Denver is Colorado’s greatest metropolis and residential to a significant worldwide airport. As such, it’s a well-liked jumping-off level for fast getaways and longer journeys into the Rocky Mountains and past.
In lower than two hours, you may be lacing up your mountain climbing boots at a trailhead, sitting all the way down to a multi-course meal, drawing inspiration from world-class sculptures or discovering a second of zen in your yoga mat. The toughest half about day-tripping from the Mile Excessive Metropolis is deciding which route to go – so many choices to select from, and often not sufficient time.
Throughout a visit to Colorado, Denver is de facto simply the start line. To get a way of all this state has to supply, contemplate including one among these day journeys from Denver to your itinerary.
1. Breckenridge
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Distance from Denver: 80 miles
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Estimated drive time: 1 hour half-hour
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Go for: wellness
Perched at 9600ft above sea stage, Breckenridge is likely one of the greatest day journeys within the Rocky Mountains, and it’ll feed your thoughts, physique and spirit. On this historic mining city recognized for its ski resorts close to Denver, you’ll be able to take a conscious hike guided by a naturalist, do yoga on a standup paddleboard, and dine on nutritious meals at eateries like Semplice Cafe, which serves up an array of refreshing vegan and vegetarian choices. Relying on the timing of your go to, you may additionally be capable to attend a soul-nourishing retreat at Clairvergence Wellness Heart or faucet into your artistic aspect throughout an artwork class at Breck Create. Even in case you simply sit and breathe for a couple of quiet moments whereas staring up on the gorgeous mountain surroundings, you’ll go away Breckenridge feeling rejuvenated and restored.
You may get a fast style of Breck’s many wellness experiences in a day, but when you end up with further time, there’s lots to do and see right here throughout an extended keep.
Methods to get to Breckenridge from Denver: Drive west on I-70 for 70 miles. At Frisco, exit the interstate and head south on CO-9 for about 10 miles. Should you’re flying into Denver, the Peak 1 Categorical airport shuttle can transport you to Breck.
2. Beaver Creek
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Distance from Denver: 110 miles
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Estimated drive time: 2 hours
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Go fo: effective eating
Deal with your self to a scrumptious day journey to Beaver Creek, a mountain resort that’s house to a number of distinctive fine-dining eating places and wonderful snowboarding close to Denver. Beano’s, located roughly 9000ft above sea stage, is housed in a surprising log cabin with a comfy hearth and rustic decor. Within the winter, the one option to attain this cabin is through a sleigh pulled by a snowcat; in the summertime, you’ll be able to take a horseback experience or a shuttle. When you arrive, you’ll tuck into an upscale, multi-course meal whereas gazing out at glowing ski slopes or fields of colourful wildflowers, relying on the season. (And be sure you maintain your eyes peeled for wildlife, as diners commonly spot bears and moose out the window.)
Different tasty choices embody Citrea, which serves Mediterranean-inspired fare, and WYLD, which makes a speciality of elegant, New American dishes. Little ones love the Sweet Cabin, a colourful on-mountain paradise with practically each candy possible. And also you’ll positively wish to ensure you’re on the resort’s predominant base space at 3pm, aka “Cookie Time,” when cooks convey round heat platters brimming with freshly made (and complimentary) chocolate chip cookies for everybody to get pleasure from.
Methods to get to Beaver Creek from Denver: Drive west on I-70 for roughly 100 miles, then exit the interstate at Avon. The principle Beaver Creek base space is roughly 3 miles south on Village Highway. The Colorado Division of Transportation’s Bustang Pegasus shuttle can even drop you off in close by Avon.
3. Loveland
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Distance from Denver: 52 miles
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Estimated drive time: 1 hour
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Go for: artwork
Loveland has a couple of claims to fame – it’s a sizzling spot for postmarking letters round Valentine’s Day, for instance – however artwork is that this neighborhood’s greatest year-round draw. It’s house to 2 world-class sculpture gardens: Benson Sculpture Backyard and Chapungu Sculpture Park. And in case you’re visiting Denver on a price range, you’ll be completely happy to know that each are free to enter.
