Visitors to Denver, Colo., will find themselves perfectly positioned for a number of easy day or side trips. Whether you’re after a hike in the mountains or a trip to a small town, you’ll have a range of options using Denver as home base.
Eldorado Canyon, Colorado © Max & Dee Bernt | Flickr
Boulder makes for an easy daytrip, as it’s just around 45 minutes away from Denver. You can spend the day walking along the pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street, with its myriad shops and restaurants. Or go for a hike in the nearby Flatiron Mountains.
Rocky Mountain National Park is ideal for a scenic drive or for a day hike. The park’s closest entrance is about 65 miles from Denver.
Colorado Springs © Fotoeye75 | Dreamstime
Heading south, the town of Colorado Springs is home to Pikes Peak, a 14,000-foot mountain with a cog railway to the top. Nearby is also Garden of the Gods park, an impressive collection of red rock formations.
In the town of Golden, you can fill a day with shopping, restaurant hopping and tour the Coors brewery. Another charming small town is Estes Park, also home to a vibrant downtown of shopping and restaurants. The centerpiece here is the Stanley Hotel, which you may recognize from The Shining. The hotel is reputed to be haunted, so a ghost tour can be a fun way to experience this creepy building.
Read This Next
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Entertainment
Apr 24, 2015#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Apr 29, 2025Fairmont Royal York’s Spring Programming
Take in the Splendor of Spring, a curated selection of activities and events, at Fairmont Royal York.
Sponsored Content
AmaWaterways’ Specialty River Cruises
When you embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, unpack once and step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences. With enriching excursions, exquisite locally sourced food and wine, nightly entertainment and more included in the fare, you will learn why AmaWaterways has the most returning guests out of any river cruise line.
Slideshow
Apr 29, 20257 Must-See Sites in Sapporo, Japan
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here are seven must-see sites in Sapporo, Japan.
Hotel
Apr 29, 20254 Hotels Taking Advantage of Summer Fridays
With summer around the corner, many companies in corporate America gear up for the start of summer Fridays. Summer Fridays can come in handy when making summer travel plans, and can give you some extra time to travel in the afternoon to enjoy a full weekend away. We’ve rounded up some hotels in destinations that are easy to get to and perfect for taking advantage of a summer Friday.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Surveys
Apr 28, 2025Study Reports Americans Increased Spending on 2025 Spring Break
Spring break may already be in your rearview mirror, and you might be looking forward to your summer vacay — but did you save enough cash after your springtime travel? A new study from Allianz Partners found Americans spent quite a bit more on their spring break trips this year than they did in 2024. The average spring break trip was $5,325 in 2025, more than a 10 percent increase from 2024.
ShareThis