Families

Get out and play. Whether you are looking for an extreme adventure or just one that’s extremely fun, you’ll find it in Colorado. Hike one of the state’s 54 “fourteeners” – mountains that reach an altitude of more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Go whitewater rafting down one of our many rivers. Ride a mountain bike along the Colorado Trail, a route famous for its 435 miles of trails. Or, try something new. Load up a llama or packhorse with your equipment and hike to the backcountry. Or, live like a cowboy and take a horseback ride at a Colorado dude ranch. You’ll also find plenty of relaxing activities waiting for you. Take a dip in a natural hot springs, get a massage at one of our many resorts or go antiques shopping. There’s never a shortage of fun things to do in Colorado.

Colorado is renowned for its perfect snow – in fact, on average, 300 inches fall on our slopes every year. But people are presently surprised when they discover our resort runs are graced with 300 days of sunshine. With fluffy snow and smile-enticing sunlight, there truly is no better place to ski or ride than in Colorado. Check out any of Colorado's 26 outstanding ski and snowboard areas, they’re just waiting to challenge and excite you.

There’s nothing like a round of golf in Colorado to make you feel better about your game. Just tee one up and see how far it flies. Colorado nearly 100 of the most beautiful golf courses you’ll find anywhere. You’ll find award-winning courses, perfect for any skill level, throughout every part of the state, designed by the biggest names in the game. And nowhere else provides as much variety as Colorado. From beautiful mountain views to links courses, Colorado’s terrain and elevation makes for countless golfing experiences. For a truly amazing experience, why not go golfing and skiing – all in the same day.

From the highest sand dunes in North America to one of the deepest canyons in the Western Hemisphere, Colorado’s four national parks encompass some of the most outstanding natural and cultural attractions in North America. At the Great Sand Dunes National Park you can hike your way to the top of the dunes then snowboard or slide down, or build a gigantic sand castle and do some birding. Hike the trails along the rim at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, then plunge into the wilderness 2,722 feet below for some great wildlife viewing and trout fishing. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the nation’s quintessential parks, thanks to its breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. And, Mesa Verde National Park offers a look at Colorado’s beginnings with ancient cliff dwellings that chronicle more than 700 years of Ancestral Puebloan history.

From the mountains to the plains, Colorado’s 41 state parks are great places to experience the state’s natural beauty. There’s also no limit to what you can do while you’re there. Go boating in North Sterling State Park’s reservoir, featuring 3,000 acres of water. Check out the great rock climbing at Eldorado State Park, outside of Boulder. Spend the night tucked warmly into a Mongolian-inspired yurt at Mancos State Park. Or, navigate your way through the terrain in a geocaching event at State Forest State Park. The Colorado state parks make a great backdrop to any adventure.

Ever since the gold rush, people have come to Colorado to strike it rich. Today, people can test their luck at one of our many casinos. You’ll find nearly 40 casinos in Colorado, where you can play the slots and tables games. In addition, many also offer hotels, dining and entertainment. Our three mountain gambling towns are easy to get to and even fun for the whole family. Central City and Black Hawk are located within a mile of each other, just 34 miles west of Denver. Cripple Creek is 48 miles west of Colorado Springs. Several casinos offer economical round-trip transportation to and from Denver and Colorado Springs; many transportation deals include free drinks and gambling tokens as well.

Whether you’re looking for the latest fashions or rare antiques, you’ll find it in Colorado. From major shopping districts to exclusive boutiques, brand names to one-of-a-kind creations, Colorado offers great shopping all over the state. A day of shopping can lead you from outlet malls to world-class stylish salons, where you’ll find jewelry, clothing, collectibles, art, historical memorabilia and souvenirs – just to start with. Be sure to leave room in your suitcase for everything you’ll be bringing back home.

Colorado’s rich heritage and artifacts are easily explored, from the ancient cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, chronicling more than 700 years of Ancestral Puebloan history, to nearby towns such as Silverton, a National Historic Landmark District, which offer a look at turn-of-the-century Colorado with their well-preserved Victorian-era architecture. Another way to experience Colorado’s heritage is by taking a drive on one of its 25 Scenic and Historic Byways, including the San Juan Skyway (in southwest Colorado), where you’ll see everything from stunning peaks, American Indian ruins, waterfalls and spectacular mountain passes.

No trip to Colorado would be complete without experiencing its ancient and historic past. Formed by native peoples, westward exploration and expansion, industry and numerous influential citizens, Colorado’s rich heritage and artifacts are waiting to be discovered.

Visitors can experience the state’s earliest historic sites including Dinosaur Ridge near Morrison, Dinosaur Monument in Northwest Colorado and Picketwire Canyon in Southeast Colorado as well as the earliest residents, the Ancestral Puebloans, at Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and the Anasazi Heritage Center all located in the Southwest. The state’s rich American Indian heritage can be experienced at galleries and festivals across the state in addition to museums and sites such as the Ute Indian Museum, Koshare Indian Museum and along the Trail of the Ancients Scenic and Historic Byway.

The exploration of the West and life on the frontier can be seen at numerous historic forts including Bent’s Old Fort, Fort Garland and Fort Uncompahgre. Along the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway, travelers can experience living on the new frontier and the views that rewarded the settlers as they arrived at the base of the mountains.

The mining boom drew many people to Colorado with a hope of striking it rich. Travelers can experience a mining train trip 3000 feet/914.4 meters into the Bachelor Syracuse Mine in Southwest Colorado or see the prosperous main streets of mining towns such as Breckenridge, Leadville and Central City.

From cliff dwellings to historic railroads, ghost towns to scenic byways, museums and more – you’ll find many ways to experience Colorado’s distinctive character.

From local artisans to internationally recognized collections, dinner theaters to outstanding venues, Colorado offers one of the most unique and complete arts and cultural experiences. If you’re looking for art, towns like Steamboat Spring are home to many outstanding artists and craftsmen where you can watch them create their works. The Denver Art Museum has one of the nation’s finest collections of American Indian Art. Just a few miles outside of Denver, and from its renowned symphony and opera, you’ll find the legendary Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, where you can see some of the biggest names in music in an open-air, natural rock formation acoustical setting. Farther west, Grand Junction offers topnotch talent and entertainment in a small town setting, with many live theaters including the Cabaret Dinner Theater and Metro Playhouse, attracting Broadway actors for their productions.