At the moment I wish to carry you my 8-day Colorado itinerary in summer time. Simply over every week on this a part of the US is a perfect period of time to discover a number of the most well-known cities and immerse your self in Rocky Mountain surroundings. If you wish to see the highlights of Denver and Boulder and go to locations like Vail and Beaver Creek, learn on for my street journey route. I’ve included a map, too.
8-Day Colorado Itinerary in Summer season
My different half and I’ve booked a visit to the Centennial State to spend 8 days in Colorado beginning and ending in Denver. He used to stay right here, so I’m fortunate to be touring with an professional tour information.
He’s deliberate an ideal Colorado street journey itinerary for us, and we’re wanting ahead to spending every week and a day seeing a number of the greatest locations within the state.
Colorado is understood for every thing from the cultural scene in Denver to the school city of Boulder, the wonderful pure great thing about the Rockies, and ski resorts like Vail.
Add to that nice native meals, out of doors actions like whitewater rafting, and historic mining cities, and there’s so much to like about this a part of the US. If you happen to’re questioning if summer time is an efficient time to go to Colorado, it’s.
I hope my itinerary helps you propose a enjoyable journey of your individual. You possibly can alter it to suit your pursuits and journey model, however should you’re like me it provides you with a strong overview of what you are able to do with 8 days in Colorado in summer time.
Oh, and should you’re asking your self “what number of days do it’s essential spend in Colorado?”, you’ll get a really feel for the reply as you learn this publish. Whilst you can’t see every thing, you’ll be capable to uncover a number of the most well-liked locations.
Day 1 in Colorado: Denver
After our flight arrives at Denver Worldwide Airport, we choose up our rental automobile and head into the town. It’s a 40-minute drive to our lodge, The Acoma Home.
Proper close to the Colorado State Capitol constructing within the Golden Triangle, this place is a colourful boutique lodge with artist-designed rooms and enjoyable lounges. Every visitor room is fitted out with a full kitchenette, and we really feel like we may transfer proper in.
Higher but, The Acoma Home is in a perfect location for exploring the downtown space. There are main museums, cultural sights, and landmarks all inside a couple of blocks of its purple facade.
After getting settled in, we begin our journey with a fast stroll across the neighborhood. There’s a stunning store proper subsequent to the lodge with all types of dwelling items on the market. Across the nook we uncover every thing from cool cafes to avenue artwork.
Close by we discover the Historical past Colorado Middle and the eye-catching Denver Artwork Museum. This inventive district packs a number of punch. It makes us really feel like we’ve made choice about the place to remain within the metropolis.
If you wish to observe in our footsteps, you may e book your room right here. If you wish to see extra choices, you may try one of the best accommodations in Denver right here.
Dinner in Denver
After getting a really feel for the Golden Triangle, we hop within the automobile and head to dinner at a restaurant referred to as Sierra. This hilltop spot is understood for good meals and nice views over Lone Tree, Colorado.
Sierra serves an eclectic mixture of American classics and different fare, and it has cool modern structure and a buzzing ambiance.
We meet a few of my different half’s native family members right here. All of us tuck into scorching platters of fajitas and fats slices of Texas chocolate sheet cake for dessert.
Sierra proves a enjoyable place to kick off our journey, and the view at sundown makes it the right spot to finish the primary night of our 8-day Colorado itinerary in summer time.
Day 2 in Colorado: Denver
When morning comes, we begin with caffeine and breakfast at a spot referred to as Cherry Bean Espresso close to The Acoma Home.
It’s sunny out, and we will’t consider a greater method to chase up our meal than with a giant day of sightseeing in Denver. Fortunate for us, my different half’s aunt has supplied to take us round.
We’re proper by the Colorado State Capitol, so we pop over to admire its gold-domed facade. Perched atop Brown’s Bluff, it’s precisely one mile above sea degree (therefore Denver’s nickname, The Mile Excessive Metropolis). Constructed within the late Nineteenth century, it’s harking back to the Capitol Constructing in Washington, DC.
From there we head over to the well-known Large Blue Bear. This 40-foot (12-meter) statue on 14th Avenue between California and Stout friends into the home windows of the town’s conference middle. It’s a playful addition to Downtown Denver, and a enjoyable picture spot.
Not removed from the bear, we stroll across the pedestrianized stretch of Larimer Sq.. The town’s first designated native historic district, this gorgeous place is full of out of doors restaurant tables and flags.
