Colorado’s Most Popular Tourist Attractions while your Next Vacation Home Rental

From the majestic Rocky Mountains to the murmuring rivers and streams, Colorado is colorful, vibrant, exciting, and pulsating. It is the perfect amalgamation of nature and dramatic landscape that piques the interests and imaginations of not just the creative minds but even the most discriminating travelers.

A perennial resort for skiers, mountain bikers, hikers, trekkers, and outdoor adventure junkies, Colorado’s mountain ranges draped in hues and snows will surely compel you for a lifetime vacation. This Western U.S. state is going to woo both first-timers as well as frequent visitors with Colorado’s most popular tourist attractions comprising the diverse landscape of snow-clad mountains, arid deserts, and river canyons.

10 Must-visit Tourist Attractions in Colorado

While adventure enthusiasts would revel in the soaring mountains, nature seekers would rather soak up some serenity and enjoy the energetic mountain vibe. Colorado can best be seen and explored when embarked upon scenic drives along state highways. What are you waiting for? If you are contemplating a Colorado vacation, you have got to check this list.

1. Rocky Mountain National Park: A scenic drive on Trail Ridge Road will take you to witness the majestic Rock Mountain National Park. Just outside of Estes Park, the National Park is a mountain oasis fringed with plenty of adventure activities and breathtaking scenery. Lush forests, abundant wildlife, alpine lakes and meadows, and soaring mountain peaks, the Rocky Mountain National Park boasts over 100 peaks including Longs Peak, etc. A summer vacation in the mountain ranges lets you explore it thoroughly with activities like horseback riding, climbing, fishing, camping, wildlife viewing, hiking, bouldering, etc.
2. Gardens of the Gods: Look at the towering rock formations defying physics, the Gardens of the Gods is a national natural landmark flaunting uprooted and tossed monstrous red rocks. The Cave of the Winds is a popular sight adjacent to the landmark.
3. Breckenridge: Steeped in the rich history of Colorado, Breckenridge, a popular ski resort and mountain town, draws visitors from all around the world. Travel in summer to witness the wildflowers in bloom, while in winter you have more than 2,000 acres of Breckenridge Ski Resort to ski and indulge in other winter sports.
4. Vail: Another topnotch ski resort in the state of Colorado is Vail. The ski resort town is believed to be an exhilarating winter destination boasting seemingly endless runs for skiers of all levels.
5. Mesa Verde National Park: Let’s just talk about Mesa Verde National Park’s physical beauty or history. The national park is simply stunning as it houses the best-preserved ancestral Pueblo sites in America. The park will further stun you with its cliff dwellings including Cliff Palace (covering the centerpiece), one of the most impressive ones in Southwest.
6. Hanging Lake: Only 10 miles east of Glenwood Springs lies Colorado’s favorite hiking destination – the Hanging Lake. Don’t underestimate the trek considering its size (a little over a mile), the Hanging Lake can become your most challenging toughest hike ever. It is steep and rocky.
7. Pike National Forest’s Pikes Peak: Perched at an elevation of 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak is a snow-capped peak seen from nearby Colorado Springs. Unlike other mountain peaks (which are mostly inaccessible), Pikes Peak can be reached via the Pikes Peak Highway, off Highway 24.
8. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve: Imagine yourself being surrounded by towering dunes with purple mountain peaks in the backdrop – you are heading off to San Luis Valley for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The tallest dunes in North America are open all day and night throughout the year. While you can visit any day or night, you can even get to do these activities between November and April – hiking, skiing, sledding, snowboarding, and wildlife viewing.
9. Glenwood Hot Springs: You have traveled a lot, got into various activities, and now you are tired. Glenwood Hot Springs is a place to relax and unwind.
10. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway: Durango’s main attraction, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a three-foot narrow gauge railroad operating between Silverton and Durango. Originally opened in 1882, the railroad is 45.2 miles long.

Outdoor Activities Nightlife National Park