In Denver, what mountain sites can I visit that have good views, but are not 5 hours outside of Denver?

Question

I am going sep 1-3

Answer 1

It takes about half an hour to get into the mountains from Denver.  

Get to the tunnel in about an hour.  (that's from downtown...much less if you're, say, in Golden or Morrison.)

Idaho Springs is pretty scenic. (about 20 mins from Morrison, maybe less)

Dillon is really pretty, Frisco, Breckenridge...Vail.  Of course, they are a bit further.

It takes me about an hour from the Dillon/Silverthorne exit to the Morrison Exit.  

Answer 2

Lookout mountain has a good view of Denver and if you go to Genessee Park (not sure of the spelling there) you can have a wonderful view of the mountains.

Answer 3

You can be a lot of amazing places within 2 hours of Denver.  Head west on I-70 and almost anyplace you stop will be gorgeous.  Grand County is also a great place.  You can find Winter Park which is a ski resort and mountain town but much closer (and less pretentious) than Aspen, Vail, etc.  Lookout Mountain as mentioned above is in Golden and gorgeous.  Go south to Colorado Springs and visit Pikes Peak which is the tallest of the Rockies and take the Cog Railway to the top.  

Answer 4

The mountains are only about 45 min to 1 hour outside of Denver.  There are so many good places with views that it would be hard to tell you.  Get on I 70 and head west.  You'll be amazed at how beautiful (and easy) it is.

Answer 5

There's also Rocky Mountain National Park which is right next to the town of Estes Park.  

Answer 6

In Denver, unless you are headed east, you would be in the mountains within 45 minutes.  The easiest way is to take I-70 and go west.  Going Sept 1-3 will allow you to catch the Rocky Mountain National Park just in time.  Along the way, you can stop at Georgetown.  The whole stretch is just beautiful and peaceful.  You will love it.