Must Sees in Colorado
Jun 27th, 2005, 03:17 PM
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Must Sees in Colorado
My future husband and I are getting married in October and we'd like to take a trip for our honeymoon through Colorado. We plan to take a week off of work and just "go"... we don't want to plan anything... we would just like to plan on "must sees"
We will start driving on a Monday and should return back to Austin on a Sunday. What are some must sees in Colorado? Pretty scenery in mid-october?
We will start driving on a Monday and should return back to Austin on a Sunday. What are some must sees in Colorado? Pretty scenery in mid-october?
Jun 27th, 2005, 04:27 PM
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Hi anywhere,
No need to travel north of Ouray--just stay in the very southern part of the state. Mesa Verde is totally interesting, Ouray has a wonderful hot springs pool, no need to go all the way to Glenwood Springs. Also, check the chamber or tourist bureau at Pagosa Springs for info on their twon and hot springs--really neat small town. All in all, just stay south and don't waste the time driving--so much to see and do down there. Check with AAA if you're a member or with Ouray trouist info bureau to find out the name of the motel that has its own series of hot tubs(spas).
Have fun.
No need to travel north of Ouray--just stay in the very southern part of the state. Mesa Verde is totally interesting, Ouray has a wonderful hot springs pool, no need to go all the way to Glenwood Springs. Also, check the chamber or tourist bureau at Pagosa Springs for info on their twon and hot springs--really neat small town. All in all, just stay south and don't waste the time driving--so much to see and do down there. Check with AAA if you're a member or with Ouray trouist info bureau to find out the name of the motel that has its own series of hot tubs(spas).
Have fun.
Jun 27th, 2005, 05:09 PM
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hello anywhere, i'm guessing you'll be coming into co trough trinidad and then to walsenburg. so here's my suggested route.
take 160west (alamosa, monte vista) to south fork. turn right onto 149north (creede, lake city) to gunnison.
then take 50west past blue mesa resevoir, to sapinaro. then 92north by black canyon of the gunnison. and on to hotchkiss, where you turn right onto 133north/east through paonia,redstone and carbondale. then turn left to glenwood springs on 82west. i would definetly plan a night at the glenwood springs lodge. the hot pools are wonderful and in the fall will be steamy and romantic at night. (or stay in the hotel colorado across the street)
now back to carbondale on 82. continue to aspen - look here but do not stay it is very pricey! continue on 82 over independence pass (by now you will have been over several passes but nothing in the state compares to the views from this road!) to twin lakes and leadville (this is the highest town in colo at 12,412 feet, the views are spectacular and its cheap. now depending on time you could take 24 to vail, catch I70east to summit county (copper, dillon, keystone, etc) then 91south back to leadville. this route will cover 3 more passes.
back on 24 south continue to buena vista. keep going south on 285 to villa grove (more hot springs, small more private) to mineral hot springs. then take 17 south to mosca. this is the entrance to great sand dunes nat'l park. from there back down to 160 west this time and home.
take 160west (alamosa, monte vista) to south fork. turn right onto 149north (creede, lake city) to gunnison.
then take 50west past blue mesa resevoir, to sapinaro. then 92north by black canyon of the gunnison. and on to hotchkiss, where you turn right onto 133north/east through paonia,redstone and carbondale. then turn left to glenwood springs on 82west. i would definetly plan a night at the glenwood springs lodge. the hot pools are wonderful and in the fall will be steamy and romantic at night. (or stay in the hotel colorado across the street)
now back to carbondale on 82. continue to aspen - look here but do not stay it is very pricey! continue on 82 over independence pass (by now you will have been over several passes but nothing in the state compares to the views from this road!) to twin lakes and leadville (this is the highest town in colo at 12,412 feet, the views are spectacular and its cheap. now depending on time you could take 24 to vail, catch I70east to summit county (copper, dillon, keystone, etc) then 91south back to leadville. this route will cover 3 more passes.
back on 24 south continue to buena vista. keep going south on 285 to villa grove (more hot springs, small more private) to mineral hot springs. then take 17 south to mosca. this is the entrance to great sand dunes nat'l park. from there back down to 160 west this time and home.
Jun 27th, 2005, 05:22 PM
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Hello anywhere, and congratulations from another Austinite!
Sounds like a great honeymoon, albeit a lot of driving for such a short trip. Takes 2 days just to get there and 2 days back. But Colorado has some mighty pretty scenery. I'd imagine most of the fall leaves would be gone by mid October, but the scenery in Ouray, Durango, and Mesa Verde is spectacular. Ouray has a great outdoor natural hot springs as does Glenwood Springs. Mesa Verde has a neat lodge right in the park, but you may need reservations there even in October.
