15 Cool Places to Visit in Colorado Once in Lifetime

Colorado is the ultimate adventurous place, offering a wide range of breathtaking landscapes, thrilling spots, and outdoor activities. Whether you travel with family or a group or a solo traveler, lush forests, majestic mountains, and vibrant cities are teeming with unique cultures.

Colorado is also blessed with beautiful red rock mountains set in the desert which is one of the super cool places to visit in Colorado. Colorado’s charming attractions draw millions of travelers looking to get swept up in its natural splendor. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into 15 cool places to visit in Colorado, that will leave you awe-inspired.

How Can You Travel to The Coolest Places in Colorado?

Are you planning a trip to Colorado but confused about how to get to Colorado? No need to worry. Colorado is located in the central part of the United States and traveling to Colorado is like a breeze.

Check out Famous Airports that serve as main entrance points for visitors in Colorado.

• Denver International Airport
• Colorado Springs Airport
• Grand Junction Regional Airport
• Eagle County Regional Airport
• Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport

Denver is the main airport in Colorado that most visitors use to take direct flights from major cities. After all, if you are interested in a road trip, Colorado is well-connected with highways, providing high-end scenic landscapes.

15 Awesome Colorado Destinations

This is the only list you’ll need to select where to go and what to do in Colorado, featuring both popular tourist charms and some lesser-known local gems.

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is about 2 hours’ drive from Mile High City, the best destination to make your Denver day trips amazing. Climbs in Rocky Mountain National Park lead to waterfalls, alpine lakes, and summits.

Address: 1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone: (970) 586-1206

Transportation Services: Car rentals available in Denver and Boulder

Best Hotels to Stay: Estes Park Resort and The Stanley Hotel

Famous Cuisine: Local trout dishes, Colorado beef

Best Time to Visit: Summer (June to August) for climbing and wildlife observing

2. Mesa Verde National Park

The cliff houses at Mesa Verde National Park are a reminder of the creativity of the ancient cultures that lived in Colorado long ago. The old houses are built with lot of care. The people stay secure, cool in summer, warm in winters, had separate places to worship and preserving food as well.

Phone: (970) 529-4465

Address: Mesa Verde National Park ,52 W Frontage Road, CO 81330

Best Hotels: Hampton Inn Mesa Verde/Cortez and Far View Lodge,

Famous Cuisine: Traditional Southwest cuisine and American dishes are famous ones

Transportation Services: Durango-La Plata County Airport is nearest airport and rental Cars available there

Best Time to go: Fall (September to October) for enjoyable weather with colorful greenery

3. Breckenridge

Want to experience beautiful views of snow-capped mountains?  Without any doubt, Breckenridge is best place to go.  If you get a chance to go to Colorado in the fall, colorful and breathtaking foliage in the mountains leaves an unforgettable impact.

Address: Breckenridge, CO 80424

Best Time to Visit: Winter (December to February) for skiing and snowboarding

Famous Food: Craft beer, Colorado-style pizza

Telephone: (970) 453-3228

Best Guesthouses: One Ski Hill Place and The Lodge at Breckenridge

Transportation Services: Shuttle services are available from Denver International Airport which is a convenient option

4. Steamboat Springs

If you are interested in skiing or snowboarding, steamboat Spring is another best place in Colorado. In Colorado there is ski resort at steamboat, where you can hike, swim, fish and Paddleboat in the lake in summers.

Address: Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

Phone: (970) 879-0880

Best Hotels: Nordic Lodge and The Steamboat Grand

Famous Cuisine: Colorado beef, craft breweries

Best Time to Visit: Spring (March to May) for skiing, snowboarding, and hot spring

5. Vail

Many people know that Vail is the most famous place in Colorado. Vail offers plenty of fun activities around the year. Vail has amazing and thrilling trail for hiking and alpine gardens are free for everyone to wonder and relax.

Address: Vail, CO 81657

Phone: (970) 479-1010

Best Hotels: Arrabelle at Vail Square, The Sebastian – Vail

Famous Cuisine: Alpine-inspired cuisine, local beers

Best Transport: you can get shuttle services available from Eagle County Regional Airport

Best Time to Visit: Winter (December to February) for world-class skiing and snowboarding

6. Pikes Peak

Pikes peak tower is 14, 115 feet above to the sea and great place to visit in Colorado. You can get plenty of chances to do adventurous activities like hiking, biking, driving through the pike’s peak highways.

