If you’re looking for a travel destination that offers a diverse array of activities, Colorado is the place to go. From skiing and snowboarding to hiking, biking, and fishing, it’s packed with attractions for all ages.
If you want to learn more about the state’s history, head to History Colorado Center. This museum shows visitors how the state’s past affected the present, and gives them a better understanding of Colorado culture.
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1.Garden of the Gods
The Garden of the Gods is a national natural landmark and a must-visit for anyone visiting Colorado. The park features awe-inspiring rock formations that were created along a fault line millions of years ago and tilted vertically during the formation of Pikes Peak.
It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a scenic hike and some of the most amazing views in all of Colorado. The park has over 21 miles of trails, and is perfect for both beginners and experienced hikers.
Another great way to experience this beautiful park is through a horseback tour. It’s an excellent way to get a closer look at the incredible scenery and learn about the history of the park.
If you’re not a horse lover, there are also many other things to do at the Garden of the Gods. You can visit the Garden of the Gods Trading Post to shop for Navajo rugs, American Indian art, and Colorado souvenirs.
The park is also a wonderful place to see the sunset. Make sure to visit the park in the early morning or late afternoon for the best colors and fewer crowds.
2.Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens is the city’s most popular and beautiful public garden. It’s a 24-acre oasis in the heart of the city that displays plants from around the world as well as native Colorado species.
The park’s mission is to inspire the public to be good stewards of the environment, and connect them to our past, present and future relationships with plants of the Rocky Mountain region. Its 43 unique spaces and rotating exhibits welcome over 1.3 million visitors each year.
In addition to inspiring visitors through plant specimens and displays, the gardens provide community outreach and scientific research. The garden also hosts lectures, botanical art and illustration courses, day camps, and workshops for all ages.
A highlight of the winter season is the Blossoms of Light holiday event that lights up the Gardens in dazzling fashion. From mid-November to early January, the gardens come to life with thousands of lights and festive displays.
3.Pikes Peak
A visit to Colorado isn’t complete without exploring the top of one of its towering mountains, and no place is more iconic than Pikes Peak. This 14,115-foot summit is one of the most visited in the state and offers sweeping views for up to 80 miles, including vistas that inspired admirer Katharine Lee Bates to pen the song “America the Beautiful.”
The climb to Pikes Peak can be tough, so it’s important to plan your trip properly. Make sure to acclimate your body to the altitude before you begin, and plan to arrive early in the morning to avoid midday heat and afternoon thunderstorms.
The climb to the summit can be done in a number of ways, but for those looking for the most challenging route to the top, there is no better option than the Barr Trail. This trailhead sits just outside of Manitou Springs and takes 13 miles and 7,500 feet to reach the summit, but it’s well worth it if you’re up for the challenge!
4.Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
As one of the best outdoor concert venues in the world, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre draws top artists and music fans from around the globe. The naturally acoustically perfect venue, set on 300-foot sandstone monoliths called Creation Rock (stage right) and Ship Rock (stage left), attracts renowned musicians, music history lovers and outdoor exercise enthusiasts alike.
The amphitheater’s acoustics have been described as “epic,” and the view from the stage is truly awe-inspiring. Visitors can hike around the grounds, attend a concert or visit the Colorado Music Hall of Fame to learn more about the acclaimed artists who have performed there.
Unlike an indoor venue where rows of seats are jammed together to squeeze as many people in as possible, Red Rocks seating is spread out across the monolith rocks so you can easily walk between the rows. It’s easy to find a seat and there’s plenty of room for dancing, but be prepared to deal with a bit of wind.
Make sure you allow plenty of time for your trip to Red Rocks. The line to enter the venue can be quite long, and once you’re inside it’s a walk up another hundred stairs to your seat.
5.Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a great place to take kids for a full day adventure. Located at an elevation of 6,714 feet above sea level, the zoo is home to 750 animals, and visitors can get up close to one of the largest reticulated giraffe herds in the world, see grizzly bears swimming with trout, and hop on a carousel or ride the Mountaineer Sky Ride.
There are also many different play areas for the kids throughout the zoo. This includes little tunnels, splash areas, and tiny hills to roll around on.
Overall we loved this zoo! It had plenty of animals to see and lots of educational zoo keepers chats.
The zoo has a few exhibits that need some updates though. The old bear grottos and monkey pavilion are outdated and need to be replaced.
The zoo is open 365 days a year, and they offer special events and programs all year long. They also have a Silent Night every summer that invites guests to enjoy the zoo without noise and lights, so they can connect with the animals and learn more about their conservation efforts.
6.Cave of the Winds Mountain Park.
A must-see for travelers since 1881, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park in Manitou Springs is one of the premiere show caves in the country. It’s also one of the highest, at 7,000 feet above sea level.
The cave is a great family attraction, with Discovery Tours, easy 45-minute explorations; Cave 101 Tours, longer and best for families with teenagers; and (most popular) Lantern Tours, 1.5-hour dim-lit treks through the nooks and crannies of the cave. You can also visit the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, a historic settlement that dates back to the Stone Age.
There’s plenty of adventure to be had above ground, too, with a three-story Wind Walker Challenge Course, Geronimo’s Leap, and Cliff Hanger Climbing Wall. You can even ride the Bat-A-Pult, an adrenaline-fueled 1,200-foot round-trip flight across Williams Canyon at speeds of nearly 40 mph.
You can choose to do it all with the Pioneer Package, which includes all of the above-ground activities. Or you can pick and choose your favorites based on your adventure level, time, and group size.
7.Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. Located in City Park, it houses a wide array of traditional collections, such as dinosaur remains and animal dioramas, as well as hands-on exhibits that teach visitors about astronomy, geology and health.
It’s a great place to bring the whole family or even a date. The exhibitions are enlightening, engaging and fun.
Founded in 1900, the museum has over 775,000 objects in its collection. Its three-story building is filled with an eclectic mix of traditional collections, a planetarium, and traveling exhibits.
Designed to inspire a new generation of scientists, the museum has a range of intriguing exhibits on subjects such as anthropology, biology, geology and space science. The museum also features an IMAX theater and Gates Planetarium.
8.Coors Field.
Coors Field is a great place to enjoy a baseball game, especially if you are in Denver. The stadium is surrounded by a neighborhood called LoDo, which is recognized as one of the trendiest parts of town and is a great area to check out before and after the game.
First of all, Coors Field is one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in all of baseball because of its high altitude and dry dessert air. To combat this, the outfield fences were built further away from home plate, and all balls are stored in humidors before games start.
Another fun thing about Coors Field is that you can get a view of the Rocky Mountains from certain seats in the upper deck. This only happens on a clear night, but it’s a cool way to watch a baseball game at the stadium.