1. The Great Outdoors
Enjoying Colorado’s natural beauty is the most obvious budget-friendly option. Just-right temperatures year-round draw outdoor enthusiasts to our open lands and thousands of miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, wildlife watching, fishing and much more. Check out 99 Gorgeous Places, Quick Guide to Colorado National Parks and Magical Moments on Colorado's Public Lands for ideas on where to head first.
2. National Wildlife Refuges
Colorado is home to seven National Wildlife Refuges that are free and open to the public. The refuge system was created to conserve America’s fish, wildlife and natural areas across the country. Each of Colorado’s refuges is home to diverse ecosystems where visitors can spot everything from bison and moose to hawks and bald eagles living and nesting among some of the state’s most spectacular scenery. Learn more about wildlife watching in Colorado.
3. Geologic Marvels
In Colorado Springs’ Garden of the Gods, those who walk the trails that meander around the park’s otherworldly red-rock figures search for geologic formations in the shapes of kissing camels, cathedral spires, praying hands and sleeping giants — and a few that seem to teeter in gravity’s grip. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Morrison is comprised of massive, slanting red-rock outcroppings that rise from the earth to create an acoustically ideal natural amphitheater. Joggers love to run up and down the calf-burning steps (on non-concert days), hikers weave around the rock formations on a network of easy trails and all visitors enjoy the views of downtown Denver.
4. People-Watching
16th Street Mall and Pearl Street Mall — in Denver and Boulder respectively — are the two most popular outdoor pedestrian malls in Colorado. They’re also the perfect place to get to know the character of these two Front Range towns. Peek in the shops, lounge on green areas and benches, and watch the local characters come and go.
5. Air Force Academy & Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Take in two symbols of American pride in Colorado Springs. The U.S. Air Force Academy’s visitor center and iconic chapel give you a glimpse of cadet life, academy history and the chapel’s beautiful stained-glass windows. At Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, permanent and rotating exhibits highlight the history and culture of the Pikes Peak region. View artifacts from Ute, Cheyenne and Arapaho cultures; photography by local artists depicting the history of the area and a special exhibit about Colorado Springs founder General William Jackson Palmer. Find more attractions in Colorado Springs.
6. Scenic Gondola rides
Hop on a gondola and soar high into the sky as you gaze down out at peaks blanketed in thick snow and dotted with evergreens reaching up toward you. Both the Telluride Mountain Village gondola and Breckenridge's BreckConnect provide these stunning views to riders free of charge.