Denver Colorado

Denver Colorado was at one time only regarded as an airport stop over for visiting the mountains and ski areas of Colorado. However, in recent years, many people have begun to consider Denver Colorado a vacation destination in itself. Even folks who end up in Denver Colorado on a business trip are surprised to discover that Denver is a thriving and metropolis and a very exciting city. Some people describe it as being "as hip as New York", only cleaner.

These days, many people opt to take a Denver vacation in order to explore the Mile High City. It is one of the only cities that were not built on a lake, ocean or river. In fact, when you climb to the top of the state capitol building, you are 5,280 feet above sea level!

Although it is considered to be a relatively modern city, a considerable amount of Denver tourism is related to history as a home for the "Beat Generation". In fact, there is even a Beat generation Denver Driving Tour that explores the haunts of Neal Cassady, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.

One of the highlights of the tour is the Colburn Hotel, where the three poets stayed at various points of their lives.

Although the city has changed a bit since the days of Kerouac, Ginsberg and Cassady, Denver still possesses an active cultural atmosphere. The Denver Arts Complex covers four city blocks. It has 9,000 seats in eight theaters. The artistic venues include the new Opera House, the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, Boettcher Concert Hall, Garner Galleria Theatre and the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, which presents symphony, opera, and theater and dance performances year-round. The complex is partially covered by a glass dome that allows for special events in Galleria and Sculpture Park. Because of their interesting architectural style, the buildings of the Arts Complex have had a significant influence on Denver tourism.

Aside from enjoying the thriving arts scene, many people take a Denver vacation to explore the city's diverse neighborhoods. The Berkeley Park neighborhood is located in a 10-block area that is home to a dozen art galleries, a number of bakeries and restaurants, a coffee shop and several boutique clothing stores

Old South Pearl Street is a quaint tree-lined street that features an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and businesses. This charming neighborhood offers a Farmers Market every summer, July through October, as well as other events throughout the year. The Cherry Creek North neighborhood is home to a collection of boutiques, spas, restaurants, galleries and other specialty shops. This unique Colorado shopping and dining area offers an interesting assortment of one-of-a-kind items and services.

A Denver vacation offers the opportunity to visit a clean, exciting and functional city. If you are visiting the mountains of Colorado, spend a day or so in Denver Colorado to acclimate to the altitude. You might be pleasantly to find to discover how much you enjoy it!

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Colorado Springs Colorado

Although Colorado Springs, Colorado is best known for being the home of Pike's Peak, the city has a fantastic variety of attractions. The diversity of Colorado Springs, Colorado is what attracts so many visitors. You can spend the day hiking one of the famous Colorado 14ers and return to enjoy the city's cultural attractions in the evening.

General William Jackson Palmer founded Colorado Springs, Colorado in August 1871. Parker wanted to build a high-quality resort destination. For a while, Colorado Springs was called "Little London", because of the number of English tourists who were attracted to the area. Today, you can visit the Glen Eyrie, the 18th century castle that was his original home.

The development of Colorado Springs, Colorado was directly influenced by the gold rush in nearby Cripple Creek. Spencer Penrose, who made a small fortune a Cripple Creek, financed the famous Broadmoor Hotel, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Pikes Peak Highway. Prior to his death, he authorized his family to build the Will Rogers Shrine to the Sun. This 80-foot hilltop overlooks the Broadmoor Hotel. Penrose did not want the structure to be named after himself. Instead, he named it after his friend Will Rogers who died in 1935. Today, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, The Broadmoor Hotel and the Will Rogers Shrine to the Sun are major points for Colorado Springs tourism.

Since the state of Colorado has produced a number of top quality Olympic athletes, it seems fitting that the U.S. Olympic Training Center is located in Colorado Springs. The center, which is open to the public, attracts a significant amount of Colorado Springs tourism. The U.S. Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs serves as headquarters for the U.S. Olympic Committee administration and the Olympic Training Center programs. Free tours are conducted throughout the day that provide visitors with the opportunity to view the athlete training facilities that include the Sport Center Gymnasiums, weightlifting and wrestling facilities, the USA Shooting Center, Coaching & Sport Science, the Aquatics Center, Sport Medicine, and the flume. Displays of Olympic memorabilia can be found throughout the training center. Be sure to check out the sculpture garden and the Olympic Flame display.

A good deal of Colorado Springs tourism centers on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. This historic 2-hour train ride takes you past the famous Royal Gorge Bridge and the Rio Grande Along the ride; you will get the opportunity to view the fascinating Colorado wildlife.

Flight to Colorado Springs

Fortunately, your flight to Colorado Springs will fly directly to Colorado Springs Airport. The airport was built in 1927; the same year that Charles Lindberg made his transatlantic flight. Today, the three-level, 280,000-square-foot, and 16-gate facility provides all of the conveniences of a modern airport. As such, you will arrive in comfort after your flight to Colorado Springs.

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Canon City Colorado

Canon City Colorado is located on U.S. Hwy 50 west of Pueblo. The town is situated at an elevation of5,348 feet in the foothills of the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Nearest major airports to Canon City Colorado are Denver International and Colorado Springs.

Canon City is an excellent place to explore the history of Colorado. Remnants of Colorado's mining days can be seen throughout the town. The Canon City Claim Club first organized the town of Canon City Colorado on March 13, 1860. The Canon City Claim Club was composed of six members whose responsibilities included the development of coal, iron, gypsum, marble and granite mining in the area.

Canon City is the home of some of Colorado's most popular tourist attractions. These include the Royal Gorge Canyon and the famous Royal Gorge Bridge, which is said to be the world's highest suspension bridge.Canon City is also a major gateway to recreation in the southern portions of the San Isabel National Forest and the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. This section of the Arkansas River features 148 miles of the best river rafting and kayaking water in North America.

