Who hasn’t heard about the goodness of Colorado ski resorts? Worldwide known, fact is there’s more to the state than Aspen and Vail (although we’ll be showcasing these two as well in a moment). Anyway, this article that was first published on Travel Experience Live is a great starting point if you are planning your upcoming Colorado adventures. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Here’s to that!
Great Places to Visit in Colorado
Colorado is a marvelous place to visit all year round. In winter, it’s a cold-weather sports paradise, home to numerous world-class slopes; in summer, it’s a fantastic place for hiking, cycling, and other outdoor pursuits. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are beautiful in their own right as well, featuring wildflowers and fall foliage respectively.
Home to both the Rocky Mountains and the western parts of the vast Great Plains, Colorado is dotted with fantastic places that you should visit. They range from mountain havens to college towns.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is arguably one of the greatest places to visit in Colorado. Blessed with a superb location in the southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is the quintessential outdoor town. Whether you’re going skiing or hiking, this is the place to be, and there are several hotels in Colorado Springs for you to base your adventures from. Other popular things to do are horseback riding, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and fishing. Besides enjoying the great outdoors, also make sure to visit some of the attractions in the area, including the spectacular Garden of the Gods and the Royal Gorge in nearby Cañon City.
Boulder
Located a short drive from Denver (the mile-high capital of Colorado), Boulder is a cozy university town set in the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Previously called “the town that is nestled between the mountains and reality”, Boulder is home to a beautiful pedestrian shopping mall, a vibrant nightlife, the striking sandstone rocks at the Flatirons, and no fewer than twenty craft breweries. It’s an incredibly laid-back and welcoming town, with many hotels, making it a great place to visit for a few days.
Aspen
Aspen’s claim to fame is the fact that this is Colorado’s preferred winter destination among celebrities and the rich and famous. Four ski mountains surround this beautiful mountain city, which, together, make up the world-class and renowned Aspen Snowmass resort. This is unquestionably one of the greatest winter sports destinations in North America; there are countless Aspen hotels, motels, and other accommodations, along with an infamous après-ski scene and exquisite restaurants. It’s also a recommended destination in summer when the ski mountains are transformed into an outdoor lovers’ paradise.
Vail
Another hugely popular ski destination in Colorado is Vail. It is situated in White River National Forest, at the base of Vail Mountain, and is home to the enormous Vail Mountain Resort. With a population of slightly more than 5,000, this is a quaint and cozy mountain town, very popular among winter sports enthusiasts and hikers in summer. The hotels in Vail cater to everyone, no matter what their reason for visiting might be.
Fort Collins
Fort Collins is a rather unassuming, humble town in northern Colorado. Make no mistake, though; this is an amazing destination, home to a few great hotels. This hip town is the capital of crafts in the state—there are numerous craftspeople, artists, and entrepreneurs living in town, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Popular things to do in Fort Collins include shopping, brewery tours, kayaking, biking, and cycling, and visiting historic sites.
Featured image by Борис Болелов via Flickr.