The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience provides an affordable, dynamic and high-value educational opportunity for kids of all ages and enables families to learn and recreate together on stunning property with views of the famed Royal Gorge Bridge and Colorado’s stunning Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Our state-of-the-art, 16,200 square-foot building houses an amazing collection of interactive displays, full-scale dinosaur fossil casts, real dinosaur fossils, entertaining guided tours of our exhibit halls. Our outdoor skinned animatronic dinosaur exhibits and our multi-story ropes course ensure a fine balance of science, learning and good old-fashioned family fun. Our goal is to ensure that our visitors leave knowing a lot more about Colorado’s rich paleontological history, while also carrying indelible memories of a great time spent learning, discovering and having fun with their friends and families.
Play: Event Venue
Event Venues
Event Venues in Colorado
Whether planning a wedding, a business trip, or just going along for the ride, Colorado offers natural beauty, world-class facilities, abundant activities, accommodations, and experts to help make it all go smoothly!
A Summit County Brewery Tour
Brews, Booze, Bud Tours
Experience the Brewery Tour 
Enjoy an afternoon or evening with a relaxing brewery tour with a visit to our local microbreweries (and dispensaries) in Summit County. We’ll buy a pint of handcrafted beer for you at each pub and include a full lunch or dinner, too! You’ll be delighted with amazing up-close magic illusions and hilarious bar tricks. Flex the golden pipes with our in-van karaoke and win even more free prizes! The Summit County Brewery Tour is a six-hour party on wheels! And best of all, you do all the drinking while we do all the driving. Daily tours start right from your front door at noon and 5:30 pm. Bottoms up!
About Joel Godfrey and the Brewery Tour
Joel Godfrey of Aces & Eights Casino Shuttle is adding the “perfect party” brewery tour for locals and out-of-town guests in the High Country. And his new idea is so much more than just a “Booze Cruise” on wheels! It’s the ultimate answer to the proverbial question, “What’s there to do that’s really fun here at night in Ski Country USA?”
Gone Are the Days of Law Enforcement Issues
Gone are the days when a full night’s worth of libations risked a roadside chat with law enforcement. “Since we come right to your front door with our luxury vans and safely get you back home too, there’s just no chance of a DUI… or worse,” notes Mr. Godfrey. “We eliminate the risks and concentrate on the guests’ ability to relax and enjoy.”
“Now there’s a safe and responsible way for everyone to get out for a fun night of beers, games, and bar magic that works for locals and our out-of-town vacationers. Best of all, Summit County Brewery Tour guests can participate in all sorts of ways to maximize their enjoyment, whether watching big-screen televised sports, shooting a game of 8-Ball, or sharing a brew with someone special at an intimate table away from the crowd.”
Explore Colorado’s Recreational Marijuana 
In Colorado, marijuana is as legal and enjoyable as a cold frosty beer or a shot of bourbon! This is your Colorado opportunity to take a brewery tour and visit a distillery, a brewery, and a legal dispensary without any unexpected pricey distractions. We know what you want and are here to get you there in style.
Services
Colorado Services
Colorado has many full-service communities. Visitors and residents can relax knowing local conveniences are easily accessible and the services and amenities you would expect to find at home are also available right here.
The Abbey
The Abbey is the perfect place to bring people together for any group or corporate function.
We welcome a variety of groups such as:
- Business Conferences & Meetings
- Wedding Ceremonies & Celebrations
- Family & Class Reunions
- Church Fellowships
- School or Business Retreats
- Celebrations
- Inspirational Retreats
- Bus Tours
- Banquets & Fund Raisers
- Boy Scout & Girl Scout Groups
- University Field Study Groups
Vacation Planning Ideas
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas
You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictures of Colorado's majestic landscapes reaching 2 miles into the American sky. This is someplace you'd like to see and experience. It would take a few lifetimes to see, enjoy, experience, feel, and reach what Colorado offers. So, we're here to help you with your Colorado vacation planning and the best way to maximize your time while in Colorado.
Create Your Vacation Plan
With so much going on in Colorado, it’s best to identify your vacation passion and the passions of the group or other person you are traveling with. Here is a list of considerations to help you get the best Colorado vacation experience.
Summer Vacation Planning 
What summer Colorado activities are a priority for you and your group? Start by identifying the primary activity and prioritizing from there.
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Perhaps your bucket list includes visiting an adventure park, a scenic train ride, a hot springs visit, zip lining, getting a hike or two in, and rafting. Wow, that’s ambitious but it can be done. Once again, staying in a region like the Royal Gorge area can serve this up. If you look closely, you will find companies that even sell combinations of experiences in one day.
