for a team happy hour where people want to do something besides sit around a table. Anyone searching for indoor golf in Denver will find a smaller, more social room here than at a big driving range.

Before you go:

  • Reserve a bay ahead of time for weekend nights.
  • Check the hours online before you head over.

GetOut tip: You get one Brews N Birdies visit a year with GetOut. We'd save it for January, when the golf courses feel a long way off.

4. Localhost, Lakewood

Best for: teens and the gamers in your family

Localhost, at 1882 S. Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood, is an esports arena full of high-end gaming PCs. The space used to be an indoor batting cage, and it opened in 2018 as the first arena of its kind in Colorado. High school teams from around the Front Range have played for state titles in League of Legends and Rocket League here, at the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) esports championships.

What you'll find:

  • Rows of gaming PCs on fast connections, set up for solo play or group sessions.
  • Tournaments and community events through the year.

Teenagers are the hardest people to get out of the house on a cold day. They'll go to an esports arena without a fight, because it feels like their idea, and they get to sit next to other kids who love the same games. If you want some physical activity in the mix, book a morning skate in Centennial and head to Lakewood after lunch.

Before you go:

  • Have your teen bring the logins for their game accounts, since players sign in to their own.
  • Look at the event calendar first. Tournament days get busy.

GetOut tip: Localhost is a once-a-year visit on GetOut, and an easy one to add if you've got a gamer at home.

How to Plan Your Cold Days With GetOut

GetOut takes about a minute at the door. Pick a venue in the app and show the pass at the front desk. Memberships are sold by region, so if you have relatives in Kansas City, they can pick up a Kansas City membership and use the app the same way.

Here are a few ways to put these spots together:

  • A family Saturday: Skate in the morning at Family Sports Center. After lunch, drive downtown for a round at Holey Moley, and finish before 8 p.m.
  • A date night: Play a few simulated holes at Brews N Birdies, then walk over to Holey Moley once it switches to adults only at 8. The two are less than a mile apart.
  • A teen hangout: Drop your teen and some friends at Localhost and run errands nearby.
  • A golfer's off-season: Go back and forth between the heated range in Centennial and the simulators on Larimer Street until spring.

Pay attention to how often you can visit each place. Holey Moley resets every month, and the other three venues allow one visit a year. Each membership covers one person, so buy a pass for everyone coming along. Our tips for making the most of your GetOut membership in the cold months go into more detail on planning your visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best indoor sports activities in Denver when it's too cold outside?

Start with ice skating at Family Sports Center in Centennial or indoor mini golf at Holey Moley downtown. Golfers can head to the simulators at Brews N Birdies on Larimer Street, and teens can play esports at Localhost in Lakewood. A GetOut Colorado membership covers all four.

Where can kids burn off energy indoors in Denver?

Family Sports Center works best for younger kids, with public skate sessions and learn-to-skate classes. For a calmer afternoon, try Holey Moley, which welcomes kids until 8 p.m. Our guide to indoor adventures for kids in Colorado covers five more spots, from an indoor action park to a climbing gym.

Can you ice skate where the Colorado Avalanche practice?

Yes. The Avalanche practice at Family Sports Center in Centennial, and anyone can skate on its two NHL-size rinks during public skate hours. Check the schedule before you go.

Is Holey Moley Denver kid-friendly?

Yes, until 8 p.m. After 8, guests need to be 21 or older.

Where can I play golf indoors in Denver when it's cold?

Brews N Birdies runs indoor golf simulators near Coors Field. Family Sports Center has a covered, heated driving range that stays open all year.

How much does GetOut Colorado cost?

The standard membership costs $49.95 a year and gets you into more than 80 venues. For $74.95, you can add Elitch Gardens.

Are all four venues included with GetOut?

Yes. All four come with the standard GetOut Colorado membership. You can visit Holey Moley once a month and the other three once a year.

Stay Active All Season With GetOut

With these four spots saved, you'll have somewhere to go each time the forecast turns. The kids can skate on the Avalanche's practice ice in Centennial, and downtown has 27 themed mini golf holes for a slower afternoon. Golfers can keep their swing loose on Larimer Street while the teens head to Lakewood to compete. If you're driving south to see family over the holidays, GetOut also has a New Mexico and West Texas membership with its own set of venues.

A GetOut Colorado membership covers all four of them, along with more than 80 other venues around the state, for $49.95 a year. Get your pass before the first big snow so it's ready on the next day that's too cold to play outside.

‍

Denver gets cold before most families have the snow boots out. The city's average first measurable snowfall lands around October 18, and freezing mornings start showing up in October as well. After that, a park day turns into a quick, chilly loop around the playground, and the kids come home with most of their energy left over.

