You don’t have to go to another country to enjoy a family vacation together. Depending on where you live, visiting another state is like a new country! What if your family is very outdoors-oriented? Colorado might just be the state for you to visit on your next vacation!
From historic mining towns to the pristine ski slopes in the winter, Colorado has so much to offer for the whole family to enjoy. Continue reading to learn more about what there is to do in Colorado, some of the best areas to visit during a short trip, and more.
Which Activities are Good for the Kids?
Colorado is a treasure trove of activities to entertain and challenge your kids if you have a very active and energetic family. In the summer, sunshine will likely grace you with long days out on biking trails in places like Boulder and Beaver Creek.
If it’s wintertime when you visit, ice skating rinks can be found set up in cities and towns across the state. Up in the mountains, skiing and snowboarding are popular pastimes in areas like Aspen.
When you’re tired after so many excursions, you can enjoy more leisurely activities like the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or Denver Zoo and shop at the 16th Street Mall in Denver.
What Can the Adults Do?
Adults also need some fun during a family vacation, and Colorado doesn’t disappoint!
If the stress of day-to-day life has been getting to you, a trip to the hot springs in places like Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs can often wash away all that tension you’re holding onto.
Colorado is also host to many popular concert venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre or the Ball Arena (formerly known as the Pepsi Center), so you can see some of your favorite artists if you time it right.
Beer and breweries are pretty common in the state as well, so you can enjoy the wide variety of brews that the locals love.
Fun Activities You Can Do Together
Perhaps one of the most unique and fun experiences you can have as a family is sledding on the sand at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve – the largest sand dunes in North America.
If you camp near the National Park, you can get crystal clear night sky views without all the light pollution of big cities.
Are you fans of spooky stories or haunted hotels? Then, you can stay at the Stanley Hotel, thought to be one of the most haunted places in America and the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining.”
What is the Best Area to Go to?
The best area of Colorado really depends on what your family likes to do and when you visit. Since there is so much to do outdoors, most people like to visit areas close to or in the Rocky Mountains.
While there are certain things to do in the eastern part of the state, most of the exciting and popular activities are grouped in the central or western parts along the mountains.
Areas like Estes Park, Buena Vista, and Vail are all popular for their scenic landscapes and hiking opportunities. Alternatively, you can stay in more metropolitan areas like Denver and Colorado Springs to experience the shopping and nightlife.
For How Long Should You Stay?
Colorado is a fairly large state, and if you’re trying to experience a whole lot during your stay, you can expect to spend a fair amount of time in the car driving from destination to destination.
You can often find example itineraries that last between 3 and 14 days, but a minimum of 7 days is recommended to explore a handful of nearby areas leisurely.
If you want to not be rushing around all the time, you might want to plan multiple visits to Colorado at different times of the year.
Final Thoughts on Where To Go For Family Vacation In Colorado
With an estimated 300 days of sunshine, Colorado is a haven for outdoors buffs. There really isn’t a gap at any point in the year when there isn’t any seasonal event.
Hunting, hiking, skiing, fishing, rafting, mountain biking, and camping are just some of the amazing experiences you can have as a family in Colorado.
You’ll be amazed how different, but equally beautiful, the state can look at different times of the year, so be sure to visit a couple of times before you write off the state.