2018-05-04 02:55:53
Colorado’s urban corridor runs north to south along Interstate 25, starting with Fort Collins, Loveland, Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs, all of which offer brewery tours, museums, cultural experiences, fine dining, unique shopping experiences from boutiques to malls and outlets, and easy access to the outdoors. Denver Denver is a vibrant, active city at the base of the majestic Rocky Mountains and is the state’s main air hub (Denver International Airport — see page 4). The Mile High City is a year-round destination which combines rich Western heritage and passion for the outdoors with urban excitement. Its walkable and bikeable downtown features chef-owned restaurants, brewpubs, pro sports, shopping, family attractions, museums and art galleries. Denver is the premier gateway to the best of the Western U.S.’s national parks, and the Rocky Mountains are the city’s backyard playground, offering outdoor adventures, spectacular beauty and Old West history just a short drive away. Come winter, Denver is the gateway to some of the world’s best skiing and snow sports TOP ATTRACTIONS: Union Station, Larimer Square, Denver Beer Trail, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, History Colorado Center, Cherry Creek Shopping Center/Cherry Creek North, 16th Street Mall, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, Coors Brewery, Colorado Railroad Museum, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 19 diverse neighbourhoods Colorado Springs Our second-largest city evolved from a quaint, 1870s Victorian resort town into a modern, sophisticated destination. Located 96 kilometres south of Denver, Colorado Springs features breathtaking scenery, friendly people and impeccable service. The National Trust for Historic Preservation selected Colorado Springs as one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations for the city’s walkable historic areas, commitment to sustainability, natural attractions and opportunities for recreation. Take time to walk the quaint city streets, where there is fabulous shopping, dining and craft beverages in downtown Colorado Springs and the historic districts of Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Pikes Peak and the Broadmoor Seven Falls, Garden of the Gods, U.S. Olympic Training Center, Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine and Mollie Kathleen Mine tours, ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum Fort Collins With a well-deserved reputation as one of Colorado’s top craft-brewery hubs, Fort Collins is just 105 kilometres north of Denver. It also serves as the state’s northern entrance — the perfect welcoming spot for those arriving from Wyoming or other northern destinations. Be sure to visit the Old Town Historic District, with its fine bookstores, galleries, locally owned shops and eateries, and a calendar of fun annual events. The city itself was recently named a Certified Colorado Creative District, thanks to its artsy and innovative vibe. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, New Belgium Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins Brewery, Lory State Park and Horsetooth Reservoir, Cache la Poudre River rafting, The Downtown Artery, Cache La Poudre/North Park Scenic Byway, Jessup Farm Artisan Village Boulder views of the famous Flatirons rock formations and celebrated culinary offerings are just a few reasons Boulder is a beloved city, just 56 kilometres west of Denver. Choose from a lineup of outdoor adventures, from hiking and mountain and road biking to stand-up paddleboarding and rock climbing. Designated “America’s Foodiest Town” by Bon Appétit magazine, Boulder teems with acclaimed restaurants — many of which feature meat and produce sourced from the area’s hundreds of farms. The energetic community also has an action-packed calendar of oneof- a-kind festivals and events and shopping districts that bustle with inviting local businesses. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Pearl Street Mall, Celestial Seasonings tea factory, Dushanbe Teahouse, Boulder Creek Path, a show at the Boulder Theater, Boulder Farmers’ Market, historic Chautauqua Dining Hall, Local Table Tours and Boulder Brew Tours, Eldora Mountain Resort ski area Grand Junction Grand Junction is Colorado’s wine country, with more than 20 wineries and tasting rooms set amidst the beauty of red-rock canyons. The landscape of the world’s largest flat-top mountain, the Grand Mesa, along with the Colorado River make this high-desert environment unique in the state. Enjoy river rafting and year-round hiking, biking, golf and even dinosaur digging for a vacation that mixes quintessential Colorado activities with a picturesque wine region. Drive distance is 391 scenic kilometres from Denver, and major airlines serve the city’s regional airport with non-stop and direct flights from Denver and other hub cities throughout the U.S. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Colorado National Monument, Museum of Western Colorado’s Dinosaur Journey, wineries in Grand Junction and Palisade, world-class mountain biking in Fruita, Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, Powderhorn Mountain Resort ski area, Colorado River rafting, jet-boating, stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking Loveland The town of Loveland rests just a short 22 kilometre drive south of Fort Collins. Colorado’s Sweetheart City has become famous for its Valentine’s Day love stamp program, but its bronze foundries, numerous galleries, local art programme, gorgeous parks and brewery tours are equally impressive. