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Captivating Colorado

Colorado captivates even the most avid travelers with its majestic mountains, fields of fragrant wildflowers, romantic starry nights and outstanding music festivals and cultural activities. Colorado is a dreamy destination for an extended weekend getaway or a leisurely week-long vacation.

Adventure-seeking couples, solo wanderlust travelers and fun-loving families can create unforgettable memories from winter to summer in the beautiful state of Colorado!

Sunflower Fields

(East of Denver, near Denver International Airport)

Captivating Colorado by Jenny Cox Holman, Jenny Cox Holman writer

A vast expanse of sunflower fields frames the breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains just east of Denver, Colorado. Get ready to grab your camera at this definite spot for unforgettable pictures and reveling in breathtaking beauty of Colorado outdoors. The Denver International Airport leases about 16,000 acres of land to farmers who cultivate crops including sunflowers. The sunflower fields are accessible by driving a loop around the Denver International Airport along 120th Avenue, Imboden Road, 56th Avenue and Tower Road.

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

(Canon City, Colorado)

Relax and experience the Colorado Rockies aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad with spectacular scenery, delectable food with enjoyable company with family and friends and in coach, club and vista dome seating. In 1905, President Teddy Roosevelt described it best as “the trip that bankrupts the English language!" A romantic way to experience the Royal Gorge Route Railroad is to enjoy delicious cuisines on their first class gourmet lunch and dinner train offering entrees and wines from around the country to complement.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

(Morrison, Colorado)

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a naturally formed, world-famous outdoor venue just fifteen miles west of Denver. Red Rocks is recognized for its star-studded concert roster, natural acoustics and ambience, as well as its awe-inspiring hiking and biking trails. From Sting and The Beatles, to opera stars and U2, every artist aspires to play on this magical, spiritual and emotional stage.

If you think of Red Rocks Park as just a beautiful place to see a concert, think again! Around you are 738 total acres of deer, dinosaurs, pines and prairie, geological wonders and spectacular vistas. At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks Park is a unique transitional zone where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. The diverse environment allows visitors to see plants, birds and animals of both regions. Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a geological phenomenon – the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world.

Denver Comic Con

(Denver, Colorado)

Denver Comic Con (DCC) is a 3-day, family-friendly pop culture fan extravaganza, featuring the best in pop culture entertainment. The Denver Comic Con caters to guests of all ages from children to adults. Guests can peruse through collectables and comic books to find memorable items to be signed by their real life heroes. The celebrities in attendance make this event a hotspot for those who love the best in pop culture from film & television, animation and comic book and collectables fandom.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

(Mosca, Colorado)

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Experience this diversity through hiking, sand sledding, splashing in Medano Creek, wildlife watching, and more!

Half the fun at the park is after dark! Night at Great Sand Dunes can include dunes exploration under a bright full moon, viewing thousands of stars on a clear moonless night, listening for owls along the foothills, or viewing migrating amphibians on a wet night. With a combination of dry air, little light pollution, and high elevation, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is an excellent and easily accessible dark sky viewing location!

Maroon Bells

(Near Snowmass, Colorado)

Explore the most photographed peaks in all of North America - the Maroon Bells. The alluring colors of wildflower fields and aspen trees framing the reflective Maroon Lake to the backdrop of two giant snow covered mountains creates a breathtaking setting to witness the majesty of the Rocky Mountains. Maroon Bells provides the perfect place to enjoy hiking trails, fly fishing and scenic stops for selfies and great pictures!

Located just 10 miles west of Aspen or 16 from Snowmass up Maroon Creek Road off Hwy. 82 in a glacial valley, the 14,000-foot peaks, Maroon Bells, has limited accessibility by car but there are bus tours running throughout the day for the summer season. The road is open to all non-motorized forms of transportation at no charge (bicycles, skateboarders, hikers, rollerbladers, etc...). The road up to the Maroon Bells is closed in the winter. You can hike on this road in the winter but it is a 12 mile round trip to make it to the lake.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

(Glenwood Springs, Colorado)

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is located on top of Iron Mountain overlooking Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It’s home to the Glenwood Caverns and Historic Fairy Caves, a dozen attractions, mountain-top dining and concerts, and lots of family-friendly activities. After a scenic ride in an enclosed gondola, you’ll arrive at the only mountain-top theme park in America. The Adventure Park boasts many one-of-a-kind attractions and accolades.

Launch yourself out into Glenwood Canyon, 1,300 feet above the Colorado River, on the Giant Canyon Swing! If you’re brave enough to open your eyes, your views of the canyon and Glenwood Springs are breathtaking as you soar through the air at speeds up to 50 miles per hour. The Giant Canyon Swing can accommodate up to four riders at a time, so you can share the adrenaline rush with friends.

Named by USA Today as one of the 12 Most Anticipated Thrill Rides of 2017, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, the Haunted Mine Drop, takes riders on an exhilarating drop 110 feet down inside Iron Mountain. Alongside attractions from Disney, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is the only park in Colorado and the only family-owned park on the list.

(Watch the Haunted Mine Drop!)

Cruise down an alpine slope surrounded by Colorado's gorgeous scenery as you race down 3,400 feet until you gradually come to a gentle stop.

Unlike typical alpine slides, you can’t fall out of the Alpine Coaster. The Coaster is affixed to its track, can make hair-pin turns, and it can operate year-round due to its track system. Family friendly and the perfect fun activity for thrill seeking couples, the Alpine Coaster is sure to please!

(Watch The Alpine Coaster!)

Fort Collins, Colorado

(Photo Credit: Tim O'Hara)

Strolling through Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado, the charming stores and incredible architecture served as one of the inspirations behind Disneyland's Main Street USA. Old Town Fort Collins is great for a romantic stroll with your loved one or delicious dinner with friends.

Visitors can find over 20 pianos painted by local artist offered by "Pianos About Town" in the summer and 6 pianos in the winter scattered throughout Old Town to offer a place for musical expression from all ages.

For an amazing meal, stop at Old Town's landmark, CooperSmith's Pub & Brewing for a hearty chicken pot pie and washed down by an unforgettable root beer float or one of more than a dozen beers on tap, all brewed in-house. From fish and chips to chicken pot pies, parmesan artichoke dip to cottage pie, the pub fare favorites are sure to satisfy.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Just 35 miles from Fort Collins, the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park soar to more than 13,000 feet and form the Continental Divide. Breathtaking views truly capture the majesty of the mountains and nature. From spectacular scenery to surprise visits from wildlife, a drive through Rocky Mountain National Park caps off an amazing trip to captivating Colorado.

Captivating Colorado by Jenny Cox Holman, Jenny Cox Holman writer
 

Blog by: Jenny Cox Holman

Would you like to know more amazing places to visit for your next vacation? Visit our Lifestyle |Travel section for more great ideas!

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