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\nAre you traveling to Denver, CO<\/a> with youngsters? A day trip to the Denver Zoo should be at the top of your list of Colorado attractions. What a fantastic way to keep your kids occupied, engaged, and in awe \u2014 but you\u2019ll also feel a childlike playfulness observing adorable Asian small-clawed otters or wizard-like Sumatran orangutans! \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThe 80-acre grounds house over 3,000 animals and man-made yet shockingly authentic-looking habitats. For example, the new Pinnacol African Penguin Point treats visitors to almost 40 feet of underwater observation, watching the endangered African penguins swim, frolic, and chirp. The zoo habitat mimics the penguin\u2019s origin of Boulders Beach in Simon\u2019s Town, South Africa. Penguins waddle through heated rocks and dance through the near-forty-foot depth of the pool. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBut after you see enough monkeys and lizards, have a bite at Brown Bear BBQ \u2014 heck, have a cold one too! Denver is known for its many breweries and craft beer, and the Denver Zoo is no exception!\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nCheck out these fun things to do at the Denver Zoo:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThe entire state of Colorado sits at an elevation of over 3,000 feet \u2014 Denver sits even higher at 5,000! That elevation has remained for thousands of years, forcing ancient people to be creative and resourceful with their homes and villages. Cliff dwellings were the sky-high homes of Ancestral Puebloan civilizations, formed in caves in high cliffs. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMesa Verde National Park<\/a> has over 600 cliff dwellings for you to explore, some with ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings with symbols and pictures). But the 82-sq-mile park is also home to almost 5,000 archaeological sites, where excavators and researchers have found ceremonial artifacts, pottery, stone hatchets, sandals, and more from as early as 1,100 AD. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMore fun things to do in Mesa Verde National Park: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nIf you\u2019re a skier or snowboarder, Colorado state acts as a one-stop shop for hitting the slopes. You can pick from various ski town getaways, like a chalet weekend in Telluride<\/a>. The small mining town is nested within a backdrop of the green, forested San Juan Mountains. Why don\u2019t you visit the infamous Telluride ski resort? You\u2019ll find beginner-friendly hills and <\/em>13,000-ft slopes in the same vicinity. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nOr if you\u2019re after a more luxury yet party-filled ski vacation, Aspen has it all. The city of 7,000 or so people has four ski mountains to choose from: \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nIn Aspen, you\u2019ll enjoy a prominent apr\u00e8s ski culture, aka silly drinking after your ski session. But alas, if you\u2019re not one for hills, consider snowshoeing through the state\u2019s many national parks instead!\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nOther places to ski or snowboard in Colorado: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nDid you know Colorado has over 400 craft breweries? You\u2019re never far from one, no matter which city you\u2019re vacationing in. The state is home to countless talented brewers and brewmasters that have perfected the craft beer that comforts, delights, and awakes pride in Coloradans. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nNot one for beer drinking? The sheer variety will surely offer you something <\/em>of interest. Craft beer ranges in so many flavors, from bitter IPAs and pungent sours to laid-back lagers and fruity-fun mixes. So sip on a beer while touring the Ska Brewing Co\u2019s wind-powered brewery in Durango<\/a>, or shock your tastebuds with a Blackberry & Vanilla Rum Barrel Aged Quad at Uhl\u2019s Brewing Co. in Boulder<\/a>. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBut you don\u2019t need to stop at drinking <\/em>beer. Add Colorado culture to your trip by taking a brewing class! For example, Altitude Brewing & Supply in Denver offers introductory beer-making classes, including ones for women only. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMore places to drink craft beer in Colorado: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nColorado residents are some of the fittest in the USA for a few reasons. Perhaps the 42 state parks and over 17,000 hiking trails are a couple of them. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nColorado is a dream destination for nature aficionados and active adventurers. And it\u2019s not just the vastness of trails that attract hikers; it\u2019s also the aesthetically striking, scenic views. Your morning walk can treat you to breathtaking sites of lush forests, curious wildlife, shimmering waters, grand mountains, and more. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nFor example, Denver\u2019s Highland Canal Trail features gorgeous trees that peacock deep auburn and orange colors in the fall. Aurora has hiking trails like Jewell Wetlands Park, an easy trail where you can see flowing creeks and lovely scenery. Walk, run, stroll, or even go mountain biking\u2014 the options are endless for fitness on Colorado\u2019s hiking trails.