This was my first time visiting the state, so I wanted to check out a few different places. I flew into Colorado Springs (which has direct flights from BWI FYI), and it was a lovely experience. I don’t think I’ve ever said that about an airport. I was able to get my bags and rental car super quickly and the car lot was right outside the main doors. I hopped in and was on my way.
That night I settled in and was able to meet up with old friends. Then the next morning, we checked out Palmer Park in Colorado Springs. From the top, there were beautiful views of Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs. I also thought it was cool that dogs are allowed off-leash here, and it’s fenced in. Luckily, I was with a friend who knew the trails, but it would definitely be helpful to download the trail map ahead of time.
Downtown Colorado Springs is definitely cute. I would recommend checking out some of their speakeasies. We went to District Eleven- the drinks were delicious, and the vibe was moody and unique. They’re known for their Whiskey, and they have some tapas available for food too.
Near Colorado Springs is Manitou Springs. It has a cute little downtown area with old school arcades, shops, and restaurants. There’s 8 springs located around the town where you can actually fill up your water bottle, and each one has different minerals. This town also sits at the foot of Pikes Peak. You can either drive or take a train to the top. I chose not to do it this time, but I would consider the train in the future. There’s no way I’m driving up there!
The next day, I was able to check out Garden of the Gods and start the trek to Aspen. There’s a bunch of different ways to explore the park. We chose just to walk through and then checked out the visitor’s center. But there’s vehicle tours, segway tours, and a couple other ways to explore (especially if you have limited mobility). This park was beautiful. I’ve never seen rocks shoot up so high and be so skinny at the same time.
Next, we were off to Aspen. I had been hearing how crazy the mountain roads were, so I was definitely a little nervous. I don’t like heights! But we made it through all the switchbacks. My advice is to go slow and don’t look over the edge. We stopped to take pictures at Independence Pass and the little town of Twin Lakes on our way. Highly recommend taking a pit stop at Twin Lakes. One of the locals told me there’s only 12 permanent residents there. But there’s a general store, art gallery, a coffee shop in a van, and a public bathroom. I’m sure it’s a super popular spot in the summer when the weather is nice.
We spent the next few days in Aspen, which is obviously so beautiful. We took the gondola to the top of the mountain. There was a lodge up there where you could grab drinks and food if you wanted to make a meal of it. We mostly walked around to just take it the sights, and I saw two different brides getting married at the top of the mountain. Some of you know that I’m also a local wedding coordinator, so I love seeing stuff like this. I can’t imagine how beautiful their photos are!
We checked out some hot springs at Iron Mountain. It’s in Glenwood Springs right along the Colorado River. I highly recommend! We mostly stayed in the adults only area which had 11 small pools that were designed to replicate hot springs from around the world. There are drinks and food available there as well. I just got one Miami Vice to feel like I was truly on vacation.
I decided after Aspen to drive back to Colorado Springs for my flight. You can fly out of Aspen, but I’m not the biggest fan of those little planes. The drive back was actually quite nice, and I went through all four seasons along the way. Seeing a dusting of snow on the mountain was just beautiful. And by the time I made it to Red Rocks, it was sunny and blue skies.
I really wanted to check out the Red Rocks Amphitheater, but unfortunately, they weren’t letting people down to the theater because there was a show later that night. Highly recommend getting there before noon if there is a concert that day. I still walked around the park for a bit, and they have a little museum to look through. I 100% need to see a show there in the future!
My last stop on the way down to the airport was in Castle Rock. They had a cute little downtown area, and I was able to check out some antique/eclectic shops. I would have liked to stay for longer, but I had to catch my flight. I was able to check out The Barn and The Emporium which include many shops selling antiques, oddities, gifts, and art.
Overall, I really enjoyed my experience in Colorado. This time I stayed for a week and was able to accomplish a lot. I would definitely like to come back to check out more of Denver and the surrounding areas.