If you've typed "indoor activities in Denver when it's cold" into Google lately, or asked an AI tool what kids can do in Denver when it's too cold outside, start with the four indoor sports spots below. They run from Centennial out to Lakewood, and the GetOut Colorado membership covers all four for $49.95 a year. If you still have a free weekend before the snow sticks, our list of Colorado mountain trips to take before the first snow can fill it.

Why Denver Families Need Somewhere Warm to Play

Snow can fall in Denver any time from October through late April. The average last snowfall comes around April 27, and an average season drops about 57 inches on the city. For half the year, a Saturday at the park can fall apart by noon. GetOut members in Utah go through the same long stretch of snow days along the Wasatch Front.

On cold days, a few things go wrong at home:

  • Kids get restless once recess and after-school play move inside.
  • Daylight runs out before many parents get off work, so there's no time left for a game at the park.
  • Ice on sidewalks and trails makes falls more likely for small kids and grandparents.
  • Screen time climbs when nobody has a plan.

An indoor sport takes care of most of this. Kids skate or swing a golf club in a heated building, and you get a cup of coffee and a break from refereeing cabin fever. Pick a couple of go-to spots now, before the morning you open the weather app and see 25 degrees. For restless afternoons when you only have an hour, our guide to quick drives near Denver to burn off your kids' energy has four more places to go.

1. Family Sports Center, Centennial

Best for: families, new skaters, hockey fans, and golfers who want to keep swinging all year

Family Sports Center sits at 6901 S. Peoria Street in Centennial, and South Suburban Parks and Recreation runs it. The whole complex covers 150,000 square feet. The Colorado Avalanche use it as their practice rink, so your kids end up skating on the same ice as NHL players.

Inside and around the building you'll find:

  • Two NHL-size rinks with public skate sessions, learn-to-skate classes, youth hockey, and figure skating.
  • A two-level driving range that's covered and heated, with lights for evening practice. It stays open all year, so you can hit a bucket of balls on a 30-degree afternoon.
  • Mini golf and a 9-hole course for the warm afternoons Colorado throws in every fall.
  • Avalanche Grill, where you can eat after skating without moving the car.

If your kids have never been on skates, the learn-to-skate classes start with balance and getting back up after a fall. Older kids who already play hockey can join clinics and leagues. Kids who catch the skating bug can also try The Ice Ranch in Littleton, which we wrote about in our easy Colorado weekend activities guide.

Before you go:

  • Look up public skate times on the day you plan to visit, since hockey practices and league games move the schedule around.
  • Put the kids in layers and gloves. The air by the ice stays cold even inside.

GetOut tip: You can use GetOut at Family Sports Center once a year. Open the app before you drive over to see what the visit includes, and bring golf clubs if someone in the family plays. A skate session plus a bucket of balls at the range fills a whole afternoon in one parking lot.

2. Holey Moley, Downtown Denver

Best for: families before 8 p.m., then date nights and adult friend groups after 8

Holey Moley Golf Club, at 1201 18th Street, turns indoor mini golf into something closer to an amusement park. It took over the old Denver City Cable Railway Building at the corner of 18th and Lawrence. That building went up in 1889 and held the Old Spaghetti Factory before the mini golf moved in. Denver was also the first U.S. city for this Australian brand.

What you'll find:

  • 27 holes split over three nine-hole courses, themed around pop culture and old-school nostalgia.
  • A full bar with themed cocktails.
  • A kitchen serving burgers and pizza.
  • Family hours until 8 p.m. The venue goes 21+ after that.

Anyone can play in jeans and sneakers, and you don't need any athletic skill to have a good time. A 6-year-old and her grandpa can play the same round with a fair shot at beating each other. Three separate courses spread groups out, so Holey Moley is one of the easier spots for indoor mini golf in Denver when you're bringing a crowd. If Grandpa spends the cold months somewhere sunny like Phoenix, an Arizona membership gives him his own list of places to take the grandkids when they come to visit.

Before you go:

  • Bring the kids in the afternoon or right after school so you finish before the 8 p.m. cutoff.
  • Book a tee time online for Friday and Saturday nights, since those fill up.

GetOut tip: GetOut lets you use Holey Moley once a month. That adds up to a round every cold month from October to April.

3. Brews N Birdies, Larimer Street

Best for: adult golfers, couples, coworkers, and birthday groups

Golf in Denver slows to a crawl once the courses ice over, and plenty of golfers find their swing has gone stiff by spring. Brews N Birdies is an indoor golf simulator bar at 2156 Larimer Street, a few blocks from Coors Field, where you can keep practicing through the cold months.

