Colorado The 10 Must-See Attractions
Colorado is the nation’s 8th largest state. But after a few days visiting the remarkable natural landscapes of this mountain state you’ll think you’ve entered a land where giants live.
The geography of Colorado is perhaps what makes the state so unique and beautiful. With some of the tallest mountains on the continent and the highest overall elevation of any state in the continental U.S.
Colorado is famous for its vivid and beautiful landscapes. A visit to this state should include exploring as many of the national parks or monuments as you can.
Rocky Mountain National Park
The Rocky Mountain National Park includes some of the highest mountains in the continental United States. The top third of the park encompasses the alpine tundra, a windswept land above the trees. Become immersed in Rocky’s pristine landscape.
Rocky Mountain National Park has 355 miles of hiking trails. They range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain peak climbs. The easy Bear Lake trail is a popular hike featuring a nature trail hugging a subalpine lake at the end of Bear Lake Road.
The park roads are the principal attraction for most visitors. Old Fall River Road gives today’s visitor the opportunity to experience the park by automobile. Trail Ridge Road is one of thirteen America’s Byways in Colorado and a national designated All American Road.
Garden of the Gods
In beautiful Colorado Springs you’ll find the Garden of the Gods, a one-of-a-kind public park and National Natural Landmark. The park is named after the massive geologic features made up of various sediments that have climbed upward forming tall narrow towers.
Some of the famous sights are the Tower of Babel, the Cathedral Spires, the Three Graces, the Fountain Formation and Steamboat Rock. Balanced Rock, right alongside the Kissing Camels, is one of the iconic rock formations in Garden of the Gods that’s a must-see during your visit.
If you’re looking for some of the best climbing then Garden of the Gods Park is the place for you. Trails range from beginner to advance in addition to being paved and dirt.
Denver Art Museum
The Museum is located in the Civic Center of Denver, Colorado. The museum is one of the largest art museums between the West Coast and Chicago. It is known for its collection of American Indian Art and its other collections of diverse works from across the centuries and world. The Denver Art Museum has works of art divided between numerous collections. Enjoy Asian Art, European & American Art, Latin American Arts and Fashion & Photography.
As the city’s largest museum, the Denver Art Museum offers plenty to look at outside. With its multiple buildings including the castle-like structure of the North Building and the titanium “prow” that reaches across 13th Avenue, this is a building that is admired just as much from the outside as it is on the inside.
The Broadmoor Seven Falls
The Broadmoor Seven Falls is a series of seven cascading waterfalls in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This magnificent series of waterfalls is situated in a 1,250-foot-wall box canyon between the towering Pillars of Hercules.
To walk in the park is .8 of a mile along a paved road from the park entry gate to the base of the Falls and Restaurant 1858. This walk is at a mild incline running through South Cheyenne Canyon and the “Pillars of Hercules”. Small trails lead alongside the road providing access to the creek that flows downstream from the Falls.
Take in stunning vistas of verdant valleys, striking rock formations and golden prairies. As you climb the challenging 224 steps to the hiking trails and the banks of glistening streams that feed Seven Falls, and its 180-foot drop of falling water.
Mesa Verde National Park
Like Colorado’s other favorite attractions, Mesa Verde National Park is a place for enjoying some of the most beautiful and unique scenery in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its well-preserved cliff dwelling and its tall mesas rising above the desert landscape.
There are several visitor centers and viewpoints which offer informative insight into the geology and history of Mesa Verde. The most popular destination in the park is Spruce Tree House, a remarkably well-preserved cliff dwelling. Join a ranger for a tour into a cliff dwelling, to enter all cliff dwellings you must be on a ticketed tour with a ranger.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in southwestern Colorado is where you’ll find a beautiful scenic gorge. That is 12 miles long, has sheer cliffs with the largest sheer cliff, called the Painted Wall at 2250 feet tall.
The canyon itself is dark in color, giving it the name Black Canyon, and it is as narrow as 40 feet at some points. It’s a great place for bird viewing as great horned owls, peregrine falcons, eagles and jays enjoy soaring through the deep narrow gorge.
For a truly unique camping experience, check out the East Portal campground. Situated right next to the river, you have the opportunity to fish, hike or just enjoy the views.
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
The Royal Gorge Bridge is suspended 1,053 feet above the river. Making Royal Gorge Bridge & Park the ideal place for scenic views and adrenaline-pumping adventures.
Venture into the wind at the center of one of the world’s highest suspension bridges. Soak in the 360-degree panoramic view of the Royal Gorge from the Gondolas.
Experience America’s highest zip line this hands-free ride zips you through the air. From the top of a 100-foot tower, swing up to 50 mph over the edge of the Royal Gorge on the Skycoaster. This thrilling experience swings harnessed riders 1,200 feet over the Arkansas River.
Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens is a public botanical garden located in the Denver, Colorado. The 23-acre park contains a conservatory, a variety of theme gardens and a sunken amphitheater, which hosts various concerts in the summer.
Denver Botanic Gardens features North America’s largest collection of plants from cold temperate climates around the world. As well as 5 diverse gardens that include Gardens of the West, Internationally Inspired Gardens, Ornamental Gardens, Shady Gardens and Water Gardens.
Tour Denver Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable guide to gain fresh insight about plants, gardens, art and more.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Great Sand Dunes National Park offers the highest mountains of sand in North America. Nestled in a spot where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains buckle inward. The dunes within the borders of Great Sand Dunes National Park have been building and sifting for eons.
The entire dune field encompasses 30 square miles and the tallest dune towers 750 feet high. Explore any part of the 30 square mile dunes there are no designated trails in the sand. The kid in every visitor loves to sled down the sand year-round and plunge into the soft-sand tracks. When there’s water in Medano Creek at the base of the dunes, adults and kids alike love to splash in the stream.
Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals, including tigers, black rhinos, kangaroos and orangutans. Sprawling across 80 acres of City Park, this impressive facility boasts a number of ways to view our animal friends.
The interactive exhibits, including Primate Panorama, The Edge, Predator Ridge, and Tropical Discovery, showcase the animals in habitats as close to their natural ones as possible and educate visitors about each species.
Head to Predator Ridge the recreated African savanna, to see hyenas, lions and African dog’s roam. Watch monkeys swing from tree branches at Primate Panorama. Catch a glimpse of colorful critters like Panamanian golden frogs and green tree pythons at the Tropical Discovery center.
Things to do in Colorado
A visit to Colorado is like visiting America’s natural wonderland. The most popular attractions in the state aren’t museums or theme parks; they’re nature’s own playgrounds and works of art.
In Colorado you can find enough geologic wonders to keep any tourist of any age entertained including towering mountains, majestic plateaus, deep gorges, and beautiful sand dunes.