Visitors may know Margaret “Molly” Brown in association with the RMS Titanic, but there was much more to her life than the ill-fated voyage for which she became famous. The “unsinkable” Brown was an activist, suffragist, and philanthropist, and her spirit lives on through educational tours, exhibits, and programming inside her restored historic Denver home.
Starting in the San Juan Mountains at 11,000 feet (3,353 meters), the Animas River winds for 126 miles (203 kilometers) down valleys, along shrublands, and even through the heart of Durango, Colorado. To best explore all that this mighty river has to offer, choose between fly fishing or tackling Class I, II, and III rapids in a kayak, canoe, or even a paddleboard or tube.
Relished by rafting enthusiasts as one of the best whitewater destinations in the US, Browns Canyon National Monument is a forested swath of central Colorado that’s carved by the Arkansas River. The nearly 22,000-acre (8, 903 recreation area is also the state’s newest national monument and a popular natural playground for hiking, snowshoeing, and fishing.
The world's first Stegosaurus fossils were discovered at Dinosaur Ridge—an important paleontology site in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just west of Denver. Today, a paved hiking trail winds past hundreds of footprints left by Cretaceous creatures, along with other unearthed finds. The main visitor center offers interactive exhibits that showcase what the area looked like during different prehistoric periods, plus simulated dino-dig boxes for kids.
The Denver Mint is one of a handful of facilities that produces US currency, and one of only two (along with the United States Mint in Philadelphia) that offers tours to the public. Visitors can tour the massive Renaissance-style 1904 mint building to glimpse the coin-making process, explore exhibits on the history of money, or purchase authentic currency and commemorative coins in the gift shop.
Meow Wolf Denver (Convergence Station) can barely be contained into words, but let’s try: It’s an interactive playscape of sci-fi-esque, neon worlds. The Denver installment marks the brand’s third and largest permanent exhibition, where visitors wander through a maze of visual and textile delight, like an art museum gone rogue. You have to see it to believe it.
Mesa Verde National Park is known for its hundreds of cliff dwellings built into the landscape of mesas and canyons. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best places in the country to learn about the Ancestral Pueblo people, who inhabited the southwest corner of Colorado for centuries until about 1300. Some of their dwellings had up to 200 rooms, which remain exceptionally well preserved beneath the shelter of the mesa tops.
In the heart of downtown Denver, Elitch Gardens is an amusement park featuring rides, activities, and entertainment for all ages. From exhilarating roller coasters and plunging towers to gentle kid-friendly rides and refreshing water slides, the park is a family favorite and a popular summer attraction for locals and visitors alike.
No matter the season, there’s always something to do at Breckenridge, one of Colorado’s most popular ski resorts. Five massive peaks and an average annual snowfall of 350 inches (9 meters provide epic terrain for skiers and snowboarders. As the snow melts, visitors keep coming back for summertime fun at this majestic Rocky Mountain playground.
The Denver Botanic Gardens fill more than 24 acres (10 hectares) with a diverse collection of plants from across the world, offering a natural haven in the middle of the Mile High City. The dynamic grounds showcase drought-resistant gardening techniques suited to the local climate as well internationally inspired gardens such as Japanese gardens and a tropical conservatory.
Built in 1882, the 314-acre (127-hectare City Park is Denver’s largest urban green space. The park is home to two lakes, two playgrounds, picnic sites, sports facilities, and several historical monuments, as well as major attractions, like the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
This downtown destination is more than just a state-of-the-art aquarium with over 500 species of fish and sea animals. It's also a dining and entertainment complex, as well as a place for aquatic adventures. Host to sea otters, a Stingray Reef touch tank, and even a dive tank where you can snorkel or scuba dive with the sharks, the Downtown Aquarium is one of Denver’s most popular family attractions.
Built by miners and railroad workers in the late 19th century, Downtown Durango—a nationally registered historic district—holds onto its Wild West flair. On its historic main street, you’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and cowboy-toutin’ places of note, including the original Strater Hotel, built in 1887, and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a historic steam train that travels through the San Juan Mountains and straight into downtown.
Thousands of visitors travel to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs each year, and the academy’s all-faiths Cadet Chapel is the most visited man-made attraction in Colorado. Among the best examples of modern academic architecture, the striking 150-foot-tall (46-meter-tall) chapel is designed with 17 spires created from aluminum, steel, and glass.
