Looking for the best weekend getaways in Colorado? Our guide to planning the perfect weekend includes things to do, where to stay and where to eat!
From having the best ski resorts, scenic mountains, beautiful hot springs, and a plethora of outdoor activities, Colorado is a dream destination to explore! Here are 18 places in Colorado you need to visit.
Telluride, Colorado is a popular destination for skiers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Telluride Ski Resort has amazing lift-serviced terrain where you can enjoy hikes too. If you love adventures, Mountain Village Gondola is your place; take a gondola ride and enjoy those spectacular views.
If you are visiting in the summer, be sure to entertain yourself with several festivals like Hot Air Balloon Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and Ride Festival.
If you are looking for affordable options, Brown Dog Pizza, Siam, and Floradora Saloon are good options. If you are feeling fancy, Cosmopolitan and Chop House Restaurant are excellent fine dining restaurants.
For a comfortable and pleasant stay, head to the New Sheridan Hotel or The Hotel Telluride.
Read more: Telluride, Colorado Travel Guide & Packing Tips
If you live and breathe skiing, then Breckenridge is the perfect place for you.
Festivals like the Breckenridge Festival of Film and Ullr Fest are popular things to do in Breckenridge. For families, Breckenridge Gondola is a great place to book a gondola ride to enjoy serene and scenic views.
Hearthstone Restaurant and Twist serve fantastic food in a beautiful ambiance.
If you are on a budget, there are several great campgrounds for affordable night stays. Other recommended hotels are Gravity Haus and Breck Inn.
Read more: The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip Itinerary
In Colorado springs, you can find numerous outdoor activities or choose to explore the city’s local attractions. Visit Garden of the Gods for beautiful views, rock formations with hiking trails, and much more.
Who doesn’t love the zoo? Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a great place to interact and hand-feed numerous animals.
Urban Egg and Mountain Shadows Restaurant are excellent eateries. Marigold Cafe & Bakery and Amy’s Donuts are delicious spots for dessert.
Recommended hotels are The Academy Hotel and SCP Colorado Springs Hotel.
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Known for its mountain ranges, Aspen has many forests in which you can spend your weekend camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, and witnessing spectacular views. Visit the Maroon Bells for its picturesque views, hikes in Aspen highlands, or skiing in winter.
Aspen offers plenty of great places to eat. Ellina Restaurant and Acquolina Trattoria & Pizzeria serve Italian, fast food, and vegan food.
Hotel Durant and Limelight Hotel are all safe, cozy, and amazing stay options.
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Positioned near the San Juan National Forest, Durango is a perfect destination to enjoy skiing, hiking, and mountain biking trails with a view.
Love biking? Durango has many trails for mountain biking, and the experience is worth every penny. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a National Historic Landmark, is a famous all-year tourist attraction offering train rides around this scenic valley.
Derailed Pour House offers the best food, drinks, bartender vibes, and an amazing atmosphere.
General Palmer Hotel and The Strater Hotel are those ‘stay here, you won’t regret it’ places.
Estes park is one of the most beautiful towns in Colorado.
Get a reservation at Lake Estes Marina and enjoy water activities like fishing, kayaking, and boat rides. Hiking and camping in Rocky Mountain National Park should also be at the top of your list.
Or explore Estes Park’s downtown area, wander around doing window shopping, and buy souvenirs.
Several wineries and restaurants serve different cuisines, like Kind Coffee, Mountain Home Cafe, and Himalayan Curry & Kebob.
If you want to stay close to Lake Estes Marina, Murphy’s Resort is practically next door and is also just a 10 minute drive from Rocky Mountain National Park. Another great option, the Estes Park Resort, sits on 5 acres and it features a restaurant and spa.
Read more: Budget-Friendly USA Winter Vacations
Boulder is a city in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It’s known for its many outdoor activities, breweries, excellent dining, a vibrant downtown, and 300 days a year of sunshine!
Pearl Street Mall, situated in the heart of Boulder, is a lovely outdoor pedestrian-friendly mall with extraordinary sculptures and views of mountains in the distance.
The Flatirons rock formation is Boulder’s prominent visitor attraction. This town is also a rock climber’s hotspot.
Other top things to do include: brewery hopping, visit Chautauqua Park, hike Eldorado Canyon State Park, and stop by Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is a great spot for breakfast or brunches. Oak at Fourteenth and Buff Restaurant are popular spots as well.
Boulder Twin Lakes Inn, Hyatt Place Boulder and Hotel Boulderado all have excellent reviews at an affordable price.
The Capital of Colorado is a must-visit, full of activities for a weekend of fun!
If you are planning a getaway with your family, spend an afternoon at the Denver Zoo or the Downtown Aquarium. Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park is another must if you’re traveling with kids.
The Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Denver Botanic Gardens are worth a visit for museum lovers.
There are tons of hiking trails to offer as well. I also highly recommend planning your trip around a show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre!
Denver is a foodie hotspot with tons of great restaurants. City, O’ City (vegetarian), Hop Alley and The Black Shirt Brewing Co should be at the top of your list.
The Rally Hotel and Element Denver Downtown East are wonderful options in very convenient locations.
Read more: The Best Weekend Getaways in the USA
Vail is widely known as a ski resort town, but there’s so much more it has to offer!
Visit Vail Mountain, one of the best ski mountains with breathtaking snow-capped mountain views. Can’t ski? Go down a zip line at Epic Discovery.
As a summer destination, it’s the perfect outdoor getaway with river rafting, zip lining, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and more. Or just explore and smell the beautiful scent of roses at The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.