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMore hiking trails in Colorado: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nYou read that right \u2014 Great Sand Dunes National Park<\/a> offers an unparalleled wonder through its many dunes (the tallest in North America), mountains, beaches, tundra, and grasslands. Imagine so many types of landscapes in one magical place. Your journey down the sand dunes might look like: \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBut travelers, beware: the trip down is quick, but the hike back up is a vigorous calf workout! \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThe dune field itself spans about 30 square miles, surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The experience might even be spiritual for some. The National Park Service<\/a> words it nicely:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nGreat Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve provides tremendous scenic settings that, for many, provoke strong emotional responses. These settings (including massive dunes surrounded by alpine peaks, a desert valley, creeks flowing on the surface of the sand, pristine mountains, and rural range land offer spacious relief from urban America, exceptional solitude and quiet, and a remarkably unspoiled day and night sky. <\/em>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMore fun things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBluegrass may have been born in Kentucky, but many Americans still find comfort in the rich acoustics, fast tempo, and harmonized voice. Colorado has many annual bluegrass festivals across the entire state, from Palisade in the East toward Utah, down to Telluride and Durango, and West to Westcliffe \u2014 there\u2019s a fiddling modern cowboy in every region. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBreak out the stomping clogs next summer and make your way to Lyons, Colorado, for the famous RockyGrass camping festival. It\u2019s only a half-hour ride from Boulder, and an hour from both Denver and Fort Collins. The latest lineup includes national names like the Punch Brothers, Hawktail, and the Yonder Mountain String Band. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBut if you\u2019re not one for festivals, you can listen to some live bluegrass music at a ton of different Colorado venues. The Black Rose Acoustic Society in Colorado Springs and the Bluebird Theater in Denver feature bluegrass shows, among others. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMore places to listen to Bluegrass in Colorado: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nColorado\u2019s countless historical districts are a must-see if you relish Victorian architecture and stories about hundred-year-old buildings. Although they\u2019re filled with new shops and businesses these days, strolling past each block will give you a window into the old Wild West. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nFort Collins<\/a> has a beautiful old town district, with restored buildings and pathways adorned with trimmed florals and string street lights. Venture down south to Ouray, where the town\u2019s historical district features Italian architecture with candle-snuffer roofs. A nice bonus is the town\u2019s hot springs, which are only a short road trip away!\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nOther cities in Colorado with historical districts: \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you a budding photographer? It\u2019s hard not <\/em>to snap gorgeous pics at the Garden of the Gods park<\/a>. A quick drive from Colorado Springs, this 1,330-acre park features striking rock formations of sandstone that you can take in as you drive through its 5.6-mile scenic route. But first, take a quick stop at the Visitor Center. They\u2019ll give you maps and tips on where to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nFeast your sense of adventure with epic views of Pikes Peak, the Rocky Mountains\u2019 highest front-range summit. You\u2019ll need a half-tank of gas to drive up, but the road is filled with grand lookouts for incredible photos. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nIf you\u2019re lucky, you might see some majestic-looking bighorn sheep, with fulsome, perfectly rounded horns crafted by a higher power. Or some cute yellow-bellied marmots, skittish deer, and humble elk. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nOther things to do at Garden of the Gods Park: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nFlat grasslands, rocky mountains, plateaued tundra, crisp beaches \u2014 Colorado landscapes are abundant and, thus, perfect for the amateur rock or gem collector. Shiny garnets, dreamy quartz, sparkling zircon, and earthy agate are a few examples of the many gemstones you can find across the state. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n But rocks don\u2019t always have to be shiny. If you\u2019re staying in Estes Park, you\u2019re only a short drive from Rocky Mountain National Park<\/a>! A fabulous spot for rustic rocks \u2014 the mountains are a mix of shale, limestone, and sandstone. Driving along Trail Ridge Road, you might see some crumbled brown or red rocks for your pickings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMore places to collect rocks in Colorado:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nWhitewater rafting is boating through a shallow, quick stream \u2014 a mini roller coaster on the water, where you can feel a thrill and get splashed.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nFlow through streaming rivers and pass through small waterfalls with your beau or family. Luckily, Colorado\u2019s 159 rivers, 2,000 lakes and reservoirs, and 5,000+ natural streams make it a perfect destination for whitewater rafting. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nStart with the Arkansas River \u2014 a short drive from Salida, you can visit the Arkansas River Tours for a Royal Gorge rafting trip. The current\u2019s turbulence and rapid speed feel thrilling, with small drops that lift your stomach. All this while being surrounded by epic views of the mountains. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nIf you have an appetite for more, try a zipline through the scenic landscape, or ride on an aerial gondola!