What to do with a week in Colorado.
I've lived here for the past 15 years since childhood. I guess I've grown bored of the common Google results. This fall, we've decided to take a vacation somewhere in Colorado that we haven't been. Somewhere really beautiful, with mild/moderate hiking, camping/cabins/lodging, that's hopefully not bank-breaking. So, where would you suggest to spend an entire week?
Posted Jun 16, 2015, 5:49 PM UTC
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Go south! Everyone tends to go up I-70 and 285, instead of checking out the Sangre de Cristos and San Juan ranges. The Collegiate Peaks are both enormous and beautiful 14ers, and offer a nice view of the mountains while facing east, instead of west. The Great Sand Dunes National Monument is down there, and the entire southwest region of the state is just dotted with small towns, instead of larger cities. It makes for great star-gazing, due to the lack of light pollution. Go for a 3 day trip, and just stay in some of the towns and eat the local food.
Go to Bruce's Bar in Severance (where the geese fly, and the bulls cry), and try out some Rocky Mountain Oysters. Don't be afraid, they're just like fried chicken strips. And even if they're nasty, at least you can say that you've eaten them at least once.
Whitewater rafting in the Arkansas River? I did this, and it's a blast. Take a hot air balloon or helicopter tour, rent a Jeep, or an ATV for some offroading.
Strawberry Hot Springs? Maybe take one last ride on the Alpine Slide (sadly, it's closing for good at the end of the summer) in Heritage Square.
Go to the county that existed for only four days.
Have you visited the Royal Gorge since the fire, or been to the Four Corners in awhile? Take State Highways there, it's worth it, just for the drive. You could go to Mesa Verde and see all of the Puebloan cave dwellings.
Trains!!. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway, for sure. You need to take a train ride at least once (even if it's from Union Station to Glenwood Springs).
Go to Grand Junction & the western slope of Colorado for peach season! Western Slope peaches are the best in the world, and they'll be available early this year, due to the warm spring.
Here are some more autumn vacation ideas for you.
Edited to add links.
What a killer response. Thank you!!!!
Hey, no problem! If you go to Grand Junction, you owe me some peaches!
Sure thing!
Whitewater rafting is highly not recommended right now, if you can even find an outfit to carry you. Waters are extremely fast, high, and dangerous atm.
Yeah, but he said he was going later this year, in the fall.
Edit: a word
Ah, missed that.
Almost every place is still running trips.
I'm going down Brown's Canyon this weekend, as a matter of fact.
Well, there were no longer any parts of trees being swept downstream as of last night, so hopefully it's getting back to something closer to normal in time for the weekend and weekend festivities. Have fun, and be safe.
ed-- a word
Went rafting last Saturday, it was great. I've been several times before and this year was one of the best.