Colorado in late September for a week
 

Planning my first trip to Colorado w/ my DH. (He has skied there before....) We are from South Florida and will want to escape the heat and take in beautiful scenery near the mountains for a week in late September/early October.

Thinking of landing in Denver to visit an old friend for an evening, and then going elsewhere from there. Interested in seeing parks/outdoor sights, good food, bike ride, mild hiking. Ok driving 4 hours to get somewhere. Researching Gunison and Colorado Springs. Recommendations? Great hotels to recommend? thanks!

That time of year is very nice in Colorado. Usually sunny and not too hot.

Gunnison might be further than you want to drive, although it is close to Crested Butte and other sites.

Colorado Springs? I wouldn't recommend it as a destination.

You say "near the mountains". Does that mean you don't want to drive into the mountains and stay in Winter Park, Steamboat, Breckenridge, Vail?

For a week you could go to Breckinridge for a few nights and then on to Aspen for a couple.
Agree about not COSprings.
Bring layers--the weather can be anything!! But it will be beautiful.

Thanks - no to Colorado Springs! I see that Gunnison is 5+ hours from Denver. To clarify, near the mountains" is the mountains!!! Will look at Aspen, Breckenridge and Vail.....

That is a good time especially for the changing fall colors. That time frame would put a week or so past peak color but with the very wet year we have had this year, the peak could come later. For the week you could hang out in and around Breckenridge/Summitt Cty or move a little further west to Vail/Beaver Creek. Depending on the amount of driving you want to do, could day trip through Glenwood Canyon, swing down to Aspen and come back over Independence Pass into Leadville. Lots of options in this area.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most spectacular destinations in the USA, and it is only 75 miles from Denver.

The drive on I-70 between Denver and Glenwood Springs is the most scenic of any interstate highway.

There are several interesting old towns near Denver, including Golden and Georgetown.

The drive up Lookout Mountain (near Golden) provides amazing views.

Going over Independence Pass on the way to or from Aspen is another memorable experience.

A good routing would be Denver-Gerogetown-Breakenridge-Independence Pass-Aspen-Glenwood Springs-Rocky Mountain National Park-Golden-Lookout Mountain-Denver.

HTtY

PS The drive up Mt. Evans (out of Idaho Springs) is another unforgettable experience.

You asked for a great hotel. Now that I understand you want to stay in the mountains, I recommend our all-time favorite, Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa.

We have gone there since it was just a cross-country ski area in the 70s. It has grown into a spectacular place, all eco-friendly. Their fine dining restaurant, the Ranch House, has been our go-to place for special dinner for many years.

Gorgeous lodge rooms and cabins. Family dining and fine dining. Hiking, horses, zip lining, swimming pool, etc. Stellar service.

They will probably be running some specials that time of year.

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