thedude2115

I'm taking a vacation with my girlfriend in early August, and we decided on Colorado. We are both 22 and would like to see all cool stuff nature has to offer out there, and would also like some decent night life. I've never been to Colorado, but I know places of interest tend to be Veil, Aspen, Denver, CO Springs, etc.

We will have a car with us, so we could hit multiple stops, and we plan on staying 5 nights. Any suggestions on where to go/what to do?

tomfuller

Which route will you be taking into the state with your own car?
Let me add a couple of areas to your list: Glenwood Springs (42 miles north of Aspen) along I-70. Rocky Mt. National Park NW of Denver. In the southern part of the state are Great Sand Dunes National Park and Mesa Verde in the SW corner.
I would drop CO Springs unless you know someone at the Air Force Academy. Vail would be a similar experience to Aspen.

montereybob

I would recommend staying in Breckenridge, and from there visit Vail and the Rocky Mountain National Park. Breckenridge is a more lively place for 22 year olds than Vail would be. Aspen is a very long drive to get to if you are flying in to Denver Aiport.

Back2Sabi

For nightlife for a 22 year old, I'd suggest Denver and Boulder. So perhaps spend a 2-3 nights in the Denver/Boulder area and then 2-3 nights near RMNP where you can do some hiking, rafting, horseback riding, mountain peeping, etc...

Back2Sabi

Vail as a "town" has very little to offer outside of amazing ski runs, in my opinion...

Gretchen

I like the couple of days in Denver/Boulder idea for young folks. Not sure Estes Park will have much in night life, but Aspen would--about a 4 hour easy drive. And Breckenridge could be fun. Cute town, maybe enough at night, and lots of hiking, looking. Aspen would be even better for beauty however, and variety.

DebitNM

" In the southern part of the state are Great Sand Dunes National Park and Mesa Verde in the SW corner."

As much as I love the SW corner of Colorado, on a 5 day trip to Colorado, 2 days would be used up just driving from Denver to the area. Save the SW corner for another trip.

tomfuller

I asked from which direction they were coming. I did not assume they were coming to Denver first.

PeaceOut

With five nights, I would stay in one place and take day-trips from there. We love Aspen. The town is fun, the setting is gorgeous. Lots to do in that area.

The drive from Denver to Aspen is not too long. You could stop for lunch in Vail if you want. Also you will go through Glenwood Springs on your way to Aspen. Drive through Glenwood Canyon, which is gorgeous. Maybe leave via Independence Pass and return to Denver that route.

There are music festivals in Aspen in the summer, so check their calendar to see if anything is going on in August.