11 Best Places to Visit in Colorado, USA: Top-Rated Attractions In 2023
More than 19 million people travel to Colorado in the United States to enjoy the different attractions for travellers, although natural destinations are the most visited.
Most of the tourists it receives come from other states of the American Union, but it also has thousands of travellers from Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and France. According to state government data, foreigners spend the most on leisure trips to Colorado.
This state, located west of the country, stands out as having significant resorts for skiing during the winter because it has some of the highest mountains in the United States. It also has national parks, museums, and cultural venues among its tourist sites, especially in its capital, Denver.
For ski enthusiasts, the best time to visit Colorado is between November and early April, depending on the amount of snow in the season. However, for hiking and rafting, it is better to go when there is no snow, that is, in the summer.
The low season in the tourist sites of the state is between April & May, as well as between October & mid-December. Most tourists come between June and September in search of heat and near the end of the year to enjoy the snow.
These Are The Best Places to Visit in Colorado:
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
Straddling the continental divide, Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Seventy-seven mountains in the park, with elevations ranging from 7,500 to over 12,000 feet (2,200 to 3,600 meters).
Most of the more than 3 million people who visit the park each year spend at least one night at one of the park’s many campsites. More than 350 miles of hiking trails offer visitors the opportunity to view the park’s wildlife, including hundreds of elk, bighorn sheep, and deer. The scenic Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved road in any national park in the United States.
2. Denver
Nicknamed the “Mile-High City” because it is precisely one mile above sea level, Denver is Colorado’s capital and largest city. Located east of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is a popular winter sports destination that celebrates its mining and cowgirl history.
The city also has a vibrant arts and culture scene with many distinguished museums, such as the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Performing Arts Complex, one of the largest performing arts centres in the country.
3. Green Table
Located in southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde is home to the famous cliff dwellings of the ancient Anasazi people. It is one of the most critical archaeological reserves of Native American culture in the United States.
In the 12th century, the Anasazi built houses in shallow caves and under rock ledges along the canyon walls. The most famous of these is the Cliff Palace. The ancient settlers built it with sandstone bricks and ash, clay and water mortar. It encompassed 150 rooms and 76 open areas.
Climate change and population growth put tremendous pressure on communities, and in the late 1270s, the Old Town population began migrating to what is now New Mexico and Arizona.
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4. Colorado Springs
Located at the foot of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs attracts visitors who come to see the view of the mountain that inspired the writing of the song “America, the Beautiful.” Some hike to the top of the 4,302-meter mountain, while others drive or enjoy a ride on the Pikes Peak cogwheel train.
With its statuesque sandstone and rock formations in balance, the Garden of the Gods is another popular natural attraction. This city, rich in culture, also has many museums worth exploring, such as the Center for Fine Arts, the Pioneers Museum and the Rock Ledge Historic Site, an open-air museum in which costumed guides depict life. in Colorado Springs throughout its long history.
5. Boulder
Located a few miles northwest of Denver, Boulder is a college town nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Bouldering people are known for their healthy lifestyles, and outdoor activities are plentiful in and around the city.
Boulder Creek runs through the city and is packed with walking and biking trails. The four-block Pearl Street Mall is pedestrian-friendly and features open-air performers at any time except in the harshest weather conditions.
A drive down Baseline Road in the Flagstaff Mountains rewards visitors with spectacular views, and there are also picnic areas and hiking trails to enjoy at the summit.
6. Aspen
With its reputation for attracting celebrities and wealthy travelers, Aspen is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world and one of the best places to visit in Colorado. There is good reason for all the hype.
Four ski resorts offer a great deal for all levels of skiers, from the gentle slopes of Buttermilk Mountain to the rugged terrain of Aspen Mountain. In warm climates, visitors can fish for trout on the Roaring Fork River or take a shuttle to the nearby 4,300-foot peaks of Maroon Bells for leisurely hikes through Colorado’s most photographed mountains.
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7. Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Located in southwestern Colorado, Gunnison National Park is best known for the narrow gorge called Black Canyon. With a depth that reaches 2,700 feet (820 meters), the canyon was sculpted by thousands of years of erosion by the Gunnison River.
Lookouts along the 10 km of the South Rim Highway offer canyon views. The Cedar Point Nature Trail, along the South Rim, is an easy hiking trail that includes signs about the plants in the area. It leads to a great view of the 2,250-foot (7,380) tall painted wall, the highest cliff in the state.
8. Great Sand Dunes National Park
Located in southern Colorado, the Great Dunes National Park is an impressive sight. Formed by the winds blowing from and against the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the sand piles rise to over 230 meters, making them the tallest dunes in North America.
The most popular activities in the park are sand surfing, skiing, and sledging, and there are medium-sized slopes near the main parking area. A more extended hike north takes thrill-seekers up a 90-meter incline that drops into the Medano stream.
