With good reason, Rocky Mountain National Park was the third most visited national park in 2015. These mountains provide truly unrivaled views. A short journey south, Mount Elbert, the state's tallest peak at a whopping 14,433 feet, offers summit enthusiasts the chance to reach new heights.

Spanning some 3,000 miles between Alaska and New Mexico, the Rocky Mountain chain began forming 80 million years ago. Their youth (relative to mountains, of course) shows in their sharper edges and rough faces, which contrast beautifully with the curves of the glacial lakes they hold. These can take on downright surreal colors thanks to “rock flour,” the microscopic bits of a ground-up mountain that slide off a glacier when it melts. The scenery is gob-smacking any time of year, with summer the ideal time for swimming and fishing while winter calls for soaking in hot springs and zipping down the mountainside on a pair of skis.

Whether covered in snow or basking in the summer sun, the hip mile-high city is always easy on the eye. With the regeneration of Union Station, Larimer Square - the creative soul of downtown Denver is ever-magical and now more than 205 parks within the city limits, Colorado’s capital has never looked better.

Moving to Denver might be so alluring due to the area's natural beauty. Or perhaps it's the 300 days of sunshine a year, the simple access to the mountains, and the natural outdoor recreation opportunities. In any case, Metro Denver has had some of the country's quickest urban growth, with about 100,000 residents migrating there in the previous seven years. With a population of over three million, the city is currently rushing to build the necessary housing, transit, and infrastructure to keep up with demand. The region is home to a thriving industry and a breath-taking new façade.

Denver is the ideal location for adventure seekers looking to explore thrilling mountain peaks and valleys. But you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie or avid skier to enjoy outdoor life in Colorado. There are dozens of day trips suitable for the entire family all year round.

Location: the Southwestern United States, in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains

A 3-hour scenic drive to State Bridge leads you past stunning mountain ranges, through rock-walled canyons, and along the upper reaches of the Colorado River. Follow the mighty Colorado River from its birthplace in Rocky Mountain National Park into Kremmling and over the scenic Trough Road to State Bridge. Don’t forget to stop at Inspiration Point to see the spectacular views of Gore Canyon. The scenic byway is also handicap accessible.

Beginning on Highway 34 just north of Grand Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Colorado River Headwaters Scenic and Historic Byway follow the Colorado River south through the communities of Grand Lake, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Parshall, and Kremmling. Along a stretch of State Highway 1 commonly known as the "Trough Road," the drive comes to an incredible finale with a breathtaking vista of the untamed Upper Gore Canyon.

You'll pass Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, and Lake Granby along the trip, which are all well-known spots for excellent boating and fishing. If you're interested in wildlife, plan a quick trip to the Windy Gap Reservoir, which is close to Granby, so you can take a quick self-guided tour of the waterfowl sanctuary. You will encounter a brand-new beautiful site to take in and never forget with each curve of your 80-mile tour.

Imagine sitting in a natural amphitheater with a rocky, high-altitude plateau spreading out beneath you. Now, picture some of the world’s best acts on the stage, and you’ve got Red Rocks. This geological phenomenon is simply one of the best music venues in the world, and everyone from The Beatles to Daft Punk has played here.

The stage is terrific because there is Ship Rock rock like an alien's flying boat landing in the South, and the giant vertical Creation Rock stone tower looks like a solid stage anchor and looks out to the North. Behind the stage is an immense, tilted disc-shaped Stage Rock showing the time of 300 million years, shimmering with sunlight.

Outdoor vehicles are oriented to let the sun shine from behind the audience, to create maximum visibility, and keep direct sunlight visibility. Thanks to the lively sound system bouncing off the soaring stone walls embracing the stage, and the perfect lighting technique, it has made an unforgettable impression in the hearts of visitors to enjoy the art.

This venue sits among natural red-rock formations that deliver perfect acoustics and breathtaking mountain views. Red Rocks attracts a friendly, passionate community of concert-goers; part of the fun is meeting countless new people who share your love of music. When you plan your visit, be sure to leave time for tailgating in the parking lot, hiking the trails around the park, and checking out the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

Location: near Morrison, Colorado, 10 miles west of Denve

The summer, when Colorado's around 2000 lakes transform into the perfect weekend playground, is the best time to enjoy them. The dazzling reflections of snow-capped mountains in high-altitude lakes like Dillon and Granby are just breathtaking, whether you're on land or in a boat.

The high-alpine lakes in Colorado are short of spectacular. Many of these beautiful bodies of water, which stretch from Silverton to Vail, may be found above timberline, support thriving trout populations, and have spectacular wildflower displays and enormous rock formations. These dreamy excursions to high alpine lakes will take you into the sky, so lace up your trail shoes.

An alpine lake is really just a high-altitude lake. They can be crystal clear, unlike some of the lakes at lower altitudes, because the cold water decreases the speed at which algae and moss can grow in the water. They are so plentiful in Colorado, virtually any mountain hike you take will find one along the way.

Not just in New England can you witness spectacular fall foliage. Visit Colorado in September to witness the aspen's transformation into their most beautiful, golden state. While there are picturesque locations all around the state, some of the nicest may be seen on the Kebler Pass, Peak to Peak Byway, San Juan Skyway, and the shoreline of Maroon Lake.

As the temperature drops, the display moves from the mountains' highest elevations to lower ones. Along the curving alpine roads, splashes of yellow, orange, and crimson coexist. Depending on when the first cold front arrives, the timing of the fall colors varies a little bit each year, either sooner or later.

The best places to go are almost anywhere in the mountains. Some scenic drives are better than others, but even a little fall gold will brighten your day. Make sure you take an annual trip into the mountains to witness unmatched autumn in Colorada.

The largest natural hot springs pool in the world is located in Glenwood Springs, although there are many more as well. Swimwear is not required after nightfall at Strawberry Park, so explore the geothermal tunnels at Indian Springs and the natural pools at Mount Princeton.

These enchanted sites have long served as centers of healing and tranquility. People still go from all over the world to soak in these thermal springs, which are naturally abundant in minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and lithium, according to The Denver Post. Indigenous peoples used to refer to these springs as "medicine waters."

These Colorado hot springs are some of the country's best places for soaking away any worries — and aches or pains — while enjoying the fresh mountain air and stunning vistas.