Just a thought - there seems to be quite a few folks from Austin that frequent this board. I was thinking it time for a GTG - how big of a wedding are you planning? Got any extra room for your Fodor's friends? LOL
Again, congratulations, and happy travels!
Sounds like a great honeymoon, albeit a lot of driving for such a short trip. Takes 2 days just to get there and 2 days back. But Colorado has some mighty pretty scenery. I'd imagine most of the fall leaves would be gone by mid October, but the scenery in Ouray, Durango, and Mesa Verde is spectacular. Ouray has a great outdoor natural hot springs as does Glenwood Springs. Mesa Verde has a neat lodge right in the park, but you may need reservations there even in October.
Just a thought - there seems to be quite a few folks from Austin that frequent this board. I was thinking it time for a GTG - how big of a wedding are you planning? Got any extra room for your Fodor's friends? LOL
Again, congratulations, and happy travels!
Jun 28th, 2005, 05:52 AM
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Actually, Aspen in October is not pricey. It is the perfect time to get good deals on beautiful accomadations.
Go to www.aspensnowmass.com and look for lodging (I think it is under "where to stay"). The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and the St. Regis are the best boutique hotels in town- typically running into the thousands of dollars/nt during ski season. I have friends that always go at the very beginning of ski season in late November and get great rates at the Jerome. There are many many others that will be considerably less than those three. It is a beautiful old silver mining town with wonderful restaurants and great scenery.
Go to www.aspensnowmass.com and look for lodging (I think it is under "where to stay"). The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and the St. Regis are the best boutique hotels in town- typically running into the thousands of dollars/nt during ski season. I have friends that always go at the very beginning of ski season in late November and get great rates at the Jerome. There are many many others that will be considerably less than those three. It is a beautiful old silver mining town with wonderful restaurants and great scenery.
Jun 28th, 2005, 07:53 AM
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I also suggest southern CO for your visit. October should be nice without many tourists or snow. If you go as far as Aspen, which is one of our favorites, check out condos at The Gant. It's close enough to 'downtown' Aspen to walk in and out of town, and is a nice complex. Sort of a cross between a hotel and a condo complex. Two pools, tennis courts, nice lobby, etc. We have also stayed right in town at Aspen Square, which is more upscale and hotel-like, also nice.
Try not to drive around everyday. Just soak in the scenery and try to stay put. Minimize pollution!
Try not to drive around everyday. Just soak in the scenery and try to stay put. Minimize pollution!
Jun 29th, 2005, 02:54 PM
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in defense of my extensive drive itinerary - yes this is definetly a lot of touring. i am assuming you are in your 20's and i know when i was in my 20's road trips were much less daunting. i suggested seeing so much of the state so you could see a variety of places and thus have a better idea where you might like to take a few days or a week on future vacations/anniv. trips
the whole state is beautiful in one way or another, so there is a lot to be appreciated. i think you will be happy any place you go whether you pass through or stay. you could easily fly directly to any of the places mentioned in this thread and spend the whole week there and not get bored.
the whole state is beautiful in one way or another, so there is a lot to be appreciated. i think you will be happy any place you go whether you pass through or stay. you could easily fly directly to any of the places mentioned in this thread and spend the whole week there and not get bored.
Jun 29th, 2005, 05:17 PM
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AnyWhere,
Since you have a relatively short time you may wish to consider less driving and stay more to the south and west part of the state. You would like the Lake City area. From there you could, If you have a SUV type vehicle, easily get to Silverton via Cinammon Pass without having to put it in 4WD. It is dirt and high but not a white knuckle road. Then you would have the options of seeing Ouray and heading south towards Durango without having to drive all the way around. I've never understood why Glenwood makes peoples list of must see places. There are plenty of more scenic and intimate hot springs if hot springs are your thing. Enjoy your trip and have fun, you won't go wrong anyway in my state.
BeanMan
Since you have a relatively short time you may wish to consider less driving and stay more to the south and west part of the state. You would like the Lake City area. From there you could, If you have a SUV type vehicle, easily get to Silverton via Cinammon Pass without having to put it in 4WD. It is dirt and high but not a white knuckle road. Then you would have the options of seeing Ouray and heading south towards Durango without having to drive all the way around. I've never understood why Glenwood makes peoples list of must see places. There are plenty of more scenic and intimate hot springs if hot springs are your thing. Enjoy your trip and have fun, you won't go wrong anyway in my state.