There are many ways to explore Colorado history in Canon City Colorado. The Prison Museum takes you back to a period of time when justice was swift and sure. The Cell House allows you to see what incarceration was like at the turn of the century. You can also about the original "Hannibal the Cannibal", Alfred Packer, who was a notorious guest of the prison.

At the Buckskin Joe Frontier Town, you can watch the old west come to life as gunfighters hold shootouts on the streets where "Cat Ballou" was filmed. Explore the Silver Dollar Saloon, Gold Nugget Restaurant, and San Isabelle Mine and participate in an authentic gold panning experience.

For a more whimsical look at Colorado history, pay a visit to the Canon City Dinosaur Depot. The Canon City Dinosaur Depot has fascinating displays of Canon City's Jurassic Heritage. Visit the Garden Park Fossil area and explore the unique collection of dinosaur fossils. A special feature of the Canon City Dinosaur Depot is the exhibit of the three articulated skeletons of a Stegosaurus. The Dinosaur Depot features exhibits that explore the very rich fossil heritage of City.

When you tire of gunfights, dinosaurs and outdoor activity and long for some rest and relaxation, pay a visit to the Holy Cross Abbey and Winery, which is located on the east side of Canon City as enter the town on US 50 from Pueblo. This beautiful structure will immediately attract your attention. However, you may notice that it seems a bit out of place architecturally with the Victorian and Territorial structures that predominate in town. This Gothic style structure was actually built in 1924, and served for a number of years as a boys' school. Today, it is home to approximately 20 monks.

Its incarnation as a winery is actually quite recent. A few years ago, the Benedictine Fathers had dreams of a winery located on the grounds of the historic Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City, Colorado. That dream became a reality. The tasting room has been designed for a truly memorable wine experience. In the spring and summer, you can enjoy the beautiful outdoor garden setting while marveling at the vineyards growing against the spectacular backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Come winter, you will love to warm your hands by the warm fireplace as you sip a rich full-bodied Merlot. You can also shop for wine and wine books in the Abbey's wine store.

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Breckenridge Colorado

For many people, the name Breckenridge is synonymous with the Breckenridge Ski Resort. Indeed, Breckenridge Ski Resort has a well-deserved fantastic reputation. However, the Town of Breckenridge itself is a thriving, year-round vacation destination, with activities that are suitable for people of all ages.

In the 1800s, Breckenridge was a popular mining town. Today you can explore the mining history of Breckenridge Colorado by taking a tour of the Country Boy Mines. You can also visit the Gold Pan bar, which, in the 1800s, was a popular miners bar. The Gold pan is the oldest bar in Colorado. In fact, Breckenridge Colorado's reputation as a party town began in the mining era. The famous minister Father Dyer, who skied across the Continental Divide to deliver the mail and the word of God, was none too pleased at the "ungodly behavior" displayed by the miners of Breckenridge Colorado. He thus decided to build the Father Dyer Methodist Church. However, his plan backfired when he refused to stop ringing his church bells and waking up the hung-over residents of Breckenridge. To retaliate, the townspeople used dynamite mining caps to blow up his church steeple. Bye, bye bell! Nonetheless, throughout the years, the church has been renovated. Today, it is a popular Breckenridge Colorado attraction.

When you visit Breckenridge, you should also pay a visit to the Barney Ford House and museum. Barney Ford was an escaped slave who came to Breckenridge Colorado in search of gold. He eventually opened Ford's Restaurant and Chop House, and became one of Colorado's most prominent black entrepreneurs.

Aside from exploring the interesting history of Breckenridge Colorado, there are a number of other exciting activities. Take a stroll along Maine Street in Breckenridge and explore the unique shops, restaurants and art galleries. At night, take in a play at the Backstage Theatre on Ridge Street, known for its high-quality theatrical performances. During the summer, take in a concert at the Riverwalk Theatre.

During the holiday season, Breckenridge Colorado turns into a winter wonderland. You can go dogsledding or snow mobiling. The Ullr Festival plays homage to the God of Winter. In mid-winter, the ice sculptures in Riverwalk Park attract visitors from all over the world. Of course, you can't talk about winter in Breckenridge without mentioning the Breckenridge Ski resort.

The Breckenridge ski area was the first to allow snow boarding in Colorado. As such, it is a popular snowboarding resort. Breckenridge also has some of the best beginner terrain in Summit County. Beginners will enjoy the long, flat Silverthorne Trail. Intermediates will love the wide, blue cruisers on Peak 9. When you start to gain confidence, try some of the blue/black trails such as America. For advanced skiers and riders, the new Imperial Express Super chair transports snow sport enthusiasts up to some of the more challenging bowls on the mountain. Since Breckenridge is part of the resorts in Vail, it is possible to purchase a ticket or vacation package that allows you to ski Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone and Beaver Creek. With great terrain, an excellent ski school and an exciting town, Breckenridge Colorado is definitely worth a visit.

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Boulder Colorado

Almost anyone who enjoys the arts and the great outdoors yearns to visit Boulder Colorado. Once you finally visit this beautiful city, it is easy to understand the intricate relationship between arts and the outdoors in Boulder Colorado. Both residents and visitors become inspired by the 31, 000 acres of recreational open space and nature preserves that surround the city. There are also plenty of opportunities for Colorado hiking, biking and rock climbing. The fact that there are a number of hiking trails located just a short drive from the city has had a strong influence on Boulder Colorado tourism.

