Colorado Vacations

Visitors can escape to Colorado to enjoy a plethora of outdoor and cultural activities in the country’s fittest state. The state offers visitors a versatile array of climates and activities to enjoy. Perched within the Rocky Mountains, Western Colorado draws plenty of outdoor enthusiasts to hit the slopes in the winter or hike through pristine 14,000-foot mountains in the summer. Eastern Colorado offers a landscape of sprawling plains and arid lands. Prior to European settlement, six tribes of Utes lived between San Juan and Yampa River. After the discovery of gold just west of Denver in 1859, a surge of settlers adventured to Colorado. The state became home to start-up towns such as Leadville and Aspen, which featured mountain smelting sights, and became part of the Union in 1876. Over the twentieth century, Colorado grew more economically stable by developing its economy in the tourism and technology industry rather than depending on natural resources.

Denver, Colorado is the state’s capital and one of its most popular destinations. Known as the ‘Mile High City,’ Denver actually sits 5280 feet—or a mile—in elevation. Visitors to Denver can adjust to the elevation as they wander through the city’s many attractions. Visitors can experience Colorado high culture by viewing an exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. Travelers with children in tow can stop by the U.S. Mint to find out how the country’s money is made. Denver’s Central 16th Street Mall is a pedestrian-friendly open air mall that offers more than 28 cafes, numerous microbreweries and locally owned shops. In the winter, guests can retreat to one of the city’s several nearby ski resorts.

The university town of Boulder, Colorado is home to a startlingly large population of citizens and students who just can’t stay inside. The city is awash with outdoors sports—visitors can stroll, rollerblade or cycle along one of the many city parks. Boulder is a self-proclaimed tourist hub that offers a number of attractions such as the pedestrian-only Pearl Street Mall, numerous street performers and chic sidewalk cafés. One of the benefits to Boulder is that the town is just a 45 minute drive from several large ski resorts and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Guests who arrive to Colorado with nothing but the slopes on their mind can enjoy skiing or snowboarding at one of the state’s signature ski towns. Aspen, Colorado boasts an upper-end town and ski resort that can satisfy the traveler with an unlimited budget. Vail, Colorado boasts a slightly more affordable resort town experience. Vail Village offers a spectacular array of boutiques, bars and restaurants that can satisfy the civilization-seeking traveler. In the summer both destinations offers superior hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding opportunities.

Millions of visitors flock to Rocky Mountain National Park each year to view the dramatic mountain peaks, spectacular meadows and native wildlife that make the park a signature U.S. attraction. Visitors can hike through twisting trails or backpack to one of more than 200 exquisite backcountry campsites. The park offers more than 355miles of trails that range in difficulty to accommodate a variety of travelers.

Located in the drier southwestern regions of Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is home to the mysterious ruins left behind by the Ancestral Pueblo Indians. The park boasts an extensive complex of cliff dwellings that can awaken the archeologist in any traveler. Visitors can take a tour of the world-famous Cliff Palace and Balcony House, or explore the Wetherill Mesa in the company of a park ranger. The park is also home to the Chapin Mesa Museum, which offers insight into the spectacular civilization that once lived in the region.

Colorado Hotels

The Raveable guide to Colorado Hotels was created by analyzing the millions of traveler reviews found all over the internet.

1

Homewood Suites Denver International Airport

4210 Airport Way, Denver

98% recommended | 154 reviews

Guests of Homewood Suites Denver International Airport liked the central location, the extremely comfortable beds, the large and spacious rooms and the attentive and courteous staff.

• 2

  The Ritz-Carlton Denver
  1881 Curtis Street, Denver
  95% recommended | 212 reviews
• 3

  Residence Inn Denver City Center
  1725 Champa St, Denver
  96% recommended | 285 reviews
• 4

  Cambria Suites Denver Airport
  16001 E 40th Ave, Aurora
  94% recommended | 77 reviews