The spring brings a variety of weather to Denver, and there are plenty of outdoor and indoor activities depending on the day. The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) sponsors free days for Colorado residents at a number of popular Denver institutions. Family memberships are very affordable also, making it easy to budget for fun and often offering discounts on food, souvenirs, and classes.

In addition to free days and museum visits, here are a couple of upcoming Denver events: Softball signup continues until February 15 with play beginning March 3, and free vegetable seeds and plants will be available to low and moderate income residents who apply by February 4. For general gardening information in Denver's over 70 community gardens, check out Denver Urban Gardens.

The Mayor's office has also announced on February 1 the Mayor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts, which will be presented February 19 at the Newman Center at the University of Denver. The event is free and accessible by light rail, and will also include presentation of the Mayor's Cultural Legacy Award by Mayor Hickenlooper. For more information, see the city's news bulletin.

With a beautiful view of the city from City Park, the Denver Zoo can be reached on RTD buses like the 32 which stops out in front, and the 40 and 24 which pass on either side of the park. It's free on February 14 (Valentine's Day), and then not until October, according to the SCFD website.

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has its next free day on April 20, but check out their special Gold exhibit event on Valentine's Day, February 14, "A Golden Evening."

Denver's Botanic Gardens, a combination of paradise and plant science along York Street where the 24 bus passes by, and in Littleton at Chatfield, has free days on Monday, February 18 (Presidents Day), Monday, March 17, and of course April 22 (Earth Day). In Chatfield the free days are Friday, February 1, Friday, March 7, and Friday, April 4. Visit their webpage for more information, including the Chapungu Zimbabwean sculptures on exhibit through the end of February.

The Denver Art Museum opens its doors to Colorado residents every first Saturday of the month, which is February 2, March 1, and April 5 in the coming months. The DAM is holding a special exhibit "Inspiring Impressionism" exploring the inspiration of the Impressionists by the works of the Old Masters, beginning February 23.

The Denver Center for Performing Arts is offering free tickets to "Gee's Band" on March 13 at 6:30pm at the Space Theatre, The Merry Wives of Windsor on March 20 at 6:30pm at the Stage Theatre, and Doubt on April 3 at 6:30pm at the Ricketson Theatre. Please note: free tickets can be obtained at the box office only, the day of the event. The box office opens two hours before the curtain opens, and the house a half hour before. No reservations, tickets are first come, first-served, one per person, General Admission. Children six and older only, please. Enjoy the show!

The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden had a free day last November, but doesn't have any listed this spring. Visit them for the great bookstore, fascinating exhibits, and the wonderful trains. They also have picnic facilities.

Visit the SCFD website to find out more about free days and other activities sponsored by the district.

Sources:

"SCFD Free Days", http://www.scfd.org/?page=home&sub=4

"DMNS: A Golden Evening", http://www.dmns.org/main/en/General/SupportUs/Fundraising+Events/Event/aGoldenEvening.htm

"Denver Botanic Gardens", http://www.botanicgardens.org/pageinpage/chapungumain.cfm

"Impressionism", http://exhibits.denverartmuseum.org/impressionism/

"Register Now for Spring Leagues", http://www.denvergov.org/DenverGovHome/tabid/37891/newsid471011/717/Register-Now-for-Spring-Leagues/Default.aspx

"Free Vegetable Seeds and Transplants Program", http://www.denvergov.org/DenverGovHome/tabid/37891/newsid471011/713/Free-Vegetable-Seeds-and-Transplants-Program/Default.aspx

"2007 Mayor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts", http://www.denvergov.org/DenverGovHome/tabid/37891/newsid471011/742/2007-Mayors-Awards-for-Excellence-in-the-Arts/Default.aspx

General Information:

Denver Urban Gardens - http://www.dug.org/

Scientific and Cultural Facilities District - http://www.scfd.org/

Denver Museum of Nature and Science - http://www.dmns.org/

Denver Zoo - http://www.denverzoo.org/

Botanic Gardens - http://www.botanicgardens.org/

Denver Center for the Performing Arts - http://www.denvercenter.org/

Denver Art Museum - http://www.denverartmuseum.org/

Colorado Railroad Museum (Golden) - http://www.crrm.org/