The City of Boulder Colorado has created an Urban Wildlife Management Plan, which sets stringent policies for managing and protecting urban wildlife. Additionally, the city's parks department has a Conservative Team that monitors parks to protect ecosystems. Since this strong concern for the welfare of wildlife is somewhat unusual for an urban development, some of the Boulder Colorado tourism focuses on this aspect of Boulder City government.

A visit to the city's unique universities is another major focus of Boulder Colorado tourism. For example, The Naropa Institute is one of the only Buddhist Universities in the United States. Chogyam Trungpa founded Naropa in 1974. In 1959 after the Chinese invasion, Trungpa escaped Tibet through the Himalayas to northern India. In the tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other exiled teachers, he continued to teach and transmit the wisdom of the Buddhism.

In 1970, he began presenting Buddhist teachings throughout the United States. When he founded the Naropa University in 1974, his dream of creating a university that would combine contemplative studies with traditional Western scholastic and artistic disciplines was fulfilled. If you followed The Beat Tour of Denver poets, you might be interested to know that Allen Ginsberg began the Disembodied Poetics program at Naropa. This summer writing program has been in existence for over 30 years.

After exploring Boulder's outdoor life and cultural heritage, you will probably find yourself in need of some nourishment. No worries! There are a number of fantastic Boulder restaurants. Although there are excellent Boulder restaurants throughout the entire city, the Pearl Street Mall, which is one of the major points of Boulder Colorado tourism, has the greatest variety. The Pearl Street Mall has every type of ethnic restaurant you can imagine; along with some that you never thought existed. Additionally, in the warmer weather, the streets of the Pearl Street mall are filled with sidewalk entertainers. After a patio lunch or dinner, you can stroll along the tree-lined streets and browse through the unique shops. Later, stop in for desert at one of the Boulder restaurants that specialize in delicious pastries!

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Beaver Creek Colorado

One of the most popular ski resorts and vacation getaway locales, Beaver Creek Colorado is an exciting place to explore no matter what time of year you go. When travelers arrive at their mountain lodging at the Beaver Creek Resort, they will find fun during all four seasons, European influences, exceptional culinary experiences, and more, all in view of the majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Beaver Creek vacations offer a way to step away from the ordinary. In the Vail Valley, three different villages circle the base of Beaver Creek Mountain, each offering a variety of visitor services. With free shuttles and ski trails leading right into town, visitors can enjoy a full vacation without driving a mile. Beaver Creek Village is the heart of the resort, with heated walkways linking the restaurants, art galleries, restaurants, and hotels. The Vilar Performing Arts Center hosts a full calendar of cultural performances. Arrowhead, on the west side of the mountain, and Bachelor Gulch Village offer places to relax, spend the night in luxury, and easy access to the slopes.

In all four seasons, the nearby towns of Avon and Edwards offer a long list of things to do and places to stay. Edwards, just three miles away off Interstate 70, is known for shopping, while charming hamlet of Avon is the closest town to Beaver Creek.

At this sister to Vail's ski resorts, Beaver Creek ski vacations provide access to some of the best skiing in the entire West. With a season that begins at the end of November and continues into April, travelers don't have to squeeze their vacation plans into a short and crowded window of time. Boasting an annual snowfall exceeding 300 inches, hundreds of trails, and 25 lifts, this popular ski area has earned its reputation as a top-notch wintertime vacation haven.

Skiers and snowboarders who have sailed past the beginning level can join in the Mountain Welcome Tours on their Beaver Creek ski vacations. The majority of the skiable area is geared towards intermediate and advance skiers, and a full slate of extreme sports will thrill brave souls.

Newbies are certainty welcome on Beaver Creek ski vacations as well. U.S. Forest Service rangers lead ski tours suited to all ages and abilities. Kicking off at the Environmental Learning Center, these journeys introduce skiers to the ecology, wildlife, and other natural features of the mountains. Children's ski activities, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, safety classes, and tubing are other things to do in Beaver Creek for new skiers and or anyone seeking less adrenaline-charged recreation.

At the end of the day, guests are treated to warm chocolate chip cookies when they step off the slopes, a hallmark of Beaver Creek ski resort hospitality. Travelers can come in from the cold and enjoy the atmosphere of the shops, restaurants, lodges, and hotels of Beaver Creek Colorado.

When the weather is warm, visitors will find an array of things to do in the mountain resort. Even though the area is known for skiing, the long days and pleasant temperatures don't mean the end of the fun. Summertime Beaver Creek vacations can include viewing the wildflowers on guided hikes, miniature golfing. fly fishing, rafting, mountain biking, swimming, children's theater performances, or simply dipping your toes in the creek that meanders through town.

In the summer, Beaver Creek vacations can also include time at the rodeo. Held weekly in June, July, and August, the Beaver Creek Rodeo includes many traditional events, such as bareback bronc riding, team roping, bull rides, and barrel racings. Kids can sign up for the calf scramble, with prizes for the top buckaroos. Resort guests can take a free shuttle to this special event in Beaver Creek Colorado.

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Aspen Colorado Vacation

The words "Aspen Colorado vacation" invokes visions of snow-capped mountains that can be skied with the rich, the beautiful and the famous. However, Aspen is more than a just a playground for the elite. An Aspen Colorado vacation provides people from all walks of life with the opportunity to explore the town's rich cultural history.

Like many other locations in Colorado, Aspen's history was influenced by the mining craze of the late 1800s. Many of Aspen's impressive Victorian edifices were built in this period. In 1883, Jerome Wheeler, a wealthy entrepreneur from New York embarked on an Aspen vacation and decided to invest in its mining properties. He also invested in Midland Railroad, which added to the success of the community. Wheeler then went on to build two of Aspen's most prominent buildings: The Hotel Jerome and the Wheeler Opera House.

