Top Things to do in Colorado
Top Hotels in Colorado
- 1. Best Western Plus Peak Vista Inn & Suites
- 2. Grand Hyatt Denver
- 3. Monarch Casino Resort Spa - Black Hawk
- 4. Le Meridien Denver Downtown
- 5. Best Western Plus Executive Residency Fillmore Inn
- 6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Trinidad
- 7. The Oxford Hotel
- 8. Origin Hotel Red Rocks
- 9. SCP Colorado Springs Hotel
- 10. Warwick Denver
Countries
The 10 Best Ancient Ruins in Colorado, United States
Colorado is home to no less than twenty-six ski resorts such as those in Vail and Breckenridge; other winter activities include snowboarding, sledding, sleigh rides, snow hiking and snowmobiling. The state is blessed with national parks, grasslands and forests where in warmer weather you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking or rock climbing. Wildlife abounds, from bears to moose and raccoons to wolverines. More interested in local history? Head for either the Ute Indian Museum or the Koshare Indian Museum, and don't miss the forts such as Fort Garland and Bent's Old Fort. For a complete change, why not take a ride in a hot air balloon from South Park Valley or Boulder and admire Colorado's picturesque landscape from above?
Restaurants in Colorado
1. Cliff Palace
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,452 reviews
An ancient cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park.
Reviewed By sullislp - Warwick, United States
We purchased our tickets the afternoon before for a morning Cliff Palace tour and were so glad we did. The Park Ranger, Kim, was informative, witty, and did an excellent job answering a variety of questions from both young and old. Yes, there was some climbing up and down and into a few tight spaces, but well worth it so you are able to get an up close look at this amazing place. We were happy we chose a morning tour, before the sun was too hot.
2. Ute Mountain Tribal Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
The cliff dwellings at the Ute Mt. Tribal Park are a true find. See Ute wall paintings and petroglyphs as they were, and take your time: this secluded site gets far less visitors than Mesa Verde.
Reviewed By RetiredCamper49 - Iowa City, United States
Although the official tour season had ended, the Ute Mountain tour manager made a special effort to arrange a half-day tour for us in mid-November. "Wolf" was our tour guide -- just a small group of four so we had very personal attention. He provided us excellent background on the history and mythology of native peoples that had inhabited that region, and still do. The concentration of ruins is just amazing, both cliff dwellings and semi-subterranean rooms and kivas. His interpretations and explanations were invaluable.
3. Balcony House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 864 reviews
Reviewed By scotteK4409PD - San Fernando, United States
I have to start off by saying this tour might not be for everybody. I am not terribly afraid of heights but you do have to climb a few ladders with a drop off behind you. Don’t look down by the way. It is well worth the effort even the little tunnel like passageway you have to crawl through at the end the views are spectacular and it’s amazing to see the architecture and ingenuity of a people that live there so long ago
4. Long House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 262 reviews
Reviewed By Sailuver - Minneapolis, United States
Incredible structures that I would call art. Pictures don't do it justice. Please take water and be honest about your fitness level or you will be a drag on the entire group
5. Hovenweep National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 672 reviews
Located in Utah but near Cortez, this site has six ruin sites all built around 1200 AD. Hovenweep is 42 miles from Cortez, CO and approximately 48 from Blanding, UT
Reviewed By wre2018 - Tucson, United States
Hovenweep National Monument consists of some clusters of ancestral puebloan ruins close to the Utah-Colorado state line. A worthwhile stop if you are in the Four Corners area. You will notice architectural similarities with structures in nearby parks (Mesa Verde, Canyons of the Ancients, Chaco, etc.). There are towers, kivas, D-shaped buildings, some built with clearly defensive purposes in mind (to guard a spring, for example). Pets are permitted on the trails. The park headquarters is at the Square Towers Group (the best and longest trail is here, but only a limited portion of it is suitable for wheelchair-bound people). Other sections of the park worth going to are the Holly, Horseshoe, and Hackberry units--driving to these in a low-clearance vehicle will be a challenge, but can be done with care. Unfortunately, what there is to see are ruins of buildings and petroglyphs in places. To see artifacts (pottery, tools, woven items, etc.) removed from various archaeological sites in SE Utah and SW Colorado, you need to visit museums located elsewhere: Edge of the Cedars State Park in Blanding, UT and Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum in Dolores, CO. Both museums are quite interesting, and some of the items on display clearly used materials from distant places (e.g., in Mexico).
6. Chimney Rock National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 370 reviews
The most remote of the pueblo ruins in the Four Corners area
Reviewed By oilynurseannie4 - Abilene, United States
We love history and fresh air. This stop had great views of all four directions. There were lots of docents available to answer questions and give historical background. We all loved seeing the ruins of Pueblo housing and enjoyed the hike all the way to the great house at the top!
7. Cajon Group
8. Dinosaur National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 267 reviews
Located in a region of spectacular canyons and mountains, this site has produced a large number of complete dinosaur skeletons since 1909.
Reviewed By kimekstrom - Ogden, United States
Had a great time with my 3 daughters at both the visitors center and the quarry. We everything we wanted to see in a couple of hours. We also took the time to drive around on the inside the park. Saw some great petroglyphs with easy roadside parking and a less than 100 yards from the road on level gravel trail. We also left the paved road and were able to drive about 10 miles into BLM managed land. Lots of great view and scenery. Mostly smooth gravel road until we got high enough that the snow made us nervous. We were in a 4WD SUV and never in any danger of getting stuck. Any passenger car could have made it several miles in with little risk, at least with the weather we had and the beginning of March. My 7 year old daughter also got the junior ranger badge, which was great fun for her. The rangers were awesome.
9. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Reviewed By WanderlusTravelers
For the total experience, I’d rate Canyon of the Ancients very highly. However, the history of the people in Canyon is that of those who occupied the area in Mesa Verde National Park. Having come from MVNP, I found the info and sights duplicative. The cultural center in Dolores is interesting. Takes 1-2 hours and there are 2 short films you can watch. As far as sights in Canyon, you mostly just have two options: Lowry Pueblo (very similar to MVNP), and a non-shaded hiking trail (Sand Canyon), where you can self-explore unrestored ruins. These two sights are separated by at least an hour drive.
10. Spruce Tree House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 591 reviews
Reviewed By ccindyk48 - Westville, United States
After you pass Cedar Tree House on the park scenic road, you come to a 3 way stop. Turn right & you are on the Spruce Tree Loop road. There's a picnic area first road to your right & we had lunch there. We were the ONLY ones having lunch there! Bathrooms are closed in the picnic area. The road loops around & you come to a parking lot on your left. Park here or continue on - there's more parking along the road. The restrooms are further on too. Spruce Tree House is on a paved path to the right of the museum. There's a viewing area about 500 feet down that gives you a good view. If walking isn't easy for you or you want a REALLY good picture go to the porch on the building to the right of the path. I don't know what the building is used for, but they have chairs on the porch!
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