The top 11 destinations to explore in Colorado

Wild and beautiful, Colorado boasts stunning landscapes, thrilling outdoor activities, and breathtaking Rocky Mountain retreats. The Centennial State also features a lively array of trendy cities, intriguing historical sites, and some of the best year-round weather you can find.

Interstate highways connect the state's main cities, although they can become crowded with weekend visitors during peak times. Roads leading to more secluded spots are quieter, but expect steep climbs, tight turns, and winter closures. While it’s possible to navigate Colorado via public transport, having a car allows for a richer experience. Here are the top places to visit in Colorado.

1. Aspen

Ideal for a luxurious romantic escape

The breathtaking natural beauty paired with the unmistakable luxury of this renowned mountain town makes Aspen an ideal destination for an upscale couples' retreat. This charming Victorian-era resort offers plenty of indulgence, featuring numerous five-star hotels with exquisite spas, including the notable The Little Nell.

Aspen's compact size makes it perfect for exploring on foot, allowing you to easily pop into the trendy Aspen Art Museum, grab a charcuterie platter at Meat & Cheese, or enjoy a cocktail at the historic J-Bar saloon. Annual events like the Food & Wine Classic and the Aspen Music Festival provide even more reasons to enjoy a long weekend together.

And being in Colorado, outdoor adventures await. Winter offers top-tier skiing, snowshoeing, and romantic sleigh rides for two.

Travel tip: Summer is perfect for hiking. The stunning Maroon Bells are just minutes away, with endless trails to explore. Imagine peaceful walks along babbling brooks and aspen forests, just the two of you under the expansive Colorado sky.

2. Denver

Ideal for arts and entertainment

In a state celebrated for its adventurous spirit, Denver stands out as the cultural powerhouse. With renowned institutions like the Denver Art Museum and the Clyfford Still Museum, along with quirky attractions like Meow Wolf Denver, the city is a thriving hub of creativity. Don't miss the numerous public sculptures and colorful murals that adorn neighborhoods such as RiNo and the Santa Fe Arts District.

For live performances, the Denver Performing Arts Complex is a must-visit: this expansive 10-theater venue showcases everything from Broadway shows to ballet, opera, and symphony concerts. Smaller venues like Dazzle Denver and Curious Theatre offer spontaneous entertainment options. Plus, Red Rocks Amphitheatre is just a short drive away, at 15 miles.

Travel tip: If you're new to Colorado, a fantastic plan is to fly into Denver, spend a few days exploring the city, and then drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park for a day or two of hiking.

3. Colorado Springs

Perfect for a family adventure

With a blend of urban excitement and outdoor activities, Colorado Springs is a go-to destination for family fun. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a guaranteed favorite, featuring hand-feeding opportunities with giraffes, elephants, and rhinos. The stunning Garden of the Gods offers a remarkable array of red sandstone formations, towering boulders, and striking pinnacles that can be explored on foot, by bike (rentals available at the visitor center), or even with a stroller.

For an underground adventure, visit the Cave of the Winds, which provides an easy introduction to caving, along with a zipline and ropes course for adventurers of all ages. For inspiring museums, the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum stands out, featuring interactive exhibits on the Games and American athletes, plus regular meet-and-greets with real Olympians. Instead of letting the kids reach for their tablets, take them to Manitou Penny Arcade, where they can learn the joy of classic games like Galaga and Skee-Ball.

4. Breckenridge

Ideal for a winter getaway

When it comes to winter destinations, Breckenridge is hard to beat. It hosts one of Colorado’s largest and finest ski resorts, perfect for family ski trips or those chasing fresh powder. With expansive groomed trails and lofty alpine bowls, there's plenty to satisfy any skier. Additionally, you can enjoy tubing and snowshoeing for extra winter thrills.

The town is conveniently located near five other top-notch winter resorts, including Keystone, Copper, and Arapahoe Basin, all connected by free bus services. For post-ski relaxation, Breckenridge's charming historic district—once a bustling mountain town before the chairlifts arrived—offers a lively atmosphere, with places like Breckenridge Brewery fostering a strong community vibe. All of this is just a two-hour drive from Denver International Airport.

5. Rocky Mountain National Park

Perfect for hiking and wildlife viewing

As the crown jewel of Colorado's national parks, Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker’s paradise. With about 355 miles of exceptional hiking trails, the park features everything from jagged granite peaks to stunning, flower-filled valleys. For a gentle start, try the flat yet rewarding loop around Bear Lake or the moderate trek to Gem Lake in the Lumpy Ridge area. More adventurous hikers can tackle the formidable challenge of summiting Longs Peak, which rises to 14,259 feet. After your hike, head to the quaint town of Estes Park for souvenir shopping and a meal.