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Suppose you're planning a backpacking trip. You would want to select a region, such as Rocky Moutain National Park, and stay there.
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If day hiking is more your thing, you will get the most hiking in by exploring a region rather than trying to travel all over the state, but some travel is realistic.
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Are you planning to tour the state? Will you need lodging, or will you be camping along the way?
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Summer tourist season in Colorado is popular. If you’re planning on camping, whether in a tent or RV, you will need to plan ahead. Reservations at public campgrounds are necessary, especially during “peak season.”
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Identify what “other” activities are important.
Check in with your travel companions and find out what activities they have in mind. You might find mutual interests or complete diversity. Knowing this will help you map your route and where to find lodging. Below are some activity suggestions.
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Check the Colorado Events Calendar.
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Consider a historical tour.
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Find a Farmers Market.
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Whitewater Rafting and Adventure Packages
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Winter Vacation Planning
Will your winter vacation be at a ski resort?
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There are 25 ski areas in Colorado and 32 Nordic Centers to choose from. First, understand your group's expectations. Then, explore the resort options for what they offer, the type of terrain, the expense, apres-ski activities, and more.
- There are other resort options besides ski resort towns. Many neighboring mountain towns have excellent lodging and dining choices and even more alternative things to do. Consider more out-of-the-way natural hot spring resorts.
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Are all members of your group skiers, or are there snowboarders too?
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Suppose you’re vacationing with a mix of skiers, snowboarders, and ability level. It’s best to closely examine the resorts with terrain parks and a mix of blue and expert-level ski runs. The larger resorts will have the most options.
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Does your group want to travel to different resort destinations or stay at a specific resort?
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If you want to check out different resorts, staying in the Central part of Colorado is the most efficient option, as all these resorts can be reached by car in a few hours. Or, skip the winter driving around, stay at a designated resort, and focus on your fun there.
- Download the Summit Stage app and ride the FREE Summit Stage bus in Summit County. This bus services the entire area of Summit County, including Silverthorne, Dillon, Keystone, A-Basin, Breck Transit Center, Frisco, and all places in between.
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Is vacationing on a budget a concern?
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If budget-mindedness is part of your vacation, try planning your trip during the “off-season” or not “peak-season” times. Check out these every day, more affordable resorts. In either case, you should be able to find deals on lift tickets and lodging.
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Are off-slope activities appealing, such as shopping, dining, spas, events, or alternative activities?
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If your group needs alternative activities, the bigger resorts will have the most varied selection. However, popular attractions like winter scenic train rides, natural hot springs, and guided tours such as snowmobiling or sleigh rides are not necessarily at the resort. Check out “other attractions” first and then decide on the resort to stay at.
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Colorado's Endless List of Vacation Options
Colorado offers an almost endless list of vacation options. The first step is to understand if you want to tour around or stay in one place. Either has much to offer. However, touring the state will require more vacation planning. Please use our free vacation planning itinerary tool. This will help you keep track of the sights and experiences you don’t want to miss. Plus, organize your lodging and travel routes along the way.
Staying put at that special place in Colorado is also a good way to spend your vacation. With so much to explore in any given region of the State, it might make more sense for you just to find lodging in a favorite place and base all your activities on that location. In either case, feel free to request some of our free visitor guides, and use our free itinerary tool to help organize all the activities, keep the dates and times handy, and make your vacation more relaxing.
Loveland Colorado
Visit Loveland, Colorado
Just 50 minutes north of Denver lies the charming foothills city of Loveland, famous among outdoor enthusiasts and for its ski area. Loveland is perfect base camp for adventures in the majestic Rocky Mountains backcountry and also as gateway to the recreation town of Estes Park and nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
Postcard-perfect Loveland is also a great place for families, with activities and events tailored to all ages and interests. Known for its lively arts and shopping opportunities and for its many breweries and distilleries, Loveland also holds a very sweet distinction among American cities: Each year more than 200,000 people from around the globe send Valentines to the Loveland Chamber of Commerce to be remailed with a special return address and logo from the nation’s Sweetheart City.
Colorado Destinations
Unique Colorado Destination
Colorado’s cities and towns are as diverse and beautiful as its landscape.
The culturally rich city of Denver and the quiet mountain escape of Aspen are all attractive Colorado destinations. Colorado has a vacation destination for everyone. Are the high mountain peaks calling your name? Get to know Colorado and plan your trip to check off everything on your bucket list. Rafting, skiing, hiking, art shows, concerts, mountain biking, cycling, dining, fishing, mountain retreats, exploring nature, and much more. Coloradoinfo.com has divided Colorado into 3 regions. Each of these regions represents unique characteristics and proximity.