\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMore places to go whitewater rafting in Colorado: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you\u2019ve visited spas for some much-needed R&R. But imagine the spiritual, rustic feel that comes with unwinding in hot springs. Glenwood Springs<\/a> is a small resort town that\u2019s world-famous for its year-round hot springs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nGeothermal baths reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit, soaking into your tight muscles and helping you relax. As you bathe, you\u2019ll feel at peace with the Rocky Mountains present as ever. You\u2019re one soak away from softer skin, lower stress levels, and higher calcium levels. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nOther hot springs in Colorado:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re singing along to your favorite rock band, under glistening stars surrounded by impressive red rocks. Where are you? The Red Rocks Amphitheatre<\/a>, a must-see for geology and music lovers alike. The open-air venue was created directly into a large rock structure that\u2019s hundreds of millions years old. The acoustics are simply divine. Stevie Nicks, the Dave Matthews Band, and Pink Floyd have all performed at the ancient amphitheatre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nYou can also take solace in the venue\u2019s strong sustainability values \u2014 every year the amphitheatre aligns company goals with the City of Denver\u2019s sustainability goals related to waste diversion, water conservation, and air pollution.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMore fun things to do near Red Rocks Amphitheatre: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nWe know much of Colorado has a strong railroad history, but how often can you see it in motion? The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was constructed in 1882 \u2014 and the restored train still takes travelers like you aboard, passing through the San Juan Mountains for a superbly scenic trip. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBut perhaps you brought your car and prefer to drive yourself. Silverton is also famous for its Million Dollar Highway Scenic Byway, 236 miles of paved road that lets you relish the San Juan Mountains at your own pace, even at 11,000-foot heights! Drive on it long enough, and you\u2019ll end up in Ouray!\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nOther things to do in Silverton and Durango: <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t worry \u2014 we\u2019re not talking about a simple statue, as you might imagine when hearing the word \u201cmonument.\u201d The Colorado National Monument<\/a> is a natural wonder \u2014 a panoramic view of plateaued monoliths. Peppered with small bursts of shrubs and forests across its vast landscape, the red-rock canyon continues for 20,000 or so acres. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \nGaze up and watch regal eagles gliding through the sky. You might also see gray-tailed foxes, coyotes, rabbits, and deer on your drive! But if you\u2019re walking, be alert. The venomous midget-faded rattlesnake takes refuge here, though they won\u2019t actively seek you out.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThings to do at the Colorado National Monument:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThere\u2019s no shortage of beautiful places to see in Colorado. The wondrous lands offer something life changing for every type of traveler, and we\u2019d love to help you experience it. Whether you book travel guides to help you climb Mount Evans, or take peaceful strolls down botanic Gardens, you\u2019ll need a comfortable place to rest your head every night.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n RentbyOwner offers affordable, reliable vacation rentals to keep you comfortable and stable throughout your trip. It\u2019s time to see the Rocky Mountains – find a place to stay today<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
2. Explore Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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3. Hit the Slopes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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4. Indulge in Craft Beer Breweries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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5. Get Fit on Endless Hiking Trails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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6. Go Sand Sledding at Great Sand Dunes National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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7. Listen to Bluegrass Music <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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8. Walk Through Historic Districts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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9. Make Memories at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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10. Add to Your Rock Collection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n11. Catch Some Waves with Whitewater Rafting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n12. Soak in Nature\u2019s Hot Tubs at Glenwood Springs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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13. See Your Favorite Artists at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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14. Take a Ride on the Durango-Silverton Train<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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15. Visit the Colorado National Monument<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Visit Colorado with RentByOwner Vacation Rentals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n