I feel like Colorado really took off the past couple of years. So many people are moving to the state! But it isn’t hard to see why people travel to Colorado on vacation and then decide to move there. There are so many things to do outdoors, some really cool history, and growing urban centers. If you have plans to travel to Colorado, it can be hard to pick what cities to visit. Here are four cities we love in Colorado and what they offer.
Cities to visit when traveling to Colorado
Denver
Denver is the cosmopolitan capital and Colorado’s urban center for outdoor activities. There are a lot of things to do in Denver! From hiking to skiing, if you love the outdoors no matter the season, Denver is a city you should highly consider.
Rocky Mountain National Park is close by making it a great destination for anyone who loves hiking or camping in our public lands and National Parks. If you visit RMNP in the summer, drive along Trail Ridge Road. This 48-mile long scenic park drive will put you above the tree line for an amazing view of the National Park that will take your breath away!
If you happen to visit in the winter, Denver is great for skiers. There are a number of top ski resorts with great slopes all within a 90-minute drive from the city.
Other things to do in Denver include the Botanical Gardens, a handful of museums like the Denver Art Museum or Molly Brown House Museum (as in the Molly Brown from the Titanic), United States Mint, and many restaurants, bars, breweries, and shops to spend some time in.
Durango
This former mining town saw a boom back in the day and is now filled with Victorian-era charm like no other Colorado city! Durango is filled with old saloons, historic inns, and a lot of character. This town may not be as big as some of its counterparts on this list but it has something for just about everyone.
Travel to Colorado with a history lover and you have to go to Durango – they will have a field day exploring local history. Adventure junkies can go ziplining or white water rafting. and close to town, is the Mesa Verde National Park, home to over 600 ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings. You can also visit a dude ranch or go fly fishing.
When you’re in town, make sure you ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for amazing views of the San Juan Mountains. The railroad has been in continuous operation since 1882 and is the most unique way to see the mountains and Animas River. If you’re in town in the winter, try to get tickets for the Winter Cascade Canyon Excursion.
Grand Junction
This former cow town has a downtown that is filled with pedestrian-friendly streets. From breathtaking scenery to outdoor adventure Grand Junction is a pretty cool place to spend some time in especially if you want to spend time in some local wineries and get to know the farm to table scene.
It is a short half-hour drive from Colorado National Monument so definitely go explore the 31-square miles of red rock, sandstone towers, and sheer-sided canyons. This National Park Service land preserves one of the grand and most iconic landscapes of the American West filled with bighorn sheep and eagles. While you’re there, check out Rim Rock Road, the only paved road in the park that winds for 23 miles through rock formations! There are also a number of hiking trails you can access from Rim Rock Road. You can also head to Grand Mesa to explore the trails on bike or horseback.
If you’re looking to travel to Colorado for a vacation that is equal parts adventure and low key, you can’t go wrong with Grand Junction.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is the state’s second-largest city and it really is a year our destination.
Home to Garden of the Gods, some of the most striking scenery in Colorado, there is plenty for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. These red sandstone formations are stunning and there are 21-miles of multi-use trails that are worth spending a day on. You can also summit Pikes Peak the 14,115-feet of the mountain that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful. Drive, hike or bike the choice is yours but no matter what you choose you’ll get to enjoy views usually reserved for the heavens.
And if you’re in the mood for a scenic train ride, about an hour away is Canon City where you can ride the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. This two-hour train ride follows the Arkansas River as 1,000-foot cliffs take your breath away and tower on either side of the tracks.
Colorado is a great option for anyone looking for a fun vacation. There is so much to see and do across the state that