From Larimer Sq. we head to the Denver Artwork Museum. Housed in a cool modern constructing, it’s surrounded by the central department of the Denver Public Library, the Middle for Colorado Ladies’s Historical past, and the Clyfford Nonetheless Museum.
It’s additionally close to cultural heavyweights just like the Kirkland Museum of Tremendous & Ornamental Artwork and the Historical past Colorado Middle.
We begin with lunch at The Ponti, a restaurant with views of the sharp silver constructing. We eat outdoors on the terrace, having fun with a lightweight meal of salads and grain bowls earlier than heading into the museum.
Afterwards we drive over to the Denver Botanic Gardens. One of many high 5 botanic gardens within the nation, it has a mixture of inexperienced areas and academic displays. It’s an ideal place to flee the bustle of the town and revel in stepping into nature.
Talking of which, our subsequent cease is Washington Park. It spans 155 acres (63 hectares), and one of many two flower gardens is a duplicate of George Washington’s grounds at Mount Vernon.
There are trails for biking and operating, and water options like Smith Lake. We cease on the fringe of the latter to observe the swan boats go by.
Within the night we order pizza from an area place and eat with my different half’s family members. It’s a calming method to finish a giant day of sightseeing in Denver.
Day 3 in Colorado: Denver, Purple Rocks, Idaho Springs & Beaver Creek
The subsequent morning our 8-day Colorado itinerary in summer time continues as we uncover extra of Denver. We begin with a stroll down the well-known sixteenth Avenue Mall, a mile-long stretch of street full of retailers, eating places, and landmarks.
The mall connects Denver Union Station at one finish with Civic Middle Park on the different. As we stroll down it, we pop into the well-known Brown Palace Resort, a historic property with a shocking foyer.
We additionally admire the eye-catching type of the Daniels & Fisher Tower. In-built 1909, this two-thirds reproduction of the Campanile of St. Mark’s in Venice was the very best constructing west of the Mississippi River when it was accomplished.
We move by retailers and the Museum of Illusions as we make our method to Denver Union Station in LoDo. There we discover ourselves in a bygone period of practice journey. The renovated historic Beaux-Arts constructing homes a variety of hip eating places and cafes below its excessive ceiling.
After testing the station, we stroll previous Coors Discipline, the ballpark the place Main League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies play. Subsequent to it’s McGregor Sq., an open space with out of doors eating places and massive screens for watching the video games.
Leaving the sq., we head over to RiNo. This hip space is dwelling to every thing from avenue artwork to retailers and markets. We stroll down Larimer Avenue to soak up the murals, which cowl facades and brighten up buildings.
Finally we discover ourselves on the Denver Central Market. This indoor meals corridor contains a vary of distributors promoting every thing from baked items to seafood.
We pop in and order lunch at Izzio Bakery, a spot that gives a variety of bowls. Once they’re prepared, we eat on the central tables because the market buzzes round us.
After lunch we stroll down Walnut Avenue to get again to LoDo. There are nice retailers and extra avenue artwork right here, and we love the cool ambiance of the neighborhood.
As soon as in LoDo, we stroll to the Denver Millennium Bridge, then over to the Museum of Up to date Artwork Denver. After popping in we stroll all the best way down fifteenth avenue and again to The Acoma Home.
Purple Rocks
At 4pm we hop within the automobile and wave goodbye to Downtown Denver. We’re off on the subsequent leg of our Colorado street journey itinerary, however now we have one cease to make earlier than we get too removed from the town: Purple Rocks.
This well-known open-air amphitheater close to Morrison, Colorado is round 10 miles (16 kilometers) southwest of Denver. Because the title implies, it’s identified for its dramatic geological formations.
Not solely is Purple Rocks one of many world’s most iconic live performance venues, but additionally an space fashionable for climbing and biking. Moreover, it’s dwelling to a customer middle, present store, restaurant, and displays.
Idaho Springs
We stroll round Purple Rocks for some time, taking within the gorgeous pure surroundings and absorbing the peaceable ambiance. Afterwards we hop within the automobile and get on the I-70 en path to Idaho Springs.
In lower than half-hour we discover ourselves strolling down Miner Avenue within the coronary heart of city. The pedestrianized stretch is stuffed with umbrella-covered tables and historic shopfronts. It has an Previous West really feel about it, and we like it.
