Colorado truly has it all. Beautiful mountains, rushing rivers, crystal clear lakes, desert landscapes and bustling city scenes. And on top of that, each season has its own excitement to offer! When it comes to planning a Colorado vacation, the choices are endless.

Check out these tips to help you plan your best Colorado vacation, ever!

Your Colorado Vacation: 8 Amazing Tips

Planning ahead for your vacation can mean the difference between a so-so experience and the trip of a lifetime. Don’t head out for your Colorado vacation before checking out these ideas!

1. Pick a Season

Colorado offers something for every season. Take a look at these activities.

• Spring – Look for breathtaking scenery, active wildlife, flowery meadows and full streams for fishing and river rafting. Bring your camera, you won’t want to miss a moment!
• Summer – Many of Colorado’s towns and cities offer concerts in the parks for free. You can also find festivals and farmers markets. Hit the lake or the river for some water fun.
• Fall – Aspens come out in full color during fall in Colorado. It’s also a good time to see amazing waterfalls and wildlife. Take a mountain drive or hike to get some amazing photos!
• Winter – Ski or snowboard until your heart is content! These are well-known Colorado mountain activities. Take a gondola ride to enjoy the views from up high. You can also shop in mountain towns for local artisan gifts.

Another activity that fits into any season is a visit to the hot springs. Bring your bathing suit, or go to a clothing optional spring! Check out Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado for an amazing experience.

2. Choose Your Destination for Adventure

Here’s a list of some of the best places to visit in Colorado!

• Mountains – If you’re looking for a destination that includes skiing or fishing, you’ll want a mountain town. Try Estes Park, Vail or Breckenridge for these adventures. Glenwood Hot Springs and Steamboat Springs are also good options that offer hot springs, too.
• Desert – Great Sand Dunes National Park is a 40,000-acre desert south of Colorado Springs. You can sand surf or hike all over the dunes.
• Rivers – Where there’s a river, you can go tubing, kayaking or rafting! There are too many places to enjoy river activities in Colorado to list. Check out this new water park in Longmont that’s specifically developed for kayakers and tubers to enjoy the St. Vrain River!
• Nightlife – Pubs, dance floors and bars or all kinds abound in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs. If it’s not in walking distance, there is a public bus or shuttle to get you where you need to go.
• Shopping – Looking for a place to shop? Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs have great shopping malls and outlet stores. You’ll also find local artisans in nearly every mountain town, too!

3. Check out Local Activites and Festivals

Get out there and meet the locals! Coloradans are a friendly group, and they love talking about their local towns and cities. Check out these Colorado points of interest, activities and festivals.

• Telluride Bluegrass Festival – The bluegrass festival in Telluride is a popular mountain event. This is 4 days of nothing but the best bluegrass music under the summer sun.
• Palisade Peach Festival – In Palisade, they celebrate all things peaches with this August festival. The peaches are locally grown and delicious!
• Boulder Fall Fest – This fall festival in Boulder offers live music, microbrews and lots of great food. Come ready to shop from the many talented artisans!
• Steamboat Oktoberwest – Oktoberwest in Steamboat Springs offers seasonal brews and food. Stroll the town and enjoy the live music and beer garden.
• Red Rocks Summer Concert Series – If you’re visiting Denver in the summer, check out Red Rocks Amphitheater’s summer concert series. A concert at Red Rocks is like no other experience!

4. Pack for All Weather

While 300 days a year is a bit of a boast, Colorado is known for its large number of sunny days! More than half of the year is at least partly sunny in most regions.

However, Colorado’s weather can be unpredictable. This is especially true in the mountain areas.

It’s best to pack for the season, but you also need to be prepared for unexpected weather. Rain, snow and even hail can happen with little notice.

No matter the season, you’ll need layers! Elevation upwards of 4,000+ feet brings you closer to the sun. So, even when it’s only 70 degrees outside, it could feel much warmer on a sunny day. But in the evenings, when cooler breezes come in, you’ll want something to keep you warm.

5. Eat, Drink and Be Merry

You’ll find more local breweries and beer brands than you have time to sample. Search for a brewery at your Colorado destination using this cool map!

There are also a number of distilleries and wineries in Colorado. If you enjoy a good drink, you’ll find something that suits your taste.

Colorado can hold it’s own on the foodie scene, too. Denver has a great selection of restaurants to choose from. Many of the mountain towns serve local wild game and farm fresh plate options.

6. Use Guides and Reviews

Looking for inspiration for your Colorado vacation? It’s always a good idea to check out local guides and online reviews to find destinations that suit your vacation style. This website offers travel guides specifically written for Colorado, which you’ll probably find helpful.

7. Find Local Lodging

If you really want to experience Colorado, find yourself a well-known, locally famous place to stay. Look for cabins, bed and breakfasts, lodges and glitzy hotels that are well known for the area. Here are some ideas to check out!

• The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park – The inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining is a glorious old hotel overlooking the beautiful town of Estes Park, CO. It has many haunting stories and a fascinating history.
• The Oxford Hotel, Denver – Featuring unique, antique decor and claw foot tubs, this hotel has a gourmet restaurant and a spa.
• Blue Lake Ranch Bed and Breakfast, Durango – Charming cottages set on 200 acres of flowered meadows. This bed and breakfast is a peaceful, romantic getaway.
• Paradise on the River, Estes Park – Gorgeous cabins set along the Big Thompson River with views of wildlife and access to fishing.

8. Bring Your Friends

It’s about people in Colorado, too. It’s one of those places that lives by the old saying: the more, the merrier! Nothing makes a vacation special like bringing someone, or a few, to share it with, anyway.

What Are You Waiting For?

Whether you have a favorite season or specific hot springs new adventure you want to try, Colorado is a great place to go. So, why not plan your Colorado vacation, now?

Check us out for more interesting places to visit.

And don’t forget our clever tips!