The grand opening of the Wheeler Opera House was a significant event in Aspen's history. Rumors of the theater's elaborate interior inspired potential visitors to dress in a manner that would have them complement their surroundings. As a result, the request for exquisite millenary was a great benefit to local merchants. This in turn benefited the entire economy of the Aspen Colorado vacation area.

Unfortunately, when silver was demonetized in 1893, the town's economy, as well as Aspen Colorado travel, began to suffer. Although the town survived as a ranching center, its population was rarely above 700. When a fire damaged much of the Wheeler Opera House in 1912, hope in the future of Aspen Colorado travel began to die.

Help came briefly in 1935, when an international group came to Aspen in search for a perfect location for a ski area. They hired Swiss Avalanche expert André Roche to develop. However, the outbreak of World War I forestalled their plans. Yet even though the plans to develop a ski area were temporarily delayed, the presence of the 10th Mountain Division in nearby Camp Hale had a significant influence on Aspen's future. Although the soldiers trained at Camp Hale, they "played" in Aspen in their free time.

In the 1940s, Friedl Pfeiffer, an Austrian ski instructor and former member of the 10th Mountain Division teamed up with a Chicago industrialist Walter Paepcke and his wife Elizabeth. The Paepckes were interested in developing Aspen as a cultural center, and Pfeiffer wanted to build a ski area that rivaled the great resorts of Europe. Both accomplished their dream. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Aspen Colorado Resort added three more mountains: Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. Meanwhile, Paepcke revived the Wheeler Opera House and helped plan the Goethe Bicentennial Convocation, which took place in Aspen in 1949. This event inspired the development of a multitude of dance, theatre and musical study programs, which in turn had a significant influence on Aspen Colorado travel.

Today, Aspen Colorado is a year-round Mecca for the arts and recreation. In the winter, the Aspen Colorado Resort features some of the best skiing in the Rocky Mountains. Since the Aspen Colorado Resort is no longer a skiers-only mountains, snowboarders can also join in the fun.

An Aspen Colorado vacation encompasses all of the glory and glamour of skiing. Excellent grooming, a superb ski school, an average of 300 inches of snowfall and varied terrain make for a skiing experience that is second to none. Although Aspen has the reputation for advanced skiing, there is actually terrain accessible to skiers and riders of all levels.

Aspen is composed of four mountains: Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain and Buttermilk. Snowmass is at a base elevation of 8,104 feet, and a summit elevation of 12, 510 feet. Its vertical rise is 4, 406 feet. Twenty-two lifts serve 88 trails. Snowmass is noted for its wide-open, groomed cruisers. It has been cited as one of the best family destinations in North America.

Aspen Mountain is also known as Ajax. It is famous for its steeps and bumps. Its base is at 7, 945 feet and its summit is at 11, 212 feet, with a vertical rise of 3,267 feet. Eight lifts serve 76 very challenging trails. Powder fans can take a luxury Sno-Cat tour off the backside of Aspen Mountain. Gourmet lunch is included.

Aspen Highlands is at a base elevation of 8,045, with a summit of 11, 675 feet. It has a vertical rise of 3,635 feet. Five lifts serve 131 trails. Aspen Highlands is famous for its steep, big mountain bowl skiing

Although Buttermilk is home to the ESPN X Games, it is actually the best mountain for beginners. With a base elevation of 7, 870 feet and a summit of 9,900 feet, it is a good mountain to start with, if you are coming from sea level. Buttermilk's vertical rise is at 2,030 feet. Nine lifts serve 44 trails.

An Aspen Colorado ski vacation can also give you the opportunity to experience some of the best ski clinics in North America. For example Thomas Crum, author of Journey to Center, offers workshop called The Magic of Skiing, which teaches a mind/body approach to skiing. Another great workshop to attend on your Aspen Ski Vacation is Weems Westfeldt's Diamond Ski Weeks. Weems is the author of Brilliant Skiing. Ski industry insiders consider him to be one of the best instructors in the country.

If you are you interested in skiing off-piste, check out John Clendenin's Camp with the Champs. Clendenin also has a highly innovative program, which features an indoor ski stimulator. Lessons on the simulator help you develop skills without the fear of falling.

In the warmer seasons, outdoor enthusiasts can participate in hot-air ballooning, river rafting, fly-fishing, horseback riding and many other activities. Cultural activities include the HBO Comedy Festival, The Food and Wine Magazine Classic, Aspen Theatre in the Park, The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and many other events.

Whether you are taking an Aspen ski vacation, or exploring the cultural aspects of Aspen Colorado travel, this is a trip that will stay in your memory forever.

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Alamosa, Colorado

Alamosa, nestled in the San Luis Valley, is home to some truly amazing scenery, including the mountain peaks that have come to symbolize Colorado. It's also home to some unexpected sights—towering sand dunes, a tumbling water fall, and relaxing hot springs all along the Rio Grande River. Nowhere else has same array of scenery that you'll find in this southern Colorado community. When you add to that cultural sites, two heritage railroads, and welcoming visitor amenities, you have a perfect setting for a Colorado getaway to remember.

When talking about things to do in Alamosa Colorado, it makes sense to start with the Great Sand Dunes National Park. This attraction with no equal covers more than 30 miles, with the tallest dunes in North America. If you want to know more about this natural wonder, you'll want to make a trip to the visitor center to learn about this unique geology. You won't find a lot of organized hiking trails winding through the park, but the dunes are open for exploring as are forest trails and Medano Creek.

