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South Park, Rocky Mountain Oysters, and Aspen ski resorts — these are some common associations with the Centennial State.
But this mountainous, resource-rich country offers its own world within a state. Past the popular cities of Denver and Winter Park, you’ll experience serene landscapes, eclectic music scenes, and endless outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, and hiking.
Are you planning a Colorado vacation? Need some inspiration? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with our roundup of the best places to visit in Colorado and fun things to do in each one.
1. Telluride
Imagine a small-town, more intimate version of Aspen, Colorado. You’re thinking of Telluride — an old mining town with a population of about 2,000 people. Many skiers flock to this town for the slopes, but anyone will enjoy walking through the city’s colorful main street, with Victorian-style homes and historical buildings.
The best part? You can ski and snowboard along the breathtaking San Juan Mountains — a lovely, slightly cheaper alternative to Aspen Mountain. And for your rest day, you can take a quick gondola ride to the Mountain Village.
Overall, we can think of three solid reasons to visit Telluride:
- Sites: The town is nestled in a box canyon, so every downtown stroll has a magnificent backdrop of the San Juan Mountains. You’ll find endless peaks and hiking trails, and even enjoy watching dreamy waterfalls.
- History: Did you know Telluride is considered a National Historic Landmark District? The town’s prominent role in the late 1880s mining boom contributed to the prestigious classification. You can have a history-themed day by visiting the Telluride Historical Museum and learning about the miners, Nuchu/Ute Native Peoples, and near-ancient geological finds!
- Outdoor activities: Mountain biking, skiing, golf, snowboarding — the world of nature recreation is your oyster here in Telluride.
While You’re in Telluride, check out:
- Brown Dog Pizza for some delicious Detroit deep dish
- Telluride Ski Resort for some radical slopes
- Blue Lakes Trail for the ultimate wildflower hike
2. Durango
Durango is a hotspot for Western films and artisan food makers — it’s also a popular ski town for New Mexican neighbors just south. You’ll feel like a modern cowboy walking through the historical downtown district and taking in the dreamy La Plata mountains. But if you crave some more adventure, bring or rent a mountain bike. The town is well-known for its miles of biking trails, from the flowy Colorado Trail to the challenging, steep Raiders Ridge.
Have some emails to respond to? Durango has many coworking spaces and cute cafes to get your fix and unwind. In fact, the city’s been more popular among the digital nomad crowd these days.
If you’re traveling with archaeology or ancient history buffs, Falls Creek Rock Shelters is a must-see place. The area has ancient remains from the Ancestral Puebloan civilization — we’re talking 500- year-old artifacts, paintings, and human remains.
You can ski, hike, and bike in Durango — but not without exploring the delicious Durangoan food scene! Local artisans craft scrumptious goodies with nature’s flora and fauna, from rustic honeys and jams to juicy hanger steaks. After a day filled with outdoor adventures, treat yourself to some green chile cheddar, steak, and a cold pint of Steamworks Colorado Kolsch at El Moro’s Tavern.
Check out:
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a 5-hour scenic railroad train ride.
- Mesa Verde National Park for archaeological sites, rock formations, and cliff dwellings like Cliff Palace
- The Railroad Museum for random antiques
3. Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is home to America’s Mountain, Pikes Peak, the highest of the Rocky Mountains Southern Front Range mountain peaks. This is for travelers who want to combine outdoor adventures with big-city living. Colorado Springs is the second-largest Colorado city, second only to Denver.
City slickers will enjoy many unique neighborhoods, from laid-back Pleasant Valley to the creative, indie downtown district. If you’re the type to enjoy art galleries, you can experience an outdoor exhibit by strolling through Arts on the Streets — an annual outdoor exhibit with sculptures and murals from worldwide artists!
There’s no shortage of culinary creations in this city’s bustling food scene. Stop by the Rabbit Hole for whisky-sticky ribs or sip a classy cocktail next door at Shame & Regret!
Check out:
- Garden of the Gods Park for red rock formations and natural beauty
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park for a hikers’ wonderland
- Peterson Air & Space Museum for the Old City Hangar and Airpark
4. Denver
Every year, 17 million people visit Denver — that’s triple the entire population of Colorado itself. Why? Denver has similar benefits to Colorado Springs, as it combines nature’s wonderland with an urban city life — only on a larger scale.