Situated in the course of city, Benson has nearly 180 sculptures located on the banks of a number of small ponds. They’re linked by strolling trails, and slowly weaving your approach by way of all of them is a serene, enjoyable endeavor. Chapungu, in the meantime, is positioned east of Loveland’s predominant core and spotlights 82 stone sculptures created by Zimbabwean artists. Additionally, take a look at indoor venues like Artworks Heart for Modern Artwork, Independence Gallery and the Loveland Museum. At underneath an hour from Denver and the Denver Worldwide Airport, Loveland is a simple tour throughout an extended layover in Colorado.
Methods to get to Loveland from Denver: Head north on I-25 for roughly 40 miles, then head west on CO-402. (To achieve some elements of Loveland, together with Chapungu, you’ll want to move east of I-25.) It’s also possible to take Groome Transportation immediately from the airport.
4. Pueblo
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Distance from Denver: 114 miles
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Estimated drive time: 1 hour 45 minutes
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Go for: inexperienced chiles
Coloradans put inexperienced chile on the whole lot, from scrambled eggs to burritos and enchiladas. However one of many best possible methods to chow down on this beloved spicy stew is by consuming a “slopper,” or a burger that’s smothered within the stuff. Pueblo is slopper central, with eating places like Grey’s Coors Tavern and Sundown Inn Bar & Grill serving them up in droves. Should you’re visiting in September, it’s also possible to attend the annual Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Pageant, which has been going robust for 30 years.
Methods to get to Pueblo from Denver: Drive south on Interstate 25 South for 110 miles, passing by way of cities like Fort Rock and Colorado Springs on the way in which. Although Greyhound operates a bus between the 2 cities, public transit choices are restricted.
5. Fort Collins
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Distance from Denver: 66 miles
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Estimated drive time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
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Go for: craft beer
Colorado is house to a few of the earliest craft beer pioneers – and there’s no higher place to sip hoppy IPAs and malty brown ales than in Fort Collins. Situated north of Denver, not removed from the Wyoming border, this funky faculty city is house to greater than 25 craft breweries – and counting, since new ones are opening up on a regular basis.
Among the well-known forefathers of your complete US craft beer trade are positioned proper on the town, comparable to New Belgium Brewing Firm and Odell Brewing Firm. However you’ll additionally discover loads of smaller, newer spots the place brewers are getting further artistic, like Funkwerks, Horse & Dragon, and Peculiar Ales. It’s not unusual to seek out reside music, meals vans or trivia nights at Fort Collins breweries, and a few of the bigger institutions even supply behind-the-scenes brewery excursions. You may simply spend a couple of days to per week in Fort Collins, however it’s additionally an amazing place to spend a sunny afternoon.
Methods to get to Fort Collins from Denver: Drive north on I-25 for 60 miles, then take one among a number of exits to move west into Fort Collins. A handful of public transit buses run between the 2 cities, together with the Bustang North Line and FLEX. Groome Transportation is a handy possibility if touring on to or from the airport.
6. Backyard of the Gods
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Distance from Denver: 70 miles
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Estimated drive time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Go for: rock formations
Although Colorado is legendary for the craggy, snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the Centennial State can also be house to another street trip-worthy geologic formations, like Backyard of the Gods. Located northwest of Colorado Springs, close to the small city of Manitou Springs and the well-known fourteener Pikes Peak, this park protects towering pink sandstone formations that fashioned roughly 65 million years in the past. And it’s fully free to enter, which is handy in case you’ve exhausted the entire different high free issues to do in Denver.
Simply marveling on the otherworldly shapes and figures is greater than sufficient, however it’s also possible to hire bikes, go horseback using, take a guided tour through segway, take a hike, hop on a trolley and go mountain climbing, amongst different actions. Backyard of the Gods is an ideal day-trip vacation spot, however to expertise the broader Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs space, you could want extra time.
Methods to get to Backyard of the Gods from Denver: Head south on I-25 for 64 miles. Get off at exit 146, then head west on Backyard of the Gods Highway. Flip south when you attain N thirtieth Road, and also you’ll arrive on the customer middle. Should you don’t have a automotive, the Colorado Division of Transportation’s Bustang South Line can get you a lot of the approach there – however you’ll have to take a couple of extra buses or name a experience when you attain Colorado Springs.
