Every year, millions of tourists visit Rocky Mountain National Park to enjoy its many trails and breathtaking vistas. The park has a lot of animals, 147 beautiful lakes, and impressive peaks. Hikers of all skill levels enjoy its 355 miles of trails. Beginners are advised to start on the park's flat lake paths, such as the Lily Lake Loop, Sprague Lake trail, and Lake Irene trail. Intermediate climbers may appreciate the 9.8-mile Sky Pond out-and-back route through the Glacier Gorge trail for views of snow-capped peaks or the 4.1-mile Emerald Lake trail, which demands a 745-foot elevation gain.

A large number of seasoned hikers set out to summit Longs Peak: With a roughly 5,000-foot elevation increase, this trek is a 14-er (a mountain higher than 14,000 feet) and is only for highly motivated, experienced hikers who are prepared to get up early and have a ton of supplies. Chasm Lake is a short but challenging trail near Longs Peak.

On this 8.5-mile roundtrip route, climbers pass meadows, streams, and picturesque mountains. Nearby Estes Park, a lovely town with a variety of food and hotel options, lies Rocky Mountain National Park. Each vehicle must pay $25 to enter the park. Reminder: During the summer, Rocky Mountain National Park will use a timed permit access system. For further information, go to the national park's website.

• Location: Colorado

The Mile High City, one of the nicest places in Colorado, is full of informative museums, hip eateries, historic attractions, and breathtaking views. Most tourists advise stopping at the Denver Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and the Denver Botanic Gardens for a taste of culture. The Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature & Science are both fantastic places to spend the day if you're traveling with kids.

To help you see as much of the city as you can, there are also a ton of interesting tour options available, such as brewery excursions and graffiti tours. You may also organize a picnic in City Park, which provides views of the surrounding mountains and lots of space for the kids to run around, as a low-cost activity. Explore Larimer Square after dark to find breweries and bars. Great Divide Brewing Company and Ratio Beerworks are two highly regarded breweries.

Due to its exciting nightlife culture, live music venues, and impressive street art, the Five Points district is also a great destination to explore in the evening. The capital city of Colorado also provides a wide range of lodging choices, from luxurious hotels like the Four Seasons Hotel Denver to less expensive alternatives.

• Location: Colorado

Colorado is a landlocked state, so typical surfing experiences are not available there, but that doesn't mean you can't try your hand at it. Sand surfing is here. Visitors to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve can surf down the enormous dunes by bringing a sandboard, some guts, and comfortable clothing.

To hire a board, you must go to a store in the nearby San Luis Valley as there are none available within the park. The closest rental store is Oasis Store, which is 4 miles from the entrance. You should purchase sand-specific boards because snow sleds and snowboards won't allow you to slide easily. Sand surfers can walk a little more than a half-mile to some respectable-sized dunes from the main parking area. Since surfing is permitted everywhere on the sand dunes excluding forested areas, those looking for steeper slopes can choose to travel a little further.

Sand sledding is a better option for people who would prefer to sit than stand. The Great Sand Dunes National Site and Preserve is open every day of the year, admission to the park is $25 per vehicle, and reservations are not necessary. The park offers a wide range of other activities, such as swimming in Medano Creek and hiking.

• Location: Colorado

The enormous rock formations in Garden of the Gods, which is roughly five miles northwest of Colorado Springs' central business district, can be explored in a variety of ways. Hiking is, of course, a fantastic way to get in shape while taking in the beautiful scenery.

The simple Perkins Central Garden Trail and the intermediate Palmer Trail are two highly suggested hiking trails. Another way to visit Garden of the Gods is with a Jeep tour. Visitors can choose from a two-hour ride through waterfalls, tunnels, and other stunning locations, a 90-minute trip to Glen Eyrie's Queens Canyon, or a 90-minute trip to Balanced Rock and learn about the park's history.

In addition to the Jeep excursions, the park offers trolley and Segway tours that are less strenuous and more affordable while still providing visitors with enough of breathtaking views to take in. Bike excursions, private rock climbing tours, and solo bike journeys are all options for those searching for a little extra activity (e-bike and mountain bike rentals are available in the park).

• Location: Colorado

Fewer than 27 miles separate Boulder from Denver, and many tourists enjoy its quaint, small-town atmosphere. The main draw in this region is the Pearl Street Mall, which features an abundance of shops and cafes along its outdoor shopping area. Additionally, you'll likely see your fair share of street entertainers.

The University of Colorado Boulder is nearby, and there are also a lot of hip restaurants and places to go out. For a great lunch, supper, or brunch, previous guests suggest Lucile's Creole Cafe, Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, and Frasca Food and Wine. The Boulder Farmers Market, which many consider to be among the greatest in the country, is a must-see if you're in town on a Wednesday or Saturday.