Beyond the national park, there are many things to do in Alamosa Colorado that involve outdoor adventure. A half-mile hike to Zapata Falls is well worth the effort. In the wintertime, the crystal-clear water freezes, creating an otherworldly sight. You'll also find outdoor fun close to Alamosa in the Rio Grande National Forest; its rivers are especially well suited for high-altitude fishing, while the woodlands are perfect for wildlife watching. These natural areas provide a home to mule deer and elk, as well as red foxes and bears. In the spring, thousands of sandhill cranes and other species pass through the San Luis Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains during their annual migration.

At the end of your day packed with adventure, a soak in the hot springs will feel especially relaxing. If relaxation is what you seek, it's possible to enjoy the scenery without exerting a lot of effort. With a ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, you can sit back and soak in the views as the steam engine does the work. This fully narrated excursion heads into New Mexico, into the scenic old town of Chama. A second railroad excursion is included on the list of things to do in Alamosa Colorado. The Rio Grande Scenic Railway travels between Alamosa and several other distinctive towns in Southern Colorado.

The rich history of the San Luis Valley is waiting to be discovered. With a visit to the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Center, you can learn about the native cultures who have longed lived in this area. Much of downtown Alamosa dates to the nineteenth century. With a walking tour brochure picked up at the visitor center, the history behind these Victorian, Art Deco, and Mission-style buildings will come to life. Two scenic byways also provide a peek into the past and the views. Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway follows a route used by the Spanish settlers, and the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, once a favorite route of miners, twists and turns high above the Rio Grande and Gunnison River.

Whatever you decide to pack into your vacation plans, you'll need a place to stay once the sun sinks below the horizon. A host of Alamosa hotels will be happy to provide a place to you to get some rest. The area also has some excellent campgrounds and bed and breakfast inns.

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History of Colorado

Aside from having a great selection of outdoor activities, many people come to the Southwest to explore Colorado culture. Indeed, because of the many organizations that serve to preserve remnants of the history of Colorado, exploring Colorado culture is not a difficult task. From the railroads, petroglyphs and various museums, there is a good deal of history in Colorado just waiting to be explored.

The history of Colorado dates back to its first inhabitants, who were probably the Anasazi Indians. About four centuries prior to the arrival of Columbus, these cliff dwellers lived in the canyons of the southwestern corner of Colorado. At close of the thirteenth century, these Native Americans abandoned their cliff dwellings and moved southward.

An important period in the history of Colorado begins with the arrival of the Spanish explorers, who were the first Europeans in the area. This era of Colorado State history commenced in 1540, when Coronado led an expedition from Mexico. They hoped to find the Seven Cities of Cibola where the streets were supposedly paved with gold. Over the next 250 years, the Spanish would make many expeditions into the Colorado area. In observing modern Colorado culture, you will see obvious remnants of these two important periods in the history of Colorado: the Native American inhabitants and the occupation by the Spanish. These aspects of Colorado culture are represented in the prolific displays of Native American art and jewelry, as well the vast variety of Mexican restaurants throughout the state.

The next significant period in the history of Colorado begins in 1800, when Spain ceded a vast area, including Colorado, to Napoleon Bonaparte and the French. Then, three years later, the same piece of land was sold by Napoleon to the United States as the "Louisiana Purchase". A dramatic turn of events in Colorado State history occurred in 1806, when President Jefferson commissioned Lieutenant Zebulon Pike to explore this purchased territory. Little did Pike know that his exploration would lead to the discovery of the 14,110-foot peak, which today bears his name. Today, Pike's Peak is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Colorado. Pike's Peak is not only important in Colorado State history. As the place that inspired the writing of America the Beautiful, it plays an important role in the history of the United States.

While Pike's Peak was definitely an exciting discovery, rumors of gold in Colorado brought about even more enthusiasm. The gold rush era was perhaps the most event-filled period of Colorado State history. When gold was found in California in 1849, it inspired a search for gold in the Rocky Mountains. In fact, the prospectors are considered the first extensive settlement of Colorado. In July of 1858, a Georgia miner by the name of William Green Russell discovered several hundred dollars worth of gold at the Dry Creek in the present-day Denver suburb of Englewood.

After Russell made another gold discovery on Cherry Creek, General William Larimer led a group of men from the Kansas Territory to establish a settlement in the area. The settlement was named Denver City in honor of James W. Denver, governor of Kansas Territory. Cherry Creek was used as a boundary between Denver City and another community established earlier, Aurora. However, in spite of the initial rivalry between the two cities, the two communities were consolidated into the single community of Denver in 1860. The next important period in Colorado State history occurred in January of 1861, when Congress voted statehood for Kansas. Shortly thereafter, a bill to create Colorado Territory was passed by President Lincoln.

This is just a glimpse at some of the important events in the history of Colorado. However, history in Colorado is alive in many of the state's attractions. For example, if you want to learn more about Colorado's military role in World War II, be sure to read the article about Vail and Camp Hale.

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Colorado Shopping

While most people visit Colorado on an adventure vacation, many enjoy an occasional Colorado shopping excursion. Unlike New York, Colorado is not considered the fashion capitol of the world; so don't expect to find an overwhelming selection from the latest designers. However, if you do not need to be completely au courant, you will find some considerable bargains at the Silverthorne Outlet Stores.

Ski Country Shopping

Colorado shopping is best known for its multitude of stores that specialize in outdoor sport clothing and equipment. Since those who live here choose to do so because of the great outdoor lifestyle, most residents are always up to date on the latest outdoor equipment. As such, the most exciting Colorado shopping experiences can be found at the various consignment shops, which are located throughout the state.

