Some people have been asking me for some more ideas of what to do while they are visiting. Such a difficult question to answer- "What do I HAVE to do while I'm in Colorado?" You have to eat amazing food, watch a sporting event, get lost in the streets of Denver, see a museum, drive through the mountains (just look to the North and take a left), hike in same mountains, drive North, drive South, stay away from the East, watch a sunset over the mountains, stare at our spacious skies, visit a brewery, go to the theater, go to a wedding, take pictures of wildlife, go fishing..... that should be enough to get you started.
ST. MARY'S GLACIER
A short hour drive from Denver will get you to a perfect sample of Colorado hiking. St. Mary's Lake and Glacier is a moderate climb about 3/4 of a mile from the parking lot. (1.5 miles round trip) If you are looking to get a sample of some Colorado snow, this is your spot. Snow in August? Yup. Bring a picnic lunch and snack by the lake before you head back further to have fun on the glacier. Not uncommon to see sledding going on! A sweatshirt or light jacket would be recommended for this trip! There are two parking lots with restrooms and trash- $5 per car.
DINOSAUR RIDGE
Traveling with little ones? Why not give them a history lesson while they are here! The valleys of Colorado can be rich with fossils and prehistoric treasures. There are even some valleys that contain fish fossils proving that Colorado was once under water! Along I-70 you will find Dinosaur Ridge. Take a hike back in to history. Along the ridge and in the visitor center, you will learn about the dinosaurs that once roamed the foothills. The exciting point is the preserved foot prints on the hillside. When you are done hiking, travel back to Denver and visit the Natural History Museum to see more! This ridge can be hot in the afternoon, so try to start early on this adventure- don't forget your sunscreen and lots of water! Hiking and roaming around here is free but there are guided tours if you choose to splurge.
GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK
Just outside of the town of Golden you will find Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Colorado is chock full of amazing state parks and this one will not let you down. Rolling hills in the "foothills." Not the elevation of hiking in the mountains but all of the beauty. Several trails are linked together so you can choose how short or long your hike will be. Forgotten Valley within the park is a nice hike with old cabins that have been restored and furnished with porch swings- these porches overlook a small lake and make a great picnic destination. State Park fees are $7 per car per day.
COLORADO MILLS MALL
Forget your dress shoes? Or your suit? If you are staying in Golden, you will find the Colorado Mills Mall. A shuttle from the Marriott will take you here. Dining, shopping and entertainment for those who want to take it easy for the evening and recover from your day's adventure.
EVERGREEN HIKING
If you are staying in Evergreen and want to stay close, try hiking Alderfer Three Sisters or Elk Meadows trails. A network of trails that again lets you choose your length, difficulty, etc. Elk Meadow is actually a great place to see elk. If you are bringing 4 legged friends along, be on the lookout for these massive animals and keep them under control.
COLORADO ROCKIES
For an easy going evening in Denver, why not head to Coors Field and watch a Rockies Game. Looks like the Rockies and the Padres will be here Aug 14th-16th. Coors Field is full of specialty food and drink and is a destination in and of itself. The scoreboard is on the west side of the field and an evening game all but guarantees a phenomenal sunset (and it is NOT going to rain that weekend I say!). Coors Field is just a couple blocks away from the newly renovated Union Station- the train station in town that now houses a variety of restaurants and bars. Coors Field is also located in the heart of LoDo (Lower Downtown) and will be bustling with activity on the weekend.
PIKES PEAK AND GARDEN OF THE GODS
"Oh beautiful for spacious skies.....for purple mountain majesties" When Katharine Bates wrote these words, she was staring at Pikes Peak. Head down to Colorado Springs to see what inspired her to do so. Pikes Peak, another one of Colorado's 14ers, offers spectacular views. There are two ways to get to the top...take the paved road and drive up or take the infamous Cog Railway (if you dare!). Word of warning- even if it is hot and dry at the base, it may be cold at the top! A light jacket or sweatshirt is a good idea...and maybe some gloves. When you get your feet back down to solid ground, a trip to Garden of the Gods may be a fun addition to your day. A collection of incredibly unique rock formations can be toured by either the hiking trail that winds through the park or a paved road.
http://www.pikes-peak.com/
http://www.pikes-peak.com/
MAYFLOWER GULCH
If you have a longer day in mind and have the time to drive deeper in the mountains, check out Mayflower Gulch. Just past the town of Copper Mountain, this trail is great for everyone. Only a 1.5 mile one way trail (3 miles round trip). This trail leads you to a collection of old cabins left for exploring. The cabins are nestled in amongst beautiful towering peaks. Along the way, you will see other paths that lead to old mining equipment. A gradual, minimal climb that has a stream along the entire way. I have only done this hike on snow shoes, but have heard it is covered in wildflowers in the summer.
CELESTIAL SEASONINGS TEA FACTORY
Maybe you want to stay out of the August heat for a day. If you are making your way towards Boulder, consider visiting Celestial Seasonings for a tour of the factory and to learn how they get all those tea leaves in one bag. Don't miss the popular Peppermint Room- a separate vault they created to keep the peppermint from contaminating the rest of the factory. This is a great activity for kids as well. Tours are free!
This, combined with the previous post of activities, should be enough to get you started! And then enough for your return trip! If you should come up with an idea or a suggestion or a question about something you have planned, don't hesitate to reach out and contact us! We obviously love our state and want you to as well!
I can't stress enough though that a lot of these activities are at high altitude. Denver is called the Mile High City for a reason (and it's not because pot is legal- we are over those jokes!)- elev. 5280! Traveling into the mountains can easily get you 8000-10,000 feet high, at the least. Altitude sickness is real and is generally mild, but untreated can become serious. Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath are all symptoms of altitude sickness. There is no prevention for it but drinking lots of water can help make the symptoms milder. The best cure- get in your car and drive back to Denver! A day in Denver should help to make you acclimated so don't let this deter you from exploring. Most people are fine but just be aware. (This is the lecture you get when you are coming to visit a nurse! P.S. wear sunscreen too!)
Ok..now start planning and packing! And enjoy this little glimpse while you are packing! (Too much!?)