The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and Central Park, a sizable green space with a picnic area, a playground, and access to bicycle paths, are close to the farmers market. The Fiske Planetarium and the Museum of Natural History are located on the UC Boulder campus, which previous visitors advise saving time to explore. The St Julien Hotel & Spa or Hotel Boulderado are both convenient hotels close to the city's center.

• Location: Colorado

If you ever find yourself in the Boulder region, you must hike the Flatirons. There are miles of hiking trails crisscrossing these enormous sandstone peaks, offering options for hikers of every skill level. One through five represent the Flatirons.

Although the 2.7-mile First and Second Flatiron Trail is challenging, it rewards hikers with beautiful vistas of the city and surroundings. According to previous hikers, the 2.2-mile Second and Third Flatiron Trail is intermediate to difficult but also breathtaking in its own right. The McClintock Trail or the Enchanted Mesa Trail are good choices for those looking for a shorter trip with lovely scenery.

Rock climbers will adore the opportunity to ascend the First and Third Flatirons, which offer well-liked climbing routes. If you require assistance navigating these well-known rock climbing places, there are also guided climbs available nearby. Most hikes start at the Chautauqua Trailhead, which also has a sizable park area where you may unwind and take in the Flatirons if you don't feel like climbing or hiking. Since the Chautauqua Trailhead is close to Boulder's downtown area, you can refuel there after your hike.

• Location: Colorado

It is unusual for hiking locations to be equally stunning and historically significant, but Mesa Verde most certainly is. This national park contains many well-preserved cliff dwellings that were originally built by the Pueblo people centuries ago.

The Ancestral Puebloans had lived and worked in these cliffside towns for many years before they eventually left them around 1300. The ruins of this ancient civilisation draw thousands of tourists to the southwest region of Colorado each year. During your trip, set aside some time to see Cliff Palace, one of the largest and best-preserved houses in the park.

During your guided tour, you'll navigate crooked hallways and scale a few ladders to visit the palace's 150 chambers. In the vicinity, there are a lot of hiking paths as well. The easy Point Lookout Trail (2.2 miles roundtrip), which offers panoramic views of the park, is a visitor favorite. Another well-liked hike is the 2.4-mile Petroglyph Point Trail, where you can see petroglyphs carved into the canyon walls.

• Location: Colorado

Ghost towns abound in Colorado, many of which were abandoned due to mining conflicts in the early 1900s. Today, visitors can explore the parts of these villages that are still standing and learn more about their fascinating past. St. Elmo, which is roughly 80 miles southeast of Aspen and about 110 miles west of Colorado Springs, is one of the most well-known ghost towns in the state, though tourists should be aware that there are still full-time residents living there.

Here, tourists can examine the town's still-standing structures: A couple of these structures are accessible to visitors throughout the summer for tours. Many recommend going to St. Many advocate purchasing goods from the still-open general shop in St. Elmo as an excellent opportunity to learn about the state's silver and gold miners (open seasonally).

• Location: Colorado

Each year, millions of tourists go to this town in central Colorado for its excellent skiing and extensive slopes. One of the most well-liked attractions in Aspen is Aspen Snowmass, one of the biggest ski resorts in the nation. The resort is a top ski destination for intermediate and expert skiers because of its several chairlifts and 150 kilometers of terrain.

There are also some beginner-friendly trails and lots of options for instruction; previous guests praised the kind instructors at this mountain resort. Ski the 44 courses at Buttermilk or the 76 routes at Aspen Mountain if Aspen Snowmass is too much.

• Location: Colorado

Any concert experience will improve with a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The cliff-side bleacher-style seating are flanked on three sides by enormous sandstone buildings. People who have visited the location gush about the acoustics, calling it one of the nicest and most unusual settings to see a live concert. You can check the event schedule to find out when your favorite musician is performing; concerts are often planned between April and November.

Even if you are unable to attend a performance, Red Rocks is still a fantastic destination to explore throughout the day. Around the concert area, there are a number of hiking paths, including the straightforward Trading Post Trail (1.4 miles), the intermediate Red Rocks Trail, and the Morrison Slide Trail(3 miles). Additionally, you'll get panoramic views of the surroundings from the height of the stands.

The location also hosts drive-in movie activities on a few summer nights. To see the well-known performers who have performed at Red Rocks, set aside some time to meander through the Hall of Fame. The arena, which is conveniently positioned around 15 miles southwest of Denver, also houses the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

• Location: Colorado