Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Spectacular Colorado

If you have come to Colorado to enjoy sightseeing, there is nothing more spectacular than Colorado’s mountain vistas, canyonlands, and natural beauty. Around every bend lies yet another amazing view, scenes of wildlife or flora unfolding.

For those who are truly on a sightseeing mission, plan your trip to explore some part of the many National and State Parks, National Forests, and BLM land that are abundant throughout this state. Most National and state parks offer guided tours. The more remote you can venture, the more spectacular the views and your experience with nature become. However, it’s tempting to want to visit many locations. Realistically, you are better off selecting an area to explore. This way, you can really get to know the geology, flora, and fauna, visit notable attractions or go on a wildflower hike.

Traveling the state by RV is very popular

Mountain passes and byways are spectacular. Reaching heights of over 10,000 feet, winding through Aspen groves, or crossing bridges over deep canyons is an ever-transforming and exciting experience. Check out our scenic summer drive recommendations. However, travel by RV can be a bit nerve-racking with all the challenges that mountain driving presents. Please be aware that mountain driving is not well suited for those not experienced with this type of driving. Your vehicle needs to be in top shape as well. Consider a sightseeing tour and leave the driving to a seasoned expert.

Sightsee By Rail – a great way to see the sights

We suggest the best way to travel into remote and spectacular mountainous regions is by narrow gauge rail, otherwise known as a scenic train ride. This is a wonderful way to see the sights with your entire family or group of friends while leaving the tough mountainous navigation to the train engineer. You can completely immerse yourself in the Rocky Mountain scenery and listen to historical tales along the way. Allow yourself to become distracted by each new view, hold your camera with both hands and talk at the same time.

Sightseeing Wildflower Hikes

There’s nothing more spectacular than seeing and smelling the bloom of Colorado’s wildflowers. With so many various elevations and geographies in this state, you need only seek the right locations to find glorious foliage. Crested Butte celebrates wildflowers during its annual festival, or check out these wildflower hikes.

Sightseeing by Gondola or Chairlift

Colorado’s popular resort towns run gondolas and select chairlifts in the summertime, offering sightseeing, hiking and mountain biking trail access, top-of-the-mountain dining, and other activities.

Telluride’s Mountain-to-Town Gondola

Telluride has a FREE gondola connecting the town with Mountain Village, stopping at San Sophia Station. This gondola makes accessing the Market grocery store, the Mountain Village Post Office, the Town Hall, and the ski slopes and hiking trails easy. Plus, there’s an eyeful along the way.

Off-Road Tours

Colorado is full of rugged mining roads left over from the gold and silver boom days. These roads offer amazing views and access to vistas and remote areas. Ouray and the Royal Gorge Region are both excellent choices. You can find tour companies to handle the driving while you sit back and take in the sights. However, there are many other places throughout the state where you can find similar experiences.

Winter Snowcat Tour Sightseeing

A popular way to get close to the winter landscape is on a snowcat tour. These modern transportation machines are impressive to ride in as they easily navigate through the forest and up and down steep hills. For those with a bit more adventurous edge, try a snowmobile tour.

Mountain Horseback Riding Tours

A great way to get close to nature and see beautiful sites is on a mountain horseback ride. Enjoy a casual day with your friends and a horse along a scenic mountain trail.

Sightseeing Colorado’s Beautiful Lakes

Colorado has more than 4,000 lakes and reservoirs to enjoy. Many have marinas that offer boat rentals or have a beach nearby. Colorado’s State Parks usually feature a wonderful mountain lake with hiking trails and other amenities. State parks often promote wildlife and birdwatching so bring the binoculars along. Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon is a popular and spectacular lake to visit.

Sightseeing in Colorado means being prepared

If you’re traveling by vehicle, ensure your auto is in perfect condition, especially the brakes.
If you’re going to be hiking, make sure your shoes are comfortable and broken in before heading out.

In any case, you must bring all-weather clothing: a jacket that will protect you from wind, rain, or snow, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and daypacks for all your extra gear, food, and water. Don’t forget your camera or phone so you can bring home all those spectacular sights. Be advised that cell service is limited at best in the mountains, and outlets for charging are not always available. Most of all, enjoy your Colorado experience.

Town of Frisco

Frisco, the Heart of Colorado

Frisco is located in the heart of Summit County, Colorado, within minutes of many world-class ski resorts. Originally settled by the Ute Indians, followed by trappers/mountain men, the mining industry, and eventually skiing, Frisco has evolved into a year-round outdoor recreation hub and relaxation destination for all ages. While it may look and feel charming, inside this town beats the heart of adventure.

Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals

Vacation Rentals Near The Royal Gorge and Canon City

Affordable vacation rentals and luxury accommodation choices. Ranch-style lodging for up to 50 people. Secluded locations – leave the beaten path behind. Perfect for reunions, weddings or groups large and small.

Choices of Vacation Rentals

Luxury Colorado Cabins – fully equipped and ready for your epic group getaway. Located very near the Royal Gorge.
Riverside Glamping – luxury yurts and airstreams for a premium camping experience. Campsites are riverside.

Streamside on Fall River

Streamside Fall River Cabin Village at Estes Park

The whole family will enjoy staying at Streamside’s secluded village of 21 cabins and suites sprinkled over 29 acres of pine and aspen trees in Estes Park, Colorado. Fish for rainbow trout right outside your cabin or enjoy a gentle stroll around the property shared with elk, mule deer, and an abundance of other wildlife. Challenge yourself to the summit of Old Man Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views of the Estes valley or head into Rocky Mountain National Park for amazing wilderness experiences.

