DW and I are going to Colorado to visit DS#1 who has an apartment (since yesterday) in Capitol Hill. He's going to be a teacher. We fly in on thursday the 9th and out on saturday the 18th. We stay thursday the 9th and friday the 10th at a B&B near DS.

He'll be able to go with us saturday to Boulder or Estes Park, but then we have to return to Denver so he can start work on Monday. Then, sadly, we don't know what to do. I know this sort of question can be very annoying to seasoned travel advisors, but what do you think we should do?

Should we take a train to Grand Junction, rent a car and drive to Durango and back to Denver? Or should we go to Steamboat Springs or some place not too far from Denver so we don't spend all our time traveling? What's a really pretty place to spend three or four nights not too far from Denver where we can appreciate the window treatments yet feel like we're in the Rocky Mountains. A pleasant cottage or B&B with wi-fi by a lake nestled by towering mountains with free bikes and kayaks would be nice.

We are not as young as we used to be. My volleyball skills have deteriorated and my bike has a motor (which enables me to pass people in spandex, which is really quite thrilling). We like stylish places that don't cost much, like the Jane Hotel in NYC or the Delano in South Beach if it were a lot cheaper. We like to kayak. Swiming would be nice. Hiking is nice. I haven't been to Colorado but used to go to Arizona to visit my parents. Maybe Durango is too much like Arizona.

And what about Wyoming? Anybody in Denver ever go to Wyoming or do they try to stay in Colorado?

I've made this more difficult than it should be haven't I? Where would you go for three or four nights from Denver with a rental car? That's what I should have asked.

I would rent a car and drive to Aspen/Glenwood springs. There is much to do and enjoy--the Marroon Bells.
You can spend as much or as little time as you want. I think Colorado has MUCH mor to offer than Wyoming, except for the Tetons/Yellowstone, but since you haven't seen CO, stay there. You have plenty of time to go see Mesa Verde, and there are numerous threads at the moment about CO.
Lots of great places to visit, eat, and just enjoy.
there are ways to drive west on one route, and back on another so you aren't backtracking. And driving on the interstates is easy and enjoyable.

Durango is NOTHING like AZ! It has beautiful mountains covered in evergreens and aspens. Mesa Verde National Park is a gem. Drive the Million Dollar Highway to see spectacular vistas, ride the Narrow gauge RR.

ok. The two of you are very persuasive. We'll go to Boulder (which is supposed to be nice) with DS on saturday, back to denver on sunday, and monday we'll head west to durango (which is NOTHING like Arizona). Durango is near Mesa Verde I think. We'll stay at the Blue Lake Ranch for three nights and leave thursday to drive back on a different route to denver. By then maybe there will be a futon for us to sleep on in DS#1's new apartment for two nights. Then, before we overstay our welcome, we'll leave. I'll have to see if there's an Ikea or Target in Denver.

Here's where we're staying for the first two nights in Denver:
http://www.capitolhillmansion.com/

Here's where we stay near Durango:
http://www.bluelakeranch.com/index.htm

Don't get stuck with a drop off fee on a car you rent in Grand Junction turned in in Denver.
The westbound California Zephyr leaves the interim Amtrak station (1800 21st St Denver) at 8:05AM (possibly later).
You could go as far as Glenwood Springs and stay there or take the bus 41 miles to Aspen.
Glenwood Springs has 2 large old hotels and the world's largest hot spring fed swimming pool all within walking distance of the Amtrak station. The ride up the tram to Glenwood Cavern is good as well.

Great choice with Blue Lake Ranch! And yes, there is an Ikea in Centennial, a bit south of Denver.

Please, just drive. You'll love it.
I don't know where you "come from" but visit Denver's Tattered Cover book store ( at TRULY unique experience), and Whole Foods. I know the latter isn't so unique any more.
BUT for really unique stores, find Five Green Boxes--there are two of them, and on a truly wonderful cute street with other great little shops and restaurants. I'll look for the address.
Eat at Barolo Grill, Fruition. Visit the Denver Art Museum and eat at Pallettes there for a wonderful meal. Have ice cream at Little Man's up in the Highlands?

Please, just drive. You'll love it.
I don't know where you "come from" but visit Denver's Tattered Cover book store ( at TRULY unique experience), and Whole Foods. I know the latter isn't so unique any more.
BUT for really unique stores, find Five Green Boxes--there are two of them, and on a truly wonderful cute street with other great little shops and restaurants. I'll look for the address.
Eat at Barolo Grill, Fruition. Visit the Denver Art Museum and eat at Pallettes there for a wonderful meal. Have ice cream at Little Man's up in the Highlands?
Here is the site for Five Green Boxes. Two shops--very unique.
http://www.5greenboxes.com/

Tom, it looks like the train will leave without us. We'll plan to rent a car for the drive to Durango, researching rates airport vs in-town, and seeing if we can't share DS#1's car, which is actually our car, but we don't want to quibble. Thanks Gretchen and Debit for the restaurant, grocery, book store, ice cream and target suggestions. We come from Maryland.

Now I'm looking for cheap sofabeds from Ikea in Centennial. Assembling Ikea stuff should soak up some quality time.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...by-debitnm.cfm

Ain't IKEA great. Your son's location should be a lot of fun for him also. Our children live near there.

The Asian Aloha Festival will be on that weekend in Boulder - http://www.bapaweb.org/About.html

The farmers markets Saturday morning are great (but crowded!) -
http://www.boulderfarmers.org/

If you like pizza Pizzaria Locale is truly excellent. My husband and I still haven't decided if it's better than the best pizza we had in Italy or not, but it's by far the best we've had in America. http://www.pizzerialocale.com/

We've had several visitors stay at The Quality Inn and everyone thought it excellent (and they have complimentary bikes) - http://www.qualityinnboulder.com/

Let me know if you want more Boulder info.

Lamentably, the quality inn is sold out that weekend. I guess I shouldn't delay finding a place for us to stay that saturday. Thanks for the link to durango restaurants and cool things to do in Boulder. I'll have lots more questions once we start our trip. Assuming I can find free wi-fi while in wild and wooly colorado.

Try the Warwick, which is downtown but close enough to Capitol Hill. It is a good hotel.

I was going to say the same as the 1st poster. In '77 ( a million years ago!) DH had a conference in Aspen. We landed in Denver and made the trip there in ~4 hours. Aspen in the summer is great! Beautiful town--much more compact then, but so be it--lovely places to go for simple hiking or just walking if you are not into hiking. We went to the ghost town of Ashcroft and were treated to seeing a "cowboy wedding", (apparently it is popular for that) but other than the small wedding party, it was quite the experience to see the old deserted place. Maroon Bells is also beautiful. Great shopping and eating in Aspen itself and other ski towns to explore if you are interested. You can go via Independence Pass, a continental divide with breathtaking views!

(Sorry, just saw your Durango plan, but I will leave my response in case it is useful to anyone else.)

Thanks sw. I'm still a little worried about too much driving, but we'll probably leave denver on sunday so we can break up the drive to durango, and maybe stretch the return over two days. We'll see.