Are you looking to get away for a day, a weekend or longer? Check out some of the places on this list for a new adventure outside of Boulder.
1. Breckenridge
About two hours from Boulder, Breckenridge is a classic, tight-knit mountain community. Main Street, which sits just below the mountains, offers many restaurants and stores to visit. Be sure to stop into the Crown, the Rocky Mountain Cookie Shop and Downstairs at Erics, a classic with arcade games. Enjoy the hiking, biking and rafting opportunities in Breckenridge in the summer or visit Breckenridge Resort in the winter.
2. Estes Park
Home to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is about an hour drive from Boulder. Visit the national park to see wildlife, go on hikes and enjoy the protected nature in this area. Make sure to get a timed entry pass online prior to arrival. Estes Park is also home to The Stanley Hotel, which was the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining.
3. Steamboat Springs
Around three hours from Boulder, Steamboat Springs is home to Steamboat Ski Resort which has varying levels of terrain and difficulties. Steamboat Springs is also home to many hiking trails and options to go white water rafting. During your visit, take a ride on the Steamboat gondola or visit Strawberry Park Hot Springs which has man-made and natural pools of varying temperatures situated in the mountains.
4. Buena Vista
Two-and-a-half hours from Boulder, Buena Vista is home to many whitewater rafting operations with trips available through late spring to the summer months. Mount Princeton Hot Springs is a short drive from Buena Vista and offers natural pools in the river and man-made options including a waterslide.
5. Manitou Springs
South of Denver near Colorado Springs is Manitou Springs, a cozy town with several boutiques and restaurants. Manitou Springs is home to the Penny Arcade, which has arcade games both inside and outside, some of which can be played for a nickel. Be sure to visit the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park to go ziplining and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, a museum with reconstructed replicas of the Puebloan cliff dwellings.
6. Cañon City
A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Boulder, Cañon City is home to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, a canyon over the Arkansas River with a 995 feet high suspension bridge above the river and across the canyon. The park can also be visited on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad along the side of the canyon and next to the river.
7. Denver
Only a forty-minute drive from Boulder, Denver is the nearest city and the capital of Colorado. Denver is a great place to explore the city and its restaurants. Be sure to watch the 2022 Stanley Cup Champions, the Colorado Avalanche, play at Ball Arena, go to a Broncos game or catch a concert.
8. Colorado Springs
Home to Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs is an hour-and-a-half ride from Boulder. Enjoy the scenery by driving or hiking through Garden of the Gods. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is located in Colorado Springs, an expansive zoo home to many animals including giraffes, hippos, meerkats and more.
9. Alamosa
Four hours from Boulder is Alamosa which borders Sand Dunes National Park where you can hike the dunes or sandboard down them. Alamosa also has the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.
10. Vail
A two-hour drive from Boulder, Vail is home to Vail Resort, a renowned ski and snowboarding destination that offers gondola rides, hiking and mountain biking options during the summer months. The village of Vail is home to a variety of restaurants and shops. Visit the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens to enjoy the beautiful scenery or participate in their signature events like yoga or group walks.
Tell us your favorite places in Colorado to visit by emailing editor@colorado.edu.
