We are (2) adults in our mid 20s flying into Denver in the middle of September on a Saturday. We are scheduled to arrive in the morning and then we're renting a car for the week. We fly back out of Denver the next Saturday morning. That's the only definite plans so far. We just want to explore all (or as much as we can in a week) that Colorado and possibly neighboring states has to offer.

My questions are:
What are the must see's in Colorado? We are not the museum types or shopping fanatics, we love the outdoors & the mountains and would like to stay away from tourist traps. We like "off the beaten path" type places or activities.

Best places for hiking, scenery, horseback riding, whitewater rafting...etc?

Would it be a mistake to go to Utah for a couple of days? We were thinking about visiting Canyonlands & Arches National Park. We realize it would be a long drive, but it would offer a different type of landscape.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I think there is more than enough in Colorado to fill a week. I love Utah too and thInk that can be its own trip.

I've spent time in Colorado Springs, Boulder, RMNP, Vail, Aspen, Ouray, Durango and Mesa Verde. (I actually haven't even spent time in Denver! )The scenery was gorgeous and each place offers active and passive activities. These places are all on the beaten path in CO and reasons why people want to see Colorado. Why did you choose CO?

I don't know anything about the eastern part of the state, which may have the road less traveled you seek. But you'd be missing lots of great stuff on the other side!

Thanks for your response!! Well my husband chose Colorado for the Rocky Mountains and scenery! We also got a great deal on airfare into Denver, so now we're just trying to figure out what to do when we get there. This is our first trip out west, so we'd like it to be well-rounded.

The Utah idea was mine. I notoriously like to cram too many places into a trip, because I like seeing as many sites as possible. It just seemed like Arches and Canyonlands would be a nice change of pace from the lush mountains. I completely understand that it would probably make a better trip on its own. I just thought that maybe the drive from Denver to Moab, would be a scenic drive and we could stop along the way at different places?

In Colorado, I'm positive we're going to stop at RMNP to do some hiking, but besides that our plans are pretty open. Do you recommend any of those towns you mentioned over another? We're not big city people... Any particular scenic spots worth noting?

You might want to consider taking a ride on the Durango-Silverton RR.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57622636845987

We've done a ton of travel in that area in a week. I would head up to RMNP on the first day, find a place to stay in the area, maybe Estes Park. Spend that afternoon and the next day or two there, take a hike and at the very least drive the high road through the park, then continue out towards Silverton and drive the road to Durango that is almost parallel to the tracks, stopping when you find a great view. Then spend a day or two to visit Mesa Verde NP, then head over to Arches and Canyonlands for a day each if you have time. Head back to Denver to get your flight home.

There are lots of opportunities for hiking at all these places and you will get plenty of face time with the mountains.

Have done carrentals.com out of DIA to

www.stanleyhotel.com over the spine of the Rockies

to Grand Lake then Breckinridge Grand Junction

Arches/Moab utahparks.org back through Durango

classic.mapquest.com directions distances

Have fun,

www.mesaverde.com

Super cool Anasazi stuff

if u like that sort of thing

I do...

My suggestions for a week in the Colorado Rockies - (and after you read this you may be sorry you asked.) (IMHO, there is plenty to do in Colorado in a week and I would leave Utah for another time)

Since you are arriving in the morning, I would suggest you go to Rocky Mountain National Park--via Boulder and the Peak to Peak Highway--which has gorgeous scenery. You might want to stop in Boulder for brunch/lunch - here are some suggestions

• The Kitchen http://www.thekitchencafe.com/menus.shtml
• SALT http://www.saltboulderbistro.com/index.html
• Q’s http://www.qsboulder.com/ our favorite Sat/Sun brunch place--in the restored historic Hotel Boulderado one block from the Pearl Street Mall
• Boulder Tea House http://www.boulderteahouse.com/ fabulous building-a gift to Boulder from a sister city in Tajikistan

The Peak to Peak highway will put you in Estes Park --the eastern gateway to the park--so you can begin your exploration of RMNP on Sunday. The Peak to Peak Highway is one of the scenic Colorado byways--here's a website that shows you all of them. http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/scenic-byways

A nice hike off the Peak to Peak is to Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks wilderness area--if you have time on your way to Estes. http://www.protrails.com/trail.php?trailID=114

And here is the website for Rocky Mountain National Park http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
Besides the gorgeous mountain scenery both getting to the park and in the park, mid September is the time of the elk rut--when the bull elks compete with each other to gather their harems--with much bugling and shows of strength--lots of testosterone. RMNP is a prime location for this annual occurrence and lots of people go there to witness it. It is pretty amazing. I would give the rangers at the park a call to find out what to do, where to go, etc. I do believe that the rangers give talks about the elk, the rut, etc etc. If this is something you want to do, get your lodging reservations soon--though there are probably hundreds of places to stay in Estes. http://www.estes-park.com/lodging/lodging-list-estes