Recycle Ski & Sport in Frisco Colorado is famous for being one of the best places to find used ski and snowboard equipment. In some cases, the equipment is only one year old, but residents who need funds to buy their new gear often sell their old equipment at great prices. Located at 842 North Summit Boulevard in Frisco, Recycle Ski & Sports is also a great place to find inexpensive second hand ski clothes.

Speaking of ski clothes, if your travel plans are bringing you to Aspen, you will want to dress the part. Unfortunately, not many people are willing to part with the $1,000 needed to purchase a stylish and elaborate Bogner one-piece ski suit. The good news is that if you are willing to make a stop in Frisco, you can find this type of ski clothing at Rags to Riches, located on Main Street. Anyone who owned Bogner prior to moving to the Summit County area of Colorado would promptly bring said one-piece to Rags to Riches and sell it on consignment. It's a win/win scenario. Locals sell their one-pieces to get money for new gear, and visitors get to buy Bogner for less than $100.

The former owners of Rags to Riches eventually opened Alpine Accents. This Main Street Frisco furniture store quickly became a Colorado tradition, for visitors and local alike. They sell spectacular pieces of furniture on consignment, and the prices are incredibly low. This is another Colorado shopping win/win scenario. People who move to the area often find that their larger pieces of furniture just do not fit in their new, smaller condos. As a result, they put these pieces up for sale so they can afford their new downscale lifestyle.

As long as you are in Frisco, head over to the Frisco Mall on 409 Main Street. Although the shops may vary, some, such as the Southwestern Art Shop on the ground floor have become a Summit County tradition. Even people with little appreciation for Native American art fall in love with the paintings created by owner Mark Ortiz. Of course, if you are really interested in shopping for art, you should head to the galleries in Breckenridge. If you get a chocolate craving while you are there, pay a visit to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. In fact, chocoholics will be pleased to discover that there are Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores all throughout Colorado.

Colorado Springs Shopping

When you finish exploring the Colorado Springs attractions like Pike's Peak and the U.S. Olympic training center, you might want to take a Colorado Springs shopping excursion. The Colorado Springs shopping malls provide visitors with an interesting variety of stores. For example, the Citadel Mall is where you will find the traditional stores such as Victoria's Secret and Express. If you are looking for an untraditional but upscale Colorado Springs shopping experience, check out the shops at the luxurious Broadmoor Hotel. Here, you will find bookstores, watch stores and other interesting surprises.

Colorado Mills Shopping Center

If you are seeking a complete shopping experience, plan to visit the Colorado Mills Shopping Center in Lakewood Colorado. This is where you can find just about any of the big chain stores. The Colorado Mills Shopping Center also features an interesting variety of special programs. For example, St. Anthony's Hospital sponsors Mills Milers, which is a mall-walking program. Got kids? The Mills Movers is a walking program for moms with strollers.

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Flights to Colorado

Trying to predict when you can find the cheapest flights to Colorado is like trying to predict the Colorado weather: It changes constantly, and does not seem to be directly related to any season. However, thanks to Jet Blue Airlines, it is usually relatively easy to find cheap flights to Denver. A few years ago, Jet Blue Airlines revolutionized flights to Colorado by offering cheap fares from New York City and Boston. The fares were made even more attractive since the flights to Denver left the East Coast in the latter part of the evening, and the flights back east usually left at 11:00 PM. This allowed people to get a full days work on the day of departure, and a full days skiing or snowboarding on the return trip.

At the time, Jet Blue Airlines was offering the cheapest flights to Colorado. However, other airlines became competitive, and started offering their own cheap flights to Denver. As a result, it is pretty easy to find affordable flights to Colorado on a number of airlines. While there are a number of airports throughout the state, in general, flights to Denver will be the cheapest flights to Colorado. Some people who are visiting the ski areas may choose to fly into the Eagle/Vail airport or the Aspen Airport. However, in most cases, flights to these airports are less frequent and considerably more expensive.

If you are planning to visit the Colorado ski areas, the timing of your flights to Colorado is an issue that should be taken into consideration. Driving time between Denver Airport and the Summit County Colorado ski areas can take anywhere from one to two hours. The other resorts such as Vail, Aspen and Steamboat Springs are even further away. In general, the cheapest flights to Colorado arrive later in the evening. If you have arranged for a Colorado car rental, the late arrival is not a problem.

Getting lost from the airport is not an issue, since you simply follow Interstate 70 to Summit County. However, if you are planning on taking Colorado Mountain Express or any of the other Colorado airport shuttles, most stop running at about 9:30 PM. You may want to consider staying at a Denver airport hotel. Not only are they pretty inexpensive, if you are coming from sea level, a hotel stay in Denver will give you a chance to acclimate to the altitude. Additionally, many of the Denver hotel shuttles will meet the flights to Denver.

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Aspen Music Festival, Colorado

The Aspen Music festival 2011 is both a training ground for young musicians and a place for fans to experience one of the finer things in life. Known as one the best places for Colorado skiing, the town of Aspen offers charms in all four seasons. For eight weeks in the summer, this summertime tradition brings a full schedule of concerts both indoors and out.

Aspen Music Festival History and Facts

Many of the Colorado events focus on music, and the Aspen Music Festival is no exception. Concerts take place at the Wheeler Opera House as well as the Harris Concert Hall and the Benedict Music Tent during July and August.

Aspen Music Festival 2011 continues a tradition that started in 1949 as the Goethe Bicentennial Convocation. In the first years, the festival, organized by Elizabeth and Walter Paepcke from Chicago, brought in lecturers and musicians. As time passed, the festival grew from two weeks to eight, shifting the emphasis to classical music and education. Today, the Aspen Music Festival Colorado has more than 320 events on the schedule. Orchestra concerts, chamber music, and opera are on the list, as are contemporary musicians, master classes, and so much more.

