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 vacation planning scenic train

What summer Colorado activities are a priority for you and your group? Start by identifying the primary activity and prioritizing from there.

    • 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.

    • Suppose you're planning a backpacking trip. You would want to select a region, such as Rocky Moutain National Park, and stay there.

    • 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.

Are you planning to tour the state? Will you need lodging, or will you be camping along the way?

    • 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.”

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.

Winter Vacation Planning

Will your winter vacation be at a ski resort?snowboarder vacation planning

    • 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.

Are all members of your group skiers, or are there snowboarders too?

    • 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.

Does your group want to travel to different resort destinations or stay at a specific resort?

    • 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.

Is vacationing on a budget a concern?

    • 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.

Are off-slope activities appealing, such as shopping, dining, spas, events, or alternative activities?

    • 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.

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.

8 Mile Bar & Grill

45000 W US Highway 50, Cañon City, CO
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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A Raft Masters Adventure

2315 E. Main St., Cañon City, CO
719-275-6645
Celebrating 27 years experience providing the highest quality outings for all group sizes. The Arkansas River is America...
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A Summit County Brewery Tour

Frisco, CO
970-468-7777
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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Alpenglow Adventures Train Tours

Summit County, CO
970-468-7777
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Alpine Sports

435 North Park Ave, Breckenridge, CO
970-453-9623
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Antique Warehouse

110 E. Main Street, Florence, CO
719-372-1016
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Arkansas River Tours

49311 W U.S. 50 B, Cañon City, CO 81212
800-321-4352
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Aspen Leaf Bakery and Cafe

113 W Main St, Florence, CO 81226
719-784-3834
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Aspen Meadows Soap

432 Main St, Cañon City, CO 81212
719-276-0311
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Aspen Winds on Fall River

1051 Fall River Ct, Estes Park, CO 80517
800-399-6010
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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ATV Tours Colorado

3627 Alvarado Rd. Dumont, CO 80436
303-868-0874
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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Autumn’s Attic

428 Main Street, Cañon City, CO
719-429-7900
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Bell Tower Cultural Center

201 E. Second Street, Florence,CO
719-784-2038
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Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge

652 Lake Dillon Drive, Dillon, CO 80435
1-800-842-5939
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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Blue Spruce Gallery

205 W. Main, Florence, CO
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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Breckenridge Nordic Center

9 Grandview Dr., Breckenridge, CO
970-453-6855
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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Cañon City Chamber of Commerce

424 Main Street, Cañon City, CO
719-275-2331
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Cañon City Mugs

1520 Royal Gorge Blvd, Canon City, CO 81212
719-276-5348
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Cañon City Trolley

Cañon City, CO
719-445-8300
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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Cheryl’s Book Nook

404 Main Street, Cañon City, CO
719-275-4964
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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City of Cañon City

128 Main Street, Cañon City, CO
719-269-9011
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City of Cripple Creek

337 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, CO 80813
719-689-3461
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City of Victor

500 Victor Ave., Victor, CO
719-689-2284
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City on a Hill Coffee & Roastery

420 Main Street, Cañon City, CO
719-966-1671
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Clear Creek Rafting

44650 W. US Highway 50, Cañon City, CO 81212
800-353-9901
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Colon Orchards

3175 Grandview Avenue, Canon City, CO 81212
719-275-6359
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Colorado Jeep Tours

2315 E. Main Street, Cañon City, CO 81212
719-275-6339
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D&SNG Railroad Museum

479 Main Ave, Durango, CO
(888) 872-4607
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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Defiance Rafting Company

1308 County Road 129, Glenwood Springs, CO
970-404-3022
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

479 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301
888-842-4607
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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Durango Hot Springs

6475 Co Rd 203 Durango, CO 81301
970-247-0111
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Echo Canyon River Rafting Expeditions

45000 W US Highway 50, Canon City, CO 81212
800-755-3246
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EDGE Zipline and Adventure Park

1375 West Plum Creek Parkway, Castle Rock, CO
720-733-9477
Colorado Vacation Planning Ideas You're ready to do some vacation planning. You could use a break, and you've seen pictu...
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EXIT Elevation Realty

520 Main Street, Cañon City, CO
719-275-8622
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Florence Chamber of Commerce

Florence, CO
719-784-3544
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Florence Pioneer Museum

100 E. Front Street, Florence, CO
719-784-1904
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