What to do in Colorado

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Colorado

Top places to visit

1. Red Rocks Amphitheater

Everyone who’s anyone has played here, from opera singers and orchestras to The Beatles, U2, Neil Young, Coldplay and Jimi Hendrix. Musicians consider the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Denver, to be one of the best venues in the world to play at, with its magical, almost spiritual, atmosphere.

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Red Rocks Amphitheater featuring theatre scenes and snow

2. Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful in the spring with slopes of wildflowers and in the winter with a blanket of pure, white snow. Come here to hike, look for wildlife, see the Continental Divide and appreciate nature.

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Estes Park which includes hiking or walking, a river or creek and tranquil scenes

3. Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain is a 14,000-foot (4,300-meter) high mountain famed for its incredible vistas, high-altitude railroad and opportunities for adventure. It was named after explorer Zebulon Pike, who led an expedition to the area in 1806. Visit the summit of Pikes Peak at any time of the year to gaze across the spectacular Rocky Mountains. The view from here was the inspiration for Katherine Lee Bates' famed poem, America the Beautiful.

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4. Garden of the Gods

The rugged landscape of the western states of America has long been central to the region’s reputation as the Wild West and the Garden of the Gods is a stunning example of this terrain. As the low, grassy plains around Denver give way to dense woodlands, a series of rock formations rise dramatically upwards. These phenomenal red rocks are the centerpieces of the 1,367-acre (553-hectare) Garden of the Gods park, a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers and other lovers of the great outdoors.

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Get a taste for the Colorado landscape as you explore this huge city park on your own or during a guided bus or Segway tour.

5. Winter Park Ski Resort

Visit Winter Park Ski Resort for year-round adventures amid Fraser Valley’s stunning natural beauty. Enjoy activities from skiing, snowboarding, sledding and tubing to mountain biking and mineral panning. Winter Park Ski Resort opened in 1940 as a facility for residents of Denver. Today, it’s one of Colorado’s most popular mountain resorts.

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Winter Park Ski Resort showing snow skiing, landscape views and mountains

6. US Air Force Academy

Step onto the campus of the US Air Force Academy to discover what goes into the training of the country's elite air force personnel. Every year, the military institution puts hundreds of cadets through a rigorous 4-year academic program.

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US Air Force Academy which includes modern architecture

Discover the most popular places to visit in Colorado

Union Station

4.5/5(61 reviews)

You can learn more about the history of Denver when you make a stop at a well-known site like Union Station. Discover the top-notch restaurants and acclaimed art scene in this vibrant area.

Red Rocks Amphitheater

5/5(33 reviews)

This legendary rock concert venue boasts outstanding acoustics thanks to soaring rock walls that hug the stage.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Experience a sense of natural exhilaration as you breathe the fresh mountain air in this pristine wilderness park high in the sky.

Colorado Convention Center

4.5/5(20 reviews)

During your trip, find out what's happening at Colorado Convention Center, a top convention center in Denver. Amble around this vibrant area's picturesque gardens or experience its great live music.

Coors Field

4.5/5(24 reviews)

Catch an event at Coors Field during your trip to Denver. Amble around this vibrant area's picturesque gardens or attend a sporting event.

Empower Field at Mile High

4.5/5(19 reviews)

Catch an event at Empower Field at Mile High during your trip to Denver. Experience the acclaimed theater scene or attend a sporting event in this vibrant area.

Pikes Peak

5/5(13 reviews)

The second-most visited mountain in the world is an easy day trip from Colorado’s capital.

Garden of the Gods

5/5(18 reviews)

Get a taste for the Colorado landscape as you explore this huge city park on your own or during a guided bus or Segway tour.

Winter Park Ski Resort

4/5(3 reviews)

With seven ski territories, summer sports, spas, diverse restaurants and live music, this is one of Colorado’s most complete mountain resorts.

Explore areas of Colorado

Downtown Denver

4.5/5(103 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Downtown Denver. Paramount Theater is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at 16th - California Station or 16th - Stout Station to see more of Denver.

You know... I'm from Seattle. And I know coffee snobbery. Believe me, I do. But a slow pouring technique with a paper filter for a cup of coffee? This takes snobbery to a new level! Personally, I still think a french press is the best way to do it. I mean, I was one of the last Starbucks employees to be put through their "Coffee College" back in 2001. And I remember very specifically about them speaking against a paper filter when wanting to get the full taste of coffee. To get all the oils & crema and such. I'm sure there's a reason to do this whole slow pour thing... I just don't see it. All in all though, the coffee still was good. And the experience of getting your own personal pot of joe was a nice touch. I'll probably go back at some point. :)

Cherry Creek

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Abundant dining options and stunning river views are well-reviewed features of Cherry Creek. Make a stop by top sights like Cherry Creek Shopping Center while you're exploring the area.

Beaver Creek

5/5(2 area reviews)

Beaver Creek is a destination visitors seek out for is captivating mountain views, stunning ski slopes, and beautiful river views. You might also want to check out attractions like Beaver Creek Ski Area or Vilar Performing Arts Center while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Breckenridge which includes snow, street performance and outdoor art

Historic District

4/5(1 area review)

The picture-perfect mountain views and popular ski slopes are top of the list for many visitors to Historic District. A stop by Breckenridge Ski Resort or Main Street might round out your trip.

Denver Tech Center

Known for its ample dining options and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Denver Tech Center. You can visit top attractions like Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre and The Landmark Theatre Greenwood Village, and jump on the metro at Orchard Station or Arapahoe at Village Center Station to see more of the city.