This July my husband and I would like to spend about a week in Colorado following an event we’re attending in Colorado Springs. I’ve spent some time in CS before and he’s never been at all. Right now, it’s TBD if we will be doing any sightseeing in CS, but with that location as a starting point, what places/parks/cities do you recommend? We enjoy beautiful scenery, interesting towns, activities such as easy hikes and good food. I’m thinking we’d like to hit at least 2 different locations, or more, if not too many driving hours are required. Also, this will be the week of July 4 and we certainly would want to see fireworks someplace. Thanks.

Pack a lunch and head for Garden of the Gods--incredible scenery--nice short hikes.

Take a short run up to the Air Force Academy and see how your tax dollars are spent educating America's finest. Return to Colorado Springs and drive west and make a loop through the mining towns of Cripple Creek and Victor on your was down to Canon City. Head west to Poncha Springs, then south toward Alamosa on your way to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Find your way east to Walsenburg and then turn north through Pueblo for a look at the desert there.

We really enjoyed Glenwood Springs when we went through that area.

Great Sand Dunes is really really cool

I would definately suggest a trip to Rocky Mountain National park. I am not sure how far you want to venture away from Colorado Springs but a great destination would be Durango and take the train ride to Silverton. Also not too far from there Arches Natonal Park. Great Scenery well worth the drive.

You're being sent out of state (Arches) on what seems a short trip. Garden of the Gods and other scenic places (Cave of the Winds, Pikes Peak) are right outside the springs, and other close trips might be Cripple Creek, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument,Sand Dunes, and Royal Gorge. Ghost towns such as St. Elmo, with a stop at Princeton Hot Springs would be a fun outing.There are so many beautiful spots in and around the area, you don't need to go very far afield to enjoy. If you plan on staying anywhere for the 4th, better make reservations early, though.

We love Colorado Springs. You can easily spend a week just in and around that area, at all the places mentioned here. We almost always go up to Florissant and hike around and look at the fossils, and we really really enjoy Mueller State Park (between Woodland and Florissant). The times we have been there it has not been crowded (like RMNP) and is stunningly beautiful.

A few years back, we ventured beyond and did a week long loop of southern Colorado. It was a lot of driving, but worth it. We drove from Colo springs to Alamosa the first day and did the Dunes (amazingly cool), spent the night there, then the next day drove to Mesa Verde. On the way we tok a side trip up to Creede along the Rio Grande. We enjoyed Creede so much we really wished we could have stayed there longer.

We spent the night in Mesa Verda at the lodge there, which was totally worth it to be there after the day crowds were gone and to be up early in the morning. Side note, saw double rainbows early in the morning, was just so beautiful. Spent the whole next day there and did a few tours, then spent the night again.

Drove the next day up to can't remember where, but on the way up stopped at, uh oh can't remember the name, but if I did you would know it! (very tired). But anyway, the next day we were at Black Canyon of the Gunnison which was absolutely totally amazing.

Okay, so that is a bit of a driving trip, but another idea for you to ponder. Colorado is absolutely one of my favorite states to visit. Plan on falling in love and planning return visits.

I suggest the cog train trip up to the top of Pikes Peak. Make reservations ahead of time. A nice outing and fabulous view at the top. Take a jacket.

Thanks for all the responses.

To clarify - our starting point is Colorado Springs. We don't necessarily have to finish there but for reasons related to booking the flight I would probably want to end in Denver or make a loop back to CS.

Since I have already seen some sights around CS but my husband has never been to CO at all, I'm thinking we ought to see places that are new to both of us. I would just like to stay in CO (have already been to most parks in southern UT). After all, it is a big state with lots of options!

Toucan's is actually a good route for some sightseeing, but as mentioned a lot of driving.

You could also head North at Alamosa to get into the central mountains of Colorado and visit Leadville, Vail, Glenwood Springs, etc. Then you're at I-70 which is a straight shot back to Denver.

Been several times to Colorado on conferences and been to the other locations mentioned. I have to say the #1 place to see is Rocky Mountain National Park...realy.
From Denver, drive North to Boulder stop and have breakfast and get a packed lunch at one of the great homemade bread stores, see some of the gift shops, drive into the PArk thru Estes Park entrance do the loop all day very long but worth it and come out at the South end towards Granby and I 40 to Denver.
You could enter at the South end since you are already at Colorado Springs.
You do want to get lodging soon and if you are a Veteran or have a Sr Pass the Park fee would be cheaper.
Also I like going to Celestial Tea Co tour in Boulder (you can google celestial teas and get to their site with tours)

denver.org has a listing of things to do in teh general Denver area

One more thing. You said you were going around July 4, right? You might want to check when the Pike Peak Road Rally (can't remember the exact name) is. I seem to remember it is right around then and that might impact some of your driving plans.

With Colorado Springs as your starting point--especially with heavy July tourist traffic-- I would definitely NOT recommend Rocky Mt. Nat'l Park for your itinerary. Because I believe you'd have to travel north from CS to Lyons, through some congested traffic to get there, or from there to Denver airport.

The southern part of Colorado is so beautiful, no need to head north. I think you indicate you might want to stay a few nights someplace other than C Springs-- ?

I'm not looking at a map, but I'd suggest you research places like Crested Butte, Ouray, Telluride, Aspen, etc. They are amazingly pretty mountain areas, and probably less crowded than Estes and RMNP. I think every town has a fireworks display on the 4th. (If you head to the mountains, remember to bring layers of clothing-- we've seen fireworks on the 4th during a snowstorm in Winter Park!)

I'd suggest picking one of the towns I mention, and making it your destination for a few nights. We especially like Aspen. So much to do there, and really beautiful scenery. Not as expensive and glitzy as many think, either.

If you want to stay on the Front Range, then fly home from Denver, Boulder is a great homebase, too. Depends on what you want-- more cities or country? It's easy to put together an enjoyable itinerary, whatever you want to see/do, with some research.
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