BeanMan
Jun 30th, 2005, 03:23 PM
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You never really said what you would like to do here in Colorado. "Go" is a pretty open term for a driving vacation. There are many great areas throughout the state that offer different activities. I prefer the Vail/Summit area for their beauty and possibilities. Hiking, biking, golf, great restaurants and nightlife are all here. Also you should do some homework and find out if there are any "special events" i.e. Octoberfests or Music festivals during the time you are here. And remember that October could see any type of weather possible.
Jul 3rd, 2005, 08:44 PM
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Hi-
In no particular order, I'll give you our favorites here in CO.
Steamboat Springs (Strawberry Hot Springs is NOT to be missed, at night esp. Do a Google search for pix).
Telluride is great, but there's only one road in and out. Sort of hard and long to get to.
Crested Butte is a very nice little ski town.
Breckenridge is a great little touristy town, but it hasn't been ruined.
Aspen is overrated, IMO.
Vail is a rest stop with skiing, avoid. No charm.
A day or two in Denver/Boulder is great. The Lower Downtown (LoDo) area is full of restaurants and bars. You can easily secure a room via Priceline cheap.
Rocky Mountain National Park offers a scenic roadway from one end to the other, about 3 hours without stopping. One of the best Nat. Parks in the US.
Ouray is great.
Mesa Verde is "ok", but not great.
IMO, the Sand Dunes aren't interesting enough to go out of your way to get there (and that's the only way).
If you get a GOOD map/guidebook, it will list tons of great scenic roads throughout CO. It's a large state, but you'll enjoy a visit here immensely.
Now, a word about the weather. October WILL definitely offer some snow throughout the high country. It "probably" will not affect your trip, but you DO need to be aware that you'll experience some snow if you travel the state. Typically you won't get this in the Denver Metro and less mountainous areas, but it DOES happen.
Most likely you'll experience temps in the 45-70 range, always a big drop at night. Be prepared with GOOD maps and good emergency equipment (flashlight, gloves, power bars and a full tank of gas). Not to sound alarmist, but it's not unheard of that highways are shut down in the high country for awhile during freakishly large storms. The mountains get all that snow sometime!
Have a great trip. You'll find the folks very nice here and the scenery will be breathtaking.
In no particular order, I'll give you our favorites here in CO.
Steamboat Springs (Strawberry Hot Springs is NOT to be missed, at night esp. Do a Google search for pix).
Telluride is great, but there's only one road in and out. Sort of hard and long to get to.
Crested Butte is a very nice little ski town.
Breckenridge is a great little touristy town, but it hasn't been ruined.
Aspen is overrated, IMO.
Vail is a rest stop with skiing, avoid. No charm.
A day or two in Denver/Boulder is great. The Lower Downtown (LoDo) area is full of restaurants and bars. You can easily secure a room via Priceline cheap.
Rocky Mountain National Park offers a scenic roadway from one end to the other, about 3 hours without stopping. One of the best Nat. Parks in the US.
Ouray is great.
Mesa Verde is "ok", but not great.
IMO, the Sand Dunes aren't interesting enough to go out of your way to get there (and that's the only way).
If you get a GOOD map/guidebook, it will list tons of great scenic roads throughout CO. It's a large state, but you'll enjoy a visit here immensely.
Now, a word about the weather. October WILL definitely offer some snow throughout the high country. It "probably" will not affect your trip, but you DO need to be aware that you'll experience some snow if you travel the state. Typically you won't get this in the Denver Metro and less mountainous areas, but it DOES happen.
Most likely you'll experience temps in the 45-70 range, always a big drop at night. Be prepared with GOOD maps and good emergency equipment (flashlight, gloves, power bars and a full tank of gas). Not to sound alarmist, but it's not unheard of that highways are shut down in the high country for awhile during freakishly large storms. The mountains get all that snow sometime!
Have a great trip. You'll find the folks very nice here and the scenery will be breathtaking.
Jul 4th, 2005, 09:11 AM
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Hi!