We’re right here to have an early dinner at a well-known place referred to as Beau Jo’s. It’s been serving Colorado-style pizza for the reason that Seventies. The signature Mountain Pie model comes with a thick crust that gives a built-in dessert that may be dipped in honey.
The restaurant itself is as legendary because the meals. All wooden paneling and native historical past, being right here looks like stepping right into a Nineteenth-century mining city (which is precisely what Idaho Springs began out as).
Beaver Creek
After consuming our fill at Beau Jo’s, we hop again on the freeway for the 80-minute drive to Beaver Creek, a village with a well-known ski resort in Colorado. As we go, we’re handled to a phenomenal sundown in opposition to the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
We cease to purchase groceries at Metropolis Market in Avon and arrive at our lodging in Beaver Creek simply as evening falls.
We’re staying in a rental in Highlands Lodge, a property located proper above Beaver Creek Village. With gorgeous views and a giant pool, it’s a phenomenal place to name home-away-from dwelling for the remainder of our 8-day Colorado itinerary in summer time.
We’re drained after a giant day of sightseeing and driving, however we will’t assist taking a dip within the sizzling tub earlier than calling it an evening. With hundreds of thousands of stars overhead, it’s an ideal introduction to life within the Rockies.
Day 4 in Colorado: Beaver Creek
The subsequent morning we get up to a phenomenal sunny day. We prepare dinner breakfast and revel in it with a view of the ski slopes earlier than strolling all the way down to Beaver Creek Village.
There’s every thing from retailers to eating places, cafes, and a Park Hyatt lodge right here. Colourful flowers adorn the walkways, and there are fountains and sculptures galore.
The winter ice rink has been remodeled right into a summer time live performance venue, and the place is buzzing with out of doors tables and full of video games like Cornhole.
We spend the morning popping into retailers and choosing up souvenirs earlier than settling in for lunch on the Golden Eagle Inn. We tuck into Rocky Mountain rainbow trout, and it goes down a deal with below the Colorado solar.
After lunch we head a couple of doorways all the way down to get ice cream at Rimini. There are creative flavors in all colours of the rainbow right here (ever had Hawaiian Punch gelato?).
Sadly, we don’t assume to verify the costs earlier than ordering. My single scoop of cookies-and-cream in a cup prices almost $10 and it’s inferior to the worth would counsel.
Hike
We console ourselves with exploring extra of Beaver Creek. We stroll over to see the gorgeous chapel, try the miniature golf course and trampolines on the garden in entrance of the Park Hyatt, and watch the gondolas glide up the mountain.
Impressed, we head up the mountain ourselves. We hike alongside the Village Loop Path to get to the Aspen Glade Path, passing horseback riders as we go.
The moderately-challenging Aspen Glade Path is 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) lengthy. It takes us by wildflower-laden hills stuffed with tall white tree trunks and quivering inexperienced leaves. It’s every thing I consider once I consider Colorado in summer time, and I’m in climbing heaven the entire means.
Drinks & Dinner
Within the night we head again into the village for al fresco drinks on the terrace of the Park Hyatt’s 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill. From there we stroll over to a tiny tiki bar at a restaurant referred to as Hooked. The Mai Tais are scrumptious.
Afterwards we hop on a shuttle that whisks us up the mountain to a well-known restaurant referred to as Beano’s Cabin. Tucked away in a meadow on the base of Larkspur Bowl, this place is understood for its alpine delicacies and luxurious-yet-rustic ambiance.
We’re seated at a desk by the window, from which we order a 5-course tasting menu. Every thing from French onion soup to Colorado trout fritters and Rocky Mountain elk goes down a deal with as we’re serenaded by a stay guitarist.
Day 5 in Colorado: Sales space Falls & Vail
The subsequent morning now we have a fast breakfast earlier than persevering with our 8-day Colorado itinerary in summer time with a hike. We drive to Vail, park within the free storage, and head upstairs to the Vail Transportation Middle to board a shuttle to Sales space Falls (there’s no parking on the trailhead).
This is without doubt one of the hottest hikes within the space, and we’re excited to hit the path. Shuttles run each quarter-hour, and the experience is fast and simple.
Quickly we discover ourselves immersed in nature as we hike by purple wildflowers and thru aspen groves in Eagle’s Nest Wilderness.
Our vacation spot is Sales space Falls, a 60-foot waterfall that we hear earlier than we see. It’s well worth the uphill climb to achieve it, and we sit down to observe it roar as we eat a picnic lunch on the rocks beside the water.
