Best Things to Do in Colorado

Colorado contains most of the southern Rocky Mountains and is named for the powerful river that rushes through it.

Colorado doesn’t just give you scenery...it gives you space. Space to breathe, to be small in the best way, and to fall headlong into adventure or stillness depending on the day. During my many trips here, I traveled across the state from canyons to cities, mountaintop gondolas to hidden gardens, and every place felt like a conversation between land and sky. Somewhere between the edge of a suspension bridge and a train echoing through the Rockies, I thought, "Colorado doesn’t try to impress, it just shows up as itself, and that’s enough."

Best Things to Do in Colorado

Denver Color & Contrast

I started the day at The Corner Office, tucked just off the bustle of downtown. The vibe was sleek but playful. “Okay,” I thought, sipping a citrusy house juice, “this is how to set a pace.” Denver felt vibrant, but also layered, lush, architectural, electric in pockets.

From there, I walked off breakfast through the Denver Botanic Gardens. I stood at the edge of a koi pond and thought, “I needed this softness.”

Midafternoon brought a second pause, this time at Syrup, for a quick sweet bite. I ordered their famous banana pudding pancakes.

Evening came as I reached Larimer Square. Strings of lights hung overhead like a canopy, and shops spilled music onto the sidewalk. I stopped at Tacos Tequila Whiskey, carne asada tacos, crisp-edged and bright with lime. Then dinner at ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro, where the French onion soup dumplings came out steaming.

I ended the night at Black Shirt Brewing Co., tucked into a quiet courtyard, the air turning cool, conversation drifting like music.

A downside? The altitude took some adjusting. Even walking a few blocks uphill left me catching my breath, and drinking extra water became a necessity. It wasn’t enough to dim the trip, but it reminded me to slow down.

Colorado Springs Stillness

We drove south from Denver, just over an hour along I-25. The mountains shifted closer with every mile, Pike’s Peak looming larger until it seemed to rise straight from the edge of town.

My plan for the day was layered: take in natural beauty at Garden of the Gods, find a moment of history, and sit down for a meal that felt rooted in Colorado Springs. It was a mix of the outdoors, reflection, and comfort.

Colorado Springs felt open and dramatic, the red rocks glowing against snow. A admired dusted peaks, neighborhoods tucked into foothills, the city spreading wide beneath the mountains. The horizon here was never still.

Later in the day, I stood among the sandstone towers at Garden of the Gods (free), the sky blazing blue overhead, and thought, “Nature doesn’t need to be grand to humble you, but here, it chooses to be both.”

I enjoyed the hike through the Central Garden Trail, where every turn brought new angles of red stone, jagged and tall. Families stopped for photos, climbers inched up rock faces, and ravens circled in the sky above.

A downside? The popularity of Garden of the Gods meant parking lots filled quickly, even in the morning. I

Steamboat Springs History

We drove northwest from Denver, about three and a half hours over mountain passes and winding roads. The scenery kept shifting, high plains giving way to evergreens, and finally the wide Yampa Valley opened, with Steamboat nestled in its fold.

My plan for Steamboat was a balance: explore history at the Tread of Pioneers Museum, linger over a meal, and end the day with something casual and local. I wanted our trip to feel like a mix of past and present, mountain life told in stories and flavors.

Steamboat itself felt like a town with two hearts, one rooted in ranching and history, the other alive with modern ski-town energy. Both pulsed together, giving the streets a mix of grit and polish.

Where I Ate Dinner at Aurum Food & Wine was memorable. I ordered the pan-seared scallops with a parsnip puree and roasted vegetables. The restaurant overlooked the Yampa River, the sound of water drifting beneath the conversations around me.

Later that evening I headed to Mountain Tap Brewery, where the atmosphere was relaxed and communal. I ordered a wood-fired pizza with roasted mushrooms and shared a flight of local beers. The pizza came out crisp and smoky, the mushrooms earthy against melted cheese, and the beers carried everything from citrus brightness to malty depth. It felt like a perfect balance to Aurum’s refinement earlier in the night.

A downside? The drive into Steamboat, while beautiful, was long and winding.

Fort Collins Blooms

We drove north from Denver, about an hour on I-25. The plains stretched wide, and as we approached Fort Collins, the foothills of the Rockies framed the view. The town felt both youthful and historic, anchored by Colorado State University.

