Sterling

The largest city in the northeastern part of the state, Sterling is a farm-ranch community with deep roots in the Colorado prairie. Make your first stop at the Overland Trail Museum, named for the trail which brought the first pioneers to this area. You'll learn all about the town's history and visit an old one-room schoolhouse. There's also wildlife and geologic displays.

Next sit in the shade at the downtown Columbine Park and admire two of the town's living-tree sculptures — trees carved into shapes representing, among other things, a mermaid, a golfer and a herd of giraffes.

If you feel like stretching your legs, get out your golf clubs and play at one of the area's four golf courses. Bring along your fishing rod and visit nearby North Sterling State Park or Prewitt Reservoir, where you might catch your dinner of walleye, bass or muskie.

At nearby Chimney Canyon, you can hike around the base of 250-foot-high chalk cliffs. Because it's far from city lights, Sterling also is a great place for stargazing and spotting constellations.