9 Best Towns In Colorado For A Two-Day Recharge
A Colorado weekend can reset you completely if you pick the right town. In Steamboat Springs you soak in mineral hot springs after a day on the trails. Estes Park sits at the doorstep of Rocky Mountain National Park and its elk herds. In Cañon City you can walk the country's highest suspension bridge 956 feet above the Arkansas River. Paonia pours estate wines and cherry wines from Western Slope vineyards. Aspen offers gondola rides up its namesake mountain and a night at the 1889 Hotel Jerome. Nine towns make this list, and each one earns a full weekend.
Steamboat Springs
Set in the Yampa Valley of northwestern Colorado, Steamboat Springs is a sporty ski town that stays active year-round. In summer, Steamboat Resort draws locals for mountain biking, scenic lift rides, "beach play" at Burgess Creek, and live comedy shows on select Fridays. For those wanting to tee off, Steamboat Golf Club offers nine replayable holes on a riverside course. For a little change of scenery, it's a short drive north to Steamboat Lake State Park for boating, kayaking, hiking, biking, and wildlife watching at the foot of Hahns Peak. And for a more relaxing experience in the mountains, folks can head over to Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs, soak in their expansive campus of natural hot spring-fed pools, and book a massage treatment for some extra indulgence.
Heading back to the Steamboat Resort, the Steamboat Grand is a great hotel to book a stay. Here, guests can expect spacious condo-style accommodations, key amenities like a full-service fitness center, an outdoor pool area, and shuttle services, and multiple dining options nearby.
Estes Park
Around 41 miles southwest of Fort Collins, Estes Park opens up to the vast mountain wilderness of one of the United States' most iconic national parks. More specifically, we're talking about Rocky Mountain National Park, an official UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that spans both sides of the Continental Divide and offers seemingly endless possibilities for backcountry hiking and biking, scenic drives, and spotting native wildlife like elk, moose, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. Nearby, adventurous travelers can find more thrills at Panorama Peak (via the Pole Hill Road Trail) and Crosier Mountain at Roosevelt National Forest. And in town, Lake Estes Marina offers a one-stop shop for boat rentals, permits, and additional supplies, and it provides easy access to the lake.
Beyond the national park, Estes Park has another famous monument: The Stanley Hotel. Perhaps best known for its ties to classic films like The Shining (1980) and Dumb and Dumber (1994), this historic hotel continues to shine with its expansive array of accommodations suitable for groups of all sizes, along with paranormal-themed activities, a full-service spa, and multiple dining options on-site.
Nederland
Just 17 miles west of Boulder, Nederland makes a convenient and inviting gateway to some of the most beautiful areas of the Rocky Mountains' Front Range. A major draw here is the Indian Peaks Wilderness, a 73,391-acre preserve with 28 trails and over 50 alpine lakes spanning across both sides of the Continental Divide. In addition, visitors can head to Brainard Lake Recreation Area for (non-motorized) boating, fishing, hiking, and biking. And back in town, Barker Meadows Reservoir is a pleasant spot for fishing and picnics, and Mud Lake Open Space is a wooded park built around a high-altitude reflective pool.
While Nederland has a number of nearby options for rustic camping, those wanting some more creature comforts can stay in town at The Boulder Creek Lodge. Not only do the rooms offer quiet views of Boulder Creek, but the lodge also has amenities like WiFi and an on-site laundromat, and it sits mere steps from the town's core collection of shops and restaurants.
Golden
With a name like Golden, you might expect a friendly town ringed by open mountain country, and this town 15 miles west of Denver delivers exactly that. North Table Mountain Park has some 15 miles of trails and panoramic views of the Front Range and the Denver metro region below. A little farther north, White Ranch Park has just over 20 miles of multi-use trails that extend across easy and rough terrain at the edge of the mountains. To the west, Golden Gate Canyon State Park extends for some 12,000 acres in the Rocky Mountain Front Range and has 35 miles of trails ideal for ambitious backcountry hikers. And closer to town, Windy Saddle Park makes a fantastic spot for paragliding, hang gliding, and mountain biking.
Down by the banks of Clear Creek, The Eddy Taproom & Hotel makes a convenient and comfortable "base camp" near the heart of town. Guests can pop over to the taproom to enjoy hearty Colorado cuisine and refreshing local beers (as well as live music on weekends), then retreat to the hotel's fine selection of modern loft-style rooms and suites.
Breckenridge
High in the Tenmile Range (as in, over 9,700 feet above sea level!) of the Rocky Mountains, about 85 miles west of Denver, is the heavenly mountain town of Breckenridge. With the winter snow melted and gone, the area has a wealth of inviting trails to hike, including the more family-friendly Sawmill Trail, and the more challenging McCullough Gulch Trail that leads to fantastic views of the Tenmile Range's towering 13,000+ and 14,000+ foot-tall peaks. For even more fun and games outside, Breckenridge Ski Resort switches gears during the summer season and operates their full Alpineer Challenge Course, the Gold Summit Climbing Wall, and a full network of hike and bike trails. Then, for something different, folks can check Breck Create's full calendar of artistic activities, including painting classes, ceramics workshops, and even glassblowing programs.
