The 32nd annual Colorado Mountain Winefest took place this month in Palisade, Colorado, and with it came a showcase of just how far Colorado wine has come.
10.09.2023 - 08:25 / lonelyplanet.com
Colorado is one of those places that appear on just about everyone’s bucket list, and for good reason.
Whether it’s the majestic mountains, the outdoor adventures, the cowboy cool of its ski towns or vibrant cities filled with terrific art and dining, Colorado has a way of pulling you in.
While visiting this incredible state is usually hassle free, there are a few insider details that are good to know before you set off. These are our top tips and insights to help you navigate Colorado.
Colorado weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains, so bring layers! A waterproof shell, fleece, a warm hat and a hat with a brim should go into your bag at any time of the year, and you'll need proper cold-weather gear if you come here in winter.
Pack a water bottle. It’s easy to get dehydrated in Colorado, where high elevations, dry air, strong sunshine and lots of outdoor activity are the norm. Staying hydrated will also help you acclimatize more quickly to the altitude if you're not accustomed to it. Plus, you’ll save cash (not to mention the environment) by opting to refill your water bottle or Hydro Flask instead of buying bottled water every time you feel parched.
For most of the things that visitors want to see and do, having a car will make life a whole lot easier. The usual international rental companies have offices in Colorado’s airports and cities, and you'll have a wider choice of vehicles if you book ahead.
Once you hit the highway, you'll find that roads in Colorado are well-maintained. There’s usually no need to splurge on a 4WD unless you’re headed to the backcountry or know you’ll be driving through big snow. If you do come in winter, keep a cold-weather kit consisting of food, water and blankets in the car in case of emergencies.
Coloradans love summer camping, and plenty of out-of-staters do too. And there are some stunning places to camp here, from rugged canyons to dense forests. Reserve a spot early, especially if you’re headed to one of the state’s four national parks, particularly in summer or during school holidays. You can also reserve camping spaces at Colorado's state parks up to six months in advance.
Pro sports are a big thing in Colorado with the Broncos (NFL), Avalanche (NHL), Nuggets (NBA), Rockies (MLB) and Rapids (MLS) all calling Denver home. Games sell out especially fast for Broncos and Avs games – buy your tickets as soon as you know when you’ll be in town. If you’re on a tight budget, catch a Rockies baseball game instead; bleacher seats (aka the Rockpile) start from just $6.
If you’re bringing your skis, snowboard, mountain bike or any other bulky sports equipment to Colorado, confirm airline baggage restrictions when you book. Most airlines have dropped oversize luggage
The 32nd annual Colorado Mountain Winefest took place this month in Palisade, Colorado, and with it came a showcase of just how far Colorado wine has come.
Spooky season is upon us, and leave it to historic hotels to tell some of the very best ghost stories about guests who never checked out. In fact, Historic Hotels of America keeps a running list of its 25 most haunted hotels and many hotels market their ghosts with tours and merchandise to help drum up revenue to cover historic preservation costs.
From the surf beaches of the Pacific coast and the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the Galapagos Islands and the humid Amazon Basin, Ecuador serves up epic travel experiences in every season and all in an area only slightly larger than Colorado.
Would you rather spend the night in a luxury hotel or a wine barrel that's been converted into a tiny home?
As bellhops grabbed my bags, a valet driver swiped my car keys, and a receptionist handed me a key to my room at The Little Nell, a five-star hotel in Aspen, Colorado, I was already feeling the pressure of time.
With its endless blue skies and hiking, climbing and exploring galore, Colorado is a wonderful place to introduce the kiddos to the great outdoors.
The best time to visit Colorado depends on how you want to spend your time in the Centennial State. From world-class skiing and snowboarding in the winter to picturesque hiking and mountain biking in the summer, Colorado is all about outdoor recreation, which is largely seasonal and weather-dependent.
Those looking to travel for the solar eclipse in October have an array of affordable options when choosing what city to head to.
Terry and Al Hershey can afford to live anywhere they please after their successful careers—she in the corporate offices of Time Warner, he running businesses in medical device manufacturing and contract research and development. So, when they loaded up their 34-foot RV at their Bonita Springs, Florida home and hit the road to scout a second retirement locale, they headed to what might sound like a surprising place: Traverse City, Michigan, a small town (population 16,000) 250 miles northwest of Detroit, that sits on a bay opening to Lake Michigan. In 2021, the Hersheys moved into a 132-year-old, 5-bedroom Victorian three blocks from Grand Traverse Bay, where they spend six months a year with their goldendoodle and Aussiedoodle. Now both 76, they hike, bike, kayak and motorboat and can choose from scores of musical performances a year at the nearby Interlochen Center for the Arts and by the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. “We wanted a summer base,” Terry explains. Why not spend all year in Traverse City? They don’t mind the cold (they lived for many years in Colorado), but find the lack of sunshine during the winters in Traverse City too dreary, she says.
Colorado is a large, geographically diverse state that’s best explored by car.
Colorado’s culinary scene is officially on the Michelin map: Five restaurants have earned Michelin stars and dozens more garnered recommendations from the esteemed guide.
Travelers are drawn to Arizona by the blinding desert sunshine, but the Grand Canyon state has so much more to offer. Under these flawless blue skies, everything you can imagine to entice, entertain and enthrall is up for grabs.