Afterwards we retrace our steps again to the shuttle cease. The entire hike is 3.9 miles (6.3 kilometers), and it takes us 2.5 hours to finish it. We arrive again in Vail Village simply earlier than 2:30pm.
Vail
We stroll by the village, admiring the European-style buildings and out of doors cafes as we make our method to the Sonnenalp Resort.
My different half was a concierge right here for a summer time after school. The spotlight of his expertise was serving to Jim Carrey suggest to Renee Zellweger (she stated sure, however they break up up earlier than the marriage).
At the moment we’re on the Sonnenalp for post-hike indulgence. He’s booked us in for massages on the spa, and we will’t wait to chill out after a giant climb.
We spend an hour swimming within the pool and soaking within the sizzling tubs, then head indoors for our remedies. They whisk us off to a hedonistic place earlier than gently returning us to actuality in Vail.
Again outdoors, we use the early night to discover the Thursday version of the Vail Farmers’ Market. We browse the stalls, taking in every thing from mouth-watering pies to smoked salmon and latkes.
Away from the stalls, we pop into basic retailers like Gorsuch and admire the alpine-style structure throughout us.
Afterwards we head again to the Sonnenalp for drinks. Its Bully Ranch restaurant is known for mudslides, and we settle in on the bar to strive them. They’re wealthy, chocolatey, and scrumptious, and so they go down a deal with within the rustic picket eating room.
From Bully Ranch we head subsequent door to have dinner on the Swiss Chalet. With its purple flags and cowbells, this well-known fondue restaurant in Vail transports us to Europe as quickly as we stroll by the door.
We settle in for a feast of cheese fondue, kasespatzle, and chocolate fondue. It’s wealthy and indulgent, and we really feel like we’ve earned it after our large hike earlier within the day.
Day 6 in Colorado: Whitewater Rafting, Beaver Creek & Minturn
The subsequent morning our 8-day Colorado itinerary in summer time continues with a whitewater rafting journey. We meet the shuttle on the Park Hyatt at 8:45am. half-hour later, we pull right into a boathouse in Eagle.
After getting caffeinated and outfitted, we hop again on the shuttle for the 30-minute experience to our put-in location on the Colorado River’s Shoshone stretch.
The rafting journey begins with a mile of enjoyable Class III rapids. Afterwards we get pleasure from a scenic float by the beautiful Glenwood Canyon. Purple rock partitions tower above us as we drift previous sizzling springs and alongside native cities.
On the finish, we get pleasure from a barbecue lunch by the river earlier than boarding the shuttle again to the boathouse and out to Beaver Creek. We arrive at Highlands Lodge at 3pm having had an ideal morning on the rapids.
Hike in Beaver Creek
As soon as on the rental, we throw on dry garments and head outdoors to squeeze in a hike earlier than dinner. We stroll into Beaver Creek Village and head up a giant hill to achieve a path referred to as Allie’s Means.
This 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) path goes by aspen timber and cuts throughout ski slopes to get to the horse stables and Haymeadow space.
It’s a phenomenal hike, and we get pleasure from every thing from the plush wildflowers to the views from the pistes as we go. The trail ends close to Highlands Lodge, so we pop down and clean up for dinner earlier than heading into Minturn.
Dinner in Minturn
Minturn is a small city with a primary avenue lined by retailers and eating places. It has an area really feel, and it presents an ideal distinction to upscale Vail and Beaver Creek.
We’re right here to have dinner at a restaurant referred to as Minturn Nation Membership. This rustic place claims to be the “Vail Valley’s oldest and most enjoyable steakhouse”. It’s distinctive in that you simply prepare dinner your individual primary course for dinner.
We settle in at a sales space within the wood-paneled eating room. We begin with crab desserts earlier than taking a flip on the salad bar. When it comes time for our mains, we head over to the restaurant’s butcher store and select a steak and a chunk of ahi tuna.
We prepare dinner the meat and fish on a giant indoor grill, including slices of thick buttered Texas Toast alongside them. Once they’re carried out, we head again to the desk to benefit from the fruits of our labor with sides of broccoli and twice baked potatoes ready by the kitchen employees.
Day 7 in Colorado: Scorching Springs, Eagle, Lionshead & Vail
The subsequent morning our 8-day Colorado itinerary in summer time continues as we head out to the new springs. This a part of Colorado is understood for them, and no journey can be full with out a soak.