What you'll find:

  • Golf simulators that track your swing data.
  • Mats that copy different lies on the course, bunker shots included.
  • A full bar and a food menu, so your friends who don't golf have something to do.
  • Leagues and lessons if you'd like to come out of the cold season a better player.

Of the four spots on this list, this one leans the most grown-up. It fits a date night, and it also works for a team happy hour where people want to do something besides sit around a table. Anyone searching for indoor golf in Denver will find a smaller, more social room here than at a big driving range.

Before you go:

  • Reserve a bay ahead of time for weekend nights.
  • Check the hours online before you head over.

GetOut tip: You get one Brews N Birdies visit a year with GetOut. We'd save it for January, when the golf courses feel a long way off.

4. Localhost, Lakewood

Best for: teens and the gamers in your family

Localhost, at 1882 S. Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood, is an esports arena full of high-end gaming PCs. The space used to be an indoor batting cage, and it opened in 2018 as the first arena of its kind in Colorado. High school teams from around the Front Range have played for state titles in League of Legends and Rocket League here, at the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) esports championships.

What you'll find:

  • Rows of gaming PCs on fast connections, set up for solo play or group sessions.
  • Tournaments and community events through the year.

Teenagers are the hardest people to get out of the house on a cold day. They'll go to an esports arena without a fight, because it feels like their idea, and they get to sit next to other kids who love the same games. If you want some physical activity in the mix, book a morning skate in Centennial and head to Lakewood after lunch.

Before you go:

  • Have your teen bring the logins for their game accounts, since players sign in to their own.
  • Look at the event calendar first. Tournament days get busy.

GetOut tip: Localhost is a once-a-year visit on GetOut, and an easy one to add if you've got a gamer at home.

How to Plan Your Cold Days With GetOut

GetOut takes about a minute at the door. Pick a venue in the app and show the pass at the front desk. Memberships are sold by region, so if you have relatives in Kansas City, they can pick up a Kansas City membership and use the app the same way.

Here are a few ways to put these spots together:

  • A family Saturday: Skate in the morning at Family Sports Center. After lunch, drive downtown for a round at Holey Moley, and finish before 8 p.m.
  • A date night: Play a few simulated holes at Brews N Birdies, then walk over to Holey Moley once it switches to adults only at 8. The two are less than a mile apart.
  • A teen hangout: Drop your teen and some friends at Localhost and run errands nearby.
  • A golfer's off-season: Go back and forth between the heated range in Centennial and the simulators on Larimer Street until spring.

Pay attention to how often you can visit each place. Holey Moley resets every month, and the other three venues allow one visit a year. Each membership covers one person, so buy a pass for everyone coming along. Our tips for making the most of your GetOut membership in the cold months go into more detail on planning your visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best indoor sports activities in Denver when it's too cold outside?

Start with ice skating at Family Sports Center in Centennial or indoor mini golf at Holey Moley downtown. Golfers can head to the simulators at Brews N Birdies on Larimer Street, and teens can play esports at Localhost in Lakewood. A GetOut Colorado membership covers all four.

Where can kids burn off energy indoors in Denver?

Family Sports Center works best for younger kids, with public skate sessions and learn-to-skate classes. For a calmer afternoon, try Holey Moley, which welcomes kids until 8 p.m. Our guide to indoor adventures for kids in Colorado covers five more spots, from an indoor action park to a climbing gym.

Can you ice skate where the Colorado Avalanche practice?

Yes. The Avalanche practice at Family Sports Center in Centennial, and anyone can skate on its two NHL-size rinks during public skate hours. Check the schedule before you go.

Is Holey Moley Denver kid-friendly?

Yes, until 8 p.m. After 8, guests need to be 21 or older.

Where can I play golf indoors in Denver when it's cold?

Brews N Birdies runs indoor golf simulators near Coors Field. Family Sports Center has a covered, heated driving range that stays open all year.

How much does GetOut Colorado cost?

The standard membership costs $49.95 a year and gets you into more than 80 venues. For $74.95, you can add Elitch Gardens.

Are all four venues included with GetOut?

Yes. All four come with the standard GetOut Colorado membership. You can visit Holey Moley once a month and the other three once a year.

Stay Active All Season With GetOut

With these four spots saved, you'll have somewhere to go each time the forecast turns. The kids can skate on the Avalanche's practice ice in Centennial, and downtown has 27 themed mini golf holes for a slower afternoon. Golfers can keep their swing loose on Larimer Street while the teens head to Lakewood to compete. If you're driving south to see family over the holidays, GetOut also has a New Mexico and West Texas membership with its own set of venues.

A GetOut Colorado membership covers all four of them, along with more than 80 other venues around the state, for $49.95 a year. Get your pass before the first big snow so it's ready on the next day that's too cold to play outside.

‍

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Oct 6, 2026
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