Best Places to Visit in Colorado 2026
Top destinations, hidden gems, costs, and tips for planning your trip
Where
Rocky Mountain National Park, Denver, and Telluride are the top three must-visit places in Colorado. Each offers its own vibe: epic mountain hikes, urban culture, and laid-back adventure. If you only have a week, focus your itinerary on these spots.
The Best Places to Visit in Colorado: Your 2026 Travel Guide
The best places to visit in Colorado combine epic mountain views, cool city culture, and outdoor adventures you won’t find anywhere else in the US. If you want to hit the top Colorado destinations, this guide covers everything you need, from national parks to hidden gems, plus the latest info for the 2026 season. Flights to Denver International Airport (DEN) run nonstop from more than 200 cities, and you can search flights on Travorio to score deals from United, Southwest, Delta, and more.
Summer brings wildflowers up high, but winter is ski season, and fall turns the aspen forests gold. The trick is figuring out which cities, parks, and small towns fit your style. I’ll walk you through my favorite Colorado vacation spots, where to stay, what to eat, and smart ways to get around (hint: renting a car isn’t always necessary). You’ll also find tips for paying with Sezzle, PayPal Pay Later, and over 100 cryptocurrencies, so your travel budget stretches further.
Top Cities and Destinations in Colorado
Denver is both the literal and figurative mile-high starting point for most Colorado adventures. Union Station anchors the hip LoDo neighborhood, and the RTD A Line zips you from the airport to downtown in 37 minutes ($10.50 one-way). You’ll find breweries like Great Divide, live music at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (technically 18 minutes west in Morrison), and hotel steals at The Maven or The Ramble Hotel. Locals fuel up at Snooze for brunch, get there before 9 AM to avoid the line.
Boulder draws hikers, foodies, and fans of the University of Colorado. The Flatirons rise above town, with trailheads just two miles from Pearl Street Mall. Try the Dushanbe Teahouse for lunch or hike up to Royal Arch. The St. Julien Hotel & Spa has rooms from $310/night in spring, but Airbnbs in North Boulder average $180.
Colorado Springs sits at the foot of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, where the new Summit Visitor Center opened in 2021. Garden of the Gods, with its red rock spires, is free to enter and only 10 minutes from downtown. Families love Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, where you can hand-feed giraffes for $3 per lettuce bundle. The Broadmoor is classic Colorado luxury, but you’ll find mid-range chains on North Nevada Avenue.
Aspen needs no introduction if you’re into skiing or celeb spotting. But mid-June through September, the Maroon Bells trails open for hiking (the shuttle from town is $16 roundtrip). Hotel Jerome, an Auberge Resort, starts at $475/night, though you’ll see better rates in shoulder season. Element 47 at The Little Nell is known for its wine list and wagyu.
Hidden Gems in Colorado
Crested Butte calls itself the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, and mid-July sees the town explode in color. Most tourists miss Kebler Pass, which is a top spot for aspen groves in fall (the dirt road closes in winter). The Secret Stash has legendary pizza, and Eleven Experience runs boutique lodges if you want to splurge. Mountain bikers should try the 401 Trail, which opens in late June most years.
Paonia, tucked in the North Fork Valley, is a haven for wine and orchard tours. Black Bridge Winery pours dry reds, and Big B’s Delicious Orchards sells fresh cider. If you time your trip for early September, the Mountain Harvest Festival brings live music and food trucks. Most Airbnbs hover around $120/night.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is two hours from Pueblo but feels like another planet. The tallest dunes in North America tower 750 feet, and Medano Creek flows strong in late May and early June. Sand sled rentals at Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa run $25/day. The nearby Zapata Falls hike (about 1 mile) is icy cold even in July, so pack water shoes.
For a totally different side of Colorado, hit Trinidad in the south. The town is on the old Santa Fe Trail, and soon the Fisher’s Peak State Park will open up 19,200 acres of hiking and climbing. The Trinidad History Museum covers the wild mining history, and you’ll find rooms at the Hotel Eklund for $95/night.
Best Time to Visit Colorado
January through March is peak ski season, especially in Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge. Expect lift tickets at Vail to run $199/day in February, with hotel rates spiking on weekends. Denver averages highs of 45°F (7°C) in January, but mountain towns can be 10-15°F colder. If you want empty trails and deals, try late April or early May, when the snow melts and wildflowers haven’t peaked yet.
Late June to August is all about summer hiking, rafting, and music festivals. Estes Park, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, fills up for elk calving and the Stanley Hotel ghost tours. Boulder and Fort Collins both see 78-88°F (26-31°C) in July, perfect for patio beers. Book hotels at least 60 days ahead for July and August, especially in resort towns.
September and early October bring Colorado's famous aspen leaves, especially along the San Juan Skyway or Trail Ridge Road. The air cools off, think 55-68°F (13-20°C) in Denver, and crowds thin. Most locals say this is the best time for photographers and road trippers. Some mountain passes close after the first heavy snow, usually by late October.
November and December kick off the winter sports season. Thanksgiving weekend is the unofficial start, but snow coverage varies year to year. Denver’s Christkindlmarket sets up in Civic Center Park, and ski towns launch holiday events. If you’re flexible, early December means better rates and fewer people on the slopes.
