Find the other half of the list and explore ways to celebrate Colorado’s birthday in fall and winter
Spring
- Exploring Picketwire Canyonlands near La Junta or Dinosaur National Monument in Dinosaur brings close-up views of dinosaur tracks, fossils and ancient terrain.
- The short Coke Ovens Trail near Redstone leads to beehive-shaped historical structures reminiscent of the town’s mining heritage and views into Monument Canyon.
- Colorado’s long ski season makes springtime on the slopes possible at 28 ski resorts, many of which offer ski-school programs and adaptable lessons.
- A drive along the Historic Hot Springs Loop links a series of mineral-rich steaming pools and wellness-focused experiences.
- Michelin-starred restaurants like Bosq in Aspen, Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder and Kizaki in Denver serve award-winning flavors.
- Soaring steeples rise from a mesa at the Shrine of the Stations of the Cross in San Luis, a must-stop on any exploration of the Mystic San Luis Valley.
- Bighorn-sheep sightings, roadside-picnic spots and views of Mount Bierstadt are part of the experience on the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway near Georgetown.
- Living historians in period attire bring the 1840s fur trade to life at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site near La Junta, a reconstructed trading post on the Santa Fe Trail.
- Four states meet at a single point at Four Corners National Monument near Cortez, connecting Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- High above the rushing Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City offers a sweeping perspective from one of the world’s highest suspension bridges.
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, the highest-elevation zoo in the U.S., offers close-up animal encounters, including giraffe feedings and time with a two-toed sloth.
- Near Grover, hike past bluffs and prairie grasses to the Pawnee Buttes, where sunrise and sunset add a peaceful moment to the open plains.
- The Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway weaves together Native American history with views of sandstone canyons and sage-dotted mesas.
- Grab a table for rattlesnake, bison steaks and other dishes reflecting Denver’s Western roots at The Buckhorn Exchange, the city’s oldest restaurant.
- Visit Colorado film locations where scenes from movies like “The Hateful Eight” near Telluride and “Thelma & Louise” near Gateway were shot.
- The Palisade Plunge offers 32 miles of downhill singletrack, carrying mountain bikers through the desert terrain near Palisade.
- Remnants of an early African American community can be seen at Dearfield, a ghost town inspired by an entrepreneurial movement led by Booker T. Washington.
- Ancient cliff dwellings, including Cliff Palace, offer a window into Ancestral Puebloan life at Mesa Verde National Park near Mancos.
- An elevated “Mile Into the Wild” walkway lets you see rescued animals like lions, tigers, bears and wolves in wide-open habitats at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg.
- Food halls such as Fuel & Iron Food Hall in Pueblo, Rosetta Hall in Boulder and The Exchange in Fort Collins house multiple kitchens, making it easy to sample different dishes in one stop.
- Trickling waterfalls and turquoise-blue water draw visitors to Hanging Lake, a National Natural Landmark near Glenwood Springs (permit required).
- Near Wray, accessible viewing tours offer the chance to witness the flamboyant mating dance of Greater Prairie Chickens, one of many ways to see Colorado’s unique and rare birds.
- Breweries across the state pair craft beer with cozy outdoor patios, some with vibrant flowers or twinkle lights, at spots like The Elizabeth Brewing Company in Elizabeth, Parts & Labor Brewing Company in Sterling and Atrevida Beer Co. in Colorado Springs.
- Walk amid eroded volcanic-ash formations that shape the unusual landscape at the Wheeler Geologic Area near Creede, once considered for national park status.
- Rim Rock Drive at Colorado National Monument near Fruita follows towering, red-walled canyons, with overlooks that open up views across the monument’s vast landscape.
- Make a reservation at the family-friendly Casa Bonita in Lakewood for Mexican dishes, then check out the restaurant’s puppet shows, arcade games and the famous cliff divers.
- In Breckenridge, a short trail winds through forested terrain before reaching Isak Heartstone, a 15-foot-tall wooden troll.
- A 2,000-foot climb in under a mile makes the Manitou Incline a physical test, with the town of Manitou Springs offering many local eateries where you can unwind afterward.
- At Tocabe in Denver, Indigenous recipes such as pillowy frybread are served at one of the country’s only Native American-owned restaurants.
- Catch hefty trout in our many Gold Medal rivers and streams with the help of skilled local guides like Tumbling Trout in Lake George or Colorado Angling Company in Vail.
- Inside the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, the opening-ceremony exhibit celebrates stories of America’s greatest athletes.
- Free guided tours at the Denver Mint demonstrate coins being made at one of only two U.S. mints open to the public.
- Grand historical stone architecture and tall windows set the backdrop for cocktails and conversation at Denver’s bustling Union Station.
- Walk paved paths amid towering burnt-orange sandstone formations at Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs that deepen in color at sunset.
- Mild weather makes outdoor shopping a good time to browse local shops and boutiques in Colorado’s Creative Districts, Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall, Denver’s Cherry Creek North and Vail Village.
- Music, dancing, art and cuisine fill downtown Denver during the Cinco de Mayo Festival, celebrating Mexican culture and heritage.
- As Medano Creek flows in spring, sand surf across its rippling water or cruise the dunes in a specialized wheelchair — with help from a friend to push — at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve near Alamosa.
- From the rim, look out over the sheer walls and one of the steepest drops in North America at Black Canyon of the Gunnison near Montrose. After dark, its International Dark Sky designation makes it a prime place for stargazing.
- Sunsets cast pink light across patios at The Source Hotel in Denver, Acreage by Stem Ciders in Lafayette and West End Social in Aspen.