Staying downtown, visitors can check into The Breckenridge Boutique Hotel and take advantage of its convenient location by the ski resort and near the town's central core of boutiques and restaurants. In addition, guests can expect comfortable rooms equipped with amenities like private balconies, bathrobes, wireless internet, and even white noise machines.
Cañon City
Along the banks of the Arkansas River, about 46 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, Cañon City is a town that's truly gorgeous. Yes, really: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park has the country's highest suspension bridge, where visitors can walk 1,257 wooden planks 956 feet above the river, and take in the Royal Gorge canyon while ziplining, riding the sky coaster, or crossing in clear-floor gondolas. South of the gorge, Temple Canyon Park works well for gravel road driving, primitive camping, and hiking. To the north of town, Red Canyon Park spreads across 640 acres of sandstone red rock formations and piñón pine groves, with trails for hiking, mountain biking, and camping. And whenever folks are ready to "return to civilization," they can go into town and stop at The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey and try some award-winning Colorado-made wines at the site of a 19th century monastery.
Over in Cañon City's historic downtown, the Hotel St. Cloud operates as an intimate-feeling 36-room boutique hotel with up-to-date guest quarters set up with posh perks like air conditioning, en-suite coffee stations, and streaming-ready LCD TVs, plus they have their own 1887 Historic Eatery and Fremont Public House bar on site.
Aspen
Set in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado's Western Slope, Aspen is the state's most famous ski town and an exceptional year-round destination. In summer, travelers can ride the Silver Queen Gondola up Aspen Mountain to reach the mountaintop walking trails, the sundeck restaurant, high-altitude yoga, and live music shows. About 10 miles west of town, the Maroon Bells are a pair of 14,000-foot peaks rising above a still reflective lake and aspen groves, and they rank among the most photographed spots in the entire state. A short drive east leads to Independence Ghost Town, where prospectors reportedly struck gold around July 4, 1879, sparking the region's first mining boom. Back toward town, North Star Nature Preserve is a fine spot for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding on the Roaring Fork River.
No matter what folks want to do in and around town, Hotel Jerome makes a perfectly luxurious haven at the center of it all. Since 1889, this hotel has anchored Aspen's historic downtown. It's now an Auberge Collection resort that honors local history while also sporting sleek and stylish rooms and suites, the recently reimagined Yarrow boutique spa, fine dining at Prospect restaurant, and elevated nightlife at Bad Harriet and J-Bar.
Paonia
Colorado may not usually be thought of as a "wine country" state, yet Paonia is the kind of town that makes us challenge our assumptions of what's possible here. No trip to Paonia feels complete without some winery visits, so it's a good idea to go with a designated driver to Orchard Valley Farms & Market to try their own Black Bridge wines and peruse their selection of farm-fresh produce and specialty foods (including oils, sauces, honey, and cheese). Also worth a stop is Qutori Wines, a producer of fine estate-grown Pinot Noirs and Rosés. Closer to town, 5680' Vineyards has their own all-star lineup of locally made red and white wines, as well as their own cherry wines. And for anyone seeking a different kind of adult beverage, Paonia United Brewing Co. creates a menu full of intriguing craft beers, from Mexican-style lager to "marshmallow porter."
For some classic local hospitality, it's hard to beat the Bross Hotel Bed & Breakfast right in the heart of town. Occupying a historic (1906) Victorian home, the Bross Hotel has cozy guest quarters equipped with up-to-date amenities like 5G high-speed internet and individual thermostats, and it treats guests to a full hot breakfast every morning.
Telluride
Telluride may lie within a box canyon high in the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, but this town seems to offer an endless array of possibilities for exhilarating expeditions. There's no shortage of mountains to hike, such as the 14,250-foot Mount Wilson that's regularly called one of the state's most challenging, and the climb up Ajax Peak that leads from the base of Bridal Veil Falls to sweeping vistas at the 12,785-foot summit. If anyone wants more adrenaline, they can try Telluride's Via Ferrata (also called "Krogerata") and traverse the east end of the canyon's south-facing wall. Or, for a calmer day in the mountains, Priest Lake is ideal for stand-up paddleboarding and fly fishing.
With a scenic and convenient location in Mountain Village, the Madeline Hotel & Residences keeps guests close to many of Telluride's best sights and sounds. Even better, this Michelin Key-winning Auberge Collection resort provides spacious and luxurious accommodations, an alpine sanctuary of a full-service spa, and delectable dining at Timber Room and Black Iron Kitchen + Bar restaurants.
Relax, Recharge, And Renew In These Colorado Towns
Colorado gives you plenty of ways to spend a restorative weekend. Golden puts hiking, mountain biking, and even paragliding within 15 miles of the Front Range foothills. Breckenridge trades its ski runs for summer alpine slides, climbing walls, and glassblowing classes. Nederland opens the door to the Indian Peaks Wilderness and its 50-plus alpine lakes. Telluride packs a box canyon with via ferrata routes and 14,000-foot summits. Each of these towns rewards a two-day visit, and most will have you plotting a return trip before the weekend ends.