After 2 - 3 days in the park, drive Trail Ridge Road to exit the park on the west--and make your way back to I -70 and head to Glenwood Springs until Friday. (If you like hot springs, you could stop at Hot Sulphur Springs for a relaxing soak before you get back to the interstate. http://www.hotsulphursprings.com/

Just before you get to Glenwood Springs, the I-70 travels through Glenwood Canyon. In the canyon there is a hiking trail to Hanging Lake--which is well worth doing-- http://www.visitglenwood.com/hanging-lake

Here are some websites for Glenwood Springs http://www.visitglenwood.com/ http://www.hotspringspool.com/

Nice daytrips from Glenwood-- and if you’re going to any of these towns--one of my favorite sights in Colorado is the first view of Mt. Sopris as you head toward Aspen on highway 82--
Redstone-- http://www.redstonecolorado.com/
Marble-- http://www.marbletourismassociation.org/
Aspen-- http://www.aspenchamber.org/

Just outside of Aspen are the Maroon Bells-- http://www.colorado-hiking-vacations...oon-bells.html besides the peaks themselves there’s some good hiking in the area

On Friday, if you don’t want to retrace your steps (i.e., I-70 back to Denver) you can take Independence Pass from Aspen (head east out of Aspen) http://www.coloradodot.info/projects...ependence-pass After you cross the pass and get to highway 24 at Twin Lakes--you can either go north back to I-70. This route takes you through Leadville, which is 2 miles above sea level, and was a silver mining boom town in the late 1800's. Part of its historic district has been restored. The two tallest mountains in Colorado, Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive sit side-by-side just south of Leadville. Or you could go south on highway 24 to just past Buena Vista and take highway 285 back to Denver (that route takes you across South Park (yes it is a real place).

Unless your flight out of Denver is very early -- I would find a hotel in downtown Denver for the night, have a nice dinner and enjoy the city before your trip home the next day. (I can give restaurant recommendations, if you’re interested)

Thank you all for taking the time to write out your suggestions. We really appreciate all the ideas and the links. It has given us a lot to think about. If you think of anything else, please let us know. We are always open for restaurant recommendations as well! Thanks again!

Denver has lots of restaurants--give me some idea of types of food you like and your price range and I'll do my best.

I really like martym's plan. Reliving some of the places we enjoyed recently. And I have to say that so unexpected was the view of Mt Sopris and so stunning, that the car was pulled over and various photos were taken. Glad to know others think it is great as well.
I also enjoyed the drive south from I-70 to Salida, not only are the two tallest mountains along that road but about 10 more "14ers", really incredible.

If you want something different from mountains, you can head to Grand Junction and visit Colorado NM. Not as far as Moab- you'd save a couple hrs- but a lot less to do as well, so easier to fit into a tight schedule

As for restaurants...lets go for cheaper to moderately priced, as this was planned as more of a budget trip. No more than $20 an entree. A place with a unique atmosphere would be cool or some place unique to Denver. Thanks again for your help!

will be arriving Denver mid Sept. with my camera. Haven't decided on an itinerary . Will consider all the suggestions above - the parks, mountain passes, elk activity.
Additionally, where's a good place to go rafting? What about a location for photographing horses. Know of any ranches? Rodeo? hot air balloons? Any special events?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Along time ago there used to be rafting trips down the Yampa River. I do not know if they still exist.

The two restaurants that are the most unique to Denver--are expensive--but here are there websites in case you decide to splurge.

The Fort http://www.thefort.com/index.html
Buckhorn Exchange http://www.buckhorn.com/

Here are some other moderately priced places (not all entrees under $20)

North restaurant in Cherry Creek http://www.foxrestaurantconcepts.com/north.html

Lala's Wine Bar (located right behind the Colorado governor's mansion) http://www.lalaswinebar.com/Site/Home.html

Osteria Marco in Larimer Square http://www.osteriamarco.com/

El Diablo on south Broadwayhttp://www.eldiablorestaurant.com/

Venue Bisto in the Highlands neighborhood http://www.venuebistro.com/

Encore- restaurant in the Tattered Cover--a large independent bookstore http://www.encoreoncolfax.com/

Euclid Hall Larimer Square http://euclidhall.com/

Steuben's on 18th Avenue http://www.steubens.com/

martym, great suggestion and web links. I am planning a 10 day trip 10/10, am I likely to hit snow and not be able to do RMNP? Vegetarian restaurants in/around Denver you suggest? Thanks to everyone else and the info!

Well who can predict the weather. But the average closing date for Trail Ridge Road is Oct 23. The closing dates for the last few years were--11/1/10, 10/4/09, 11/6/08, 10/22/07, 10/23/06. And please do realize that the park is still open even though the highest part of Trail Ridge is closed in the winter--still plenty to see.

Pretty much any restaurant in Denver has vegetarian dishes on the menu. Three restaurants that you can depend on for not only vegetarian but vegan foods are

Watercours Foods http://watercoursefoods.com/
RootDown http://www.rootdowndenver.com/
Mercury Cafe http://www.mercurycafe.com/