Breck is in Summit County. It's a town first, a resort second. It's got a very different feel than either Aspen or Vail. Each of those locations has its fans. It's awfully hard to predict which you'll like. To me, Aspen is richer (in a very laid back way), evidenced by the shops you'll find in town (Gucci, Hermes, etc.). Vail in summer is pretty laid back but still can be pricey. It's sort of a golf mecca. Breck is much more of a touristy, family town (too crowded for my taste). I'm a sucker for views, uncluttered by t-shirt shops and traffic jams.

Do you want to be in town? Someone did a trip report last year from their stay in a condo on Lake Dillon. From there it's a 20 min. drive to Breck, 15 to Frisco, 30 (at most) to Vail. I've taken a drive to Aspen, lunch there, over Independence Pass and back through Leadville several times in one day. It's a long day but not difficult.

It's possible that you'll have a hard time finding rafting trips in Summit Co. in late July. You're more likely going to find something in Glenwood Springs (about a 2 hour drive from Summit Co.).

Judy, This trip report might be helpful.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34671341

We fell in love with Ouray on our fall trip last year. A beautiful town with plenty to see and do. We stayed at a great hot springs inn and had a wonderful relaxing time there. I highly recommend Ouray.

Definitely do the whitewater rafting. It was one of the most fun things I have ever done! It would also be a good early trip thing to do because you will want to go to the Arkansas River to raft and it is at lower elevations!

Do Not drink the water!!!! It will make you sick but drink TONS of bottled water to keep from getting altitude sickness.

Don't drink the water - in the river, in the hot springs, or in general? That made me curious? I find Colorado water to be very fresh and clean tasting compared to other parts of the country.

I don't get the don't drink the water comment either. Yes, do not drink out of streams, rivers or lakes. The tap water is fine and great compared to other places I have visited.

Decided our itinerary! IFirst night at an airport hotel. Next day drive to Estes Park via Boulder, meander around Boulder. 3 Nights Estes Park, 3 nights Breckenridge, 2 nights Colorado Springs for Pikes peak and Garden of the gods, final 2 nights in Denver for a Rockies game and sightseeing. Thanks for all your info, you have all been wonderful .

The Denver tap water has high altitude parasites in it that can make you very sick ala Montezuma's revenge. While it does not bother the locals, it makes some of us lowlanders very sick. Almost every Nebraskan who goes to Colorado I have spoken to has had this problem. Why take chances and possibly ruin your vacation?

Bella, is this true? Wow never heard of that in the US before...very interesting!

Yeah, all of us "locals" have special systems that allow us to be immune to the "high altitude parasites" in our drinking water. Come on! With the number of visitors and transplants to Colorado each year, the hospitals would be overflowing if this was true. Bella it is completely irresponsible to post information about Colorado's water quality standards based on Nebraska folklore.

High altitude parasites? And Denver doesn't treat their water? This has to be a joke. Funny thing, I'm on another discussion board with many Nebraska and Kansas members, and none of them has ever mentioned this. And the board is devoted exclusively to travelling to Colorado.

"Aspen is very up-scale and openly flaunts its wealth."

I know that's the rep the town gets but haven't found that to be true. There are alot of upscale restaurants and shops but alot of very down to earth people in the town. In twenty years I've run into one snotty hostess at a restaurant and everyone else has always been great in shops, galleries, and restaurants.

As far as finding inexpensive lodging in Aspen, go to www.aspensnowmass.com and look for the many options in all price ranges. There are places there that might not be available on orbitz, travelocity, etc.

There isn't much of a low season in Aspen or in all of Colorado due to the beautiful year round weather and all of the outdoor activities in all seasons. There is actually a huge music festival in Aspen that will drive the rates up and you may be looking at dates during the festival.

Ridiculous in the nth degree.Stupid.

Weather is always a consideration in Colorado. Especially in the high country, there can be snow at any time. I've seen really hot Julys and cool rainy Julys. The rivers might be too high or too low for rafting. There could be raging forest fires that would make you completely change your itinerary.

