What to do?

[MoparManiac]

SUP COLORADO.

So my girlfriend and I are taking a vacation to the Denver and Boulder area, arriving late Wednesday night and leaving Monday morning.

The main attractions to us are Pikes Peak and Estes Park. We have some other smaller events in mind just so we have stuff to do but we have plenty of free time.

So I guess my question is, what would you all recommend? We're renting a car so traveling 1-2 hours away isn't out of the realm of possibility.

We've never been out there before so just looking for some more ideas in case we're missing something worthwhile. We booked this as more of a relaxing-without-a-formal-itinerary kind of trip.

Thanks!
-Colin (from the NAC)

 

[Hypoid]

Red Rocks Ampitheater

 

[UnlimitedMatt]

Make sure you drive all the way to the top of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (outside of Estes Park). If you have time, drive all the way over Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake. It is a cool little town with one main street.

On your way to Estes Park, take the scenic route: Highway 119 west to Nederland, then Highway 72 to Highway 7 to Estes Park. They call 72 the 'Peak to Peak' highway, very nice drive.

Just outside of Boulder up highway 119 is Boulder Falls. They are not very big, but worth the short walk from the parking area on the highway.

Also, if you have a chance one evening, you should drive up Flagstaff Road (in Boulder) to the overlook and watch the city lights turn on while the sun goes down.

You could also go to the Blackhawk and Central City area to see some cool mining history that is slowly being cleaned and covered up by modern Casinos.

 

[deedubb]

You could always tour the local breweries (if you're into beer). There are lots of good ones here up and down the front range.

 

[O-Gauge Steamer]

You definately will want to hit the Peak. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and you will be able to see Kansas from there. The view has to be experienced. After all, it did inspire the song "America the Beautiful" after all...

 

[Shadowmaker]

Phantom Canyon Brewery in Colorado springs is a nice spot for an evening meal and a flight of Colorado brews.

Manitou Springs a fantastic eclectic part of the springs too to wander in for a few hours.

Breckenridge is fun town, if you like the barley pop, hit up Breckenridge Brewery for the Vanilla Porter.

I think you can take Boreas or Guanellas pass over in a car if you want some slight back road stuff.

 

[adrenalinepirate]

Garden of the Gods
Cave of the winds
Lookout Mtn
Buffalo Bills grave
Tour Coors Beer
Tour Stranahans Whiskey

Where are you staying? If you are staying downtown lots of good food(can always look up in yelp).

 

[fallacist]

If you LIKE beer, I would scratch the coors brewery and hit up some of the craft breweries instead. Ft. Collins has a great handful, tare's Avery in Boulder(they have amazing food), and a handful in Denver. Great Divide is pretty tasty

 

[XJLI]

Avery and left hand in boulder. And do yourself a favor and rent an effing jeep and run at least one pass.

 

[in4aride]

When you come.down to pikes peak set up a tour of Glen Erie castle. free but you need to call ahead and let em know you'll be coming in. very.cool. built into canyon just north of garden of gods.

 

[DutchVDub]

Tommy Knockers Brewer in Idaho Springs is a great place to start the peak to peak drive.

Fort Collins has several good breweries. Longmont has Left Hand and Oskar Blues.

If you go all the way to Grand Lake there is a great brewery there too.

Estes Parks brewery is good as well.

You could actually turn the Peak to Peak drive into a brewery tour, although you'd need a DD.

If you like German food hit up the Black Forest Inn while in Nederland. Some of the best food ever.

 

[xj-grin]

Best German food is at the Black Bear Inn in Lyons, though they are only open on Fridays and Saturdays... yum. Although you may need to sell one of your children to pay the tab.

 

[DutchVDub]

I've never eaten there but Black Forest is great, and not too pricey either.

I'll definitely check out Black Bear though, probably next time my grandpa is in town.

 

[Hypoid]

I-70 to Grand Junction and back, with a stop at the hot springs in Glenwood Springs. For a whirlwind tour, it's a day well spent.

US 285 South from Denver to God-knows-where.

If you get as far as the Southwest corner of the State, the Sangre de Cristos are stunning!

Next, you'll be wanting to move here...

 

[MoparManiac]

Damn thanks for all the ideas guys.

Not sure we will be able to do everything but at least we won't run out of ideas now :laugh:

We land in Denver at midnight. I can't wait :cheers:

 

[DutchVDub]

Glenwood Springs Brewery is good too.