Colorado is the perfect antithesis to a city vacation, offering up more national parks, hiking trails, ski mountains, and other outdoor activities than you can shake a ski pole at. Even its major cities are surrounded by peaks, geothermal hot springs, and astounding canyons, nicely balancing out the skyscrapers, sports arenas, and museums. If you’re wondering what to do for outdoor fun in the Centennial State, look no further than this list of the best things to do in Colorado.
The Best Things to Do in Colorado
From ski mountains and hiking trails to hot springs and urban oasis, here’s what to do in Colorado any time of year.
Take a Dip in a Hot Spring
(Photo: Dunton Hot Springs)
There’s no shortage of hot springs in Colorado, and unwinding at any of the pools is one of the most relaxing things to do after a long hike or day of skiing. Whether you’re looking for a hot spring at a luxurious resort or a clothing-optional spring, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Colorado.
Head to the 1800s ghost town of Dunton for a unique hot springs and glamping experience, or opt for the clothing-optional and off-the-beaten path Valley View Hot Springs in the San Luis Valley. There are more than 30 different hot spring complexes in Colorado, so it’s easy to find a hot spring that meets your preferences.
Skiing might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of what to do in Colorado in the winter, and that’s because it’s one of the best things to do in the state. Colorado is home to 25 different areas and resorts, including some of the most famous mountain towns in the West, like Vail, Breckenridge, Wolf Creek, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Aspen, Copper, Steamboat, Snowmass, and Telluride. The options are virtually endless.
To help narrow down your options, first think about what kind of skiing you want to do: family-friendly, back bowls, heavy powder, downhill, cross-country, or mogul. Second, think about what you want in a ski village: high-end restaurants, spas, shopping, non-skiing activities, or accessibility from the airport? You’ll likely need to rent a car, or look into mountain shuttle options. Read this guide to Colorado’s ski areas for a helpful breakdown of what each of the 25 mountains has to offer.
Denver is Colorado’s domestic and international hub: Its airport is connected to 180 domestic and international destinations via non-stop routes. Exploring Denver is also one of the top things to do in Colorado, so it’s worth spending a day or two of your vacation in the Mile High city.
Denver is all about craft beer, sports, local restaurants (don’t miss Restaurant Row in Uptown), and museums, so there’s something for almost everyone. Catch baseball, hockey, football, or basketball games depending on the season you’re visiting. And, if you’re traveling with kids, the Denver Zoo, Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Downtown Aquarium, and Children’s Museum of Denver are some of the best things to do in Colorado with the family.
Purchase the Mile High Culture Pass for free and discounted multiday entry to Denver’s most popular attractions.
Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular things to do in Colorado. It’s among the top five most visited national parks in the U.S. every year, so it’s important to know what to do there before your visit. The advance prep will be well worth it when you’re exploring Rocky Mountain National Park’s 300-plus miles of hiking trails, the crystal clear lakes, and the famous Trail Ridge Road. Elk, bighorn sheep, moose, otters, and mule deer are just some of the incredible wildlife you’ll see here.
One of the best things to do in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is stay at the wilderness camp. Make sure to reserve a campsite up to six months before your visit, or you’ll be left to the luck of the draw at the two first-come, first-served campgrounds.
The National Park Service lists the summer and fall months as the busiest, especially on weekends, so plan to visit outside of those windows if you want a less crowded experience.
See a Show at Red Rocks Amphitheater
Capture Light / Shutterstock
If you’re looking for arts and culture, look no further than the Red Rocks Amphitheater about 10 miles west of Denver. The open-air amphitheater is carved from a giant rock structure and hosts a variety of concerts and events. Red Rocks even has its own restaurant. Past performers include Jimmy Buffett, Bastille, Florence + The Machine, and Neil Young. Seeing a show at Red Rocks is one of the best things to do in Colorado.
If you aren’t in town for a show, you can do a stadium run in the amphitheater, participate in Yoga on the Rocks, or hike and bike the two trails in Red Rocks Park. Just be aware that Red Rocks Park is 6,280 feet above sea level, so if you have any health conditions, it’s best to talk to your doctor before doing any strenuous exercise at high elevations.
Hike to Hanging Lake
Even though you can’t swim (or even dip a body part) in the water, the hike to Hanging Lake is one of the most popular things to do in Colorado. It’s located about 10 miles from Glenwood Springs in the Glenwood Canyon, and pictures don’t do the turquoise-colored waters justice. The climb to the lake and cascading waterfall isn’t particularly easy—it’s a steep, uphill one-mile hike—but the views are definitely worth it.
While swimming, fishing, and pets aren’t allowed due to the harmful effects of unnatural elements to the ecosystem, nearby you can go to the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, natural vapor caves, or raft and kayak in the Colorado River that runs through the canyon.
Explore Boulder
Home to popular University of Colorado-Boulder, this city has a small-town college feel, coupled with great outdoor activities. Pearl Street Mall is ideal for shopping, eating, and drinking, while the Flatirons and Flagstaff Mountain offer hiking and climbing. Whether you’re just passing through to Rocky Mountain National Park or spending a night at the historic Hotel Boulderado, sightseeing in Boulder is one of the best things to do in Colorado.
Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
One of the very best things to do in Colorado is ride along the highest cog railway in the world to the summit of Pikes Peak. Near Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak is the highest point in the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. At the top you’ll enjoy the same panoramic views that inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful.” Sometimes up to five states are visible. Reservations are recommended at least a few days in advance; the trips run every 80 minutes, year-round.
If you’d like to ascend the summit at your own pace, drive the 19-mile highway to the summit on your own. It’s a breathtaking (literally—the elevation will take your breath away), and you can stop at three different lakes that offer fishing, picnic areas, and easily accessible hiking trails.
Visit Garden of the Gods Park
The Garden of the Gods, a registered National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs full of spectacular red rocks, makes Pikes Peak its dramatic backdrop. A visit to the Garden of the Gods is one of the most popular things to do in Colorado. It’s also near the top of the list of what to do in Colorado for free: entrance to the park and visitor center comes without a charge.
Activities at the Garden of the Gods include rock climbing, hiking or biking along the 15 miles of trails, or taking a Jeep, Segway, or trolley tour throughout the park.
The Visitor and Nature Center and museum is a great activity to do with kids, as it offers interactive exhibits, a Geo-Trekker history movie, nature talks, junior ranger program, and guided tours. The park and visitor center are open year-round.
Walk Across the Royal Gorge Bridge
The Royal Gorge Bridge Park, about two hours from Denver, is one of the top things to do in Colorado for jaw-dropping views that are sure to test your tolerance for heights. The Royal Gorge Bridge is one of the highest suspension bridges in the world and what to do in Colorado if you’re an adrenaline junkie. The bridge is more than 1,000 feet long and stands 956 feet above the Arkansas River in Canon City.
Don’t forget to explore the rest of the Royal Gorge Bridge Park, too. There’s an aerial gondola, zip line, and free falling sky coaster if the adrenaline-inducing bridge isn’t enough for you. If you’re truly scared of heights, try the photo lookout area, visitor center, plaza theater, and water clock for some more stable fun.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.
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