Cabin Amenities

Cabins and suites feature gas fireplaces, private hot tubs, jetted tubs, fully equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi, cable TV & DVD players, gas grills, and private decks. Guests have access to an outdoor hot tub for a relaxing soak after a fun-filled day. You can even enjoy a relaxing massage right in the comfort of your suite. The kids will enjoy our spacious lawns and horseshoe pit. We offer complimentary books, board games, and an extensive DVD library.

Frisco Inn on Galena

The Frisco Inn on Galena

Discover the perfect mountain getaway at the Frisco Inn on Galena, Summit County’s premier lodging experience. Our Inn is a one-of-a-kind Boutique Hotel, Bed and Breakfast that offers exceptional hospitality, service, amenities, and dining. The Inn is the perfect setting to “Relax, Reconnect, Recreate, and Rejuvenate,” with an ambiance reminiscent of Europe’s fine, small hotels and B&Bs.

The Frisco Inn on Galena is Conveniently Located

The Frisco Inn on Galena is centrally located in Colorado and central to many activities and attractive Colorado destinations. Just a few miles in any direction from a choice of world-class ski resorts such as Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Loveland, Arapahoe Basin, and Vail. The inn is also central to Frisco and minutes to lake Dillion, golf courses, events, shopping, dining, hiking, and more. Consider the Frisco Inn your headquarters for multi-day Colorado adventure fun, and the staff at the Inn as your guide to help you find just the right kind of fun to suit your style. Learn more about the Frisco Inn experience.

New Sheridan Hotel

We are a Colorado Historic hotel in the very heart of Telluride but we do not rest on our history. The present booms just like the past here at the New Sheridan. We are always searching for ways to enhance our guests’ experience of our world here.

Historical New Sheridan

The New Sheridan Telluride hotel opened in 1895 as the “go-to place” for miners who struck it rich, now completely restored and renovated in 2008.

There are just 26 historic rooms and suites – all with modern luxury fittings. Period style furnishings, layers of damask, rich period colors, luxury bedding, baths and bathrobes – create the ambiance of the only luxury boutique of the hotels in Telluride – an understated, layered luxury that is, yet, distinctly affordable.

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

Winter Park

Things to Do in Winter Park, Colorado

Winter Park is most renowned as a ski area but offers much more, especially for those seeking a Colorado adventure. This is the great outdoors you’ve dreamed about, where fresh air and gorgeous natural surroundings meet high-alpine adventures and soothing retreats. It’s the perfect convergence of life, nature, and the elements. Winter Park inspires visitors from around the world and constantly rewards those lucky enough to call this home. See for yourself.

Getting to Winter Park

Take the “Winter Train” or the California Zephyr Train straight from Union Station in LoDo Denver to Winter Park. Make a connection at Union Station on the A-line, which goes directly to Denver International Airport (DIA).

Take the Short Drive From Denver

A mountain drive just 67 miles from Denver. As you crest the 11,400-foot summit of Berthoud Pass and make your way down US Highway 40, the valley opens up before you like your own four-season playground. The area shimmers with life, from the snowcapped peaks of the Continental Divide to the northern runout of the Fraser River and its tributaries. Home to unbelievable outdoor adventure, spectacular scenery, and family fun. With over 324” of snow each year, it makes for excellent skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, and snow angel making. It is a playground sure to please anyone’s inner child.

Frisco

Things to Do in Frisco, Colorado

Frisco is located at the epicenter of winter adventure less than 35 minutes from 6 world-class ski & ride resorts including Copper Mountain (7 minutes) and Breckenridge (15 minutes). Yet, Frisco stays true to its laid-back vibe with a charming Main Street and a great sense of humor. Frisco’s festivals celebrate everything from ugly holiday sweaters to dogs in their Mardi Gras best. Frisco knows how to have a good time and everyone is invited to join in on the fun.

Frisco’s unique Main Street offers some of the best local shopping and inspired dining in the Rocky Mountains. A great cup of joe, extraordinary views, and unusual finds are around every corner. Downtown Frisco is a perfect central location for everything in the area. Our lodging recommendations are: The Frisco Lodge and The Frisco Inn on Galena.

Frisco’s Adventure Park

Every activity in Frisco is in the audience of stunning snowcapped peaks and Frisco’s Adventure Park is no exception. The Adventure Park boasts an 8-lane, lift-assisted tubing hill, a beginner ski/ride hill, 45 km of cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. It is the perfect place to soak in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains while getting outside together. And wherever the day takes you, Frisco’s small-town character and central location make it easy to feel right at home.

Dillon Reservoir

The heart of this town beats for a love of the outdoors. The Dillon Reservoir is the icing on the cake for Frisco and the other surrounding communities such as Silverthorne and Dillon. The reservoir spans 3,300 acres, making it one of Colorado’s largest reservoirs. The Frisco Bay Marina is a draw for many people who enjoy sailing, SUPs, and other watercraft activities.

Frisco is a Community

In addition to finding all things Colorado in Frisco such as hiking and mountain bike trails right from town, plus camping on the lake, and a cross-skiing touring center next to the Adventure Park. Frisco has all the usual amenities of any town and a local population base that brings familiarity to daily life.

Durango

Things to Do in Durango, Colorado

Located in Southwest Colorado at the foot of the San Juan Mountains, Durango is an escape from the ordinary. This mountain town has many claims to fame, including mountain bike mecca, the best water town, the best scenic train ride, top family ski resort, and even the dog-friendliest destination. Discover for yourself what makes this area a unique and memorable place for people of all types to visit and enjoy.

All Seasons in Durango

Durango’s southwest location and proximity to the mountains ensure the seasonal experience. Even better, during seasonal transitions, you can participate in winter and snow sports at higher elevations or take a short drive further southwest and jump into summer fun. Locals appreciate this feature, and Durango does a great job of promoting seasonal events. You will surely find something going on at any time of year in Durango.

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