I agree with rippowarm. Mesta Verda is a waste of time and out of the way and so is Aspen. We lived in Colorado (Colorado Springs) for 5 years (left 9 yrs ago) and loved it! It snowed one hollween night and we will never forget it! We went to Vail in March, 1987 on our honeymoon and ate many international restaraunts and skiied. To this day, we always treasure it! Summit County is great! Breakinridge is great for shopping. Keystone has nice condo's with a lake, horse carriage to take you around. When we lived in Colorado Springs, every morning or afternoon, we would see the prairy dogs pop up from the desert. I heard they are not there anymore. Cheyenne Mountain is pretty nice. There is Pikes Peak that you can drive up there to the top. Gorgeous! We traveled every where in colorado and our family believes rocky mountain park, summitt county (Lake Dillon-Holiday Inn-can rent bikes to ride around) and some hot springs were probably our favorites. Denver is o.k. to visit but not to drive around. An awsome restaraunt we enjoyed but food not the best called Casa Bonita.
The tunnels were my favorite to drive through!
Have fun!
I agree with rippowarm. Mesta Verda is a waste of time and out of the way and so is Aspen. We lived in Colorado (Colorado Springs) for 5 years (left 9 yrs ago) and loved it! It snowed one hollween night and we will never forget it! We went to Vail in March, 1987 on our honeymoon and ate many international restaraunts and skiied. To this day, we always treasure it! Summit County is great! Breakinridge is great for shopping. Keystone has nice condo's with a lake, horse carriage to take you around. When we lived in Colorado Springs, every morning or afternoon, we would see the prairy dogs pop up from the desert. I heard they are not there anymore. Cheyenne Mountain is pretty nice. There is Pikes Peak that you can drive up there to the top. Gorgeous! We traveled every where in colorado and our family believes rocky mountain park, summitt county (Lake Dillon-Holiday Inn-can rent bikes to ride around) and some hot springs were probably our favorites. Denver is o.k. to visit but not to drive around. An awsome restaraunt we enjoyed but food not the best called Casa Bonita.
The tunnels were my favorite to drive through!
Have fun!
Jul 4th, 2005, 11:57 AM
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Well, this is what I would do, but be forewarned - it's a lot of driving.
Both drives into and out of are 1100 miles each, so factor that in when planning days.
I'd head from Austin straight to Estes Park Colorado (1100 - check it out on Mapquest) I'd stay in Estes Park for at least one night. The drive across the park is some of the most incredible, accessible scenery in this country. Be sure to stop and do some short hikes - if only to stretch your legs.
Then, I'd head toward Durango. There are multiple routes you could take. Just north of Durango is Ouray and one of the other most spectacular drives in the country. Little Switzerland kind of terrain. I'd spend two nights in the Durango area. I'd DEFINITELY go to Mesa Verde. Absolutely incredible. I've been enchanted with Mesa Verde since I read about the cliff dwellers in the 3rd grade. Hard to believe it doesn't float some folks' boats.
From Durango, I'd head south toward Santa Fe. You'll be driving across high desert. Santa Fe is magical. If you have time, stop in Taos on the way south. Spend at least 1 night in Santa Fe. If you are on a budget, I would make this my splurge visit. Stay near the plaza. Try to get into La Fonda if possible. Have a romantic evening in Santa Fe. Do go to the Georgia O'Keefe museum, even if you aren't "into art". Just an hour there will be memorable.
Then, hightail it across Texas back to Austin.
Monday night - stay somewhere on way to Estes Park
Tuesday night - Estes Park
Wed - Rocky Mountain National Park
Wed night - another night in Estes Park
Thursday - drive to Durango via Ouray - sightseeing along the way- 384 miles - 7 hours
Thursday night - Durango
Friday - Mesa Verde and then on to Santa Fe - 241 miles - 4 hours
Friday night - Santa Fe
Sat - Santa Fe and start heading home
Sat night - somewhere on the way home
Sunday - finish the 12 hour / 800 mile drive home.
This is a lot of driving but will take you to spectacular scenery, plenty of places to get out and about to sight-see or do short hikes.
Both drives into and out of are 1100 miles each, so factor that in when planning days.
I'd head from Austin straight to Estes Park Colorado (1100 - check it out on Mapquest) I'd stay in Estes Park for at least one night. The drive across the park is some of the most incredible, accessible scenery in this country. Be sure to stop and do some short hikes - if only to stretch your legs.
Then, I'd head toward Durango. There are multiple routes you could take. Just north of Durango is Ouray and one of the other most spectacular drives in the country. Little Switzerland kind of terrain. I'd spend two nights in the Durango area. I'd DEFINITELY go to Mesa Verde. Absolutely incredible. I've been enchanted with Mesa Verde since I read about the cliff dwellers in the 3rd grade. Hard to believe it doesn't float some folks' boats.
