8 DAYS EXPLORING COLORADO
Experiencing the Great Outdoors of Colorado
Like the Rockies which formed from crashing tectonic plates, modern Colorado represents a clash of the new and old, the wild and the cultured. Colorado's many sights have something for everyone whether you seek outdoor adventure, artisan dining experiences, or shopping experience.
From Denver to Colorado Springs to Buena Vista to Boulder, this 8 day adventure will take you through some of the most iconic sights in Colorado.
Bring your hiking shoes and get ready to enjoy the best of Colorado!
Days
Day 1: Arrival and Estes Park
Start your trip with a stay at the historic Estes Park Stanley Hotel, the inspiration behind Kubrik's The Shining. Explore the lore and mythology of the iconic hotel. Watch out for the local elk! They can get aggressive when it's mating season! Downtown Estes Park is a cultural delight with a mix of eclectic shops, abundant dining experiences, and local artistry.
Eat
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The Grubsteak
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Himalayan Curry & Kebob
Mountain top cuisine from the other side of the world!
Stay
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The Stanley, Estes Park, CO
Stay and dine at the iconic hotel from Kubrik's the Shining
Transit
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Denver International Airport
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Dollar Rental Car
Take the shuttle bus from the airport over to the rental counter.
Photos
Day 2: Littleton Colorado to Colorado Springs
Along the way to Colorado Springs, make a stop in Littleton and hike through Roxoborough State Park. The park features many hiking trails and provides travelers with amazing sights in every direction. Kids will enjoy rambling through the red rocks as they explore crevasses and canyons located in the park.
Visit
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Roxborough State Park
Amazing hiking and scenery among the red rocks.
Eat
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JP's Asian Bistro
Grab lunch here -
Denver Biscuit Company
Grab iconic biscuits here.
Stay
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The Antlers, A Wyndham Hotel
Photos
Day 3: Manitou and Garden of the Gods
Manitou Springs is a home rule municipality located at the foot of Pikes Peak. The town was founded for its natural mineral springs. The downtown area continues to be of interest to travelers, particularly in the summer, with many shops and restaurants, as well as a creekside city park. Known for the spring water, be sure to bring your own canteen and drink from the natural springs. Stop in the Penny Arcades for a nostalgic experience as you turn back time to the days of circus games and 80's arcades. Take a break in the afternoon and then head over to the Garden of the Gods for an afternoon hike. It lives up to its namesake and will leave you in awe as you stroll through the park.
Visit
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Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Parking and entry is a bit pricey! -
Penny Arcade, Manitou Springs, CO
A great place for kids to explore old-fashioned arcade games. -
Garden of the Gods
🤩 MUST VISIT; you can see why this place is named Garden of the Gods!
Eat
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Rocky Mountain Beignets
Great place to pick up a snack for your sweet tooth. -
Sahara Cafe
Pick up a light lunch here. -
Wild Ginger Thai
Photos
Day 4: Pikes Peak!
Book a trip on the Cog Railway which will take you up to Pikes Peak. The rail ride is quite relaxing, but keep in mind that temperatures at the top of Pikes Peak could be freezing! Be sure to bring a jacket! Plan to arrive early as the parking lots fill up fast on weekends. At the top, stop in the visitor's center to pick up snacks and souvenirs. Unfortunately, the timed train tickets don't leave too much time for sight seeing at the top.
Visit
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Pike's Peak, Colorado
Take the train up to the top of Pike's Peak.
Eat
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Border Burger Bar
Transit
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Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Arrive early as parking can be limited.
Photos
Day 5: Red Rock Open Space and Cheyenne Zoo
Start the day with a hike at Red Rock Canyon Open Space which offers several grades of trails for hikers of all abilities. From there, head over to the Cheyenne Zoo for the afternoon. The zoo offers various behind-the-scenes tours that take give you a close-up experience with the many animals that they have in their care.
Visit
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Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Start with a morning hike. -
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Book a behind the scenes tour to get even closer.
Eat
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Skirted Heffer
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Amy's Donuts
Photos
Day 6: 11 Mile State Park and Buena Vista
Transit from Colorado Springs to Buena Vista with a stop at 11 Mile State Park for a mid-day hike. The park features abundant hiking trails as well as the opportunity to kayak in the 11 Mile Canyon Reservoir. The reservoir's calm water provides for a kayaking adventure that won't have you fighting the currents. BV Overlook in Buena Vista offers the opportunity to rent one of their 5 tiny houses in their tiny house village. This is a great way to enjoy a unique stay in a unique place. While the houses are tiny, they sacrifice no creature comforts and provide a fun time for kids to sleep in the lofts. Tony downtown BV provides many great dining experiences.
Visit
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11 Mile State Park, CO
An amazing place to kayak and hike!
Eat
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Joanie's Deli and Bakery
Pick up sandwiches on the way to 11 Mile State Park -
The Buena Viking, Buena Vista CO
Stay
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BV Overlook, Colorado
Stay the evening at the tiny home village
Photos
Day 7: Arkansas River and Buena Vista
For the adventurous, book a white-water rafting trip down the Arkansas River. The cold waters of the Arkansas means that you'll need to have a wetsuit to stay warm. For the less adventurous, BV still offers numerous abundant hiking trails along the Arkansas. Stop by The MIdland for an espresso and a snack. Grab lunch at House Rock Kitchen and fuel up before heading out to Boulder for the evening.
Visit
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Hike Along Arkansas River
Park along South Main Street at the start of the trails.
Eat
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The Midland Stop
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House Rock Kitchen
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Stella's Cucina
Stay
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Hilton Garden Inn, Boulder
Drive up to Boulder Colorado and stay the night.
Photos
Day 8: Departure and Denver Botanic Gardens
Schedule your trip so that you depart in the evening and spend the day at the sprawling Denver Botanic Gardens. The gardens feature an amazing array of plants and provide a sensory experience that will delight. Don't miss the Dale Chihuly installations which dot the gardens and provide a pop of color and spectacle as you stroll through the gardens. Nearby Voodoo Donuts has an eclectic variety of specialty donuts for you to feast on (better to share so you can try more flavors!). Plan to arrive early to the airport as the rental car return is off-site and you'll need to take a bus to get to the terminals.
Visit
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Denver Botanical Gardens
Don't miss the Dale Chihuly installations.
Eat
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Voodoo Donuts
Grab a snack here; decadent variety of donuts
Transit
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Return Rental Car
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Depart Denver International Airport
Photos
Notes
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