9. Breckenridge
Located about 65 miles (105 km) west of Denver, Breckenridge is a historic mining town with a small population that multiplies tenfold during ski season. More than 2,300 skiable acres on the four mountain peaks make up Breckenridge’s southwestern boundary.
A newly opened gondola in the northern part of the city takes skiers to the top of Peak 8, almost 4,000 meters high, Breckenridge’s original ski mountain. With more than 250 buildings inscribed on the National Historic Register, the cultural attractions of the gold rush city are also worth exploring.
10. Vail
The City of Vail was built to host the Vail Ski Resort, the largest single-mountain ski resort in the country. With 193 marked ski slopes, Vail is also one of the most popular ski resorts in the country.
The Tyrolean-style town is almost as visited during the summer. Nearby streams and lakes teeming with fish make Vail a fisherman’s dream, and rafting opportunities abound. Horse riding, mountain biking, golfing and hiking are other popular activities in hot weather.
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11. Telluride
Spanning 800 acres, Telluride offers ski slopes for beginners or experts, trails for hikers and bikers, as well as multiple cultural, film and food events.
In addition, its cable car is the only free one in North America and connects the town of Telluride with Mountain Village. Also on this site are the Bridal Veil Falls, the highest free-fall waterfall in Colorado, with a drop of more than 110 meters.
When is the best time to visit Colorado?
There are a few surprises with Colorado weather. First, there are three hundred days of sunshine, so even when it’s snowing, it shines brightly. The sun begins to warm up during the spring and summer, although mornings and nights can still be cool, and the chill from the highlands is felt over most of the western side of the state’s Continental Divide.
But when it’s hot here, it’s boiling, with temperatures soaring into the mid-30s in the summer months, although if you head for the hills, they are more relaxed, of course. Colorado novices can never be prepared enough for the aridity here.
It’s dry. Even when snow is melting everywhere, and rivers are cascading down at high speed, it feels as dry as a desert. And then there is the Colorado monsoon phenomenon.
This happens in the summer months when clouds come out of nowhere, mountains begin to roar, and rainstorms hit the peaks and valleys. Everything explodes for a moment, and then that sun returns just in time to allow dramatic light to show around the mountains and canyons.
Colorado is a year-round destination, although spring in the mountains can mean runoff and what locals call “mud season.” Many visits Colorado for its world-renowned skiing, typically mid-November through late April, and other winter sports.
From late September through November, the fall season is also a prime time to witness the color change of aspen leaves and other trees that turn into a mixture of oranges, reds, and yellows. Summer in Colorado is beautiful, with hot, sunny, dry days.
When to travel to Colorado to avoid the crowds?
Remember those transitional, or off-season months that I just mentioned as slightly less desirable in terms of unpredictable weather? Well, forget about that part if you want to avoid the crowds. Typically, April and May and then October through mid-December will be the least crowded months in Colorado, as visitors often seek the warmth and accessibility of summer or powder snow of winter.
But you can be very lucky with phenomenal snow at the beginning or end of the season, if that’s what you’re secretly hoping for. In 2019, Steamboat Springs enjoyed 44 inches of snow in the middle of the mountain in October 2019, prompting the ski resort to begin operating earlier than originally planned.
On the other hand, a late arrival of fall can mean the leaves are at their peak sometime in early October, saving the golden aspen spectacle for the lucky few who travel during a traditional shoulder season.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Places to Visit in Colorado
What is the best month to visit Colorado?
The best time to visit Colorado is during the warm season which runs from June to October. In June, snow melts in the mountains, so it’s a high time to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Mount Elbert, Mount Bierstadt, and drive through some of the highest passes in the state.
How many days do you need to see Rocky Mountain National Park?
Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Is Colorado Springs worth visiting?
So, is Colorado Springs worth visiting? Without a doubt, YES! The Colorado Springs area is a fantastic place to visit, whether on a family vacation, a romantic weekend getaway, or even a solo hiking adventure. So, if you’re searching for fresh air and pure natural beauty, it’s hard to top Colorado Springs.
What is Colorado known for?
Colorado is known for its gorgeous landscapes, its wildlife, and the variety of activities it offers, from hiking, mountain biking, horse-riding, skiing to canoeing, or even just unwinding amidst nature. It is famous for its forests, mountains, mesas, hot springs, and sand dunes.
What is the coolest town in Colorado?
Paonia. Cradled within the North Fork Valley, the town of Paonia is a unique place filled with artists, farmers, winemakers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Due to its idyllic location, Paonia is aptly named the “coolest” town in Colorado.
What month does it snow the most in Colorado?
It has snowed each month of the year in Colorado, but the snow is mainly during the months of late October – late April. Snow is usually heavier and wetter (more moisture) in the spring time than winter. The mountains receive more snow and it sticks around longer than Denver/Front Range area.
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