8 Days in Colorado - First time

Old Sep 29th, 2016, 03:05 PM
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8 Days in Colorado - First time

Hey guys,

My wife and I need to stay relatively near the Lone Tree area during our 8 day trip. We will have a rental. My main goal is to find amazingly scenic locations to photograph and perhaps a fun (not too touristy) town here and there with awesome breweries and/or restaurants hopefully.

Day 1: Lone Tree - Not sure what to do here, but need to be here on the first day. Any ideas?

Day 2-3: Colorado Springs - I'm thinking Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods are a must?

Day 4-6: Boulder - I'm considering driving Peak-to-Peak (https://www.codot.gov/travel/scenic-...l/peak-to-peak). Any places I should spend more time than not? Any other places that are recommended?

Day 6-8: Golden - Only because I'm reading that it's better to stay here than in Denver and it's close to the airport which we will be flying out of. I'm thinking lookout mountain? Any other scenic places not too far? Although I don't mind driving...

Let me know your thoughts on this itinerary.

Also, we are foodies from NYC and would love to check out great restaurants in this area so let me know of your recommendations.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 04:51 PM
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Well, gee, in that time, I would surely venture further than COsprings and Boulder. Sorry to be snarky.

Foodies from NYC--I HOPE you will venture into Denver.

Fruition, Barolo, lots and lots of FUN places in Denver.

and personally, I could leave COsprings and Pike's peak off of an 8 day itinerary of Colorado.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 05:18 PM
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When??
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 05:43 PM
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Good question - end of October
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 05:48 PM
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Gretchen -

Do you not recommend Colorado Springs at all? Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods seem to be awesome scenic locations to take photos which is a big priority on this trip.

As I mentioned in my post, I need to be in the near vicinity of Lone Tree so can't venture TOO far.

But any advice here is golden so I'll definitely consider bypassing Colorado Springs if that's what's recommended.

And thanks for the restaurant recommendations.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 06:46 PM
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You don't say what else you are interested in besides photography, that could make a difference. I assume you are looking at day trips from Lone Tree? You really should spend some time in Denver, easily the first day, museums? If you are into shopping, Park Meadows is right there & quite a few restaurants, enjoyed Seasons 52 last weekend. A drive to the mountains, perhaps Breckenridge if weather is decent would be good. Again, if weather is decent Castlewood Canyon is not far & great for hiking. There are some good restaurants in Castle Rock, which is close to Lone Tree, Union, Siennas, Old Stone Church, & more. If you like libraries, there is a beautiful new one in Lone Tree.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 09:51 PM
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BetsyG -

Not just day trips from Lone Tree, but places to stay at that are relatively close to Lone Tree (~1 hour away max). We just can't be too far from that location throughout this trip. However, from those places we stay at we don't mind taking day trips / long drives to places that are worth seeing. For example, if we stay in Boulder we will most likely be driving to RMNP.

I wish I was more descriptive in my OP. We're mainly looking for beautiful, scenic places we can drive to and hike at with a huge perk of being able to take photos at these locations since I'm very into photography. Some towns and breweries to stop by would be nice. Museums and shopping would be at the very bottom of our priorities and we may even not go to any.

Will look into your recommendations.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2016, 12:17 PM
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Your requirements are not making a lot of sense. If you have to stay within one hour of Long Tree, you will be very limited. Even with good traffic and staying with the interstate system, Boulder is outside of your hour range. You do know where Lone Tree is? Co Spring is well beyond the range. And you might be able to get as far as Georgetown in the mountains within the hour. And none of it is very scenic. You need a more realistic plan.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2016, 12:30 PM
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Ps. There are at least a doz micro breweries within 30 min of Lone Tree.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2016, 02:07 PM
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If I'm reading correctly, you can stay overnight anywhere within an hour of Lone Tree, and take day trips from those overnight locations that will take you well outside that hour radius.

Boulder and Colorado Springs are both about a 50 minute drive from Lone Tree with no traffic. If you don't have to factor rush hour into that hour radius, then either is fine as an overnight base. Georgetown is an hour from Lone Tree.
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Old Oct 4th, 2016, 12:52 AM
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The operative word is "No traffic." That is possible around midnight or so. The traffic in the Denver will not match New York standards ( the exception is Sunday pm from the mountains into Denver) but it can cause delay especially C470 that services the Lonf Tree area.

