Week in Colorado
May 5th, 2016, 09:28 AM
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Week in Colorado
I'm planning a week-long trip to Colorado, mid-August, with my two college-aged sons. Places on my list are Durango, Telluride, Aspen (I want to see the Maroon Bells!), Boulder. We like to hike, bike, visit breweries (that will probably be high on the guys' list). We don't want to spend the entire week driving, but do want to see as much as possible. Should we fly into Albuquerque and make our way to Denver to hit these spots? Any thoughts on these towns in the summer? Are there other areas we shouldn't miss? We're not really interested in spending more than a night in Denver. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you!
May 5th, 2016, 09:55 AM
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A few things -
There are weekend events/festivals every weekend in Telluride. Some are VERY heavily attended others not as much. A lot of accomodations will require a 2 night minimum and priced tend to get inflated for the bigger festivals. I would suggest going there during the week.
http://www.visittelluride.com/festivals-and-events
Flying into ABQ makes good sense; the drive to Durango is about 3 1/2 hours. I'd be sure to spend some time at Mesa Verde National Park. It is worth a full day [more, actually, but you have a full list].
Not sure what the drop off fees will be for car; check that out. If you belong to Costco; check their prices as they often have good prices. Even if not member, it may be worth the $55 to join if you save more than that on rental.
Steamworks in Durango is worth a beer or 2.
Can't help with Aspen or Boulder but can help more with Durango and Telluride.
There are weekend events/festivals every weekend in Telluride. Some are VERY heavily attended others not as much. A lot of accomodations will require a 2 night minimum and priced tend to get inflated for the bigger festivals. I would suggest going there during the week.
http://www.visittelluride.com/festivals-and-events
Flying into ABQ makes good sense; the drive to Durango is about 3 1/2 hours. I'd be sure to spend some time at Mesa Verde National Park. It is worth a full day [more, actually, but you have a full list].
Not sure what the drop off fees will be for car; check that out. If you belong to Costco; check their prices as they often have good prices. Even if not member, it may be worth the $55 to join if you save more than that on rental.
Steamworks in Durango is worth a beer or 2.
Can't help with Aspen or Boulder but can help more with Durango and Telluride.
May 5th, 2016, 11:11 AM
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Given your time frame and the places you want to go, your trip is not very realistic IF your really want to do something other than driving all time. Colorado is a big state and travel through the mountain areas can be slow once you are off the interstates - that is most of the time.
A little perspective - if you fly into Denver, it is a long day drive to the Durango area and, of course, getting back to Denver is another full day of driving so two of your seven days are gone. Flying into ABQ can save a half day but that is about all.
Colorado has some convenient clusters of sights. One of them is SW Colorado - Durango, M Verde, Telluride, Silverton. You could easily spend your whole in that area.
Central Colorado works pretty well also. Denver, Georgetown, Leadville, back door to Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Glenwood canyon, Boulder, and maybe Estes Park would be another week.
Either cluster would give you time for hiking, biking, and beer. But you cannot do both.
A little perspective - if you fly into Denver, it is a long day drive to the Durango area and, of course, getting back to Denver is another full day of driving so two of your seven days are gone. Flying into ABQ can save a half day but that is about all.
Colorado has some convenient clusters of sights. One of them is SW Colorado - Durango, M Verde, Telluride, Silverton. You could easily spend your whole in that area.
Central Colorado works pretty well also. Denver, Georgetown, Leadville, back door to Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Glenwood canyon, Boulder, and maybe Estes Park would be another week.
Either cluster would give you time for hiking, biking, and beer. But you cannot do both.
May 5th, 2016, 07:04 PM
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Have you looked into flying to a closer town such as Gunnison or Aspen if you must go into that area? If you aren't visiting NM why fly into ABQ? Denver is 5 1/2 from us in Santa Fe and we are 1hr plus from ABQ. Stick to Colorado if that is where your interests lie. Durango is far from Aspen (5 hrs plus) and even Telluride depending on the highways. Last time we drove down to Telluride from Aspen we got to a road block and had to go all the way back to Glenwood Springs and then down I-70. There was a rock fall on the road and it was an incredibly time-consuming change so be prepared for things like that. Colorado is a vast country and I would hate for you to spend your time in the car rather than hiking the areas of interest to you.
Denver seems to be the best city to fly into so far according to your plans and if you cut out Durango it makes the best sense. Or, even fly into Aspen and end your trip in Denver (or vice versa) for your flight home.
Denver seems to be the best city to fly into so far according to your plans and if you cut out Durango it makes the best sense. Or, even fly into Aspen and end your trip in Denver (or vice versa) for your flight home.
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