We drive to Iron Mountain Scorching Springs, a spot we’d seen from the water on our rafting journey. It got here extremely advisable by the others in our group, so we booked ourselves a 3-hour session.
Iron Mountain Scorching Springs contains a collection of swimming pools and pure tubs proper on the river. They fluctuate in temperature and mineral content material, with some meant to imitate well-known sizzling springs from internationally.
We make the rounds, dipping in as many as we will as we sip frozen cocktails below the Rocky Mountain solar. It’s an actual deal with to be right here, and we love every thing from the steaming swimming pools to the peaceable ambiance.
Lunch in Eagle
When our time is up, we drive into Eagle for lunch on the patio at an informal Mexican restaurant referred to as Garduno’s. We graze on chips and salsa earlier than tucking into plates of tacos as a waterfall bubbles subsequent to us.
Lionshead Village
After lunch we drive to Lionshead Village. Proper by Vail, it has a Bavarian vibe, a lot of retailers and eating places, and delightful accommodations like The Arrabelle.
We stroll across the space, taking within the scene and doing a little memento procuring because the sound of stay music drifts by the air.
Once we’re carried out, we stroll alongside the river to get to Vail. It’s a scenic route and in quarter-hour we discover ourselves within the coronary heart of the village. We will’t assist stopping for drinks at The Purple Lion, a beloved native restaurant with a band enjoying inside.
Afterwards we take a shuttle again to Lionshead to have dinner at Montauk Seafood Grill. We share a scrumptious crab salad earlier than tucking into mains of barbecued salmon and Chilean sea bass.
We indulge within the Sand Pie for dessert. The whipped chocolate chip ice cream with graham cracker crust is divine.
After dinner we try the cool Rabbit Gap bar in Vail. This whimsical place is a reimagined arcade, full with video games, films, and cocktails.
Day 8 in Colorado: Vail and Boulder
The next morning our 8-day Colorado itinerary in summer time takes us again to Vail. After testing of Highlands Lodge, we drive over and discover the buzzing Sunday farmers’ market. Afterwards we choose up souvenirs and items at The Golden Bear.
Procuring carried out, now we have lunch on the patio at La Bottega. My different half has at all times liked their T.E.D. sandwich (that’s Thanksgiving Each Day in case you’re questioning), and I get pleasure from a grilled vegetable panino. It’s an ideal fast lunch, and a scrumptious one at that.
After consuming we drive over to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. At 8,250 toes (2,515 meters) above sea degree, it’s the very best botanical backyard in the US.
It’s additionally the one botanic backyard in North America devoted to the preservation and conservation of alpine plant species and their habitats.
We now have enjoyable strolling alongside the paths and previous the waterfalls, studying the names of all of the wildflowers we’ve seen alongside the paths on our hikes. On the finish we discover the historic schoolhouse that’s now the present store.
Boulder
Leaving the gardens, we hop within the automobile for the drive to Boulder. It’s purported to take round 2 hours, however we hit heavy visitors and it takes almost 3. We arrive able to discover, and our first cease is the College of Colorado Boulder campus.
We stroll across the quiet greens, taking within the stately facade of the Norlin Library and discovering the names of my different half’s members of the family on bricks close to Previous Principal.
Once we’re carried out exploring, we stroll to thirteenth Avenue, a street full of retailers and eating places. We’re right here to have dinner at The Sink, an area establishment that’s featured on every thing from Man v. Meals to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
The Sink opened in 1923, and it’s Boulder’s oldest restaurant. It’s well-known for its burgers and pizzas, and for all of the CU Boulder grads which have signed their names on the ceiling.
We sit on the bar and tuck into large burgers and plates of mac-n-cheese with Colorado Lager tempura-battered cauliflower items. All of it goes down a deal with within the colourful ambiance.
Once we’re carried out with dinner it’s time to move to the airport. It’s a 45-minute drive to the rental automobile return, from the place we board a shuttle to the terminal constructing to catch our flight.
8-Day Colorado Itinerary in Summer season
I hope you’ve discovered my Colorado street journey itinerary useful for understanding how one can spend your time on this a part of the US in summer time. It’s a tremendous place, and eight days is sufficient time to see various the highlights.
Colorado Highway Journey Itinerary Map
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of our Colorado itinerary. You possibly can see it right here. I hope it helps you propose an ideal journey to the Centennial State!
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