7. Estes Park
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Distance from Denver: 65 miles
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Estimated drive time: 1 hour and half-hour
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Go for: wildlife
Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, which protects 415 sq. miles of wilderness in northern Colorado. Due to its shut proximity to the park and different public lands, just like the Arapaho & Roosevelt Nationwide Forests, Estes Park is a main wildlife viewing vacation spot. Animals loom so giant on this Colorado mountain city that it even hosts an annual Elk Fest each fall, when males are looking for mates and making loud noises to show their dominance, a conduct referred to as “bugling.”
Yr-round, you could catch a glimpse of elk, mule deer, marmots, beavers, bears, coyotes, moose, mountain lions, bobcats and extra. Dozens of species of birds name Estes Park house, too, together with birds of prey like Cooper’s hawks and peregrine falcons.
Planning tip: Should you do resolve to make a day journey, set your alarm clock early or plan to remain till after sundown: wildlife are typically most energetic round daybreak and nightfall.
Methods to get to Estes Park from Denver: Head north on Interstate 25, then northwest on US 36 for roughly 50 miles, passing by way of Boulder on the way in which. Change to CO-7 W in Lyons. Or experience the Colorado Division of Transportation’s Bustang.
8. Boulder
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Distance from Denver: 30 miles
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Estimated drive time: 40 minutes
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Go for: purchasing
To browse high-end out of doors gear, cozy bookstores and bountiful classic retailers, get your self to Boulder’s quintessential downtown, pedestrian-friendly purchasing district, Pearl Road Mall. The vigorous four-block radius has greater than 200 shops and specialty retailers, in addition to some scrumptious eating places. And it’s solely a 40-minute street journey from downtown Denver, making it a really perfect pitstop for a brief layover in Colorado.
For e-book shopping and literary occasions, cease by the three-floor Boulder Bookstore. Or, for charmingly giftable house items, make your option to Peppercorn. In between purchasing, seize a chunk at Avanti, a European market-inspired indoor meals corridor, on Pearl Road.
Methods to get to Boulder from Denver: Head north on Interstate 25 for about seven miles, after which take US-36 W to Boulder.
9. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
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Distance from Denver: 70 miles
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Estimated drive time: 1 hour and half-hour
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Go for: mountain climbing
As one among Colorado’s high sights, Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is a good spot for a one-day trip in nature with loads of mountain climbing, from the milky blue waters of Lake Haiyaha to the jagged pinnacle of Longs Peak. There are trails for all mountain climbing ranges, whether or not you wish to sort out the difficult however doable Dream Lake Path or the quick, straightforward Sprague Lake Loop.
Should you’d want to see the sights from the automotive, take the winding Path Ridge Highway, one of many park’s most iconic scenic roads and the very best paved street within the US. Driving as much as 12,000ft above sea stage, you’re prone to see wildlife accompanied by nice lookout factors with unbelievable views.
Planning tip: Remember that the park requires timed entry reservations from Might by way of October.
Methods to get to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park from Denver: Take I-25 N to US-36 W, and when you get to Lyons head west on CO-7.
10. Idaho Springs
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Distance from Denver: 33 miles
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Estimated drive time: 40 minutes
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Go for: sizzling springs
Colorado is thought for its quite a few pure sizzling springs, and Indian Scorching Springs in Idaho Springs presents a restful day journey from Denver. Like most of the sizzling springs in Colorado, the thermal waters have been used as a spot for therapeutic and worship by the Ute and Arapaho tribes tons of of years in the past.
Immediately, guests can take a dip within the spring’s turquoise waters in a serene glass-covered atrium surrounded by banana timber. In order for you a extra non-public soaking expertise, you’ll be able to reserve a bath in a cave, e-book a non-public out of doors tub or slather your self within the mineral-rich mud.
Planning tip: Hours and costs range relying on what you wish to do on the springs, however the primary pool is open from 8:30am to 9pm on weekdays and 8am to 9pm on weekends with a break from 1pm to 2pm. Costs vary from $15 to $45, however entry to the swimming pool is $30 throughout the week and $35 on holidays and weekends.
Methods to get to Idaho Springs from Denver: Head west on US-6 and choose up I-70 West for 20 miles.