Tickets to the Aspen Music Festival Colorado

With the option to purchase single concert tickets or festival packages you can experience the Aspen Music Festival at your own pace. Season passes are available at a discount for youth tickets. Those who purchase season passes can reserve seats on the day of the event for free or pay a small fee to reserve seats beforehand.

Many of the events are free and do not require tickets—around 25 percent of the festival is free to enjoy. Master classes and students concerts, also free, fill the schedule during the festival weekdays. At the Benedict Music Tent, you can save money by purchasing a low-cost ticket to one of the open dress rehearsals. Guests also can enjoy these shows for free by sitting on the David Karetsky Music Lawn or the Music Garden.

Directions to the Aspen Music Festival

The Aspen Music Festival and School is easy to access from Highway 82, which crosses Interstate 70 near Glenwood Springs. From Denver, travel through Avon and Vail, taking the interstate west 145 miles to exit 116. The trip into Aspen on Highway 82 is about 40 miles, filled with mountain views.

If you'd prefer to take the scenic route, take I-70 west from Denver to exit 195, the Copper Mountain exit. Catch Colorado Highway 91 south to Leadville. The highway turns into Co-24, which crosses Highway 82 at Twin Lakes.

Lodging near the Aspen Music Festival Colorado

Aspen's ski resorts and hotels provide hospitality year-round, while camping is an option during the warmer months of the year.

The Sky Hotel in the heart of town is one option for places to stay during the Aspen Music Festival. The pet-friendly hotel at 709 East Durant Avenue features 90 comfortable and chic guestrooms with down comforters, wireless Internet access, and in-room movies. The indoor heated pool is open year-round, as is the fitness center.

The Inn at Aspen Hotel at the base Buttermilk Mountain at 38750 Highway 82 offers its summertime guests a free continental breakfast. The Inn's 122 guestrooms and suites have patios and balconies perfect for soaking in the mountain scenery.

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Colorado Events and Festivals

Colorado events run the gamut from state fairs to film festivals and beyond. Although there are an infinite variety of things to do in Colorado, many people like to plan their Colorado vacations around specific Colorado events. In every season and in every part of the state, there are always an exciting multitude of Colorado events that will satisfy every interest as well as every age group. These are just a few of them.

State Fairs

The State Fairs are probably the most event popular Colorado events. While the fairs are held in different parts of Colorado, the largest is held in Pueblo. The Pueblo State Fair, which usually takes place in late August or early September, features a variety of exciting attractions. One of the most interesting of these is the "Barn Tours" which are conducted by an internationally known company that provides agriculture education and literacy in a highly entertaining manner. The goal of these tours is to demonstrate how animals play an important role of our everyday life. Each tour accommodates up to 60 people. As the tours walk through the livestock barns on the fair grounds, the highly trained tour guides teach tour members surprising and humorous facts and trivia about animals and agriculture.

Although the Pueblo fair is one of the larger Colorado summer events, the Community Fair in Silverthorne is perfect for anyone who once to get up close and personal with small animals. Both the young and the young at heart can spend some quality time in the snuggling with the animals in the petting zoo. The Silverthorne fair also features a Professional Rodeo sanctioned rodeo event. The Silverthorne Community Fair usually takes place in late July.

Colorado Film Festivals

Every year, a variety of film festivals are held throughout Colorado. If you are looking for Denver Colorado events, the Films on the Rocks series at the Red Rocks Amphitheater is one of the many exciting Colorado summer events. If you are looking for one of the elite Denver Colorado events, try to get yourself invited to the Party with Oscar. This premiere Academy Awards party features 15 screens for viewing the academy awards. It is one of the most sophisticated Denver Colorado events. If you are looking for Boulder Colorado events, check out the Boulder International Film Festival in February. Other film festivals take place throughout the year in Breckenridge, Telluride, Vail and Aspen.

Colorado Springs Events

The Colorado Festival of World Theatre is one of the most interesting Colorado Springs Events. Every year, some of the best theatre companies from all parts of the globe gather near Pike's Peak in order to present a variety of top-notch theatrical programs. If you love the "darned old rodeo" as much as you love theatre, then you will probably enjoy the Pike's Peak or Bust Rodeo in July.

No matter when you travel to Colorado, there will always be some exciting events taking place.

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Colorado Car Rentals

If your travel plans involve staying exclusively in Denver or Boulder, you probably do not need a Colorado car rental. However, if you plan to venture out of the big cities and explore Colorado's backcountry and mountain roads, a Colorado car rental is essential.

When arranging for a Colorado car rental, keep in mind that Colorado law requires all drivers to carry proof of insurance, along with a valid driver's license. Safety belts are required for drivers and passengers. Drivers must be 16 years old to be eligible for a Colorado car rental.

Once you obtain your car rental in Colorado, you should be aware that maximum speed limit is 75 mph on rural interstate highways and 65 mph on non-interstates. Highway and local police patrols take these rules very, very seriously, so be sure to abide by them.

If you are looking for a car rental in Colorado during ski season, you will probably want a car with snow tires and ski racks. However, be sure to ask for the little extras that people often forget, such as window scrapers and shovels. Fortunately, most Colorado car rental companies are aware of this, but it never hurts to make sure.