How to Get Around Colorado
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the main entry point, with nonstop flights from London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and 200+ North American cities. Southwest, United, and Frontier offer direct routes from Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and New York. Mountain airports like Aspen (ASE), Vail/Eagle (EGE), and Montrose (MTJ) have seasonal flights from major hubs, but expect higher fares, $340+ roundtrip from Dallas in ski season isn’t unusual.
Amtrak’s California Zephyr runs daily from Chicago to San Francisco, with stops in Denver, Fraser (for Winter Park), and Glenwood Springs. The trip from Denver to Glenwood Springs takes about 5 hours and costs from $44. RTD’s light rail and buses cover Denver and Boulder, while Bustang buses connect Denver to Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction for $12-$43 one way.
Renting a car is the easiest way to reach small towns and national parks. Major chains like Hertz and Enterprise have kiosks at DEN, and compact cars average $39/day in summer. Beware that I-70 traffic west of Denver can back up for hours on winter weekends, especially after 2 PM. If you’re staying in Aspen or Telluride, ditch the car in town and use local shuttles or the free gondola.
No ferries in Colorado, but the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a classic scenic train. The 3.5-hour ride follows the Animas River through the San Juans, tickets start at $109 in summer. For day trips, tours like Aspire Tours run small-group shuttles to Rocky Mountain National Park from Union Station for $149 per person.
How to Book Your Colorado Trip
Travorio makes planning Colorado travel simple, with flexible payment options and a wide selection. You can book flights on airlines like United, Southwest, and Delta, or reserve trains, buses, and car rentals in one go. Hotels range from chains like Hyatt Regency Denver (from $196/night) to boutique picks like Hotel Teatro and Limelight Aspen. Filter by free breakfast, pool, or pet-friendly to match your needs.
Paying with Sezzle means you can split your trip cost into four payments with 0% interest, available to US and Canadian travelers. If you prefer PayPal Pay Later, you can qualify for monthly plans at checkout. Travorio also lets you pay with over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC, so you don’t have to convert cash if you’re already holding crypto.
For hotels, check pay later options to lock in rates before they jump. Most Colorado hotels offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before arrival, but always read the fine print during ski season. If you’re booking activities, like whitewater rafting in Buena Vista or a guided hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Travorio often bundles discounts when you reserve in advance.
If you’re flying in from overseas, check the visa requirements for US entry. Travorio’s support team can answer payment or booking questions by chat 24/7, and most itineraries can be managed in the app. Don’t forget to sign up for fare alerts, especially if you’re hoping for a last-minute deal or planning a group trip.
Top 10 Colorado Destinations
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
Most people start with Rocky Mountain National Park, which gets over 4.5 million visitors annually. It’s just 90 minutes from Denver International Airport and offers alpine hiking, wildlife, and scenic drives like Trail Ridge Road. Estes Park is the best base, with hotels like The Stanley starting at $165/night in summer.
Five to seven days covers two or three major areas, like Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Aspen. If you want to add Telluride or Durango, plan on at least 10 days since the drives between mountain towns can take five or more hours. Many travelers do long weekends focused on one region if time is tight.
Late April to early June and October to mid-December are shoulder seasons for most hotels and flights. Denver hotel rates can drop below $110/night, and you’ll find fewer crowds at national parks. Ski towns are less expensive just after the lifts close in spring and before snow really falls in late autumn.
If you’re from a Visa Waiver Program country, you’ll need an ESTA authorization for US entry, which costs $21 and is valid for two years. Travelers from other countries may need a B1/B2 tourist visa, which can take weeks to process. Always double-check your requirements at the official US embassy site before booking flights.
Colorado rates among the safer US states for travelers, with most crime concentrated in a few Denver neighborhoods. Hiking in the mountains comes with its own risks: always check weather forecasts, carry water, and watch for altitude sickness above 8,000 feet. Wildfire season can affect air quality, especially in late summer.
Nearly everyone in Colorado speaks English, but you’ll find some Spanish spoken in Denver, Pueblo, and southern towns. Major hotels and tour operators have English-speaking staff, and highway signs are all in English. Translators or apps like Google Translate can help if you’re in smaller towns and need assistance.
Mid-range travelers should budget $170-$220 per day, including hotel, meals, car rental, and activities. Hostels in Denver start at $39/night, while mountain towns average $140-$320/night for hotels. Lift tickets or guided tours can add $40-$200 per day, depending on the season.
Start in Denver (2 nights), then drive to Estes Park for Rocky Mountain National Park (2 nights), followed by a scenic trip to Aspen or Breckenridge (3 nights). If you prefer less driving, split your time between Denver and Boulder, with day trips out to hiking trails and small towns like Golden or Nederland.
Families love the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and rafting trips on the Arkansas River near Buena Vista. Many ski resorts offer summer activities for kids, like alpine slides and zip lines. National parks have Junior Ranger programs and easy trails for all ages.
Solo travelers will find hostels, group hikes, and breweries especially welcoming in Denver and Boulder. The Bustang bus network lets you reach several towns without a car, and group tours run daily from most cities. Hiking alone is common, but always sign trail registers and share your plans if you head into remote areas.
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