My plan was simple: walk through the CSU Annual Flower Trial Gardens, find a meal downtown, and leave space to explore Fort Collins’ slower pace. I was looking for color, flavor, and calm all in one day.

Fort Collins felt welcoming and bright, bikes rolled past, and students hurried to class.

Where to Eat: Lunch downtown at Ginger and Baker was delightful. The café buzzed with conversation, but my table by the window felt tucked away and calm.

A downside? Summer afternoons in Fort Collins could be hot, and by midday the gardens offered little shade. I found myself darting between patches of shadow to keep cool.

Vail Cool Air & Screenlight

“I didn’t expect it to feel this quiet,” I thought, walking beneath chalet balconies and pine shadows. Vail was crisp even in the sun, with wind that smelled like snowmelt and evergreens. I arrived during the Vail Film Festival, and the whole village buzzed with a calm kind of energy, filmmakers sipping coffee, visitors slipping into small theaters tucked between stone-walled shops.

What I Loved Most: The way the festival didn’t overwhelm the town, it folded into the streets like it belonged there, like stories had always found their way into these mountains.

My highlights? Dinner at Montauk Seafood Grill, where I ordered the Alaskan halibut with citrus beurre blanc. The fish was tender and clean, the sauce bright and buttery, almost floral. I sat near a window, watching the sky turn lavender above the rooftops.

Later, I slipped into a late screening at the festival. The theater was small and warm, and the film played like it was meant just for the few of us who had wandered in from the cold. Vail’s hush made everything feel more intimate , food, art, even the snow beneath my boots as I walked back through the village.

Plan your Vail vacation:

• Drive Time from Denver: ~2 hours west
• Vibe: Upscale, artistic, alpine-calm
• Highlights: Vail Film Festival, Montauk Seafood Grill, Vail Village walk, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
• Best Time to Visit: Spring for the film festival (usually April); winter for snow and quiet luxury
• Cost: Film tickets ~$10–15; dinner ~$30–50; parking garage ~$10/day
• Hours: Restaurants open for lunch and dinner; festival events vary by day and screening

Delta Time & Riverlight

“It’s quieter here, but the surrounding nature is stunning,” I thought, watching my son skip a stone across the Gunnison River. The sky was wide and clear, the kind of blue that made everything look freshly painted.

What I Loved Most: The way nature and life blended together. There were playgrounds and produce stands, murals downtown, riverbanks to rest beside...

We wandered through Confluence Park, where you can walk along the water or watch geese move across the shoreline. In the fall, we came for apples and cider from local farm stands.

One downside? If you don't enjoy the great outdoors, Delta is not the best option because activities here are all about going outside.

I spent the night at Riverwood Resort on the Gunnison which had very friendly staff. I noticed that the private, fenced-in patios were a big hit with dog owners.

Plan your Delta family trip (year-round):

• Drive Time from Grand Junction: ~45 minutes southeast
• Vibe: Peaceful, outdoorsy, local-rooted
• Highlights: Confluence Park, CB’s Tavern, downtown murals, Dominguez-Escalante NCA, Delta County Historical Museum, nearby orchards and farms
• Best Time to Visit: Go in the spring for wildflowers, summer for hiking, fall for apple picking
• Cost: Most attractions free or under $10; meals ~$10–20; easy parking throughout town
• Hours: Parks open daily; restaurants lunch through evening; museum open afternoon hours

Palisade Quiet & Vine-Wrapped Calm

The road into Palisade curled past orchards and sun-warmed hills, the scent of ripe peaches drifting through the open window. I arrived just after noon, the heat dry and soft. At Carlson Vineyards, I wandered slowly past the trellises, the leaves casting dappled shadows on the path. “This place feels like it’s humming beneath the surface,” I thought, standing still as the wind stirred through the vines.

What I Loved Most: That hush between rows of grapes, no traffic, no voices, just the pulse of bees and the rustle of late-summer leaves.

My highlights? A picnic outside Carlson’s tasting room. I brought a sandwich from Pêche, rosemary focaccia stacked with turkey, brie, and fig jam. The bread was earthy and warm, the jam sweet and sharp against the creamy cheese. I sat at a shaded table, the vineyard stretching out like a painting.