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Loveland Museum/Gallery, Lake Loveland, Devil’s Backbone Open Space, outlet shopping, Benson Sculpture Garden, Chapungu Sculpture Park, Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch Durango In the Four Corners Region where Colorado meets Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, Durango is the perfect gateway to experience the history of the American West. Durango offers a dozen vacations in one destination, from Old West experiences, ancient ruins, and arts and culture to adventure sports, agritourism and special events. The town has non-stop flights from Denver and a few other U.S. cities, and is well-connected with several major U.S. and state highways from every direction (540 kilometres southwest of Denver). TOP ATTRACTIONS: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park, San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, the town of Cortez, Purgatory Mountain Resort ski area, farm and ranch activities, and fishing, rafting, canoeing on the Animas River Silverton Tiny and nestled between two rugged San Juan Mountain passes 77 kilometres north of Durango, Silverton has been a beloved destination since its mining days, especially for those pursuing new heights outdoors, from off-road trails, backcountry camping and hiking, fishing and much more. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Old Hundred Gold Mine and Mayflower Gold Mill National Historic Site, Silverton Mountain (for advanced skiers and snowboarders), downtown National Historic District, Animas Forks ghost town Pagosa Springs Surrounded by more than 3 million acres of national forest and wilderness areas, you’ll find yourself in the centre of nature’s playground in Pagosa Springs, 96 kilometres east of Durango. The San Juan Mountains and a variety of outdoor activities are at your doorstep, along with hot springs, little shops, historic sites and artisan galleries. TOP ATTRACTIONS: The Springs Resort & Spa, Healing Waters Resort & Spa and Overlook Hot Springs Spa, Pagosa Dogsled Adventures, Wolf Creek Ski Area, San Juan River tubing and rafting, Chimney Rock National Monument Montrose A classic Colorado city, Montrose is where you go when you want to explore the rugged wilderness and enjoy recreational pursuits no matter the season. From its traveller-friendly trails and scenic byways to historic downtown, interactive museums and breweries on Main Street, this city is a welcoming gateway to Colorado’s southwestern half. Montrose Regional Airport is served by several major U.S. hub cities, including Denver. Drive distance from Denver is 476 kilometres. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, Museum of the Mountain West, Ute Indian Museum, Morrow Point Boat Tour, Montrose Water Sports Park Ouray When it comes to quintessential Rocky Mountain landscapes, no place in the world delivers quite like Ouray. The hamlet’s high-alpine passes, pastoral valleys and snow-flecked peaks earn it the nickname “Switzerland of America” — and display a roster of incredible vistas, hot springs, backcountry trails, scenic drives and waterfalls. Ouray is 58 kilometres from Montrose. TOP ATTRACTIONS: San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, Ouray Hot Springs Pool, Orvis Hot Springs, Box Canyon Waterfall & Park, Ridgway State Park, Ouray Ice Park, Yankee Boy Basin 4x4 Trail, National Historic District downtown Telluride Nestled in a box canyon in the southwestern San Juan Mountains, Telluride is a hidden gem. Founded as a mining town in the late 1800s, it is steeped in history with scenery that is some of the most dramatic in Colorado. Its blend of historic architecture, world-class hotels, spas and independent restaurants make any visit unforgettable. The Telluride and Montrose regional airports are served by non-stop flights from several major U.S. hub cities, including Denver. Drive distance from Montrose is 58 kilometres. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Telluride Ski & Golf Resort, Bridal Veil Falls, Mountain Village, Telluride Historical Museum, Telluride Creative District, Sheridan Opera House, summer music, arts and food/wine festivals downtown Gunnison & Crested Butte This region has escaped the development of many ski valleys in the American West. The heritage of ranching here is strong, and working ones still stretch throughout the valley. An old cattle and mining town with great places to get a homestyle meal, Gunnison is home to the oldest rodeo in the state, fine river and stream fly-fishing, authentic hoedowns, an abundance of mountain-bike trails, an active arts community and the largest body of water in the state, Blue Mesa Reservoir. Powder Magazine named Crested Butte the best ski town in the U.S. The whole town is a National Historic District and also offers lots of arts, music and all the sports you’d expect in the mountain-biking capital of Colorado. The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport has daily flights from Denver and a couple of other U.S. hub cities. Drive distance from Denver to Gunnison is 320 kilometres southwest; and from Montrose to Gunnison is 103 kilometres west. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area and Blue Mesa Reservoir, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, Crested Butte Creative District, West Elk Loop Scenic Byway, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Ohio and Pitkin City ghost towns Vail When people think skiing in the U.S., Vail is often the first town that comes to mind. Located in the heart of the Rockies, it’s a town created by and for skiing but has grown to a year-round destination that’s a favorite with families and lovers of the outdoors, including hikers, golfers, snowshoers/cross-country skiers and more. Eagle County Airport offers daily flights from Denver and several other major U.S. destinations; drive distance west from Denver is 156 kilometres. