Colorado is a gorgeous, scenic state in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It boasts a wonderful mixture of natural beauty and buzzing cityscape to satisfy any tourist interests. So, how do you determine what you are going to pack into your itinerary when visiting Colorado?
Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Durango and Silverton Railway offer fun options for those looking to enjoy both natural beauty and a social scene. The Garden of the God’s Park and Maroon Bells will scratch the itch for those looking to get lost in nature. While cities like Aspen and Denver offer a great mix of a small-town and big cities.
As you can see, there is a great deal of things to do in Colorado, along with a lot of variety. You may be feeling overwhelmed, so read on, and we will arm you with enough information to build that itinerary. We will go over the top 10 things to do in Colorado, among other things.
What is Colorado Best Known for?
Colorado is best known for the Rocky Mountains, and everything that comes along with them. As a result of being in the middle of this great mountain range, Colorado has both spectacular natural beauty and an almost unparalleled skiing scene.
The Rocky Mountain National Park features plenty of beautiful and challenging hikes, or you can look to visit Vail or Aspen and take advantage of the skiing that is available.
10 Things to do in Colorado on your Next Visit
So, let’s get more specific. We have touched on a few of the different attractions that Colorado offers, but why are they the best? We will answer all that and add a few extra spots to our list of the Top 10 Things to do in Colorado.
1. See a Show at Red Rocks Amphitheater
Red Rocks Amphitheater is well-known and world-famous for its natural beauty. There are very few venues worldwide that can offer such beautiful views along with such outstanding acoustics. You will have the opportunity to watch the stars on stage while looking up at the stars overhead.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, Red Rocks is known to offer other activities such as yoga classes on the rocks. They will also screen films and other forms of entertainment.
2. Ski Vail (or any of the other Resorts)
As we said, Colorado offers some of the best skiing in the world. Vail is one of the more well-known, but there are tons of different resorts in Colorado that can meet your needs or budget.
Breckenridge is another great option that can be a bit more affordable. Both Vail and Breckenridge have awesome ski towns, similar to what you would see in the movies. Either way, you will find yourself on cloud nine as you ski the mountain.
3. Go to the Garden of the God’s Park
If you are hoping to experience the natural beauty of Colorado, the Garden of the Gods is a good place to start. There are tons to do, whether you are looking to go on an adventure or just enjoy the scenery.
They offer trail maps at the visitor center, so if you are looking to explore on your own, you will want to stop there first. Otherwise, they do offer guided nature walks if you are hoping for something a bit more slow-paced. The hikes are a little bit over a mile long, and you will learn about the local ecology and geology, along with the history of the park.
4. Drive the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway
The San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway both rhymes and offers an opportunity to see Colorado’s natural beauty without leaving your car. The Byway is a loop that will take you on a journey across 236 miles of beautiful southwestern Colorado.
While you may be able to complete it in one day, the journey across the Million Dollar Highway is best split up over a couple or three days. You will get to experience everything from the Rocky Mountains to small, historic towns just off the Byway. Trust us. You will want to take your time.
5. Go to Pike’s Peak
Have you been dying to say that you made it to the top of a Fourteener? What’s that? Do you not know what a Fourteener is? Well, allow us to explain. A Fourteener is a mountain that is over 14,000 feet high, and Pikes Peak is just that.
There are multiple different methods to get to the top of Pike’s Peak. Driving a car is a great way to do it that will allow you to take in all of the views without having to complete the 13.5-mile hike (one-way). If you do insist on hiking, it is recommended that you spend several days in Colorado Springs to allow yourself to acclimate before you do.
Pike’s Peak also offers the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which is a train that will take you up to the top. Another fun option that will be totally stress-free for everyone in the group.
6. Visit Aspen
Aspen is another option if you are looking to come to enjoy a ski trip. However, it can also be a fun destination during the summer, even without snow. Aspen was originally a silver-mining town, but it experienced a major cultural renaissance after silver was devalued.
