The 16 Best Places in Colorado to Take a Summer Vacation 2024: Although Colorado is perhaps best known for its abundant winter powder, which makes for some of the greatest skiing and boarding in the world, the state also features a wealth of magnificent landscape and a wide variety of exciting outdoor activities throughout the summer months.
16 Best Places in Colorado to Take a Summer Vacation
1. Vail
Mountain biking, hiking, golfing, and rafting over whitewater rapids are just few of the activities that can be enjoyed in Vail throughout the warmer months of the year, despite the fact that Vail is known for being one of the most popular ski resort towns in the world.
Throughout the course of the year, there are many kinds of opportunities to participate in music and dance festivals, including the Bravo!
In addition to the Vail International Dance Festival and the Vail Jazz Festival, the Vail Valley Music Festival includes performances by renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic.
These concerts take place in the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, which is located outside. Rock climbing trips in Vail Valley, botanical tours through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, and the abundance of stores, pubs, and restaurants in the village of Vail itself are just a few of the many additional things that make Vail such a popular tourist destination.
2. Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs may be a winter paradise during the chillier months of the year, but the summer provides an unending vista of green sprinkled with bright wildflowers.
This makes Steamboat Springs another one of the state’s most popular places for skiing and snowboarding. This is the time of year when this Wild West town comes to life, with tourists enjoying activities like as fly fishing, inner tube rides, and rafting expeditions on the Yampa River.
Additionally, there are several gorgeous hiking and mountain bike paths, as well as natural hot springs that are excellent for easing weary muscles afterward.
If you are in the area around the end of June or the beginning of July, you will have the opportunity to participate in the world-famous annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park festival.
This event features a large number of brightly colored hot air balloons, in addition to approximately 50 artist vendors, live entertainment, food and drink vendors, and an interactive children’s art area.
3. Telluride
Telluride is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colorado because it captures the spirit of a traditional Western mountain town.
Not only are its streets lined with great Victorian houses, but it has also become a hotspot for explorers, athletes, and artists of all stripes despite being snuggled in an isolated box canyon and being removed from the tumult of contemporary life.
Even though there is no skiing available during this time of year, tourists may still ride the gondola to the top of the mountain to obtain a bird’s eye view of the town and the gorgeous scenery that surrounds it.
In addition, there are wonderful opportunities for fishing, golfing, and bicycling, as well as the possibility of hiking to Bridal Veil Falls, which is the state’s longest free-falling waterfall. This little town pulls out all the stops when it comes to hosting festivals.
For example, the yearly Bluegrass Festival attracts a large number of bluegrass musicians to the region, where attendees can bask in the warm weather while listening to music in an open-air amphitheater.
4. Ouray
Getting to Ouray is already an exciting journey in and of itself, but it can be made much more exciting by traveling from Silverton via the Million Dollar Highway, which is a 25-mile stretch of US 550 leading up to Ouray.
The road’s seemingly never-ending bends and curves, many of which are perched precariously on the brink of precipitous cliffs, result in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.
The vistas of the soaring, craggy peaks of the San Juan Mountains seem to keep getting better as you round each bend, which provides a fairly large indication as to why Ouray is sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland of America.”
There are natural hot springs, endless waterfalls, and even abandoned mines to discover in this area, making it the perfect place for a vacation.
Visit the Bachelor-Syracuse Mine to gain an in-depth understanding of the history of gold and silver mining in the area. At the mine, you will also get a sense of what it was like to work as a miner in the past.
There are also a number of intriguing stores on the main street, historic walking tours, and if you’re adventurous enough, even a ghost tour.
5. Durango
This mountain town in the southwestern United States is perfect for multi-sport explorers who wish to be able to choose from a variety of activities both on land and in water.
The Animas River winds its way through Durango and is known for having some of the most challenging and exciting whitewater rafting and kayaking in the state.
Hiking in out-of-this-world alpine landscape can be found in the lowlands, while world-class mountain biking can be found on more than 1,000 miles of trails just in the Durango region.
