Morrison

This town, at the bottom of winding Bear Creek Canyon, is perhaps most famous for the nearby natural outdoor concert venue, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. If you've already planned to see a show — and even if you haven't — stop in picturesque Morrison. Its tiny main street strip is filled with more restaurants than anything, but there are a few shops and antique haunts.

Just outside Morrison rests the high-end, highly acclaimed, heavy-on-the-wild-game establishment known as The Fort. A replica of Bent's Old Fort, the adobe is a celebration of the West; decor and Southwestern foods are the standard, as are quality wines and decadent desserts.

Near town, a bike path skirts Bear Creek and leads to an extensive trail system and reservoir. Dinosaur Ridge is a must-see for geology or archaeology buffs; exposed dinosaur prints are perfectly entombed in sandstone all over this self-guided tour. A visitor center in Morrison may help you start the journey, and more bones are on display at the Morrison Natural History Museum. The town's cultural history is kept alive through artifacts and exhibits at the Morrison Heritage Museum behind town hall.