Travel tip: Keep an eye out for wildlife, both big and small. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to around 280 bird species, including great horned owls, bald eagles, and ptarmigans. You may also spot elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and moose throughout the park's rugged valleys.

6. Telluride

Ideal for immersing in Colorado's natural beauty

The quaint town of Telluride is stunningly beautiful and truly one-of-a-kind, made even more enchanting by the scenic backcountry roads that lead you here. Nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains, this charming locale sits at the end of a narrow box canyon, surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas and the 365-foot Bridal Veil Falls, the highest waterfall in Colorado.

Telluride’s historic main street is lined with delightful century-old buildings that now house a mix of quaint shops and upscale boutiques. Nearby, the Jud Wiebe Trail offers hikers breathtaking views of the town and its mountainous backdrop, while the local via ferrata course—an exhilarating cable-protected climb along the cliffs—provides an adrenaline rush like no other.

7. Mesa Verde National Park

Ideal for exploring First Nations history

As the largest and best-preserved Native American archaeological site in the country, Mesa Verde National Park offers a stunning glimpse into the lives of the ancient Ancestral Puebloan people (not Anasazi, a term meaning 'ancient enemy' in Navajo). These remarkable people inhabited intricate structures built into high cliff walls for centuries before mysteriously abandoning the site around 1300 CE.

The park features several self-guided hikes, but the most immersive way to appreciate the area is through ranger-led tours that allow visitors to enter Mesa Verde’s renowned cliff dwellings using wooden ladders, stone staircases, and narrow passageways. The Cliff Palace, a remarkable feat of engineering with 150 rooms and 23 kivas (ceremonial underground spaces), is a must-see. While the tours may be challenging, they offer a truly unique experience.

8. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Ideal for stunning and unexpected landscapes

As you traverse the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains and enter the arid San Luis Valley, a vast field of dunes emerges seemingly out of nowhere – welcome to Great Sand Dunes National Park. This expansive 30-square-mile stretch of sand is a surreal sight in a state typically recognized for its mountains, forests, and flowing rivers, and it features the tallest dunes in North America, rising about 750 feet high.

Hiking up the dunes can be tough due to the shifting sand, but the breathtaking views from the summit make it worthwhile. For an exhilarating experience, you can rent special wooden boards to surf down the sandy slopes.

Travel tip: If you're lucky with your timing, you can enjoy a beach day next to the dunes—during late spring, the seasonal Medano Creek flows from snowmelt, creating a temporary oasis for wading and water fun. However, this delightful water play is short-lived, as the creek usually dries up by mid-summer.

9. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Ideal for escaping the crowds

Although Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park ranks among the least-visited national parks in Colorado, this stunning destination is worth your time. Situated over 250 miles southwest of Denver, the park features dramatic cliffs that showcase a rocky canyon filled with a winding river.

After you finish exploring the hiking trails in the national park, you can easily venture into Gunnison National Forest for more outdoor activities.

Travel tip: If you're driving to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park from Denver, consider taking a scenic detour to Buena Vista for rafting, hot springs, and other adventures.

10. Grand Junction

Ideal for wine enthusiasts

For those looking to explore western Colorado beyond the Rocky Mountains, Grand Junction serves as an excellent starting point. This city is situated in the heart of Colorado’s wine country, boasting 30 wineries in Grand Junction and the nearby town of Palisade.

Additionally, Grand Junction is known for the impressive rock formations of the Colorado National Monument that surround the area.

Travel tip: Given the travel time required to cross the Rocky Mountains, flying into Grand Junction’s small airport is likely the most convenient option for visitors coming from out of state. Grand Junction Regional Airport is served by Allegiant, American Airlines, and Breeze from various cities throughout the West.

11. Boulder

Perfect for shopping and exploration

If you’re seeking a day trip from Denver, Boulder is a mere 30-mile drive away, offering a lively downtown shopping scene and easy access to the mountains.

Nearby, Chautauqua Park is the entrance to Boulder’s stunning jagged rock formations known as the iconic Flatirons. No trip to Boulder is complete without spending a few hours at Pearl Street Mall, a bustling pedestrian area filled with everything from quirky vintage shops to tempting food halls.

Travel tip: Chautauqua Park provides some of the best views of the Flatirons, but be sure to reserve a ticket for access from mid-June to late August. If you forget to plan ahead, ​​Eldorado Canyon State Park is a fantastic nearby alternative.

Continue planning your Colorado adventure

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