From Durango, I'd head south toward Santa Fe. You'll be driving across high desert. Santa Fe is magical. If you have time, stop in Taos on the way south. Spend at least 1 night in Santa Fe. If you are on a budget, I would make this my splurge visit. Stay near the plaza. Try to get into La Fonda if possible. Have a romantic evening in Santa Fe. Do go to the Georgia O'Keefe museum, even if you aren't "into art". Just an hour there will be memorable.
Then, hightail it across Texas back to Austin.
Monday night - stay somewhere on way to Estes Park
Tuesday night - Estes Park
Wed - Rocky Mountain National Park
Wed night - another night in Estes Park
Thursday - drive to Durango via Ouray - sightseeing along the way- 384 miles - 7 hours
Thursday night - Durango
Friday - Mesa Verde and then on to Santa Fe - 241 miles - 4 hours
Friday night - Santa Fe
Sat - Santa Fe and start heading home
Sat night - somewhere on the way home
Sunday - finish the 12 hour / 800 mile drive home.
This is a lot of driving but will take you to spectacular scenery, plenty of places to get out and about to sight-see or do short hikes.
Jul 4th, 2005, 12:13 PM
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Sorry to disagree with the last two posters, but I have to add my two cents.
Mesa Verde is a GREAT idea on paper, but in reality there's simply not a whole lot to see (unless something has drastically changed in the past 5 years). It's not like there are terrific recreations of anything, it's mostly just some adobe rooms tucked under some cliffs. We were disappointed with what we saw there. Good to see once? Perhaps, but certainly not if you have to go out of your way to see it on a tight schedule.
Estes Park IS a very pretty little town, but it's overwhelmingly thought of here in Denver as too touristy and really rather unfriendly to boot. It IS a great jumping off point to RMNPark, but it's also quite ez to drive there from Boulder or Denver on your way through (about 1 hour from Boulder). I would suggest that if you make it to Denver, stay in this area for night or 2(enjoy some restaurants, museums etc) and then drive to RMNpark in the am (1.5 hours to entrance).
BTW, "Casa Bonita" is the worst restaurant in the entire state of Colorado. Do NOT eat there, it's simply gross and a well-known tourist trap. Think ChuckECheese with Taco Bell food, for kids only.
Santa Fe is ok to visit once, but really CO is much more beautiful and you can find and will see more here than there. Unfortunately, it's an overpriced tourist trap. The "artists" aren't really there anymore, it's mostly rich gallery owners and art snobs. Sorry, but true.
Feel free to email me if you have questins: [email protected]
Mesa Verde is a GREAT idea on paper, but in reality there's simply not a whole lot to see (unless something has drastically changed in the past 5 years). It's not like there are terrific recreations of anything, it's mostly just some adobe rooms tucked under some cliffs. We were disappointed with what we saw there. Good to see once? Perhaps, but certainly not if you have to go out of your way to see it on a tight schedule.
Estes Park IS a very pretty little town, but it's overwhelmingly thought of here in Denver as too touristy and really rather unfriendly to boot. It IS a great jumping off point to RMNPark, but it's also quite ez to drive there from Boulder or Denver on your way through (about 1 hour from Boulder). I would suggest that if you make it to Denver, stay in this area for night or 2(enjoy some restaurants, museums etc) and then drive to RMNpark in the am (1.5 hours to entrance).
BTW, "Casa Bonita" is the worst restaurant in the entire state of Colorado. Do NOT eat there, it's simply gross and a well-known tourist trap. Think ChuckECheese with Taco Bell food, for kids only.
Santa Fe is ok to visit once, but really CO is much more beautiful and you can find and will see more here than there. Unfortunately, it's an overpriced tourist trap. The "artists" aren't really there anymore, it's mostly rich gallery owners and art snobs. Sorry, but true.
Feel free to email me if you have questins: [email protected]
Jul 4th, 2005, 12:21 PM
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"It's not like there are terrific recreations of anything, it's mostly just some adobe rooms tucked under some cliffs"
It's not meant to be Disneyland. The whole point is that people actually lived in those "adobe rooms tucked under some cliffs". It's history in a fantastic natural setting, not entertainment.
As I said, it depends on your interests. And, perhaps it's not suited for anywhere's purposes. But it really bothers me to hear it just dismissed out of hand. Not everyone wants an amusement park vacation.
It's not meant to be Disneyland. The whole point is that people actually lived in those "adobe rooms tucked under some cliffs". It's history in a fantastic natural setting, not entertainment.
As I said, it depends on your interests. And, perhaps it's not suited for anywhere's purposes. But it really bothers me to hear it just dismissed out of hand. Not everyone wants an amusement park vacation.
