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Started By
Message
We are heading to Colorado next week and looking for advice
Posted on 7/16/26 at 7:52 am
Posted on 7/16/26 at 7:52 am
Took family(Me/wife/3 sons 13-20) 2 summers ago for 1st trip to Colorado and loved it. We stayed in Breckenridge and loved walking trails and hanging out downtown. We also did Estes and RMNP before heading to Breck.
We are heading back(MSY-Denver) next Wednesday-Sunday and do not have a destination planned yet. Kids wanted to look at Breck again, but also see some good deals in Vail. Would this be a good alternative? We are looking to stay 3 hours or less from Denver.
Any other areas to consider? We are not hardcore hikers, but do like going on established trails for some views/scenery!
We are heading back(MSY-Denver) next Wednesday-Sunday and do not have a destination planned yet. Kids wanted to look at Breck again, but also see some good deals in Vail. Would this be a good alternative? We are looking to stay 3 hours or less from Denver.
Any other areas to consider? We are not hardcore hikers, but do like going on established trails for some views/scenery!
10
Posted on 7/16/26 at 8:07 am to tigertail34
If you want something less resort like and more of a mountain town, check out Buena vista and Salida. Great hiking in the area and right on the Arkansas River if you want to raft or fish. There are enough restaurants to appease the family.
Posted on 7/16/26 at 8:35 am to specchaser
quote:
check out Buena vista and Salida
Add rafting in Canon City
Posted on 7/16/26 at 8:54 am to tigertail34
Buena Vista
Posted on 7/16/26 at 9:24 am to cgrand
Agree with Buena Vista
Posted on 7/16/26 at 9:36 am to tigertail34
My son lives in Telluride. He visits Ouray on a regular basis, loads of great hiking, biking, outdoor restaurants, etc.
Not all that close to Denver, however.
Not all that close to Denver, however.
Posted on 7/16/26 at 10:22 am to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Ouray is one of my favorite towns in Colorado but I'm pretty sure the fires damaged it pretty bad recently
Posted on 7/16/26 at 5:52 pm to tigertail34
Buena Vista is right at 3 hours and offers a lot of outdoor activities. You will not get the Breck downtown experience there. Salida is 30 minutes more. Both are great, but not sure they are what you are looking for.
Vail is more resort, less to do than Breck IMO. I don't really care for it myself.
Frisco is on the way to Breck, has a reservoir where you can rent a boat, kayaks or paddle boards. It does have a kind of cute walkable area, but it isn't Breck if that is what you want. Maybe spend a day here and the rest elsewhere.
Ouray is amazing and bucket list worthy, way out of your way for this trip and they have had fires this summer, not sure what the impact has been.
Vail is more resort, less to do than Breck IMO. I don't really care for it myself.
Frisco is on the way to Breck, has a reservoir where you can rent a boat, kayaks or paddle boards. It does have a kind of cute walkable area, but it isn't Breck if that is what you want. Maybe spend a day here and the rest elsewhere.
Ouray is amazing and bucket list worthy, way out of your way for this trip and they have had fires this summer, not sure what the impact has been.
Posted on 7/16/26 at 8:26 pm to specchaser
BV and Salida for the win. Million things to do and cool towns. 20 minutes from each other. Family and friends in both
Posted on 7/17/26 at 7:03 am to tigertail34
To piggy back on your thread, we are going to the Nederland area in a few weeks if anyone has any recs.
Posted on 7/17/26 at 8:15 am to lighter345
quote:
Nederland area in a few weeks if anyone has any recs.
Nederland is awesome. Went a couple weeks ago. it is remote and small, but lovely. The town was nice, with some decent places to eat. you can go towards Estes Park from there and do some exploring. Boulder is just 30 minutes down the canyon.
Drive the peak to peak, find some off road trails, and find some muntain lakes/rivers to chill on. I did all of that but can't recall anmes of anything.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:03 am to tigertail34
Another vote for Buena vista, it is nice. Vote against cañon city, might be fine for tubing, strange place to spend time. Might also check Steamboat
This post was edited on 7/18/26 at 7:04 am
Posted on 7/18/26 at 11:58 am to tigertail34
Winterpark has some summer activities like an alpine slide. Beautiful area throughout there
This post was edited on 7/18/26 at 2:00 pm
Posted on 7/18/26 at 5:04 pm to lighter345
quote:
To piggy back on your thread, we are going to the Nederland area in a few weeks if anyone has any recs.
Chautauqua Park is just down the road from Nederland. The Flatiron Loop Trail is sort of moderate and a great view of the Flatirons up close. The Royal Arch Trail is a more challenging but also has great scenery.
Close by to both is the Flagstaff House Restaurant. Pretty upscale with a prefix menu with multiple courses. Fairly pricey and reservations recommended. Business casual attire. You can also go to the bar w/o reservation and order many menu items à la carte. Never had a bad experience there.
I can definitely give plenty of Boulder recs.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 5:06 pm to RockyMtnTigerWDE
quote:
Winterpark has some summer activities like an alpine slide. Beautiful area throughout there
Winter Park has a very aggressive design to attract summer visitors. I’ll be between there and Boulder most of the summer.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 9:44 pm to CartmansMom
quote:
Ouray is one of my favorite towns in Colorado but I'm pretty sure the fires damaged it pretty bad recently
Everything is good in town can’t see any damage from town or perimeter trail
This post was edited on 7/18/26 at 9:51 pm
Posted on 7/18/26 at 9:46 pm to Motownsix
quote:
Winter Park has a very aggressive design to attract summer visitors. I’ll be between there and Boulder most of the summer.
WP/Fraser is a great low key spot not as bouje as vail, aspen, etc… then not too far from grand lake
Posted on 7/19/26 at 10:32 am to tigertail34
Another vote for the Buena Vista/Salida area. Lots of hiking out there, and we really enjoyed rafting Brown’s Canyon.
Posted on 7/19/26 at 1:35 pm to tigertail34
What about Grand Lake on the southwest side of RMNP?
Posted on 7/20/26 at 8:06 am to NYCAuburn
quote:
Everything is good in town can’t see any damage from town or perimeter trail
If Ouray is good, then go out of your way to make a visit there.
Hiking the perimeter trail is great, two awesome waterfalls to see. The town is small, and you can walk everywhere. The pool on the north end of the town is heated with natural spring water. There's mines you can tour. The jeep tour up the mountain towards Telluride is breathtaking.
and I second BV as well. There's plenty to do in both Ouray and BV thats away from the resort town stuff. Rafting in BV on the Ar-Kansas River is far better than pretty much anywhere else in CO
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