Hi,

I am taking my 15 year old son to Denver for 5 days in mid-March. We've always wanted to take this trip and we are very much looking forward to checking out the overall area.

I've purchased a few travel guides on the area, but I know from experience that a lot of the best spots never make the books. Does anyone have any must see spots for Denver/RMNP/Colorado Springs areas?

I would like for us to check out the US Mint, but I've read it's in lock down right now and you have to submit a letter to your state rep 3 weeks in advance to go on a tour?? That seems odd, but maybe it's correct. Also, I know that RMNP is closed this time of year, but I've heard there are other roads into the park that are just gorgeous as well. Suggestions??

Also, my son would really like to go skiing when we are there for the day, but I'm not sure with spring break crowds if it's worth the effort. Any plans near Denver that may not be absolutely crushed with spring breakers?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

Janelle

hi janelle, for skiing take the ski train to winter park for the day. no driving, no parking!! get tickets now.
in colo springs you and son might like to see airforce academy. garden of the gods is pretty cool too.
lived 25 yrs in leadville never went to rmnp. so hopefully someone else will advise on that.
an alternate full day experience would be to drive I70W to the evergreen exit. head south to rte285. follow it south/west until it merges with 285/24N. go north towards buena vista and then leadville. in leadville you will be surrounded almost 360 by 14,000'mtns. from leadville take 91N to copper mtn. where you can pick up I70 back to denver. this drive is chock full of million dollar views so make sure your camera has an empty card!
go to golden, its close to denver but its downtown has a western small town feel. coors brewery tour in really interesting but perhaps you would not like to take son there. in boulder walk around the cu campus. drive up to the flatirons.

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated!

Virginia has given some good ideas. I take it you will have a car so you could drive to the mountains for a day of skiing at Keystone or Breckenridge--about 2 hours from Denver on the interstate. Even with crowds, skiing in Colorado is VERY worthwhile! There is also a butterfly pavilion in Westminster--sort of on the way to Boulder.
In Denver the zoo, museum of Science and Denver Art museum are VERY good.
Boulder would be fun for walking around for a day.

Janelle, RMNP is not closed, you just can't drive over Trail Ridge Road. We were there on March 2 and had most of the park to ourselves. It was great. We saw so many elk we got bored with elk! You can drive far enough into the park to get glorious views.