With just under twice the population of Colorado Springs, Denver offers an urban lifestyle with adventurous nature activities close to the center. Bikers can relish the 25-mile Cherry Creek Trail and go white water rafting in Clear Creek Canyon the very next day, all within a 30-minute drive.
Craving a cold one? Denver has over 100 breweries, with the oldest, Tivoli Brewery Co., built in 1889. Try a fruited sour at Cerebral Brewery, or a Foggy Locomotive IPA at Wynkoop Brewing Company.
Check out:
- Denver Microbrew Tour for craft beers at the city’s top breweries
- Clear Creek Canyon for white water rafting
- Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge to see over 300 species of biodiversity
5. Grand Junction
What do you get when you mix warm days with cool nights? The perfect recipe for a buzzing wine industry. Or, Colorado’s Wine Country — Grand Junction. Less than an hour from the Utah-Colorado border, Grand Junction is named after its position as a junction between the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. It’s also home to the Colorado National Monument, a desert plateau with deep canyons and rock formations.
Not one for driving? Grand Junction closed off much of its Downtown area to allow pedestrians to walk freely through the lovely boutiques, restaurants, and shops in some buildings over 100 years old. Once home to the native Ute and Fremont peoples, Grand Junction has a rich Indigenous history kept alive through preserved petroglyphs (rock carvings).
Before you hit the wineries, take a drive to the McDonald Creek Cultural Area. You’ll relish four preserved petroglyph panels with ancient drawings carved into the sandstone.
Check out:
- Il Bistro Italiano for some pomodoro and burrata in an old historic building
- Western Colorado Center for the Arts to see the sculptures of the Metalworkers exhibit
- Tabeguache Trail for the desert nomad hikers’ dream
6. Boulder
US News named Boulder the second-best city to live in the US for quality of life. Be careful when visiting Boulder, because you just may not want to leave! Based just below the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is still over 5,000 feet above sea level, with plenty of opportunities for rock climbing. And it has a superb climate with nearly year-round sunshine — just don’t go in the winter if you don’t like snow.
Into yoga, supplements, and alternative health care? Boulder is known for its wide range of holistic medical practices, likely remnants of the au natural hippie influence from the 60s. Plus, you’ll likely find yourself within a 1-mile radius of a yoga studio wherever you are.
People are generally welcoming, open-minded, and friendly. Just like anywhere else in Colorado, Boulder is one of the world’s most beautiful places, with plenty of impressive potential for outdoor adventures. If you’re a skier, rock climber, or hiker — you’ll enjoy the town’s abundant opportunities for fitness in the wild.
Don’t forget to visit Pearl Street Mall — a four-block outdoor mall with both trendy and eclectic shops. The pedestrian-only shopping destination is also known for its visually aesthetic appeal, with quaint patios, flowerbeds, and even street performers sharing music, arts, or comedy!
Check out:
- Fiske Planetarium for the psychedelic liquid sky show
- Flatirons for a scenic hike through red-brown rock formations
- The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse for Tajikistan decor and a cup of lapsang souchong
7. Hot Sulphur Springs
Just under 100 miles northwest of Denver sits Hot Sulphur Springs — a Grand County oasis town with world-famous natural hot springs. Rich with minerals and soothing hot temperatures, the hot springs were revered by the Ute Indigenous peoples as healing waters. Imagine your body soaking up delicious calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, all while unwinding on a much-needed vacation.
Several natural hot springs flow just above the earth’s crust’s largest fissure in the area, secreting warm waters that attract endless tourists for spa-vibe relaxation. However, you won’t find heat lingering in this city. Summers have drastic day highs and night lows, with winters reaching as low as 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
But there’s certainly something dreamlike about soaking in hot springs surrounded by snow-tipped mountain peaks. Sounds like the perfect way to end a day of winter sports like snowshoeing!
Check out:
- Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa for well-deserved pampering
- Pioneer Village Museum to scratch that history itch
- Elk Mountain Trail for a scenic hike or cross-country skiing
8. Pueblo
Pueblo gets a bad rap from the newspapers — it’s true, crime and poverty are higher here than in other Colorado and USA cities. But Pueblo is a gem waiting to be discovered. The town offers a world of culture and heritage, especially for those interested in railroads, mining, steel, and art!
