When you sit down to plan your Colorado vacation, prepare to be amazed. Not only does Colorado offer some of the most glorious scenery in the country, but there’s a great vacation memory waiting around every bend.
Here’s a quick list of vacation ideas for the Colorado traveler. Pick one or try them all, you can’t go wrong when vacationing in the Centennial State!
Vacation Ideas in the Denver Area
Gateway to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers an impressive array of vacation experiences. Families will want to visit the Riverfront District with its Children’s Museum and Aquarium, while art lovers should plan their time in the Golden Triangle Museum District. There’s also an abundance of nightlife, from trendy LoDo to Colfax Avenue.
With a professional sports team for every fan, year-round excitement is available. Whether you’re cheering on the Broncos at Mile High Stadium or the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center, you’ll be glad you added “catch the game” to your vacation itinerary. One more vacation idea: If you love the rodeo, don’t miss the National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show in January!
And it wouldn’t be Colorado without outdoor adventures. With the Rocky Mountains just around the corner, visitors to Denver are minutes from the excitement of skiing, tubing, fishing, boating and hiking. Numerous ski towns pop up as you travel west from Denver along I-70, so the exhilaration of winter sports is never far away. Come to Denver for the vibrant urban experience, but be sure to set aside some time for outdoor sports fun, too.
National Pikes Peak Itineraries
Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek, Canon City and Manitou Springs, all within sight of Pikes Peak, offer attractions to tempt the Colorado visitor. Pikes Peak, of course, is the granddaddy of all Rocky Mountain experiences, with its hairpin turns and breathtaking views. Any visitor to this area must take the tour; Tougher souls may even want to compete in the annual Pikes Peak Marathon!
Manitou Springs, with its beautiful historic district, offers visitors the opportunity to sample the mineral waters from the springs that made the city famous. Local hospitality and the nearby Intemann Memorial Trail make this a lovely place for a family vacation.
Canon City and Cripple Creek have much to interest Colorado visitors. The spectacular Royal Gorge Route Railway departs from the depot in Canon City and takes passengers on a breathtaking journey to the Gorge. Visitors to Cripple Creek, on the western slopes of Pikes Peak, will find this thriving gold rush town steeped in history, adventure, and scenic mountain beauty.
We can’t leave our Pikes Peak itinerary without exploring the vacation possibilities of Colorado Springs. Where else can you see the beautiful Garden of the Gods and the US Air Force Academy on the same day? Be sure to convert both, they are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. While you’re in the area, why not try a tube ride down the Arkansas River, a hot air balloon ride, or a tour of historic Redstone Castle? It’s all here waiting in the shadow of mighty Pikes Peak.
west of the continental divide
The western slopes of the Colorado Rockies have some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. It also hosts endless Colorado vacation possibilities. Towns like Glenwood Springs, site of the massive natural hot springs pool, and Grand Junction, gateway to the red rock canyons of the Colorado National Monument, beckon the visitor seeking the unusual.
East of Montrose, you’ll find the awe-inspiring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. And we cannot ignore the beauty and grandeur that characterize the Continental Divide! A drive along Big Thompson Canyon to Estes Park and over the Divide at Trail Ridge Road has fueled vacation memories for millions of visitors.
Whether you’re coming to explore Colorado’s history, culture, or outdoor adventure, it will be time well spent. You’ll soon learn why it’s impossible to stay away from Colorado.