Find Colorado Roots / COME TO LIFE HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS Some of the best things to do on a Colorado vacation revolve around the past. These sites give insights into lands once roamed by mighty dinosaurs, those inhabited by native peoples and territories explored by frontiersman. Stand in the footsteps of our oldest residents — the dinosaurs! Dig sites, museums and other family attractions offer access to fossils. COLORADO.com/SeeDinos 7 8 GO PICKIN’ & TOURIN’ The peaches from the Western Slope around Palisade are legendary for juicy goodness, but they’re not the only things ripe for picking. Farms across the state invite guests to pick pumpkins, apples and other delicious items — or to just learn about the farming itself. A Few Favorites: Delicious Orchards in Hotchkiss Rock Creek Farm in Broomfield Ya Ya Farm and Orchard in Longmont Colon Orchards in Cañon City Berry Patch Farm in Brighton More: COLORADO.com/ FarmRanchActivities 9 YOU MUST EAT THIS Colorado’s got the goods when it comes to succulent fruits, fresh produce and hearty local game, not to mention the creative masterminds behind exquisitely crafted menus sought after by travelers and locals alike. A Few Favorites: Rocky Ford melons from stands along Hwy. 50 Pueblo green chiles Palisade peaches Olathe sweet corn Front Range apples and apple cider More: COLORADO.com/ YouMustEatThis Hit the mother lode of mining history at museums and on mine tours across the state to discover the colorful stories of the founding of many Colorado towns during the 1800s Gold Rush. COLORADO.com/GoldRushTowns The state is home to three unique National Heritage Areas: South Park, Sangre de Cristo and Cache la Poudre. Learn about their roles in our nation’s history. COLORADO.com/NHA Each January for more than 100 years, Denver’s National Western Stock Show has celebrated our Wild West heritage with rodeos, dog shows, livestock competitions and more. COLORADO.com/NWSS From dinosaur fossils and historic homesteads to Santa Fe Trail artifacts and curiosities, Colorado history museums are bound to have something you haven’t seen anywhere else. COLORADO.com/Museums 5 Austin Leroux Creek Inn in Hotchkiss Mountain Goat Lodge in Salida More: COLORADO.com/ FarmStays & COLORADO. com/DudeRanches 5 DINNER IN THE FIELDS Forget farm-to-table; these days, Colorado chefs are bringing the table to the farm, with hyper-seasonal dinners crafted from ingredients grown just a few steps from where you sit. A Few Favorites: The Guest House near Carbondale Meadow Lark Farm Dinners (various locations) A Grazing Life in Fountain Lyons Farmette in Lyons Ollin Farms in Longmont Three Leaf Farm in Lafayette Fortified Farm Dinners (various locations) More: COLORADO.com/ FarmExperience 6 BOARD A DINNER TRAIN Call it old-fashioned, but there’s something romantic about winding through the Rockies on rail lines and many offer Colorado menus aboard their routes. See page 64 for scenic and historic train offerings. 7 LIVE THE WILD WEST DREAM The hospitality and activities at Colorado dude and guest ranches are unlike anywhere else. Where else can you go on a cattle drive followed by a soak in a cast-iron tub with champagne flutes in hand? Chefs prepare farm-to-table cuisine, and the rustic, relaxing atmosphere meets all expectations you have about Western living. A Few Favorites: 4UR Ranch in Creede Black Mountain Ranch in McCoy Rawah Ranch in Glendevey Two Bars Seven Ranch in Virginia Dale Tumbling River Ranch in Grant High Lonesome Ranch in De Beque More: COLORADO.com/ DudeRanches 1 WANT MORE? SEE PAGE 57 AND COLORADO.COM/HISTORY. COLORADO.COM / 43
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2020: Page 43
