National Parks and the Colorado Peaks

2 HOURS

When you wake up the next day, you should make a quick visit to the Capitol, then drive along the “Front Range Mountains” toward Loveland. Explore local arts there in the sculpture park and try one of Colorado’s local beers. We recommend getting the Loveland Craft Beer Passport for beer tasting. If you are into shopping, you might want to check out the Centerra Outlets as this offers one of Colorado’s best bargains. Otherwise, the Devil’s Backbone is a unique one hour hike along an impressive red canyon ridge. Later in the afternoon, drive through the Thompson River Canyon and arrive in Estes Park. Stay overnight in downtown and explore the local restaurants.

4 HOURS

In the morning check out one of Estes Park’s local coffee stores and bakeries. Also, you might want to do a quick visit at the famous Stanley Hotel, where Stephen King wrote his book “Shining”. Then, head towards the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, the fee is $20 per vehicle. Right at the beginning, watch for the famous Rocky Mountain Elk or some bighorn sheep. It is one of the best places to shoot wildlife on your entire trip. You might want to do one of Colorado’s best day hikes, such as the 5km hike to Emerald Lake. As an alternative you can also do a ghost tour at the Stanley Hotel. In the afternoon, take the Trail Ridge Road, it is the highest pass in North America. Take lots of scenic photos above the tree-line and continue over the Continental Divide to Grand Lake. You might see a moose in that area so watch out. You can see the Colorado River as a little creek, the water lifeline for the Southwestern U.S.. Continue on Hwy 40 toward Steamboat Springs. Stop in Hot Sulphur Springs and enjoy the mineral Hot Springs during the evening. You can stay here overnight or keep going toward Steamboat Springs.

2.5 HOURS

During the morning it is the best time to take scenic photos from the Colorado River Headwaters outside of Kremmling. When in Steamboat, enjoy a good mountain breakfast at one of the local restaurants along the Yampa River. If you like adventure, this is your chance to do some of the finest downhill mountain biking in Colorado, right at the Steamboat ski resort base. During the afternoon, continue following the Colorado River until you enter the Glenwood Canyon. Instead of mountain biking, you can do the 5km Hanging Lake trail inside the canyon, one of Colorado’s top 3 scenic waterfall trails. Stay overnight in Glenwood Springs and soak in the Hot Springs next to the Hotel Colorado.

3.5 HOURS

Try to get up early today and experience one of Colorado’s true gems: Maroon Bells in Aspen. You might need to take a shuttle from Aspen into the narrow valley given that there are so many visitors during the summer, but it is worth it. After that do a quick walk through Aspen and experience the life of millionaires shopping in Aspen’s most expensive boutique. When time permits, keep driving to the top of Independence Pass where you can take some of the best photos of Colorado’s 14ers. Later in the afternoon, drive back to Glenwood Springs, then head to Colorado’s Wine Country, Grand Junction.

2.5 HOURS

Get a cup of morning coffee in downtown Grand Junction, then head toward the Colorado National Monument. When entering the monument, stop by at the viewpoints of the edge to see Colorado got its name, from the red colors. These amazing colors are part of the famous “Colorado Plateau” that is the entrance to Southwest covering a desert further south toward the Grand Canyon. You can do a quick hike along the Window Rock to get the best views. When back in Grand Junction, experience some wine tasting at one of the local wineries. Along the Colorado River it is ideal to grow grapes and other fruits, such as Peaches. Head toward Montrose a true mountain town in Western Colorado, then enter the Black Canyon National Park on the north rim. Take the best photos from the suggested view points. If you have time left, you can take Hwy 50 toward the best view point to get both rims on the photo. When you return, stay overnight in Montrose.

2.5 HOURS

During the morning after breakfast, head toward Ridgeway, then keep going toward Ouray. Walk around this small town, you will feel like in Switzerland, with beautiful mountain peaks. Ouray also has amazing hot springs. There is one brewery that is famous for its “Ouray Beer”, which is a good place for lunch. Keep going south and take the famous Million Dollar Highway, a narrow and steep mountain road that connects Ouray with Silverton. It is one of the most scenic mountain roads North America, with great views into the majestic San Juan Mountain range, the most southern 14ers in the United States. When in Silverton, take a quick walk throughout the mining town and explore an Old West mining town that is still connected via the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. When arriving in Durango, enjoy the downtown area and experience the Old West by staying overnight at the Strater Hotel.