View our interactive regional map of Colorado to take a closer look and find the locations you want to visit.
Order a free Colorado vacation planning guide to help you find the perfect vacation spot!
The Central Mountains
The heart of the Rocky Mountains spans the state north to south, and is home to the highest elevated cities and towns in the country, which feature over two dozen ski resorts. This region is Colorado’s gem for world-famous ski areas, mountain lifestyle, and activities.
The Rockies Playground, recently named by the Colorado Tourism Office, is the most central region of the Rocky Mountains and includes some of Colorado’s most famous resort towns. Due to their close proximity and popularity as ski resorts, the name was chosen to appeal to potential tourists. This region’s towns include Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Winter Park, Glenwood Springs, Dillon and Leadville. However, significant resort towns lie north and south of the playground region, including Steamboat Springs in north-central Colorado. Resort towns in south-central Colorado include: Crested Butte, Monarch, Del Norte, Powderhorn and Wolf Creek. The Central Mountains region captures almost all of the mountain towns north to south, aside from Telluride and Durango.
The Central Mountains region includes several spectacular national forests.
All of which include amazing mountain scenery, wildlife, trail systems, nearby camping and towns. From north to south:
- Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Steamboat Springs is a ski town. A large area with a variety of mountain attractions. - White River National Forest
The Rockies Playground, many ski resort towns. Engulfed in mountain recreation. - Pike and San Isabel National Forest
The Royal Gorge attraction. This area is rich with wilderness, fourteeners, Backpacking, Camping…More on recreation. - Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest
Crested Butte ski resort and nearby Gunnison. A variety of summer & winter recreation. - Rio Grande National Forest
Wolf Creek ski resort, nearby towns Pagosa Springs and Alamosa, lie within the Mystic San Luis Valley. A huge wilderness area including Great Sand Dunes National Park and Alamosa National Refuge. This area is considered Colorado’s undiscovered jewel. Discover solitude and self-reliance.
The Front Range & Plains
A way of referring to how the plains of Colorado meet the eastern slope of the continental divide.
If you want to watch a Broadway show or enjoy a museum exhibit, you will have the most options in the Front Range. The urban cities of Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs are well known for their performing arts, museums, and cultural festivals.
Don’t Miss Front Range Colorado Destination
The Front Range region includes notable attractions such as Estes Park, the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Pikes Peak, a whole family mountain attraction, lies just west of Colorado Springs. Featuring a scenic train, rafting, horseback riding and much more.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an amazing music venue in the foothills west of Denver.
Colorado’s Western Slope
A general way of referring to Northwest and Southwest Colorado.
The Western Slope is a much more remote experience. Grand Junction is the largest city in the area and is often referred to as a city with a small-town feel. This high plains region is rich in agriculture, canyonlands, and warmer weather. Offering up a distinctively unique variety of Colorado destinations.
Northwest Colorado, or The Great West
Features of this area are the national parks such as Dinosaur National Park, the remote Brown’s Park, and the wild horses of the Sand Wash Basin. This area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts offering a variety of camping, RV parks, off-road vehicles, horseback riding, rafting, cycling and exploring in general. While the mountains are melting down, northwest Colorado is in full bloom.
Southwest Colorado, or The Mountain Mesas
Another very diverse region of Colorado with a mix of Colorado destinations and ski resort towns such as Telluride, and Durango. Complemented by Montrose, a very agricultural community but also rich with adventure. In the very southwest corner of Colorado is Cortez. Surrounded by big attractions such as Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley . Cortez is also the gateway to the Four Corners and the Canyonlands of Utah
Activities & Attractions
Fun Activities in Colorado
Colorado is a favorite place because of its various fun activities. The list is long and includes suitable things to do for groups, and individuals, high-action fun, relaxing, or mentally stimulating activities. Here are some favorites for you to consider:
Fun Group Activities
- Off-Road Tours – amazing scenic 4×4 guided tours, or bring your own.
- Scenic Train Rides – view the mountains from a historical narrow gauge scenic train.
- Golf – Colorado has many, many golf courses, private and public.
- Snowmobile Tours – an amazing way for the group to get close to winter wonderland.
- Horseback Trail Rides – ride the trails with the group via horseback.
- Helicopter Tours – a bird’s eye view of the Rocky Mountains.
- Snow Cat Skiing & Tours – gets you into winter country not usually traveled.
- Adventure Parks & Ziplining – thrill-seeking experiences integrated into the mountainscapes.
- Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing – a heart-pumping activity in the canopy of alpine trees and stunning scenery.
- Sledding & Tubing – big fun, especially for the kids. Dedicated parks like no other.
- Ice Skating – indoor and outdoor rinks found in resort towns and beyond.
Request FREE Visitor Guides or receive email about your favorite activities.
Relaxing Activities
- Health & Wellness Spas – some of the best spas with a complete selection of services are easily found in resort towns.
- Natural Hot Springs – are found throughout the state. Some are complete with spa services, lodging, and more. Others are more out of the way and completely natural.
- Swimming Pools – found throughout Colorado.
- Marijuana Dispensaries – really take the edge off and enjoy your vacation time.
- Nature Walks, Sightseeing, Wildflowers – enjoy a stroll through the many public parks, gardens, and neighborhood paths.
Interactive Fun Activities
- Shopping – small town shops, farmers markets, and modern shopping/activity centers.
- Music & Concerts – various venues exist, such as outdoor concerts, local pubs, and concert halls.
- Arcades – mostly found on the Front Range.
- Events – holiday events or events for almost any reason imaginable. Resort towns go all out, as do many of the bigger metropolitan areas.
- Museum Tours – plenty of museums in Colorado to explore and learn about Western heritage.
Sporting Fun Activities
- Skiing & Snowboarding – experience Colorado’s world-class resorts.
- Hut-to-Hut Skiing or Hiking – try the 10th Mountain Division for a backcountry adventure.
- Whitewater Rafting – Colorado has the best rivers and guided rafting tour companies.
- Colorado Lakes – more than 4,000 lakes are waiting for you to enjoy via boat, SUP, canoes, and more.
- Fishing – fly fishing in Gold Medal River waters or line fish at a nearby lake.
- Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Road Cycling – some of the best trails and terrain for the cyclist is in Colorado.
- Hiking & Backpacking – Colorado is famous for its trails. 5,266 mapped trails are available for day hiking or multi-day trips.
Choose Your Colorado Fun Activities
Whether you’re looking for a physically challenging activity like skiing, hiking, or whitewater rafting or a more laid-back activity like soaking in hot springs, riding a historic railroad, or visiting a Colorado museum, Colorado will not disappoint. These are just some suggestions; Colorado has even more fun activities, seek, and you shall find.
Royal Gorge Region
Welcome to the Royal Gorge Region
The Royal Gorge Region, is a great vacation choice among many beautiful and fun Colorado destinations. Base your adventure in Cañon City, the “Climate Capital of Colorado”! Where it is warmer, dryer and sunnier than Colorado Springs and Denver. Close and convenient, but without the crowds and traffic that can overwhelm other popular destinations.
Request a FREE visitors guide or email about the Royal Gorge Region.
Attractions
Families and visitors of all ages will find there are loads of options to enjoy the area’s amazing scenery or participate in some real Colorado fun,
- Experience the Royal Gorge via the Royal Gorge Route scenic train.
- Take a guided jeep tour.
- Check out the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. Take in the sweeping mountain vistas from America’s highest suspension bridge, or sign up for some of the other Park’s adventure experiences.
- Sit back and enjoy a glass of wine from the local, award-winning winery.
- Explore the unique geography while hiking or mountain biking.
Many visitors consider the Royal Gorge and the Arkansas River the finest natural assets. America’s top destination for whitewater rafting and anglers relish the fact that it is the country’s longest stretch of Gold Medal Trout water. The trail networks offer something for every ability level, whether on foot or a bicycle. Up for a challenge? Check out mountain bike trails or world-class rock climbing. Try the exhilarating experience of ziplining across the gorge, plus classic and extreme courses above treetops and canyons.
Downtown Cañon City
Don’t forget to visit the region’s museums, history and heritage sites. Downtown Cañon City and Florence are both hidden gems offering quaint, locally-owned shops, farmer’s markets, restaurants, breweries, and annual festivals. Learn about dinosaurs that roamed this land 150 million years ago through outstanding indoor and outdoor exhibits and interpretive trails. Check out the Royal Gorge Dinosaur experience just north of Canon City. They have all kinds of fun for the kids including interactive exhibits.
Plan more than a day to experience all the Royal Gorge Region has to offer. The recommendation is to spend at least a night, or more. Options include hotels, motels, cabins, B&B’s, full-service and forest campgrounds, or even glamping! Enjoy your visit! Cañon City looks forward to welcoming you to the attractions and activities that await in the Royal Gorge Region. Safe travels.
Fremont County Tourism Council