Still waiting for a little clarity on your plans.
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Old Oct 5th, 2016, 04:04 AM
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The first major snowstorm is moving into the mountains this weekend so that probably will finish the leaves for thus season.
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Old Oct 5th, 2016, 05:58 AM
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>>it can cause delay especially C470 that services the Lone Tree area.
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Old Oct 5th, 2016, 06:38 AM
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Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak are indeed scenic highlights and there are some wonderful hiking trails on offer.

Should you decide to venture down this way I can make some specific track suggestions.

As far as restaurants in Colorado Springs, I can highly recommend Marigold Bakery. The Swiss Chalet in Woodland Park (west of Colorado Springs) is very good too.

Not sure if either is on par with what NYC has on offer, but we like them!
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Old Oct 5th, 2016, 08:58 AM
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Based on the fact that uncharacteristic for this forum there are 20 out of the first 25 posts about Colorado, I think this is a fake post. Thats why it doesnt make much sense.
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Old Oct 5th, 2016, 09:19 AM
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nanabee: What makes you think so? It doesn't look 'spammish' at all. Totally reasonable OP and totally reasonable responses.

if you notice -- all those spam posts have been deleted (including you thread asking about them) . . .
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Old Oct 5th, 2016, 10:38 AM
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If I'm wrong (which is possible although it will shockingly be a first for me....NOT )
I do apologize.
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Old Oct 5th, 2016, 04:58 PM
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Thank you for all the helpful responses we've been getting.

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nanabee -

I can 100% guarantee you that this was not a spam thread. Not even sure what cues you saw to warrant such an accusation. No worries though.

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MidwestHiker -

"If I'm reading correctly, you can stay overnight anywhere within an hour of Lone Tree, and take day trips from those overnight locations that will take you well outside that hour radius."

Yes! That's exactly the case. We just need to be close to Lone Tree for personal reasons.

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Melnq8 -

So based on conversations I had with a few concierges from hotels we will be staying at, Colorado Springs is indeed a great idea for scenic places to see/photograph like Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. We decided we will be staying there for one night, but will be spending basically two full days to explore both places before driving to Boulder.

Glad you agree.

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Our first night will be in Denver. Then one night in Colorado Springs. Then boulder. Then flying home???

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So my MAIN question right now is this:

Is five days in boulder too long of a stay before flying back to NYC?

We were thinking that it's not because it's in close proximity to RMNP, Estes Park, and other important scenic places. It also has a few nice places within the town to check out like breweries and restaurants.
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Old Oct 5th, 2016, 05:47 PM
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My $0.02: I'd stay at least one of your five days (or is that nights?) in Estes. Reason being you are into photography and staying one night will get you a sunset and sunrise, usually a good time to be out with your camera.

Perhaps the best plan is to see what the weather forecast is like and make a snap decision. Unless it's a weekend you should be able to get something in Estes on short notice. Maybe go to Estes for a night before Boulder.

Have a great trip.
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Old Oct 6th, 2016, 08:16 AM
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Estes Park is well outside of you one hour window for overnight. Second the area around E Park is not all that great. The reason for staying in EPark is access to the Rocky Mt Nat park and Trail Ridge road - if it is open. At that time year very iffy. We are having our first serious snow in the mountains today and a couple of the passes are closed by drifting snow. Little effort is made to keep Trail Ridge open so it generally closes near the end of Oct into Nov. Trail Ridge would provide some good scenic areas and the lower roads will be open. It is just the road over the top that is closes.

Personally would think five days in Boulder is too much. Typical college town with an Italian Ren campus. The drive up Boulder canyon and Boulder falls is very scenic and more convenient than E Park and that would hook into Peak to Peak. I am not the biggest fan of Colorado Spring, Pike's Peak and Garden of the God especially at this time of year. For similar distance and time I would spend a night in Georgetown and make a run over Vail pass and through Glenwood Canyon. And if weather is good another day to Leadville.

From Lone Tree I think C470 to Golden and up 92 is faster to Boulder than using I-25 through downtown Denver and a much prettier drive.

Weather will be a major determinate of what you can do so bring good weather clothing including boots.
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