After you've done your research on Colorado, you can begin the decision making process of planning your vacation. Having gathered information about your vacation destination, you'll be well-equipped to make important choices about your upcoming retreat.
One of the most important things that you'll have to decide for your vacation is where you want to stay. Since there are so many cities and different regions of Colorado this may not be an easy decision. Other things you'll need to keep in mind when making decisions about your trip are how you'll get there, what kind of activities you want to enjoy during your stay, and what means of transportation you'll use once you're there.
Where to Go
Many people associate vacationing in Colorado with ski resorts, winter sports, and powdery white snow, but there is a lot more to this gorgeous vacation destination. Colorado is made up of seven different geographical regions: the Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, South Central, Front Range, and Denver area.
While in the Northwestern region of Colorado, vacationers can enjoy a number of attractions and activities. Wine tasting is a popular pastime in Colorado's wine country, as well as sipping hot cocoa in the snow-capped mountains. Northwestern Colorado is also home to several popular resort towns including Aspen, Keystone, and Winter Park. These areas abound in beautiful scenery, adorned with cascading waterfalls and blossoming wild flowers. The geography of the region changes from mountains to plateaus and mesas as you head west, giving way to agricultural communities and the mighty Colorado River.
In the Front Range region, vacationers will find postcard-perfect scenery of awe-inspiring landscapes. Popular destinations in this region include the Rocky Mountain National Park, which includes 400 miles of preserved forest land, meadows, tundra, and opalescent ponds. Nature lovers will find that this region features some of Colorado's most impressive wildlife at places like Grand Lake, Estes Park, Idaho Springs, and Georgetown. For some action within city limits, vacationers can enjoy gaming at the gambling meccas of Central City and Black Hawk.
The wide-open grasslands and sprawling golden wheat fields of Northeastern Colorado are a surprising geographical contrast to the state's higher elevated terrain. Often referred to as "Colorado's Outback" or "The Other Colorado," the Northeastern region still features remnants of homesteaders and gold-seekers who claimed the land years ago. Visitors will find old emigrant trails, antique buildings, and abandoned settlements dotting the region's landscape. History buffs may want to check out a summer weekend reenactment of a gunfight, a heritage festival, or a draft horse pull while visiting the area. Outdoor recreation is also an option in Northeastern Colorado, including water sports or hunting wild game like turkey, deer, pheasants, and antelope.
The Denver region is home to the relatively young capital city of Denver. The city brims with life and vigor, featuring a professional baseball stadium, downtown amusement park, and light-rail system. As an up-and-coming metropolis, Denver has made great efforts in becoming a sophisticated city rich in culture. Vacationers can visit museums, flourishing neighborhoods with great arts scenes and culturally diverse populations, as well as night clubs, fine dining restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and a whole lot more.
Southwest Colorado is a region of amazing beauty. The landscaping here is adorned with jutting blue crags, verdant grassy meadows, and roaring white water rapids. Natural sites and attractions are plentiful here, such as bubbling hot springs, sprawling mesas, deep stone canyons, and ridges on which the pink sunsets play beautiful light tricks. As far as human landscaping goes in the Southwest region, ghost towns and abandoned mines are located throughout the San Juan Mountains, and unnamed ruins are the only traces of ancient civilizations. Also in the region are modern towns, complete with locals who are always on the move. Here biking, hiking, running, climbing, and boating are enough to keep you busy.
South Central Colorado is a visual delight. Its terrain is embellished with pointy peaks, abysmal canyons, silver lakes, and wonderfully vibrant wildflowers, all under the watch of the majestic mountains. Flourishing stands of aspen and pine trees cover the hillsides, and along the horizon, the mountains stretch like napping giants. Among the mountains there are towns nestled in the valleys, including the highest city in America, Leadville, Colorado, which seems to sit in the clouds. Fertile lands make farming possible in the valleys.
The Southeast region is considered by some to be the "real" cradle of Colorado. Rich in history and heritage, this region bares an interesting past. Gold miners flocked to the state in search of riches in the 1540s, and in 1833, the state's first American settlement, Bent's Old Fort, was erected. This region has dignity that only time can bring, and time seems to slow down a bit. Vacationers who come here will find true tranquility and peace and quiet.
Once you have decided which region of Colorado you want to vacation in, you can then decide on the city or cities you want to visit.
Once You're There
There are plenty of choices when it comes to lodgings and activities in Colorado. When deciding on hotel or resort accommodations, keep in mind what's most important to you on your vacation. If you plan to spend a lot of visiting natural sites or skiing in the mountains, you may want to stay at a camp site or mountain lodge. If you enjoy activities and sightseeing, then you may want to stay in the heart of the city so you can be near its main attractions and happening tourist spots.
If you're traveling with others, keep their likes and dislikes in mind when deciding where to stay and what to do. Some of your companions may enjoy exciting nightlife, while others may prefer a quiet, relaxing trip. Try to find a happy medium so that everyone can enjoy their stay in Colorado. Also, if you're traveling with the family, you may want to look into kid-friendly accommodations and activities.
Colorado is so diverse in terrain and what it offers vacationers, no matter which region you choose to visit you're sure to find plenty of fun activities on your Evergreen State vacation.
