Colorado Day Trips by Theme

by Aimee Heckel

Overview

Your All-in-One Guide to Colorado’s Best Outings!

If you’ve ever asked, “What should we do today?” then you’ve never seen Colorado Day Trips by Theme. This comprehensive guide to the Centennial State is jam-packed with more than 170 of Colorado’s top spots for fun and entertainment. Take a simple day trip, or string together a longer vacation of activities that catch your interest. Destinations in the book are organized by themes, such as Annual Festivals, Craft Beer & Distillery, Outdoor Adventures, and Ski Towns, so you can decide what to do and then figure out where to do it. Useful for singles, couples, and families—visitors and residents alike—this guide by Aimee Heckel encompasses a wide range of interests.

Discover the state’s unique attractions—hot springs, mountain peaks, museums, national parks, and more. The book’s handy size makes it perfect for bringing along on your road trips. Plus, with tips for other things to do in the area, you’re sure to maximize the fun on every outing. With Colorado Day Trips by Theme at your fingertips, you’ll always have something to do!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591939931
Publisher:	Adventure Publications, Incorporated
Publication date:	05/12/2020
Series:	Day Trip Series
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.38(d)

About the Author

Aimee Heckel decided to become a writer at age 5. Today, she has nearly two decades of experience as a professional journalist. Travel writing is her specialty. She is a writer and editor for TravelBoulder.com and a regular travel contributor for USA Today 10Best, Fodor's travel books, SpaTravelGal.com, and Tripsavvy. She has traveled the world to write in-depth series about humanitarian issues in Africa and Haiti, as well as arts and culture in China, Peru, and Aruba. Aimee attended college in Germany and is fluent in German. She writes a fitness column and award-winning fashion column at the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper in Colorado and was a long-time blogger for HuffPost Weird. She was also known as Digital First Media's "Modern Lois Lane" for her work in digital journalism. She has been the editor of multiple women's magazines and edited/contributed to more than 40 books, including award-winners. She has earned more than 35 national and state writing awards, including being named the top journalism graduate in the nation and one of the top 10 book editors in Colorado. But the greatest honor is being able to make a living doing what she loves: exploring and writing about it.

Read an Excerpt

Lookout Mountain

Jefferson County; www.visitgolden.com/places-to-go/lookout-mountain

Here’s a hike with a view and bonus attractions at the top. Lookout Mountain, at 7,377 feet above sea level, is not far from Golden or Boulder, and it’s only twelve miles from Denver. As the name implies, the view here is Instagram-worthy. But the region has historical significance, too. First, it was home to the Ute tribe. At the summit, you can also visit the grave of the famous cowboy Buffalo Bill (William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody). Learn more about this Wild West legend at the Buffalo Bill Museum. In addition, this mountain has a nature center and preserve with interesting exhibits and nearby trails and picnic benches. The Lookout Mountain Trail is 7.7 miles long and moderate. Or drive the 40-mile Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway.

Maroon Bells

Gunnison and Pitkin counties, near Aspen; www.aspenchamber.org/maroon-bells

When in Aspen, you have to explore the Maroon Bells, one of the most photographed views in the country. This national landmark in the Elk Mountains contains two of Colorado’s most famous mountains, the Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak. Due to their closeness to Aspen (about 12 miles southwest), the Bells can get pretty busy with visitors, so we recommend beating the crowds by getting up before 8 a.m. and taking a walk around Maroon Lake. The Maroon Lake Scenic Trail is easy, short, and appropriate for all levels. For a greater challenge, take on the Maroon Creek Trail; it’s a bit longer (3.2 miles each way) but still doable for many hikers. If you want to test yourself, head up to Crater Lake on the Crater Lake Trail. It’s shorter than the Maroon Creek Trail, at only 3.6 miles total, but it’s steep and rocky. Bonus: It’s not as busy as the others, so if you’re in good shape, put in the extra sweat for better views and thinner crowds.

Emerald Lake Trail

Rocky Mountain National Park; 970-586-1206; www.nps.gov

If you’re looking for a go-to, easy hike with beautiful views in Rocky Mountain National Park, this 3.5-mile round-trip path is for you. Emerald Lake is not far from popular Bear Lake. The path takes you through the forest, providing jaw-dropping views of Longs and Hallett peaks, Nymph and Dream lakes, Flattop Mountain, Glacier Gorge, and even a waterfall along the way. The elevation gain is meager (about 650 feet), but it finishes high, at about 10,110 feet above sea level. For such a short and easy hike, the scenic payoff is huge. Take your time and take plenty of photos.

Table of Contents

• Dedication
• Acknowledgments
• Table of Contents
• Outdoor Adventures
• Native American Culture
• Nature
• The Arts
• Museums and Zoos
• National Parks
• Hot Springs
• Ski Towns
• Ghost Towns
• National Historic Monuments/Historic Buildings
• Colorado History
• Craft Beer and Distillery
• Western Getaways
• Wildlife Watching
• Hiking and Camping
• Train Rides
• Fourteeners
• Science Tours
• Annual Festivals
• Scenic Views
• Wine Country and Farm Tours
• Luxury Travel
• Oddities and Roadside Attractions
• Foodie Highlights
• Shopping Districts
• Amusement Parks and Water Parks
• Sports
• About the Author