There are ten Colorado car rental companies at the Denver International Airport. These companies provide a courtesy shuttle service to their facilities. All of the companies have service counters in Jeppesen Terminal, Level 5. If you are planning a winter ski trip, Summit County is the only area that does not require a Colorado car rental. The Colorado Mountain Express shuttle service goes from the Denver International Airport into all points of Summit County. If you are not carrying too much equipment and luggage, or if you are staying in Frisco Colorado, it's less expensive to take the shuttle to the Frisco Transportation Center and transfer to the free Summit Stage Bus. However, if you have a good deal of equipment and luggage, or if you are arriving in the evening when the Summit Stages switches to hourly service, you may want to take the shuttle directly to your accommodations. Keep in mind that although the Summit Stage will take you to any of the Summit County ski areas, if you are hiking, camping or fishing, you will definitely need a car rental in Colorado.

RV Rental Colorado

Many people choose to deal with the issues of accommodation by choosing an RV rental. Colorado has many campsites that are RV friendly. If you are traveling into Denver International Airport, you can find an RV rental in nearby Aurora. Bird RV Rental Colorado offers non-smoking RVs that are also pet-friendly. The RVs have a one-week minimum for rentals. Since they are not sent back out on the same day that they are returned, they are thoroughly cleaned by the time you rent them.

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Colorado Vacations

I came for the winters but stayed for the summers. That's what locals say about the state of Colorado. Given its reputation as a winter wonderland, many people take their Colorado vacation during the winter. Yet when warm weather approaches, the winter wonderland becomes a summer paradise. If you love the outdoors, but can stand the humidity, a Colorado summer vacation should definitely be on your agenda.

A Colorado summer vacation gives you the opportunity to enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, golf, rafting or kayaking. You will also want to check out the Colorado State fairs in Silverthorne and Pueblo. For the culturally minded, there are a variety of summer festivals. Both Breckenridge and Aspen feature summer music festivals. If you are interested in medieval culture, plan to spend part of your Colorado summer vacation in Fort Collins, where you can participate in the Colorado Medieval festival.

Fans of the bard will discover that the play is not the only thing at Colorado Shakespeare festival in Boulder. Film lovers who just could not make it to Cannes will be duly impressed with the Crested Butte Reel Festival. In Paonia, the Dreamtime festival is a "New Age" arts event. Fans of the arts who are spending part of their Colorado vacation in Denver will enjoy the Cherry Creek Arts festival, which takes place in the Cherry Creek Mall. Enjoy the entertainment while doing some serious Colorado shopping.

The "mud season," which usually lasts from late March to May, is the least popular time for a Colorado vacation. However, there are a number of good reasons to visit Colorado during this time period. If you are a skiing or snowboarding fanatic, Loveland and Arapahoe Basin Ski areas generally compete to see who will stay open the longest. The same thing happens in October, when the resorts compete to see who will open first. There are even contests on the radio, with valuable prizes for whoever has the winning bet. Needless to say, lift tickets and lodging or generally less expensive during this period.

The mud season is also a great time to visit Colorado if you are looking for inexpensive gear. Many of the ski shops offer discounts on their demo models during this season. Additionally, many restaurants offer two-for-one dinner specials. Check the local newspapers for coupons.

If you are interested in seeing some of the Colorado tourist attractions such as Pike's Peak, late spring is also a great time to visit Colorado due to the smaller crowds. While you are in the area, pay a visit to one of the more unusual Colorado tourist attractions in Cripple Creek: The Soiled Doves Museum. The soiled doves were the "ladies of the evening" who "serviced" the miners during the days of the Colorado Gold Rush. This information gives a whole new meaning to the lyrics of The Band's song, "Up on Cripple Creek!"

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Colorado

Colorado conjures up different images for different people. Some travelers on Colorado vacations long to experience the thriving urban environment of Denver. Others want to visit the famous Colorado attractions such as Pikes Peak. When the athletically minded find a genie in a bottle, they wish for Colorado mountain vacations that give them a chance to ski, bike ride or hike through the state's famous Fourteeners.

Colorado Family Vacations

Your choice of Colorado vacations depends upon your budget, your interests and whom you choose to travel with. Got kids? Plan a Colorado family vacation and you will put an end once and for all to the "I wanna' go to Disney" whine. Taking your kids on a Colorado family vacation allows them to experience a real adventure. For example, why not consider a Colorado family vacation at a dude ranch? In Pagosa Springs, Renegade Cattle Company and Guest Ranch provide its guests with the opportunity to participate in the branding, herding and roping of the cattle. You can also go horseback riding throughout this beautiful area of Colorado. Children under 12 receive a discount rate, and children under age five are free.

Colorado Mountain Vacations

Whether you are a skier, snowboarder, hiker or biker, you are destined to have a fantastic time on any of the variety of Colorado mountain vacations. Even if you are not a skier or a snowboarder, you can winter in the Rockies by enjoying other activities such as snowmobiling and dog sledding. In June, athletic mountain bikers can participate in Ride the Rockies, a six-day mountain biking event sponsored by the Denver Post. The route takes you from Cortez to Canon City Colorado.

Colorado Attractions

Not all of the Colorado attractions require high degrees of athletic skill. For example, in Denver, Water World is considered to be one of the best water parks in North America. The park, which features 42 attractions, is a perfect way to spend a warm summer day. Water World is also a perfect destination for Colorado family vacations.

The state's larger cities are considered Colorado attractions of their won merit. For example, the culturally minded enjoy visiting Boulder Colorado. Shopping enthusiasts should be sure to visit the historic Pearl Street Mall. If you are traveling from Denver Airport towards Summit County, visit the historic towns of Idaho Springs and Georgetown, which are located along Interstate 70. If you are not subject to altitude sickness, drive over the Loveland pass and enjoy the magnificent vistas.

Colorado vacations offer you the opportunity to enjoy all of the good things that life has to offer,

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