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
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers 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. Grand Mesa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 720 reviews
The world's largest flat-topped mountain is covered with stream fed lakes.
Reviewed By Flyer668926 - Grand Junction, United States
A gorgeous paradise 45 minutes from Grand Junction..The largest flat plateau in the world with over 200 lakes..The temperature is 25 to 30 degrees cooler in the summer than Grand Junction..Great hiking, horse back riding, fishing and camping.I have been going to this area for 50 years and still love it!
2. Colorado National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,724 reviews
This monument, 23,000 acres of canyons, plateaus and massive towers of naturally sculpted monoliths, includes Balance Rock, a 600-ton boulder perched on a rock pedestal. Two entrances are located outside the cities of Fruita and Grand Junction, Colorado.
Reviewed By NyonyaLady - Albuquerque, United States
My hubby grew up here and it is my third visit to the national monument. So when we were visiting our friend in Fruita, we thought it would be a great idea to take a leisure drive to enjoy the stunning views. We were glad that we did cos on this trip we had an incredible experience witnessing a herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, ewes and rams resting on a flat rock surface before the Independence Monument. It was just amazing! The historic and scenic Rim Rock Drive covers twenty-three unforgettable miles of the monument as you journey through a winding a twisting adventure of spectacular red rock canyons, sleek drop offs and colorful panoramic views of majestic landscapes and unrefined beauty. Massive and intimidating, yet striking and colorful formations of natural red rock seem to close in on you during many of the twists and turns along the way until suddenly it opens up to fascinating scenes that overlook the distant and wide-open plains of Colorado. The road itself can seem a bit intimidating, several narrow tunnels and sections like Dead Man's Curve certainly require your attention, and when the weather permits you'll find yourself sharing the limited space with daring cyclists who come here seeking the extremely difficult and tenacious climb. Numerous overlooks along the way offer areas to pull over and take in the magnificent views of some of the more well-known landmarks such as Balanced Rock, Monument Canyon, Grand View or even Coke Ovens Overlook and in the middle of all of this stands alone, Independence Monument. It's a flat top peak and if you look closely you might recognize it as the rock from the Chevy commercials. There's a visitors center closer to the western edge near Fruita and it offers restrooms along the way, but more importantly it provided us a deeper look into this truly incredible phenomenon and the fascinating evolution it has endured. So, if you're ever driving through this part of Colorado and you have some extra time, I highly recommend getting to know this powerful and great natural beauty of the Amercan West.
3. Mount Evans
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,532 reviews
Reviewed By lilianc160
I think I've said it all in the title. Getting there from Denver area is a scenic drive in itself. The grove is amazing. Goats can be seen. It is awesome.
4. Mount Evans Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,006 reviews
This high-altitude scenic drive climbs more than 7,000 feet in just 28 miles, reaching an altitude of 14,264 feet.
Reviewed By Michelehodges
The climb up was exceptional. Beautiful views, lots of wildlife, wildflowers everywhere, and a great stop at the historic Echo Lake Lodge all made for a wonderful experience.
5. San Juan National Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 566 reviews
Wilderness area consisting of forested mountains, 14,000-foot peaks, scenic roads, geological formations, prehistoric communities and a narrow-gauge railroad.
Reviewed By 321MarkA - Larkspur, United States
The San Juan National Forest, alone or when combined with the Rio Grand National Forest (to the northeast) and the Uncompahgre (to the northwest), cover a lot of the San Juan Mountain range: very high, very rugged, very old mountains. If you like hiking (Ice Lake, Island Lake, Columbine, Piedra Falls, and more), camping (formal and dispersed), jeeping/ATVing (Alpine Loop, Black Bear, Red Mountain Pass, Ophir Pass, Engineer Pass, Corkscrew Gulch plus many many more) , skiing (Purgatory/Durango Mountain, Telluride, Wolf Creek) , hot springs (Pagosa Springs, Ouray, Ridgeway), native American history (Mesa Verde National Park, canyon of the Ancients) , steam trains (Durango Silverton RR), ghost towns (mining ruins, Animas Forks, Read Mountain mining district, Ironton, Eureka, Mineral Point and many many more), endless vistas and views, lively towns (especially Durango and Pagosa Springs), Old and active mining towns (Silverton and Creed), tubing/ float trips (Durango) and much much more. You can spend weeks in this area and only see a small portion of it. Highly highly recommended vacation spot.
6. Hanging Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,186 reviews
Reviewed By debsA9982ZB
This is a very pleasant surprise when staying in Glenwood Springs CO. The location is an environmental protected area, allowing only specific numbers of visitors. Reservations are needed as bus takes you to the trailhead and from there your adventure begins. The trail winds and switchbacks up the cavern walls, the views are amazing and the quiet is covered by the running brook you criss cross over by small bridges as you ascend. The hike is strenuous at times, recommendation to take your time and breath in experience. Hanging Lake is peaceful, a place to reflect, the short detour to Sprouting Rock is well worth the effort brings a smile and gives a needed cooling spray.
7. Cache La Poudre River
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 413 reviews
Colorado's only designated National Wild and Scenic River provides thrilling whitewater and paddling adventures.
Reviewed By pastorvanee
Our family enjoyed a 10.5 mile bike ride in Ft Collins. Our loop began near the beautiful flower gardens on the CSU campus and included other open areas and ovals on the campus before following the RR to catch the Poudre River trail heading east ,downstream. Around our 6-7 mile mark we followed a trail to connect to the Spring Creek trail and followed it back west, upstream to CSU again. What a great scenic and relaxing bike ride! Ft Collins is as "cool and hip" as Boulder and even more beautiful. CSU campus is a beautiful place to see and just be.....soak in the peace and beauty of the stunning gardens and be renewed in the strength and majesty of the magnificent Rocky Mountains!!!
8. Flatirons
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,107 reviews
Reviewed By kelshutch - Baltimore, United States
Beautiful area, great for walking. It's a big far/steep for toddler legs, so be prepared to carry little ones. But even if you don't get very far before turning around, the trip to see the park is worthwhile. Great couple of hours of sunshine, fresh air, and hiking for our family.
9. Cottonwood Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By stijntailly - Waregem, Belgium
Just another gorgeous scenic byway in a State that seems to be littered with them. Cottonwood Pass Scenic Drive - its namesake is right on the Continental Divide - cuts from Buena Vista to Almont and offers a more visually pleasant alternative to driving US-50. The entire byway is paved now, contradicting information that I gathered before this trip. The first stretch of the highway passes through Aspen stands and spectacular mountain terrain. The second part of the trip is along the beautiful Taylor River, wich cuts a canyon trough its surrounding bedrock until it becomes the Taylor Park Reservoir. If you take this trip East to West, you'll actually see the reservoir first. There are plenty of hiking options along the way and plenty of vista points to get out of the car and take in the prime scenery too.
10. Trail Ridge Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,391 reviews
Reviewed By JMJR2K - Independence, United States
I’ve been driving Trail Ridge road for many years and discover something new and different each time. There are amazing views all around- High mountain lakes, hikes, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, ptarmigans, marmots, deer-you name it. While you won’t see all of the wildlife all the time, usually you’ll stop with others and get out your camera for at least one of these critters. On the weekends, everyone else has the same idea to make the drive so it’s terribly crowded. There are three entrances with the Kawanuchee side the least crowded for entry. The Alpine Visitor Center is a cool place to relax and take in the Picturesque views and there is a museum there that covers the early geological and evolutionary history of the area. As you would imagine, there is a souvenir shop with trinkets and clothing as well as a concession area with food and drinks. Just a beautiful park you won’t want to miss!
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