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts, Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum & Hall of Fame, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, international music and dance festivals, outdoor concert series, Epic Discovery yearround mountain adventures Breckenridge Breckenridge’s quaint main street could be a painting of the mountain town of your dreams. The oldest and largest town in Colorado’s famous Summit County (Keystone, Frisco, Silverthorne, Copper Mountain and Dillon are others) started out, like many, as a mining town, and locals aren’t about to forget it — the 250-plus buildings on the National Historic Register in the very walkable downtown attest to that. Historic attractions, one of the nation’s most popular ski resorts and endless outdoor activities keep visitors busy year-round. Breckenridge is 61 kilometres east of Vail and 128 kilometres west of Denver. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin ski resorts, Edwin Carter Museum, Summit County Recreational Pathway, Breckenridge Creative District, Outlets at Silverthorne, Lake Dillon, Breckenridge Brewery, Frisco Adventure Park Leadville At a sky-scraping 3,095 metres, Leadville is the United States’ highest- altitude city. Leadville was a very influential boomtown during the late 1800s mining days — it was almost named Colorado’s capital city. Well-preserved, the town has 70 square city blocks of Victorian-era buildings that are part of a designated National Historic Landmark District, along with 51 square kilometres of preserved mining district to explore. Leadville is a 160 kilometre drive west of Denver and south of Vail. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Tabor Opera House, Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway, Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, Ski Cooper, Tennessee Pass Nordic Center, Twin Lakes, Mount Elbert (the state’s tallest peak) Buena Vista & Salida These charming small towns are located on the banks of the Arkansas River and have incredible views of many of the state’s towering fourteeners (peaks that rise 14,000 feet — or 4,200 metres — above sea level). Whitewater rafting, ziplining, kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, biking, ziplining and hot springs fill the days of visitors to this area. Salida is a Colorado Creative District, and both towns collectively host 100 breweries, distilleries, wineries, galleries and local eateries. Salida is a 227 kilometre drive north of Denver and 93 kilometres south of Leadville. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Browns Canyon National Monument, Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway, Buena Vista Whitewater Park, Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Salida Aquatic Center, Cottonwood Hot Springs, Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway, Monarch Mountain Ski Area, Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery, Comanche Drive In Theatre, Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort, St. Elmo and Tin Cup ghost towns Steamboat Springs Think skiers in cowboy hats and you’ll have a pretty good picture of Steamboat Springs in northwestern Colorado. Yes, there’s world-renowned skiing here, but with an undercurrent of cowboy culture. The wide-open Yampa Valley brought cattle ranchers here in the 1800s, and the town’s signature store, F.M. Light & Sons, still sells Western wear. Steamboat Springs has great hot springs, mountain-biking trails galore and a handful of craft breweries. The town is also a Colorado Creative District and a hot spot for farmto- table dining. The Yampa Valley Regional Airport offers non-stop flights from major U.S. hubs throughout the year, including Denver. Steamboat is 250 kilometres northwest of Denver. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Steamboat Ski Resort and Howelsen Hill Ski Area, Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series, Stagecoach State Park, Pearl Lake State Park, Steamboat Lake State Park, Steamboat Zipline Adventures, Tread of the Pioneers Museum, Yampa River Botanic Park, Steamboat Bike Park, Yampa River Core Trail Aspen & Snowmass Aspen and Snowmass look like a page from a storybook: majestic, snow-capped peaks, verdant forests and mountain towns that twinkle by night. Visitors come to ski four mountains on one lift ticket, for the festivals and live music shows, and to hike or bike kilometres of trails. In summer, gondolas on both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass whisk adventurers up to hiking trails, disc-golf courses and outdoor games for kids. Don’t miss farm-to-table dinners, more than 100 restaurants (many with locally sourced menus), boutique shops alongside designer stores, art galleries, outdoor concerts and more. Aspen/Piktin County Airport offers several daily nonstop flights from Denver and other major U.S. air hubs. Aspen is 317 kilometres west of Denver. TOP ATTRACTIONS: Maroon Bells, Aspen Art Museum, Wheeler Opera House, Snowmass Bike Park, Aspen Saturday Market, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Rio Grande Trail, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Gold Butte Climbing Area, John Denver Sanctuary, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Independence ghost town Glenwood Springs Glenwood Springs is family-friendly, affordable and blessed with a remarkable mix of amazing geological wonders. You’ll find hot springs, vapor caves, two rivers and a striking canyon. It’s no wonder USA Today named it “America’s Most Fun Town.” The world’s largest mineral hot springs has welcomed visitors to swim and soak for well over 100 years, and Sunlight Mountain Resort is a valued-priced family ski destination. Hundreds of miles of trails provide options for hiking, cycling and mountain biking, and the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers are dotted with whitewater rafters and fishers. Glenwood is 66 kilometres north of Aspen and 253 kilometres west of Denver (and can also be reached from Denver via Amtrak’s California Zephyr train). TOP ATTRACTIONS: Glenwood Canyon, Hanging Lake, Glenwood Hot Springs, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Yampah Hot Springs & Vapor Cave, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Whitewater Activity Area WANT MORE? COLORADO.COM/CITIESANDTOWNS
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