1.5 HOURS

One of Southwest Colorado’s true gems is Mesa Verde National Park, a preserved indian village in the rocks where you can explore how native Americans lived in the high desert country. It is unique to see the rock southwestern desert rock formations and we recommend taking a guided tour throughout the villages to learn everything about the southern Ute tribe. The region called Mesa Verde Country is famous for the native americans and their local arts and crafts, so when driving along the highway, stop at their stores and shop for local crafts. If you have an extra day, we also recommend checking out the Durango – Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, it is a true Old West Colorado experience, to take this historic trail in a very scenic setting, looking at the 14er peaks of the San Juan Mountains. As an evening experience, check Durango’s local food restaurants along main street, where live music and events are very popular year around. As an alternative, we recommend heading east toward Pagosa Springs and staying overnight at the Springs Resort, one of the best hot springs experiences in Colorado.

2.5 HOURS

Check out one of Pagosa Spring’s coffee places like the River Pointe Cafe, then head further east over to Wolf Creek Pass. Stop on the mountain pass and take a photo of you standing on the continental divide. Then head toward South Fork and then Alamosa, toward the entrance of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. This national park is so amazing that it is a must to hike on one of the dunes to get the best views of sand dunes and the 14ers in the back. If you have a snowboard, you can ride the sand dunes as well. It is an amazing place to take one of Colorado’s most unique photos. Later, head toward Buena Vista. You can plan here an extra day if you are interested in Colorado’s best rafting on the Arkansas river. You can either do this from Salida or in the Royal Gorge Canyon. The Royal Gorge Canyon is famous for its rapid waters that will provide you a thrill experience on the water. Stay overnight either in Buena Vista with a barbecue and local beer next to the Arkansas river.

2 HOURS

Check out one of Pagosa Spring’s coffee places like the River Pointe Cafe, then head further east over to Wolf Creek Pass. Stop on the mountain Get an early morning coffee and head on Hwy 24 toward Colorado Springs and enjoying the high country Pike National Forest and the scenery of Pikes Peak, the iconic Colorado 14,114 foot mountain. You should stop by in Cripple Creek to see a true 10,000 foot mining town community where some casinos resemble the story of Colorado’s Old West. Then head toward Manitou Springs and take the Cog Railway to experience a train ride to the top of Pikes Peak. Take lots of photos from the peak and the train experience. If you have some time left of the day, check out the Garden Of The Gods outside of Colorado Springs, it is an absolute must see in Colorado. If possible, you can do the Garden Of The Gods Loop trail during evening or early morning the next day to get the best colors of the red plateaus. A great place to experience is the Garden Of The Gods Trading Post for some more shopping about local arts and crafts in the area. Enjoy the downtown dining in Colorado Springs. If you have a special partner, we recommend staying one extra night at the Broadmoor Hotel, it is one of America’s finest hospitality experiences, with great views on Cheyenne Mountain.

2 HOURS

If you have an extra day, you can explore the iconic attractions in Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak, the US Olympic Training Center which offers free admittance and tours, Airforce Academy, Garden Of The Gods or the Royal Gorge Bridge near Canon City. We recommend visiting all of those attractions as they resemble well the Colorado experience and a great connection between the Old Colorado and the New Colorado. There are some good German restaurants in Colorado Springs, such as Edelweiss German Restaurant or Uwe’s German Restaurant. Ideal for hiking is the Cheyenne Mountain State Park as well as the Red Rock Canyon Open Space.

Exchange your country boots for your city shoes because you are now in the Mile High City. Denver is known for its foodie paradise, vibrant neighborhoods, music scene, thriving beer culture, amazing art and sporting life. During your visit you may hear many expressions such as LoDo, SoDo, RiNo and many more. That is because Denver is broken up into ten different neighborhoods. So whatever you are looking for during your vacation, you will find it within one of the neighborhoods, each with its own unique style and flair. Find out more about Denver here.

THE ART DISTRICT ON SANTA FE

Shopper’s Paradise:

CHERRY CREEK

Can’t miss it:

UNION STATION

Best place to find amazing food:

SOUTH PEARL STREET AND OLD SOUTH GAYLORD