Try Mountain Standard, Westside Cafe & Market, or Moe’s Original BBQ for some of the best eats in Vail.
Book a room at Ritz Carlton Residences Vail or The Arrabelle at Vail Square, located right in the heart of Vail.
Glenwood Springs is a paradise on earth; a perfect getaway for a romantic date or a trip with friends or family.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, soak in the hot springs to let go of all your worries, leaving you feeling rejuvenated.
Head to the gorgeous Hanging Lake to view a rare travertine geological formation (make reservations in advance), ride a bike along the Colorado River or explore the downtown area. You can also visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park to explore some caves!
To enjoy a mix of cuisine, check out Slope & Hatch and The Pullman.
Hotel Denver and Glenwood Hot Springs Resort are recommended hotels.
Read more: Must-Know Tips for Taking a Road Trip in the USA
Known as the Switzerland of America and situated in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado, Ouray is a high alpine small town that’s perfect for a weekend getaway!
Cute main streets are perfect if you want to stroll around and shop. Other top things to do include: Ouray Ice Park (to learn how to ice climb!), Cascade Falls Park, Ouray Alchemist Museum & Penthouse, and Ouray Hot Springs.
Gold Belt Bar & Grill and Outlaw Restaurant are delectable dine-in options. Go for dessert at Mouses Chocolates & Coffee to end the night.
Hot Springs Inn and The Ouray Main Street Inn are relaxing stay options with all the facilities with a stunning view.
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Crested Butte is a pedestrian-friendly town with historical buildings, stunning mountain views, skiing in the winter, and outdoor activities in the summer.
Take a drive along Kebler Pass, a mountain highway that connects Crested Butte with Paonia. This scenic drive has one of the largest aspen groves! There are also a couple of lakes that offer camping and fishing.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is your place if you are here for skiing. Other activities include biking, horseback riding, hiking, golfing, and festivals and events like the Crested Butte Arts Festival.
If you love authentic Italian food, Secret Stash or Brick Oven Pizzeria & Pub are the best ones to visit.
Elk Mountain Lodge provides reliable and comfortable accommodation.
Steamboat Springs is the perfect Colorado getaway for a weekend of pampering and outdoor activities.
Surrounded by mountains, this town is yet another ideal place for skiing; make sure to visit Steamboat Ski Resort. What to do on a summer day? Head to Fish Creek Falls for a perfect hike and witness the most beautiful falls. It’s even more stunning in the fall with the most beautiful colors!
Have a delicious meal at Creekside Cafe & Grill or Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill. From steaks to vegan food, they have it all.
Book a room at Homewood Suites By Hilton; a great place for activities, enjoying a range of menus, or just relaxing in your room.
Read more: 10 Stunning Overwater Bungalows Near the USA
Grand Junction is the heart of Colorado wine country. If you are fond of sports and want to do something other than hiking, this city hosts several football events, annual bike races, and baseball tournaments.
To watch some exciting performances, head to Avalon Theatre. Want to plan a picnic with kids? Canyon View Park is a must-do; your kids will love it!
For the best wineries and vineyards in Grand Junction, check out Two Rivers Winery, Whitewater Hill Vineyards, Graystone Winery, and Desert Sun Vineyards.
Bin 707 Foodbar is a foodie heaven in Grand Junction with excellent service. Other options include 626 on Rood or il Bistro Italiano Restaurant.
Hotel Maverick is an incredible hotel option.
Garden of the Gods is definitely a must-see when you’re in Colorado.
Top hiking trails in Garden of the Gods include Siamese Twin Trail, Perkins Central Garden Trail and The Ridge Trail. The beautiful vistas, geologic formations, and the rock formations are enough to keep you coming back.
Garden of the God’s Market & Cafe serves fresh and delicious food in good portions with wonderful service.
Garden of the Gods Resort is the best resort to spend your weekend.
Dunton Hot Springs, also known as Dunton, is as unique as it gets; a restored 1800’s ghost town set in a beautiful alpine valley.
Besides getting pampered at the spa and soaking in the luxurious hot springs, other adventures including hiking, biking, heli-skiing, and onsite ice climbing. If you’re not staying at Dunton Hot Springs overnight, they also offer day passes.
If you’re not staying on property, there are a couple of hotel options nearby. The Circle K Ranch is a travel sustainable property, just 13 miles from Dunton.
Fort Collins has a relaxed college-town vibe and a plethora of outdoor activity options.
Lory State Park and Horsetooth Reservoir are great places for mountain biking and hiking. You can also swim, fish, go horseback riding, or just set a camp with your friends to enjoy the vibes. If you love history, with a side of delicious pizza, head to Totally 80’s Pizza & Museum.
For homestyle cooking at its best, head to Silver Grill Cafe. In Old Town Fort Collins, check out Social for tapas and cocktails.
Enjoy your vacation while relaxing at The Armstrong Hotel.
Situated between Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs is a historic town in El Paso County, Colorado.
Looking for beautiful vistas and historic buildings? Manitou Springs Historic District has it all. If you are looking for a great workout, head to Manitou Incline, one of Colorado’s most popular hiking trails with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than one mile.
You can also visit local attractions, such as the Miramont Castle Museum for castle tours and tea or Cave of the Winds for cave tours, rides and attractions.
Head to The Sahara Cafe for delicious mediterranean food or Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant for fondue!
Cliff House at Pikes Peak and Magnuson Grand Pikes Peak are both highly reviewed and located right in the heart of town.
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