The Sangre de Cristo Performance Center is a must-see for painting and poetry exhibits, as well as professional dance shows with spiritual and historical homages.
The downtown district is lined with red-brick buildings separated by the 1.3-mile Historic Arkansas RiverWalk — the perfect laid-back opportunity for a promenade.
Craving a family road trip? Bust out some tunes as you make your way to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It’s a solid two-hour drive, but the ever-changing landscapes make it worth your while. You’ll see a mirage of wetlands, forests, sand dunes, and tundra, a diverse geographical combination that’ll satisfy your hunger for novelty and adventure. Do you have what it takes to climb Star Dune, the tallest dune in North America at 750 feet? Once you reach it, cool off in the ever-flowing Medano Creek. But if you’re after a less-vigorous adventure, try sand sledding down the smaller dunes!
Check out:
- Brush Hollow Reservoir for fly fishing
- Pueblo River Trail for a picturesque bike ride
- Pueblo Railroad Museum to see old-timey trains and engines
9. Vail
With a population under 5,000, Vail is a quaint mountain town perfect for a laid-back weekend getaway. It sits at the base of Vail Mountain, an 11,000-foot peak fit for the world’s beginner and advanced skiers.
Not a fan of winter sports? Consider scenic drives to nearby Denver or Glenwood Springs, but you have a ton of fun things to do right in Vail. For example, the town has a vibrant music scene, with 75 jazz shows every year!
Or, you might consider going in mid-June where you’ll experience a fisherman’s dream. The Eagle River runs directly through Vail’s downtown district, filled with gorgeous rainbow trout for much of the summer. Drive on over to Gore Creek and you’ll find even more trout varieties, like brookies, cutthroats, and brown trout.
Check out:
- Vail Ski Resort to hit the slopes
- Raitman Art Galleries to feel inspired
- Shakedown Bar for upbeat live music and cocktails
10. Fort Collins
If you thought Denver couldn’t get enough craft beer, you haven’t been to Fort Collins. Just under an hour from the Wyoming border, Fort Collins is known as the Craft Beer Capital of Colorado. The city has 21 craft breweries that bless residents and visitors with endless variety at their brick-and-mortar locations or festivals that take place throughout the year. Summer’s a lovely time to visit, with the Corndog and beer festival in August, or the Blues, Brews, and BBQ fest in September!
Ever spent time with horses? Then you’ll remember how soothing their company is — Fort Collins knows too, which is why they have many stables where you can go horseback riding.
And, of course, no Colorado city would be complete without scenic views. In Fort Collins, you can get your aesthetic nature fix at Horsetooth Rock or Arthur’s Rock — gorgeous trails overlooking the city and Horsetooth Reservoir.
Check out:
- Silver Grill Cafe for a sweet cinnamon roll
- Feisty Spirits Distillery for tasty bourbon and whiskey
- Coyote Ridge Natural Area for a satisfying hike
11. Estes Park
Imagine walking through endless douglas firs and maples adorning 45- miles of rustling streams and earthy paths. Rocky Mountain National Park attracts millions of visitors every year for fishing (hello, trout and greenbacks), rock climbing, and hiking through Trail Ridge Road.
The best way to embrace this world-renowned national park is to stay in Estes Park — a town only 10 minutes away. If you visit in the winter, enjoy the breathtaking views of the land’s flora and fauna. Snowshoeing, hiking, or driving might give you a priceless view of frozen waterfalls, herds of elk, and snow-tipped trees.
Are you one for outdoor adventure? Summertime is the perfect season to blaze through dirt trails with a doorless Jeep. Bask in the sunlight as you rip through different trails and creeks — you might even see a moose!
A company like Backbone Adventures will rent you a jeep or ATV, giving you the freedom of exploration without the limitations of a travel guide. But, of course, you’ll find countless available tours for Rocky Mountain National Park as well.