Plan your Palisade day trip:

• Drive Time from Grand Junction: ~20 minutes east
• Vibe: Lush, quiet, sun-soaked
• Highlights: Carlson Vineyards, Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway, local orchards and farm stands, Colorado River views
• Best Time to Visit: Late summer and early fall for peach and grape harvests
• Cost: Vineyard entry free; tastings and bites vary (~$10–25); parking is free and easy
• Hours: Most vineyards open 10am–5pm; farm stands open daily during harvest

Loveland Wonder & Easy Joy

“This town knows how to stretch a moment,” I thought, watching my son balance along the edge of a sculpture base at Benson Sculpture Garden. Loveland had a pace we could match, no matter the season.

What I Loved Most: How every season felt different but familiar, spring blossoms near the lake, summer picnics in the park, fall leaves crackling under boots, winter lights glowing quietly downtown.

My highlights? Lunch at Door 222 Food & Drink, seated near the back where families and couples blended in the buzz.

Other visits brought us to the Loveland Museum for hands-on exhibits, Lake Loveland in summer for paddleboarding, and Chapungu Sculpture Park in winter, wrapped in twinkling lights and just enough snow to crunch underfoot.

Loveland gave us something each time we came back, nothing flashy, just right-sized memories.

Plan your Loveland family trip (year-round):

• Drive Time from Fort Collins: ~25 minutes south
• Vibe: Family-friendly, artful, seasonally gentle
• Highlights: Benson Sculpture Garden, Lake Loveland, Loveland Museum, Chapungu Sculpture Park, Door 222, Sweet Heart Winery (outdoor seating), spring/fall festivals
• Best Time to Visit: Any season, spring blooms, summer lake days, fall art events, winter lights
• Cost: Most attractions free or under $10; meals ~$10–25; parking free and easy
• Hours: Parks open dawn to dusk; museum 10am–5pm; restaurants and winery open lunch through evening

Canon City Sky & Stone

The wind felt different up there, hot but fast, carrying dust and distance. I stood on the Royal Gorge Bridge, looking down at the Arkansas River cutting deep through the canyon, and thought, “This is what awe feels like without needing words.” The bridge creaked softly beneath my feet, and all I could hear was wind and the call of a raven far below.

What I Loved Most: The space. The quiet that came from standing above something so impossibly wide and deep.

My highlights? A slow afternoon at The Winery At Holy Cross Abbey, where I sat beneath a pergola with a view of the former monastery building. I ordered a small charcuterie plate. The air smelled faintly of sage and sun-warmed brick.

Afterwards I drove through town, windows down. Cañon City had that dry, Western hush.

One downside? I wished I had more time to ride the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. It's definitely something I plan to do next time when I visit in the summer!

Plan your Cañon City vacation:

• Drive Time from Colorado Springs: ~1 hour southwest
• Vibe: Dramatic, sunbaked, quiet pride
• Highlights: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, The Abbey Winery, downtown shops, Arkansas Riverwalk Trail
• Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for milder temps; early summer for full access and golden light
• Cost: Royal Gorge Bridge ~$30 admission; Abbey tasting ~$10–15; free parking at both
• Hours: Royal Gorge Park 10am–7pm in summer; Abbey Winery open late morning to early evening

Morrison Sunset & Stone

The foothills rose around me like a quiet amphitheater, their edges warm in the late sun. I wandered through Morrison’s main street, where time felt slow and the red rock held onto heat. “This town leans into its history without trying too hard,” I thought, pausing in front of a weathered storefront with music spilling faintly through the door.

What I Loved Most: The golden hour light hitting the rock faces, like the town was carved into place just to catch that glow.

My highlights? Dinner at The Fort, a clay-colored adobe structure perched just above town. I ordered the bison sirloin, cooked medium rare and served with seasonal vegetables and a hint of smoky spice. The meat was rich but clean, with a fire-grilled scent that lingered in the cool evening air. I ate on the patio, watching dusk settle over the hills. Morrison felt both rugged and intentional, the kind of place where history isn’t behind glass, it’s part of the architecture, part of the menu, part of the silence between moments.

Plan your Morrison day trip:

• Drive Time from Denver: ~30 minutes southwest
• Vibe: Earthy, historic, tucked-in
• Highlights: The Fort restaurant, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison Natural History Museum, Bear Creek Trail
• Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for patio dining and Red Rocks events
• Cost: Dinner ~$25–45; free to explore town; Red Rocks and museum tickets vary
• Hours: The Fort open for dinner; local shops and museums generally 10am–5pm

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