Keystone’s reputation as an outstanding skiing and mountain biking region often overshadows other fun things to do in Summit County, but whether you visit during winter or summer, you’ll find plenty of recreation options besides these two popular activities. If you’re looking for a family-friendly entertainment option, exploring nearby ghost towns can be a fascinating experience for any age. Visiting many of Colorado’s best ghost towns often requires four-wheel…
Visitors to Manitou Springs once immersed themselves in the ‘60s hippie culture while indulging in old-fashioned entertainment. You can still do that, but the new Manitou, 4 miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is more “hippie chic” than “hippie chick.” You still can buy tacky souvenirs, hemp clothing and patchouli incense, eat saltwater taffy and nosh on vegetarian fare. You also can visit upscale restaurants and stay in a…
One hour west of Denver, the historic towns of Central City and Black Hawk still tell the story of Colorado’s roots. The Central City Mining District kicked off Colorado’s first gold rush. John Gregory discovered gold nuggets and flakes in Clear Creek and the event brought nearly 100,000 gold-hungry prospectors across the barren plains and into the Rocky Mountains. The district’s heyday lasted a half-century, boosted by ore processing…
Denver’s foothills offer families a variety of great areas to hike with kids. For those who want to have an outdoor adventure without traveling far from home, check out these local day hikes. Apex Park, part of Jefferson County Open Space, is a local’s favorite for running, hiking, mountain biking and walking the dog. Gorgeous views of Golden and beyond can be seen as the network of trails winds…
Castlewood Canyon State Park is a little-known spot that is sure to please any wildlife and nature enthusiast. This Douglas County state park, located south of Parker off Colorado Highway 83, is home to not only some of Colorado’s most magnificent plants and wildlife, but provides families with recreational opportunities. Among activities to be enjoyed in the park are birding, hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and picnicking. Cherry…
No matter where your travels bring you, no one would consider leaving without visiting the Main Street to get a feel of the area. This could be the reason that Frisco, CO is such a popular destination. Known as the Main Street of the Rockies, it’s a year round destination spot for Colorado residents and tourists because the long list of activities in Frisco offers promises of vacation fun…
Leadville, at nearly 2 miles above sea level, is one of Colorado’s loftiest living mineral towns. The community of 2,800 sits at an elevation of more than 10,000 feet and lies near the headwaters of the Arkansas River. Opulent Aspen rises 29 Learjet miles to the west. Trendy Breckenridge sits even closer toward the northeast. All three were once precious-metal mining communities, but unlike its compatriots, Leadville missed out…
Historic Chautauqua Park, once part of a vast circuit of summer educational retreats across America, offers hiking, dining, lodging and cultural events. The Colorado landmark has transformed itself into a Boulder hangout at the base of the dramatic foothills known as the Flatirons. When songsters aren’t strumming their guitars and filling the park with the sounds of the lively Boulder music scene, friends and families gather to picnic…
Visitors to Celestial Seasonings in Boulder can tour the factory and also enjoy original art, shop for tea-related goodies and learn more about this environmentally conscious organization. From its humble beginnings more than 35 years ago when founder Mo Siegel picked herbs somewhere outside Aspen and brewed up tea in his kitchen, the company has grown into a multi-million dollar corporation. The Celestial Seasonings tour has consistently ranked as…
Grand Lake, Colorado is situated in the heart of the Colorado Rockies and stands as the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. This historic community offers a blend of restaurants and shops lining an authentic western boardwalk, so you can feel like a true cowboy or cowgirl during your visit. One way to truly experience this western mountain vacation is to choose lodging that embraces the Old West.…