How to spend a weekend in Denver?
Living in a big city near the mountains has the great advantage of combining a productive pace of life with a relaxing vacation in nature. Since summer is the best season for short trips, below you can discover the most beautiful natural attractions or unique towns near Denver that fascinate millions of tourists.
6 Ideas for a short trip near Denver
Residents or visitors to this city are advised to visit one of the national parks or a colorful town near Colorado’s capital if you want to make a lifetime memory of this short trip.
Fort Collins
This place will be of particular interest to all beer lovers, as this is where the famous breweries are concentrated. Among them are Odell and New Belgium. You can see with your own eyes every step of the production process from the inside and taste fresh drinks. If you want to spend more time in nature, visit the Horsetooth Reservoir or the legendary Cache la Poudre River Canyon. Active activities and beautiful views are guaranteed but don’t forget to rent a high-performance vehicle, such as the Jeep rental at Denver airport. You’ll need a car with a powerful engine to get you to your destination without any problems.
Rocky Mountain National Park
This territory is one of the most picturesque areas in Colorado. It’s worth going there in a big car, so if you don’t have your own car, you can rent a Jeep in Denver. Get ready for some activities: the park has more than 415 square miles of famous biking or hiking trails. You can climb Longs Peak if you have climbing experience. If this is your first mountain trip, however, choose an easier summit from the 100 alternatives. For visitors who like a relaxing vacation, the park has the Bear Lake Loop, an easy hike that allows enjoying unforgettable views of the scenic lake, Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain.
Garden of the Gods
The Garden of the Gods is a legendary place that was naturally formed 300 million years ago. Rare red, pink and white rocks, limestones and sandstones have been found here ever since. To touch the history, you need a car that can drive on light off-road, such as Jeep with AWD. With such a vehicle, not only can you try hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and segway riding, but you can also go on a Jeep tour.
Pikes Peak Region and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
This region is best for families with children because it has the unique Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Its peculiarity is that it is located in the mountains at 6,714 feet above sea level, so you can get a great view of the city. Also, wild animals live here in as close to natural conditions as possible, and visitors can touch and feed them. Because the zoo is located in the mountains, there is another special attraction here – the Mountaineer Sky Ride streetcar that takes tourists to the top of the mountain.
Deckers/Pine
Getting out into the countryside with family or a group of friends is the best option for a short trip. Find a 4×4 Jeep rental in Denver and visit Deckers. This cozy community can be a starter for your mountain hike and is one of Colorado’s most famous fishing spots. At South Platte River and Cheesman Lake, you can catch big size trout and remember the day for a lifetime. In addition to these bodies of water, Lake Pine is nearby and offers both fishing and unforgettable activities for your children.
Eastern Plains
This vacation option is perfect for those who don’t like mountains. There are also many natural places to see in the flat part of Colorado. For example, Eastern Plains is a huge area that cares for 789 acres of rescued wildlife. This preserve is a much better alternative to zoos because the animals live here in their natural environment. They are not captured to make money from them but instead are rescued from captivity. If you want to see and help wild animals, come to Eastern Plains.
