Family vacation to COLORADO..but what area ?? HELP!

Question

We are planning a trip to Colorado in mid August but we have no idea as to what area of Colorado we should go. We are a family of four ..our children is 19 and 21. We also plan on staying for 4 days..

We heard Estes Park, Steamboat Springs, Colorado Springs is really nice.. out of the three places which would suit our family the best. Any other suggestions? Also, we want to go rafting, hot springs, and see nice scenery..thanks!!!!

Answer 1

sounds like you have a good start. i don't know about the whole rafting thing, but my favorite part of going to colorado was the Celestial Seasonings factory in Boulder. they have free tours and samples. estes park was overrated in my opinion. have a basic idea for a couple of things then raid the brochures in the motel lobby, truck stops, and gas stations. you might find some cool stuff.

Answer 2

I went there the other year and I really enjoyed Denver & Colorado Springs, they both had a lot of things to do.  I went rafting with a company called ECHO that is located in Canon City (near the Royal Gorge Bridge) - I had an amazing time.  We drove up Pike's Peak and visited the Garden of the Gods, all of which were absolutely beautiful.  Unfortunately, I got sick while we were there and wasn't able to do as much as I had wanted to do like the Seven Falls.  I was also sad that I didn't make it up to Estes Park, but I am hoping to get back and visit.  I did however drive to Aspen and went horseback riding and visit Maroon Bells, its a gorgeous place also, but it is about a 4 hour drive from Denver.

Answer 3

My vote is the Durango area.  The train trip from Durango to Silverton and Ouray is one of the most spectacular trips I have ever taken (and I have been on some great ones!)  Website:

http://www.durangotrain.com/

If you go you better check on reservations.  They fill up fast.  Also if you go stay at the Strater Hotel:

http://www.strater.com/

It is a really neat "Old West" hotel with some great amenities.

In addition you have:

White water rafting

Mesa Verde National Park

Telluride

Historic Downtown

Fly fishing

Balloon rides

Have fun wherever you go!

Answer 4

I have always enjoyed going to the Gunnison Valley. Everything is within 2-3 hours of there. You can go to Brown's Canyon and go white water rafting, you can go to the Black Canyon(sooo pretty), Blue Mesa lake is beautiful too, Ouray for the hot springs and pools( hour and half from Gunnison), hiking is pretty prevalent everywhere but Crested Butte has this beautiful hike around Lake Irwin and these huge mountain meadows that are so beautiful. Crested Butte is 32 miles  from Gunnison and has great restaurants, shopping, hiking, biking and is just over the mountain from Aspen(2 hours). Almont is a great little place that has cabins(not too expensive) right on the Taylor river. You can fish, raft. and it is halfway between Crested Butte and Gunnison.This area is really the most economical because it is so centralized. I just got back from Telluride and it is a really great place. Shopping, amazing restaurants, hiking, biking, rafting...It is a bit more expensive. You can drive there from Gunnison in two hours. Having a car to me is the way to go. Have fun!

Answer 5

Estes Park

Answer 6

I would say go to Colorado Springs.  While there you can go to Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, Pikes Peak....it is such a beautiful area!  Another fun thing to do is the Royal Gorge train...you can ride the train one way and then go rafting back down.  Another fun little area is Manitou Springs.