Contact: (719) 385-7325

Address: Pikes Peak Highway, Cascade, CO 80809

Best Hotels: The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs Marriott

Famous Cuisine: Colorado Lamb, Rocky Mountain Trout

Transportation: Drive to the summit or take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, rent a car

Best Time to Visit: Summer for hiking, fall for vibrant foliage and exploring nature.

7. Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

If you’re brave enough to cross the bridge at Royal Gorge, which distances high over the Arkansas River, you’ll be see breathtaking views of the canyon.

Contact: (719) 275-7507

Best Hotels: The Abbey Hotel and Royal Gorge Cabins

Famous Cuisine: Colorado Bison Burger, Rocky Mountain Trout

Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall for mild temperatures and stunning views.

8. Crested Butte

One of the greatest attractions in Colorado to enjoy fishing, horseback, kayaking, riding, golfing, and so many more fun activities in Crested Butte!

Address: Crested Butte, CO 81224

Telephone: Crested Butte Tourism Office – (970) 349-6438

Best Hotels: Elevation Hotel and Spa, The Grand Lodge

Famous Food: Elk Medallions, Colorado Lamb

Best Time to Go: Winter for skiing, Summer for wildflower blooms.

9. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

For a range of outdoor practices, go to the Gunnison National Park’s Black Canyon. Popular activities include hiking, fishing, and just soaking in the majesty carved out by the Gunnison River.

Address: 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230

Phone: (970) 641-2337

Best Hotels: The Inn on Tomichi Creek and The Gunnison River Farms,

Famous Cuisine: Trout, local wines, Colorado Lamb

Best Time to Visit: Spring (April to June) for mild weather and blooming wildflowers

10. Durango

Southwest Colorado’s Durango has a separate Colorado vibe and is unevenly a six-hour trip from Denver. Nearby, there are routes for highland biking and hiking, river propelling, and breathtaking drives. For additional information, see our Durango travel guide.

Address: Durango, CO 81301

Phone: (970) 247-3500

Best Hotels: The Strater Hotel and General Palmer Hotel

Popular Food: Southwest cuisine, craft beer

Best Time to Visit: Fall (September to October) for the changing colors of the aspens

11. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is located on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, is a temple keen to the wild grandeur of the Appalachian region. In reality, it is the most well-known National Park in the nation that welcome over ten million visitors each year.

Address: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Phone: (970) 586-1206

Best Hotels: The Wapiti Colorado Pub, Estes Park Resort

Flight Packages: Check with airlines for the best deals to Denver International Airport

Famous dishes: Colorado beef and Local trout dishes

Best Time to go: Summer (June to August) for hiking and wildlife viewing

12. Telluride

If there’s one area in Colorado that everyone should see, it’s Telluride! Even though it’s a long journey from Colorado’s larger towns, the Telluride district’s perfect beauty makes it a popular destination all year round.

Address: Telluride, CO 81435

Phone: (970) 728-7484

Best Hotels: The Madeline Hotel, Hotel Columbia

Famous Cuisine: Farm-to-table restaurants, craft cocktails

Best Time to Visit: Winter (December to February) for skiing and snowboarding

13. Garden of Gods

One of the top tourist ends in Colorado is Garden of the Gods Park. The Rocky Highlands in the background and the red rock creations create a stunning scene.

Famous Food: Craft Beer and Colorado Green Chili

Contact number: (719) 634-6666

Address:  1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Best Hotels: The Antlers and the best one Garden of the Gods Resort and Club,

14. Aspen

Even if you’re not a multimillionaire, Aspen is a lovely town in Colorado with much to do! It has a status for being a playground for the rich and well-known.

Phone: (970) 920-0720

Address: Aspen, CO 81611

Best Hotels: Hotel Jerome and The Little Nell

Mouthwatering Cuisine: Farm-to-table restaurants, Colorado lamb

Best Time to go: Summer (June to August) for outdoor activities and music fiestas

15. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Colorado’s national parks rank among the state’s top tourist attractions! They’ll all give you a complete overview of the culture and history of different places, and Great Sand Dunes National Park is no different.

Phone number: (719) 378-6395

Address: 11999 Co Rd 6, Mosca, CO 81146

Best Hotels: Zapata Ranch and The Lodge at Sand Dunes

 Famous Food: Green chili, bison burgers

Best Period to Visit: Summer (June to August) for sandboarding, hiking, and stargazing

Summing Up

Colorado is home of natural landscape, mountains a lush forest. There are plenty of places to visit in Colorado, but above just 15 that highlight the beauty of Colorado and hint of it overall attraction. Whether you’re seeking climbing, hiking activities or calm natural beauty, Colorado offers something for everyone.