- Bear Lake Road for scenic views and wildlife sightings
- The Grubsteak Restaurant for game burgers and microbrews
- Earthwood Collections for metal and glasswork and Native American art
12. Crested Butte
Are you an avid cross-country skier? Or perhaps you have an affinity for wildflowers? Then there’s no better place in Colorado for you than Crested Butte, a tiny, Rocky-Mountain town with a population of just over 1,000.
People flock to Crested Butte to see calypso orchids, giant sunflowers, sky pilots, glacier lilies, and more. You’ll see fields of colorful flowers based just below a mountain, a stunning site. Walk or drive through Kebler Pass or spend a day in Cement Creek to see nature’s own peacock of natural beauty.
Fly-fishing enthusiasts will enjoy the ample waters to catch fish closeby, either in Gunnison River, the Roaring Judy Ponds, or Brush Creek — all within a half-hour drive.
Check out:
- The Last Steep Bar and Grill for juicy burgers, and even veggie varieties
- Kebler Pass for wildflower watching
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park for steep hiking and camping adventures
13. Breckenridge
Breckenridge has a lot in common with Telluride. They’re both mining towns and well-like for skiing and snowboarding. If you enjoy thrilling adventures, you’ll love the alpine activities in Breckenridge. Take a zipline across mountain acreage, trees, and rivers for a smooth $100 at various locations. Breckenridge is also in a strategic location, allowing you to take day trips to various attractions and cities. For example, Mount Princeton Hot Springs is only an hour and a half away.
Skiers will love the city between November and April. You’ll experience heavy snow yet daytime sunshine that brightens every adventure. Despite the small population, Breckenridge also offers a vibrant nightlife. The Gold Pan Saloon is a historic watering hole and dance spot established in the 19th century, while Rita’s is a must-see for boozy trivia.
Overall, Breckenridge is a fantastic vacation spot for every traveler. The partygoer, the skier, the nature hiker, and city-street wanderer will relish every experience here.
Check out:
- Breckenridge Ski Resort for ski hills of every difficulty level
- Breckenridge Sawmill Museum for historic structures and trails
- Country Boy Mine to learn about the city’s mining history
14. Aspen
Aspen’s reputation speaks for itself. While many consider it a must-see, we placed it toward the end of our list for a couple of reasons. First, it often overshadows Colorado’s other cities. Second, it’s a pricier vacation. However, the rumors are true — Aspen is a ski wonderland and it-spot to be seen. You might see celebrities like Leonardo di Caprio or Katy Perry hitting the slopes or enjoying a delicious sashimi in one of Aspen’s many upscale restaurants.
But there’s more to Aspen than just skiing. Thinking of traveling in June? You can’t miss Aspen’s Food and Wine Festival — three days of liquor and wine tastings, panel chats, and cooking demonstrations. Moreover, the city often hosts the talented Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.
Check out:
- Maroon Bells for breathtaking mountain sites
- Silver Queen Gondola to enjoy a scenic view and reach Aspen Mountain
- Bosq Restaurant for delightful culinary creations and creative cocktails
15. Glenwood Springs
Still buzzing from the warmth of Hot Sulphur Springs? Colorado has tons of natural hot springs, including Glenwood Springs. This resort city is surrounded by White River National Forest, a snow globe of juniper trees and ponderosa pines.
Have a pension for cowboys? Glenwood Springs is home to Doc Holliday’s Grave Trailhead, gunslinger Doc Holliday’s gravesite. You can make this an epic day trip, as the cemetery stems from a hiking trail — just remember to wear boots because it can get pretty muddy.
If you have a shopping itch, be sure to visit Glenwood Meadows Retail Center. There, you’ll find a solid selection of shops and restaurants.
Check out:
- Book Grove for new, old, and collectible books
- Splendor Mountain Spa for heavenly healing arts and massages
- Hanging Lake Trail for divine waterfalls and hanging gardens
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If you’ve been itching to escape to Colorado’s endless scenic landscapes, rolling mountains, and deliciously diverse culinary scene — now’s the time!
Here at Rent By Owner, we connect travelers with homeowners to give you the most locally authentic experience. Whether you’re craving a ski chalet in Aspen or a trendy Denver flat — we’ve got you covered.
Book your trip to Colorado today!
Featured Image Credit: Phanom Nuangchomphoo
