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.
Isak Heartstone, a public art piece in Breckenridge, is a 15-foot (4.5-meter) wooden sculpture designed by Thomas Dambo, a Danish artist who used recycled materials as a medium. It was created during the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts in 2018 and co-commissioned by the city. Isak Heartstone is one of the main features of the new Trollstigen trailhead.
One of the oldest canyons in North America, Black Canyon of the Gunnison was carved over a period of 2 million years. Today, the National Park encompasses vertigo-inducing drops and colorful mesas that are sliced in half by the Gunnison River.
At 9,500 feet (2,896 meters) in Summit County, Colorado, Sapphire Point offers scenic views of Dillon Lake and Reservoir, and the Gore and Tenmile mountain ranges. An easily accessible overlook and day-use area, it’s a popular hiking destination and location for small weddings.
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway winds its way from Estes Park at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park to Interstate Highway I-70, past dense forests, pristine lakes, and the towering peaks of Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, and the Indian Peaks. It travels 55 miles (89 kilometers) along the Continental Divide and provides excellent views of the Rocky Mountains’ Front Range.
This Aspen sanctuary is both a public park and a memorial to the musician John Denver, whose songs like “Rocky Mountain High” capture the spirit of Colorado. Come to relax on the shores of the Roaring Fork River, stroll along the paths, and appreciate the work of the park's namesake in a garden devoted to his music.
The historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad takes passengers on a spectacular 45-mile (72-kilometer) trip through the gorgeous San Juan Mountains of Colorado, connecting the two towns for which the railroad is named. The steam-powered locomotive is a vintage—though comfortable—train that makes you feel like you’re traveling back in time, while the museum in Durango offers a tchotchke-filled experience to help visitors grasp the history behind their historic ride.
Chautauqua Park is where Boulder goes for time in nature. Home to the Chautauqua Trailhead—which leads to 40 miles (65 kilometers) of hiking trails—this park showcases just one of the many reasons Boulder is so beloved: fantastic views of the Flatirons. Strikingly slanted, any view in Chautauqua Park is a great one, from the trails to the pickleball court and beyond.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a narrow-gauge historic railroad that runs between Georgetown and Silver Plume, Colorado. One of the state’s first tourist attractions, the railroad takes passengers on a 4.5-mile (7-kilometer) ride through spectacular scenery in the rugged Rocky Mountains.
Founded in 1876, the same year that Colorado became a state, the University of Colorado Boulder is the state’s flagship university. Students enroll to participate in the school’s competitive earth and space science programs—many astronauts have graduated from CU Boulder—while visitors come to admire the scenic campus, attend cultural events, or cheer on the Colorado Buffaloes at football games.
At an elevation of 6,800 feet (2,072 meters), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs is aptly called “America’s only mountain zoo.” Its 146 acres (59 hectares) are home to hundreds of animals, including grizzly bears, monkeys, hippos, tigers, elephants, and its renowned herd of giraffes—one of the largest in the world.
Set in the northern corner of Denver’s City Park, the Denver Zoo is the city’s most visited family-friendly attraction. This 80-acre (32-hectare) site is home to over 700 species, including some of the world’s rarest animals, like the Amur leopard, Siberian tiger, and black rhino. Most animals live within naturalistic habitats, an idea the zoo pioneered with its construction of Bear Mountain in 1906.
If there’s one image synonymous with Boulder, it’s the Flatirons. Technically the slopes of Green Mountain, the Flatirons are incredibly steep, triangular rock formations reminiscent of a clothes iron. Popular for hiking, rock climbing, and picnicking, the Flatirons are a beloved city backdrop where Boulder goes to play.
Located just minutes from downtown Aspen, Aspen Mountain—sometimes known as “town mountain” or Ajax—is a skier’s dream come true. Fly down groomed trails and gladed runs all winter long, then return in the summer to bask on the mountaintop sundeck and explore hiking trails studded with wildflowers.
In the heart of downtown Boulder, Pearl Street Mall is a bit like Rodeo Drive, but Colorado-ified. Four blocks long, this flower-lined and exquisitely manicured pedestrian mall is full of luxury outdoor shops, bars, restaurants, art galleries, and an endless lineup of street performers. Whether it’s lunchtime or happy hour in Boulder, it all happens right here.
History Colorado was established in 1879 and currently operates four historic sites and seven museums, including History Colorado Center. Here you’ll find exhibits, artifacts, and hands-on activities about the history of the state and the American West. The center also hosts regular lectures, rotating exhibits, and other events for kids and adults.