After enjoying world-class skiing, you will be able to go into the town and enjoy visiting the many shops that are available or try out some of the world-class dinings that Aspen has to offer. There is a little bit of something for everybody, and it is accessible to other beautiful attractions in Colorado.
7. See the Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is another outstanding natural spectacle that resides in Colorado. This land is currently considered to be one of the largest archaeological preserves in the United States. The major attraction at this park is the presence of the cliff dwellings.
These dwellings were believed to have been developed before 1000 BC by Archaic people and still stand to this day. One, in particular, called the Cliff Palace, is believed to be the largest cliff dwelling in North America.
They believe that this palace was able to house approximately 100 people, compared to the other dwellings that would typically be 1-5 rooms.
With most of the other dwellings being much smaller, it is believed that this Palace was a social or administrative site that had a great deal of ceremonial usage.
You will be especially intrigued by the size of the doorways at the dwellings, as the average male during that time was about 5’4” and the average female was about 5’.
8. Ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway is another popular way to enjoy the beauty that Colorado has to offer from the comfort of a train. On typical trips, you will enjoy a scenic ride through the Colorado wilderness as you travel through Cascade Canyon.
There are additional, special train rides that are offered as well. One, in particular, is the Durango Brew Train. This trip will feature all of the traditional beauty of a ride on the railway, but with the added bonus of beer! Craft brewers will educate you about the beers that you taste as they pour. All of the beer will be from local breweries to give an authentic Colorado vibe.
This ride is also offered with wine instead of beer, but if you are looking for a kid-friendly ride, then the Polar Express Train Ride is the best for you. This will give your kids an authentic “Polar Express” feel, complete with a trip to the North Pole to see Santa.
9. Visit Denver
If you want to spend more time enjoying the big city in Colorado, then Denver is the place to be. You will still get to see the beauty of the Rockies in Denver, as they are impossible to miss no matter where you are. Denver, however, offers some more traditional attractions such as museums, whiskey tours, or catching a ball game at Coors Field.
Speaking of Coors, if you want to go see where the magic is brewed, then it is only a fifteen-mile trip from Denver. Located in Golden, Colorado, Coors is still brewed on the same land where Adolph Coors initially set up shop.
Another big attraction in Denver is the Denver Art Museum. Plan to spend a day enjoying art from all kinds of different cultures and backgrounds as you explore the museum.
10. Soak in the Rockies in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is a picturesque slice of Coloradoan beauty. There are 100 miles of trail, and six of the mountains in the wilderness are “Fourteeners.” This is a destination for skilled mountaineers who are looking to challenge themselves and their abilities.
For the more casual nature-observer, the wilderness can offer beautiful wildflowers in the summer. In addition, Native Bighorn Sheep and Elk are among the wildlife that makes their homes in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
Another great attraction is the Conundrum, Hot Springs. These springs are within a zone that requires a permit to be acquired in order to stay overnight. All other campers within the wilderness just need to register themselves at the trailhead registration boxes.
What is the Prettiest Place in Colorado?
This is an extremely difficult question to answer, as Colorado boasts almost endless natural beauty. Wherever you go, you will be able to find towering, snow-capped mountains or a beautiful, expansive wilderness.
However, there is one view that seems to be extremely well-known and popular as a postcard-esque picture. Located within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, the Maroon Lake offers a beautiful landscape of a mountain peeking through as the foot of two other mountains meets. On a clear day, this will reflect perfectly off the lake and create a gorgeous, unmatched view.
That, for our money, is the prettiest view and place in Colorado. However, you’ll notice that the Maroon Bells Wilderness ranks 10th on our list. That should speak to the astounding amount of beauty and activities that Colorado has to offer.
As you can see, Colorado is a wild, beautiful state that can offer something to interest any and everybody. Whether you want to go on a hike, or relax in a hot spring, or ski, or shop and enjoy fine dining, there will always be something that can keep you entertained in Colorado. We recommend taking a longer trip so you can travel throughout the state and enjoy all it has to offer. The only thing you need is a cheap flight to Colorado!