rh7036

Hello,

I'll be in Denver for the first time for a conference the end of March, and I'd like to plan a day trip to see some of the mountains. I've found three options on line, and was wondering if anyone could tell me which would be the best to take, or if there is something else I should consider.

The first is with The Colorado Sightseer, and includes Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, Clear Creek Canyon, Loveland Pass and the Continental Divide, lunch at Breckenridge, and a tour of the Phoenix Gold Mine.

The second is a shorter one through Grey Line and includes Red Rocks Park, Bear Creek Canyon, and Buffalo Bill's grave and museum.

The third is through The Arrangers (with the conference) and includes Rocky Mountains National Park through the eastern gateway, and lunch and sightseeing at Estes Park on the way home.

I don't know anything about any of the locations, so any advice would be appreciated!

spirobulldog

Not for sure about this time of year for sightseeing. I think most activies would still involve snow.

Lexma90

Definitely, in March, there will (should) be a lot of snow still in the mountains - all of the ski resorts will still be open.

The first tour that you describe is the only one that goes very far into the mountains, if that's your real focus. Red Rocks Park is in the foothills (the very edge of the mountains), and I'm guessing you'll ride west on I-70, which drives through Clear Creek Canyon, then over Loveland Pass. On a nice day, that should be fun. Breckenridge has great mountain views, and is an old mining town (though also with quite a few uglier, more modern buildings). Mine tours are pretty fun, though I've never visited that particular mine.

The Grey Line tour sounds the least interesting, unless you're really interested in Buffalo Bill. And the museum, as I recall from visiting years ago, is quite small.

The issue with the The Arrangers tour is that in March, Rocky Mountain National Park isn't very accessible. Trail Ridge Road, the main road that goes through the park, is closed, though I don't know at what point on the road it's closed. The mountains in the park are beautiful, but I'm not sure how much of them you'll be able to see or drive up into.

the_scarecrow_in_oz

And the winner is..........



Tour number.......



ONE!!!!!




As Lexma90 states, this is the only one that gets you up and actually OVER the mountains. My guess is that on the way to Breckenridge you'll stop at the top of Loveland Pass so you can get out and actually stand on the continental divide; then on the way back you'll pass through the Eisenhower Tunnel which passes UNDER the continental divide. I'll bet it's the most expensive one also.

Second place (and a distant one at that - especially at that time of year) would go to tour #3, because at least you'd be able to see SOME mountains. Although Rocky Mountain National Park is a worthwhile destination, it's main attraction - Trail Ridge Road - will be closed at Many Parks Curve which is only about eight meandering miles into the park. The town of Estes Park has its moments (like the Stanley Hotel), but for the most part is a kind of kitschy tourist-trap town.

Tour #2 sounds like it only takes you a little ways into the foothills, and unless you're an avid history buff, I'd give this one a pass.

Gretchen

Don't forget to see Denver proper. The Botanic Gardens are lovely. Science museum, Denver Art museum, and the new library additon are noteworthy.

rh7036

Thanks guys! This helps a lot. The first one does sound like a winner from your descriptions, and it's actually $20 cheaper than the Arrangers tour, so that's a bonus! Thanks for the Denver tips, too. I do also want to see some of the city while I'm there.