Colorado is a gorgeous state that offers scenic wonders you and your family can easily enjoy on your next road trip. Whether you live here or you’re ready to travel to this state and want some good road trip suggestions on the best destinations to explore, read on.
The Mile High City
Known as Mile High City because of its elevation a mile above sea level, Colorado’s capital city of Denver offers great entertainment options for the whole family. Add this great city to your road trip itinerary and plan to spend some time here enjoying attractions and entertainment venues of your choice.
Take the kids to Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, where everyone can spend the day on thrill rides or cooling off in the adjoining Island Kingdom Water Park. Or try nearby Water World in Federal Heights, a local favorite that’s been named a top outdoor family water park by TripAdvisor.
Denver also offers great museums, like the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the American Museum of Western Art, and the Museo de las Américas. For sports, check out the action at Broncos Stadium or Coors Field. If you enjoy the performing arts, Denver regularly hosts great musical productions for all tastes and ages at a number of venues, including the Pepsi Center and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. For a relaxing afternoon where the kids can roam and everyone can enjoy soothing surroundings, try the Denver Botanic Gardens. Whatever your interests may be, you’ll find something fun to do here in this thriving Colorado city!
Neighbors To The North and West
Take a road trip to the north and west of Denver to explore several other great Colorado cities, including Boulder, Loveland, and Fort Collins. In Boulder, you can shop and dine on famous Pearl Street, hike the Flatirons, or check out the views from Flagstaff Mountain. Loveland is known for its Art In Public Places initiative, which offers residents and visitors alike beautiful (and sometimes whimsical) sculptures to discover in its many scenic parks.
Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins offers many quality escape rooms to try and a plethora of fun, geeky things to do, from playing board games at Gryphon Games and Comics or The Haunted Games Cafe, to playing trivia at Dungeons & Drafts or checking out the 1980’s memorabilia collection at Totally 80s Pizza. Fort Collins also offers more than 20 microbreweries to try and one of the best small-city downtowns in the nation.
In And Around Colorado Springs
An hour and a half south of Denver, you’ll find Colorado Springs, with plenty of tourist attractions in and around the city to enjoy. Stroll through the Garden of the Gods, where the red-rock formations will capture your imagination. Drive up to Pikes Peak, one of Colorado’s most accessible “fourteeners,” as our state’s mountains higher than 14,000 feet are called. Make sure to check out the nearby Manitou Cliff Dwellings built by the ancient Anasazi, and while in the area, enjoy a relaxing soak in natural spring waters.
The Million Dollar Highway
There are plenty of jewels to explore in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The Million Dollar Highway gives you road access to several of these top mountaintown destinations, including Silverton and Ouray, with Telluride not far from these scenic towns. There’s a lot to explore in this region, from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum, to the Ouray Alchemist Museum. For many travelers, the highlight here is enjoying the alpine air and inspiring mountain vistas. Be sure to check weather conditions before driving in this region, as the roads can be challenging when there’s rain, fog, ice, or snow.
Rocky Mountain National Park
For another great place to enjoy nature and explore the outdoors, visit Rocky Mountain National Park. A true jewel in the state of Colorado, this national park is spread across 415 square miles and offers many different walking and hiking trails to take, from fairly easy ones to extremely challenging treks. The park also offers opportunities to enjoy wildlife sightings, including bugling elks, and experience all the wonders of a pristine mountain wilderness.
Other Great Places
These are just some of the great places to explore on your next (or perhaps first!) Colorado road trip. You may also want to check out the Great Sand Dunes, a national park and preserve that protects the tallest sand dunes in North America. In the mountains, there are countless great towns and resorts to visit, including Vail, Breckenridge, and Dillon, which are great for camping in the summer and skiing in the winter. Another must-see destination is Mesa Verde, a national park in southwest Colorado known for Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings overlooking panoramic canyon views.
When You Need Expert Car Repair And Tune-up Services
Wherever you decide to go and explore in Colorado, you really can’t go wrong. We’ve barely scratched the surface of road trip possibilities! The Centennial State (named so because it became the 38th U.S. state a hundred years after the Declaration of Independence was signed) offers beautiful scenery, cultural venues, unique museums, exciting sports events, and historic sites well worth taking the time to explore.
Before you venture off on your next road trip, or if you find yourself in the area and in need of car assistance, turn to the skilled auto mechanics at Metric Motors in Loveland, Colorado. Our vehicle technicians will take care of any car maintenance and repair needs, getting you back on the open road in no time. For a tune-up or any vehicle maintenance tasks, schedule your appointment with Metric Motors today!