Colorado is a really big state. What are your goals? Relaxation, sightseeing, hiking? Going to Aspen and Ouray take a lot of driving time. It cost $20 just to drive through RMNP but the pass if good for a week. Trailridge Pass is a beautiful drive but there can be a lot of traffic.

There is nothing wrong with the Colorado water. I may be a native CO but my kids aren't and we've never had problems. When I lived at sea level and would come to visit family here, I would get altitude sickness. For about 3 days, I would get the worst headache in the world that no meds could touch. Then it would spontaeously disappear.

If you are flying into Denver late, try staying at one of the hotels near the airport. Get up early to drive further. You'll be more rested and less stressed. The view of the front range of the Rockies from the airport is wonderful.

Be careful driving on Pena Blvd. It's a major speed trap.

Just a little more info if you are interested... Make sure you check out bear lake in RMNP - great hiking. That time of year will be busy though. You'll have to take bus up but don't worry, very well signed as to where to catch bus. Great picnic ground at Sprague lake (great view and easy walk around lake). If you have time take old trail ridge road up (its a one way dirt road up to top but gets you closer to nature). There's a nice waterfall at the base of the road too. (however, you will miss other parts of the drive and since it is one way, you can't come back down that way.) Grand Lake is beautiful, there is a hike to falls on east side of town that is short hike. You can also rent a pontoon or other boat on the lake where you can see nice views. Also has descent small town shopping for souveniers.

Breckenridge is nice too...Lot's to do in town. Take drive to Frisco and maybe rent a canoe or other boat (if you're into that kind of thing.) If you like to hike, wildflowers should be in bloom on top of Vail pass (about 15 miles west of Frisco exit on top of pass and head south on dirt road past rest area. There will be a small parking lot to park in and it is about a 45 minute to 1 hour hike to wildflowers..high elevation though).

If you go down I70 to get to CO Springs, take a drive up to Mt. Evans from Idaho Springs. From Echo Lake it costs about 6-10 to drive to the top, nice drive up - drive slow and cautious, watch for mountain goats (they have their babies that time of year) That is highest paved road in North America and short hike (300 feet) from parking lot to peak 142?? feet. (360 degree mountain views)
Beau Jeau's in Idaho Springs is a pizza place well known for Colorado Mountain Pies - if you don't like crust, don't bother.

Garden of the gods is great for bouldering and the drive up Pikes peak is nice. If you have the cash and have already driven to top of Mt. Evans, try the Cog funicular to top of Pikes Peak.

In Denver there are tons of scalpers outside the stadium and I've never had any problems with their tickets. I prefer upper level because the mountain views are better and you can usually sit in the mile high level if Colorado isn't undefeated. 16th St. Mall is nice. If you get bored in Denver head up to look out mountain and see Buffalo Bill's grave and have a buffalo burger at the gift shop (it's up I70 watch signs) Coors Brewery is nice tour. Its free and if you just want samples ask for the short tour. (It's in Golden) Do NOT stay in any hotels on Colfax! Lots of problems with homeless/drugs.

There are great whitewater rafting companies in Canon City south of Colorado Springs. Usually about $60-100 to go under Royal Gorge.

Another option for white water rafting is Just east of Idaho Springs. It is much shorter than Canon City, however, cheaper.

I hope some of this info is helpful, any other ?? let us know, we are very happy to share our backyard playground with everyone!!!!

Wow Colorado37, that is some wonderful info! I am going to print it out for our trip! Coming from flat South Florida to your gorgeous state, I get goose bumps just thinking of the mountains....it must be the grass is always greener thing...but those Rockies look magnificent. I hope there are patches of snow...I always get excited when I see snow! What am I doing in S Fla????!

Ironically, we are coming to Florida in April to do the Disney thing again. We moved here about 7 years ago because we absolutely love the mountains and our travels usually take us to find bigger and better ones. email me at [email protected] if you have any particular questions about this area. I am by no means an expert, but having most my family living in other states, I am usually the travel agent for them in Colorado.