I am hoping to hear from people in Colorado what their favorite summer activity, festival, camping and hiking spots are in Northern Colorado. Like most people with youngins, we are on a pretty tight budget. I have 2 girls ages 3 and 6. Thanks for your time with this!
There is so much to do in CO but in Northern CO I think of Boulder - Pearl Steet Mall and the drive/hiking up towards Nederland. You can even go onto Estes that way as well.
If you want to venture down to southern Colorado, there is a very little town Durango. It is a fun little place. You can hop on floaties and drift down the river (It is not deep and real relaxing). There are beautiful hikes and camping areas around there too.
Hi S., being from the Western Slope I would of course recommend hiking and camping over on our grand side of the state. Just around our area here in Grand Junction you can hike, camp, fish, picnic etc. on the National Monument or the Grand Mesa. Both are extremely beautiful and each unique from the other. The Mesa also boasts tons of camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, and 4-wheeling. Right here in Palisade we're host to the Palisade Peach Festival each August as well as numerous fruit and wine festivals throughout the year. Come over to our side of the mountain and check us out. Blessings, L.
We're not from CO but it's one of my favorite places to vacation. The last time we went we spent a whole day in Estes Park. I'm not sure what part of the state it's in but it was a cute quaint little town, touristy but not busy. I remember driving the steep single lane road to get up there too. A little scary for someone who's not used to being in the mountains like me.
We went to Manitou Springs and went to Helen Hunt falls (which are free compared to Seven Falls) and hiked around, had a picnic by the river. There's also a penny arcade and great little shops.
Most places have free days too, you just have to call and check. Have fun!
Fort Collins is a great town for families. You would have to check their calendar of events to see what activities are going on when you'd be there. Also Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming (about an hour drive from Ft. Collins)--late July & tons of FUN! Estes Park or Grand Lake are beautiful places to see and you can rent cabins in the area for pretty good deals.
Steamboat Springs - waterfall, hot springs downtown with 8 different pools and a water slide, Hot Springs out of town (less crowded), free bus (fun for kids), great easy hikes, ride the Gondola on the Mtn and family fun zone at the base of the Mtn, kid and dog friendly hotels (e.g Holiday Inn has a great indoor pool + Spa + outdoor pool + family restaurant on site). almost flat bike path that stretches from one end of town to the other and a bunch of bike rental places in town (inc Burley's/Chariot rentals). River to swim or go tubing (not 3yr old). Different festivals through summer. Very pretty and not as busy as other resort towns closer to Denver.
My husband is from Colorado. My favorite places to visit there are the Garden of the Gods and Red Rocks.
A fun FREE place to go is Hammonds Candy Factory. It is the only candy place that handmakes all their candy. They give free tours.
I second Pearl Street and then go over to Chataqua Park for a hike. Drive up Flagstaff--there are a lot of places to stop and get out of the car. We just went to the Aqaurium in Denver. Its a little pricey, but fun. I love the zoo.
Estes Park has a ton of stuff to do. Hike around, walk the main street, go tour the Stanley Hotel. There are almost always elk on the side of the road. Lyons is a cute little town to stop in.
Bishops Castle in San Isabel. Totally free and very beautiful
During the summer there are always festivals of some sort in the mountain towns, so I bet you can look up on line and find a few I know sometime in summer Boulder has a music festival. If you are ok with going to a beer place ( it can be family friendly if you don't drink I believe they had samples of root beer) but up near Ft Collins the tour at Budweiser is fun because you get to see the barn with the Clydesdales and when we went we were able to pet one and take pictures. I am not sure if they do it in the summer, but in Denver the Museum of Miniatures and Toys are free the first Sunday of the month. Littleton has a living history museum that asks for just a donation, but has a working farm from the 1800s.( I know that is a bit of a drive) For 18$ a family can go to the Railway Museum in Golden ( we love trains) Also look around near you, I know some of the state parks have free days certain times of the month. I also have to second walking around Red Rocks. Hope you have a fun summer.