Catering to young kids (up to about age 8), the Children’s Museum of Denver is a fully interactive space designed to inspire future leaders and adventurers. Exhibits encourage children to learn about nature, science, the arts, and more through hands-on fun. There’s also a daily offering of workshops and special activities like storytime, crafts, and even cooking classes for kids.
A premier education center in America’s Southwest, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science boasts a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and a wide range of exhibits that showcase the biological and geological history of Earth and the universe. Exhibits range from ancient artifacts to interactive virtual-reality zones the whole can family can explore.
Set high in the Rocky Mountains, Winter Park Resort’s 3,000 acres (1214 hectares) have a remote feeling despite being one of the closest ski resorts to downtown Denver. The resort’s typical 300 inches (762 centimeters) of snow and 300 days of sunshine each year make it one of the most popular skiing destinations in the US for beginners and experts alike.
The Colorado Trail offers an outdoor experience ranging from breathtaking to “life-changing,” according to people who have hiked all or even just a portion of its 500 miles (805 kilometers). Ideal for hikers, runners, and bikers alike, it runs from outside Denver to Durango, carving through eight mountain ranges and seven national forests.
Set in a historic fire station in downtown Denver, the Denver Firefighters Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the day-to-day lives of firefighters. Visitors will learn about the training, work, and history of Denver’s courageous firefighters through hands-on activities and interactive exhibits. Adults and children alike are drawn to the museum’s large collection of vintage fire trucks.
Atop Iron Mountain in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park provides a day of nonstop thrills with some of the best views of any amusement park around. Home to the highest-elevation full-size coaster, the park gives adrenaline junkies plenty to scream about with rides that zip and swing across cliffs and canyons.
Situated near Cañon City, Colo., Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is a 360-acre (146-hectare) amusement park located along the edge of the Arkansas River-formed Royal Gorge. The park is home to the country’s highest suspension bridge at 956 feet (291 meters) with a span of 1,260 feet (384 meters) and adrenaline-fueled activities like a guided climbing experience and zipline.
Estes Park is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, but it’s no quick stopover. The downtown area blends small-town charm with tourist-friendly offerings, and a stroll along Main Street’s boutiques, souvenir shops, and restaurants is a must. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife—a fox, elk, or bighorn sheep might cross your path.
In any season, take in spectacular views from atop Aspen Mountain courtesy of a ride on the Silver Queen Gondola. No pricey lift ticket is required to enjoy one of the most epic vantage points in the Rockies at the 11,000-foot summit of Ajax Peak. The gondola is fully enclosed with picture windows for a safe and scenic ride.
Embrace the spirit of the great Colorado outdoors in Grand Lake, home of the state’s largest natural lake, located at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. At an 8,300-foot (2,530-meter) elevation, enjoy brisk mountain air and year-round outdoor activities ranging from hiking and biking to fishing, golfing, and lake tours.
One of the largest planetariums in the United States, with its 65-foot (20-meter) dome, the Fiske Planetarium is part of the University of Colorado Boulder campus. A magnet for space enthusiasts, it screens a rotation of several dozen astronomy and laser shows, along with presenting talks, special NASA and eclipse events, and artistic productions.
Denver’s Coors Field offers views of two types of Rockies: the state’s famous Rocky Mountains, naturally, and the Colorado Rockies, the Major League Baseball team. One of the league’s best stadiums, Coors Field fits more than 50,000 spectators for a rousing day at the ballpark, right in Denver's trendy LoDo (Lower Downtown) neighborhood.
Home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, Empower Field at Mile High is renowned for its vibrant game-day atmosphere and Rocky Mountain backdrop. Opened in 2001, the stadium seats 76,000 fans, offers state-of-the-art amenities, and also hosts concerts and cultural events in addition to football games.
Since 1924, Folsom Field has been the home of the Colorado Buffaloes football team. Named after University of Colorado coach Fred Folsom, the stadium seats more than 50,000 people, and also hosts concerts, graduations, and special events from its hilltop perch on the University of Colorado Boulder campus.
Escape to nature without going completely off the grid in Wonderland Lake Park, an urban oasis 10 minutes away from downtown Boulder. Locals come to this wildlife sanctuary in all seasons to have a picnic, fish in the lake, walk or bike the easy trails around the wetlands, and watch paragliders take off over the open prairies and streams.
Near downtown Boulder, Flagstaff Mountain makes it easy to enjoy the great outdoors. Part of the city’s open space, it’s home to numerous hiking and biking trails, outcrops for bouldering, viewpoints, and a summit area with accessible trails, a nature center, an amphitheater, picnic areas, and fantastic views.
