Trip to Colorado in July. Need planning help.

[friedgreentomatoes]

Hi Everyone

My girlfriend and I are planning a vacation to Colorado in July. We are going to be there 5 full days and an additional part-day as our flights are in the evening (7.30).
I have no clue what to visit and what to do. Can you guys help out? We are interested in mostly not-so-adventurous outdoor activities and maybe a little bit shopping/dining.
Thanks for all the help :)

[CrispyQ]

1. Boulder & the Flatirons are absolutely gorgeous this time of year!

You could spend an afternoon on the Pearl Street mall. It's a little commercial, but still a gorgeous place to be. Lots of shopping & dining, too. Check out Chautauqua & see if there's a concert you might be interested in. There's the Colorado Shakespeare Festival too. The Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre is on the CU campus & it's a magical place to see a play.

http://www.chautauqua.com/

http://www.coloradoshakes.org/

A drive up to Trail Ridge is always fun, although I haven't done that in years. I also have fond memories of the Great Sand Dunes (much further south) & the Stream of Surges. Fascinating area.

Have fun in our great state! Bring plenty of sunscreen & drink lots of water.

[eleny]

2. An hour's drive west of Denver along I -70 is Georgetown, Colorado

It's a nice town with lots of smallish Victorian homes. The main street has the usual shops but also some cozy restaurants. And then there's a road in the corner of town that takes you up Guanella Pass. If you just drive up a little ways up that Pass road for maybe 10 minutes there's a parking area on the right side of the road big enough for several cars. You can stop and look back down at the town and the valley below. Picturesque without driving halfway across the state. And then drive back down to town.
........................................

Then, if you go one more I-70 exit west to the historic mining town of Silver Plume, it's a delight. Silver Plume is the town that never changes and looks more like the battered old west. Houses with paint left to age. When you exit the highway you take a right at the stop sign. Proceed across a small bridge over a creek and follow the road as it curves to the right onto Main Street. Drive up Main Street (at no more than 10 mph) to the end of town where there's a tiny General Store on the right. They bake fresh bread all day every day, I recommend the fruit bread. Sit outside on the swing and enjoy the scenery .


Main Street looks like it ends right there and it does, sort of. But you can keep walking up Main and climb over a low berm of river rocks and onto a path in the aspen trees. Right there on your left are the remains of an old mine sluice. A nice place to take some pictures.

Last time I was in Silver Plume, two women were working on paintings of the town and I think besides me and a friend they were the only people on the street. It's a sweet place that most people don't even notice. But I always take visitors up there because it's a quiet spot that looks like how we imagine the "old west".
More pictures here http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/silverplume.html
........................................

In Georgetown there's steam train called the Georgetown Loop. It makes a 2 mile loop between Georgetown and Silver Plume. You'd need to make reservations for a July ride. http://www.georgetownlooprr.com/ The ride doesn't include a stop to let people spend time in Silver Plume but you can always drive there later.

[madamesilverspurs]

3. Estes Park/Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park

I-25 to Loveland exit, west on Highway 34

[proudohioan]

4. South Park Museum in Fairplay.

South Park Museum is a wonderful re-creation of a mining town; authentic buildings were brought in from neighboring towns to create this fascinating trip back in time. It features a Dry Goods store, a Saloon, Dentist office, etc... with some real interesting artifacts in each building. If you enjoy history and the outdoors, this is a must see.

Fairplay is located about 2 hours south west of Denver on Hwy 285 (south).

Have a wonderful vacation!

[CanonRay]

5. Hidden gem: Black Canyon of the Gunnison

but a long way from Denver.

[friedgreentomatoes]

6. Thank you everyone

This is what I planned.

Tue Night -- End of conference (the actual purpose of my going to Denver).

Wed-- Denver city

Thu - Leave early, go to Mt. Evans; From there go to Black Hawk to start of Peak by Peak scenic byway; end at estes park. see boulder if there is time.

Fri- Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park; Trail Ridge drive, get out at Grand Lake. Drive down to Colorado Springs. Stay the night.

Sat and Sun- Garden of the Gods, Pike's Peak by cog railway; Cheyenne Mt Zoo (if time permits) Back to Denver at night.

Mon - Morning and Afternoon See Denver; Evening flight back.

:)

[eleny]

7. Expect a long drive to and from Colorado Springs

Traffic can get heavy between Denver and the Springs. So don't just go by the miles traveled. You've packed in a lot at higher altitudes than your used to in Maryland.

I hope you have a terrific time. Our scenery is spectacular!