Colorado is a favorite vacation spot for many people. It is incredibly beautiful and full of adventure. During the winter many people like to visit it to ski, snowboard, or participate in other winter-related activities. However, even during the spring and summer months Colorado still has a lot to offer. Warmer weather and and a strong atmosphere filled with natural beauty allows Colorado to be an ideal place for many other outdoor adventures including white water rafting. If you’re planning to visit Colorado over the next few months, then you’ll want to check out these five exciting things to do during your Colorado vacation.
1. Visit Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde is a national park located in Montezuma County, Colorado. It is known for being the largest archaeological preserve in the US. This isn’t just you’re average national park. This national park is loaded with history. It was first believed to be inhabited by Ancestral Pueblo people as far back as A.D. 600. These individuals were mainly farmers who used the mesas to grow their crops and build villages to live in. The area was turned into a national park in an attempt to preserve the historical landmark by former president Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. A trip to visit Mesa Verde is great for the whole family, especially if you have a history buff in your family.
2. Visit The Dinosaur Ridge
Speaking of history and archaeological destinations, The Dinosaur Ridge is another great place to visit during your Colorado vacation especially if you have kids. The Dinosaur Ridge features many exhibits that include dinosaur artifacts and bones from millions of years ago. Visitors can see the bones up close and personal and are not only permitted to touch them, but encouraged to! In addition to seeing dinosaur bones up close, visitors can also walk through dinosaur trails where they can see real dinosaur tracks. The triceratops tracks tour is especially unique as it features large 3-D tracks that were formed approximately 68 million years ago after the triceratops stepped in mud. The Dinosaur Ridge operates with the help of donations through its members and is free to visit.
3. Go White Water Rafting
If you’re looking for a fun and challenging family event during your Colorado vacation, they plan a white water rafting trip! Many white water rafting places offer packages specifically geared towards families that are fully guided and don’t require any previous experience. This is especially ideal for children who are experiencing white water rafting for the first time. The Arkansas river is the ideal river in Colorado to go white-water rafting on and tours frequently take place in either Canon City or Buena Vista. Families can opt to spend a full day white water rafting for 5-6 hours over the course of 14 miles or opt for a shorter 2-3 hour 10 mile trip. This trip is a great way to get in touch with the beautiful nature of Colorado while bringing you closer to your family as you all work together to paddle through the river.
4. Visit Coors Brewery
Are you planning a trip to Colorado sans kids? Then you may want to visit the Coors Brewery. This is an excellent destination for any beer advocate. The Coors Brewery is the largest brewery in the world. It offers a tour that includes a 30-minute demonstration on how the beer is brewed and manufactured along with a chance to sample fresh cool beer in the fresh beer room. Visitors will also have a chance to reflect back on the history of Coors Brewery as they can view old beer cans and ads from the past. Visitors at the Coors Brewery must be 18 or older and you must be 21 and have a valid ID to drink.
5. See A Show At The Red Rocks Amphitheater
The Red Rocks Amphitheater may just be one of the most beautiful entertainment venues in the world. This venue is hosted outside with a surreal view of the rocky mountains. To see a show outdoors among this beautiful scene is incredible. Many music fans would list seeing a show at the Red Rocks Amphitheater on their bucket list. Shows take place throughout the year.
As you can see, Colorado makes for a great vacation spot for families and individuals alike. Colorado has something for everyone regardless of whether they’re a nature freak, a history buff, or just a fan of good beer and good music. Have you ever been to Colorado or are you planning to visit there soon? If so, what are your favorite things to see or what is something you hope to see soon?