The Breckenridge Nordic Center originated as the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center for skiers with disabilities in a former mining cabin. Eventually, the owner repurposed a lodge for the BOEC then constructed a new facility that’s now the Breckenridge Nordic Center Lodge. For over 50 winter seasons, the Breckenridge Nordic Center has maintained snowshoe and cross country ski trails for guests of all ages and abilities.
A fixture of Denver’s LoDo neighborhood, the Dairy Block is a walkable micro-district of bars, restaurants, shops, and a boutique hotel—all with a backdrop of art installations by Colorado creatives. The mixed-use space is named after the old Windsor Dairy and nods to its past with the Denver Milk Market food hall, which, along with a weekly events calendar of Taco Tuesdays and trivia nights, offers something for every crowd.
A green oasis east of busy Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park’s 80 acres (32 hectares) consist of grassy lawns, a Greek-style marble pavilion, and winding paths popular among joggers, cyclists, and dog walkers. If you don’t stumble upon one of the many community events held at the park throughout the year, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy among the playgrounds, picnic tables, and views of the surrounding mountains.
Featuring 128 trails across more than 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares of diverse terrain, Keystone Resort is one of Colorado's premier ski and snowboard destinations. When the snow melts, the mountain is also a popular summertime spot for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and golf. With activities for all ages and weather, it’s a family-friendly Rocky Mountain playground in any season.
Providing access to Boulder’s vibrant downtown, multiple green spaces, and cultural spots along the way, this scenic, multi-use trail runs for 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) alongside Boulder Creek. It’s a serene route for walking, biking, and jogging, with beautiful views of Colorado’s natural surroundings.
Tucked in the hinterlands of Colorado Springs, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is an adventure park and cave system inside the Rocky Mountains. Learn about Colorado’s ancient geology while exploring lamp-lit caverns and narrow passageways. Above ground, aerial thrill rides offer an action-packed way to explore Williams Canyon.
Head to Boulder County Farmers Markets to discover an array of vendors selling locally-sourced products, ranging from vegetables to baked goods, fruits, cheeses, and much more. There’s also plenty of options if you’re looking for a bite to eat from street food vendors, hoping to grab a great coffee, or just wanting to stock up on delicacies. For some local flavor that comes with a side of live music and fun, there’s nowhere better.
The Vail Pass Path is a bicycle pathway that cuts through the Vail Pass, between Vail and Copper Mountain. A popular way to see the area around Breckenridge, the path runs about 15 miles (24 kilometers), though cyclists can extend their ride when continuing on the Vail Pass National Recreation Trail.
This historic theater in downtown Boulder is renowned for its art deco design and calendar of live performances. Originally opened in 1906, it’s an intimate venue with excellent acoustics, making it a popular destination for both local and touring artists, and enriching the city’s arts scene with concerts, films, and cultural events.
Designed by Harry Teague in 1993 as a seasonal amphitheater, the Riverwalk Center was renovated in 2008. Now a 750-seat performance venue in downtown Breckenridge, it hosts events throughout the year. This music hall in Blue River Plaza has indoor concerts in the cooler months and opens its glass doors for outdoor shows when it gets warmer.
Located in the Eagles Nest Wilderness of East Vail, the Booth Falls Trail is a popular hike that leads to a 60-foot (18-meter) waterfall. The approximately 3.6-mile (5.8-kilometer) route is moderately difficult, passing through a range of terrains, including aspen groves, meadows, river crossings, and rocky terrain.
While Colorado isn’t short of stunning vistas, Maroon Bells is undoubtedly a favorite, attracting thousands of visitors to the area in the summer and fall months. Part of the White Mountains National Forest and a short drive from Aspen, here you’ll find hiking opportunities for all abilities, ranging from a 2-mile hike near Maroon Lake to more challenging routes around Crater Lake and beyond.
From the heart of Washington Park—surrounded by serene gardens, lakes, and lawns—it is hard to believe you are in the middle of Denver, Colorado. The 115-acre (60-hectare) park includes a replica of George Washington’s Mount Vernon garden, an extensive network of running trails, and a boathouse overlooking the lake.
Gaze at paintings of wide open landscapes, gold-seeking cowboys, and other emblems of the American West at Denver’s American Museum of Western Art. Housed in the Victorian-era Navarre building, the museum tells the story of the West through the lauded Anschutz Collection’s more than 600 paintings, drawings, and sculptures from the 19th century to the present day.