If you head just a little bit upwards, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains. No matter when you visit, one of the things that you absolutely have to do is ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
This train is a narrow gauge steam train that was built specifically to handle the narrow mountain routes. It travels between Durango and Silverton at a speed of 18 miles per hour as it climbs the steep and magnificent mountain passes.
A significant portion of the downtown area has been recognized as a National Historic District, and it features a variety of fascinating attractions to visit, such as the San Juan County Historical Society, which is located in the former county prison, as well as the Mayflower Gold Mill National Historic Site and the former Hundred Gold Mine.
6. Dolores
The town of Dolores may be little, but it is definitely worth spending some time there. The town is nestled in a lovely canyon, with the picturesque Dolores River cutting along one side and limestone cliffs on the other.
The McPhee Reservoir, which is the second biggest in the area, can be found here, and the San Juan National Forest, which is only a mile away from the town, offers some of the best fly fishing, hiking, and bicycling options in the area.
In addition to its many opportunities for outdoor recreation, the town features an eclectic assortment of restaurants and stores, as well as four parks and a brewery.
7. Grand Lake
Boating, sailing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and yachting are just some of the activities that may be enjoyed on Grand Lake. In fact, the lake is so popular that it even holds a weeklong race competition at the beginning of August.
This is also where you’ll discover the most impressive fireworks show on the Fourth of July in the entirety of the state of Colorado, in addition to a plethora of popular tourist destinations such as candy stores, old-time picture galleries and saloons, an assortment of gift shops, and even miniature golf courses.
You’ll also be just a short walk away from Rocky Mountain National Park, which is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and abundantly wildlife-filled parks in the United States. The hotel is located close to the park’s western gate.
8. Crested Butte
It may be off the usual road, but Crested Butte is absolutely one of the most beautiful mountain towns in all of Colorado, so it is well worth the trek to get there. The environment has a vibe that is reminiscent of a hippy commune mixed with the allure of a historic mining town.
It is known all over the globe for its skiing since it is located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. However, when the weather is warmer, it is transformed into a premier location for hiking and mountain biking, and it is the ideal time to view the vibrant flowers blooming.
Whitewater rafting trips down the Taylor Canyon are another activity that brings tourists to the area for the chance to have an adventure of a lifetime. There are hundreds of miles of trails that are connected with one other to make an infinite day of touring from Gothic to Mt.
Crested Butte, Irwin to Gunnison, or even from Crested Butte all the way to Aspen. This area is known as a genuine destination for mountain bikers.
Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven is the place to go if you don’t have a bike because you can rent one there for the day or for the duration of your stay. In addition to riding on the paths, you can also ride your bike about the town and have a look at the interesting passageways and old buildings.
9. Fort Collins
Although it is only an hour’s drive north of Denver, Fort Collins is home to a plethora of exciting outdoor activities that are perfect for those who want to make the most of the sunlight.
It just takes a few minutes to get to Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, a park that spans 2,711 acres and features 29 miles of trails for bicycling, hiking, and horseback riding.
The park is located just west of Horsetooth Reservoir, which is an excellent location for going for a paddle in a canoe or kayak.
While the Cache La Poudre River flows directly through downtown, Mountain Whitewater provides whitewater rafting tours on the river, and the Farm at Lee Martinez Park is an educational zoo that contains animals for feeding and cuddling up with, pony rides, hayrides, and interactive activities.
If you’re a fan of beer, there are a number of excellent breweries in the region that you can tour and sample at. You could even go on a Beer & Bike tour, which allows you to sample a range of beers after a strenuous day of cycling.
10. Keystone
Keystone is the premier destination for enjoying the great outdoors throughout the whole year. The Keystone Science School Day Camps and the summer snow tubing hill are just two examples of the many activities that are available to families in the area.
Other options include stand-up paddle boarding and boating on the lake, miniature golf, GPS Geo-Cache Adventures, and dinner wagon rides.
