Need help finding a good mountain getaway plan? ?

Question

Going to Denver for business in a few weeks but would like to plan the perfect mountain getaway for a Friday and Saturday. Most likely we will have to stay near the airport Sunday night to catch the flight home.

Suggestions please?

Answer 1

I agree with the other posters - Glenwood Springs is a fantastic getaway destination.  Close to Aspen but cheaper, great food, great atmosphere and everyone's very nice.  It's nice a laid-back and cozy.  Hanging Lake is a must-see!  Also Maroon Bells is a great (and much easier) hike and equally gorgeous if you're not up for a tough hike (that poster that said Hanging Lake wasn't strenuous is crazy - it's a pretty tough hike, but worth it).  

If you don't want to go quite that far, the Dillon/Silverthorn/Breckenridge area is a lot of fun.  Very beautiful (except for all the pine beetles killing all the trees in the past couple years), a gorgeous lake, shopping, great food, great hikes... Breckenridge is a great little town to hang out in or stay in (affordable in the summer).  Loveland Pass (Hwy 6) is a very nice drive to take.

Answer 2

There are lots of places to go in the mountains that would make good day trips and weekend trips. If you want a day trip you can go to Idaho Springs, Lookout Mountain(which is beautiful view of Denver especially at night), red rocks, Mt. Evans all about 45 minutes from town. A nice weekend trip is Glenwood Springs, it's about 3 hours from denver on I-70 and there are wonderful hot springs to get in and there is also a beautiful hike called Hanging Lake about 15 minutes east of glenwood on I-70. It's about a mile long and takes you to a lake at the top that is sparkling blue with a small waterfall feeding into it and you can hike to the top of that as well. The hike isn't all that strenuous either. I really hope that you enjoy your stay and I hope it's not during the convention!!

Answer 3

Think about Estes Park or go over and up to Winter Park area.  Winter Park is a good place to rent a condo in the summer.  I have provided a link to some dude ranches near Denver, which might be fun just for the weekend.    

Answer 4

Catch the Amtrak in Denver and go up to Glenwood Springs.  It's a great little getaway!

Answer 5

I would drive south to Colorado Springs and rent a cabin in the foothills along Hwy 24--there's a little place called "Mariposa Cabin" that is very relaxing.

For activities, you could drive or take the cog railway to the summit of Pikes Peak.  There are also tons of hiking trails nearby, and Mueller State Park is only 30 minutes from there for amazing views of the Rockies.

Have a nice trip, whatever you decide!

Answer 6

I live in Dillon.  Big lake, here, nice biking trails, tons of hiking trails, bunch of ski areas, tons of great eating, and shopping.  You could have a good time right here.

Glenwood Springs, by train, sounds like fun!   I love Glenwood.

Idaho Springs is nice, too.  Though there isn't THAT much to do there, there's the caves and hot springs, and all that.