Then there are the festivals, such as the Mountain Town Music Festival, the River Run Art Festival, the Bluegrass & Beer Festival, and the Keystone Bacon and Bourbon Festival.
11. Leadville
It’s not the most well-known town in Colorado, but Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the United States at almost 10,000 feet above sea level.
It also provides jaw-dropping vistas of the Rocky Mountains, a wealth of history to discover, and a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor activities, all without the hassle of large crowds.
There are around 70 square blocks of Victorian architecture that have been listed as a National Historic Landmark in the downtown area.
One of these blocks is home to the exquisite brick Tabor Opera House. Additionally, the well-known Matchless Mine is located in the neighborhood and provides both guided and unguided tours.
Ski Cooper is only twenty minutes away and offers reasonably priced and convenient skiing without the hassle of huge lift lines throughout the winter season.
12. Boulder
Boulder, which is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and is about an hour’s drive away from Denver, is home to a wonderful combination of urban and natural points of interest.
When you first arrive, the first thing you’ll notice is the Flatirons, which serve as a popular site for hiking and observing wildlife, since the surrounding region is home to mule deer, black bear, bobcat, and coyote, among other animals.
The Pearl Street Mall is the most popular destination in the downtown area. It is an open-air pedestrian mall that is perfect for people watching and enjoying free, live entertainment.
On any given day, there are a large number of buskers here. As you wander through the shops, galleries, and bookshops, you can come across everything from excellent singers and musicians to those who can chew fire or do contortion tricks.
13. Estes Park
Estes Park, which serves as the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, is located only one hour and twenty minutes from Denver, making it a great location for outdoor activities such as hiking, observing animals, and a variety of other activities.
It is situated on the banks of the Big Thompson River and is encircled by towering mountains, and its central business district is home to a large variety of entertaining businesses and alluring restaurants.
While mountain goats and bighorn sheep scamper down the cliffside, it is not unusual to spot elk lazing on the town’s golf course.
Elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep can also be spotted. An amusement park is available, which features activities such as bungee jumping, go-karts, bumper cars, mini-golf, and a large slide.
14. Buena Vista
Buena Vista is a hidden treasure located between the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River. Although it attracts largely Coloradans and passionate whitewater enthusiasts, the town has lots to offer visitors of all backgrounds, including breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
On the river, in addition to rafting, other popular recreational pursuits include kayaking, fly fishing, paddleboarding, and paddle boarding.
The network of off-road paths is a favorite destination for Jeep and ATV travel, and the Mount Princeton Hot Springs, which are located nearby, are the ideal spot to unwind afterward.
These springs have both natural and constructed warm water pools that are separated by rocks.
15. Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek, which is located on the west slope of Pikes Peak and provides a trip back in time, is the site of the most recent and most successful gold rush in the state of Colorado.
Because of its wealth, it was almost the capital of the state.It has the atmosphere of the Old West and has a lot of historic structures that date back to the late 1800s.
Visitors get the opportunity to tour a variety of unique museums, one of which is located in a building that was formerly used as a brothel and has preserved a significant portion of its original furniture.
The Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad provides a delightful trip with magnificent vistas, and there is a gold mine that gives the only vertical shaft tour in the country that is 1,000 feet long.
The mine is located in Cripple Creek. Make it a point to visit the Butte Theatre at least once and take in an evening performance of an authentic melodrama.
16. Aspen
Aspen is the epitome of a Colorado mountain town and is recognized all over the world as a premier location for skiing.
There’s something fun to do here no matter the time of year because to the location in the White River National Forest, which is flanked on all sides by the peaks of Elk Mountain.
With the Elk Mountain peaks frequently reflected over the quiet waters of Maroon Lake, the world-famous Maroon Bells are an absolute need for your Instagram account.
There are hiking and bike trails that go over miles and miles, while the downtown area is home to ritzy boutiques and high-end hotels that are known to draw celebrities, as well as fine dining restaurants, breweries, and entertainment venues.
16 Best Places in Colorado to Take a Summer Vacation – Newshub360.net
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