Apart from its own appeal as a city, Denver sits in the center of some fabulous attractions. Not only is the scenic mountain backdrop simply stunning but the area is packed with lively and interesting places to visit.
Boulder Colorado
Just 26 miles from Denver, Boulder is what is considered one of the most pleasant places to live in the US, a university town with a wonderful scenic backdrop featuring the Flatirons. It's a lovely spot to wander round with its up-market shopping area - very few branded outlets here - while hiking and cycling trailheads are minutes away.
Boulder folk are the fittest and Colorado is the slimmest state in the Union. Everyone seems to run or cycle, and most locals say they own a bike. Many notable athletes have lived and trained here. The outdoor equipment shops are a draw in themselves and you can never have too many crampons!
The Chautauqua Park, on the southwest side of town, has excellent trails while Boulder Mountain Park has more than 100 miles of scenic trails.
Central City and Black Hawk
These nearby towns have a real Western character despite now being given over to gambling. Legalized in 1991, gambling has completely transformed the fortunes of these historic mining towns. Once described as "the richest square mile on earth", prospectors poured in. Little has changed, except now it's to play the slots.
If you don't fancy gaming, there's still much to see, including the Opera House and the adjoining Teller House, once one of the West's most luxurious hotels. There's also gift and curio shops, while the oldest summer opera company in the country puts on performances at the Central City Opera from mid-July to mid-August. There's also a fine jazz festival in mid-August.
Georgetown
Once the most important silver camp in Colorado, Georgetown is now a fine vacation destination just off 1-70 and less than an hour west of Denver. It boasts a Historic District and features the Hotel de Paris, once the best-known hotel west of the Mississippi.
A great attraction is the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a six mile narrow-track steam powered train ride to Silver Plume. It winds through Clear Creek Canyon and was an engineering marvel when built in 1884.
Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak.
Colorado Springs, the state's second largest city, is a popular tourist destination featuring major attractions, including the nearby Pikes Peak(14,110ft). You can drive to the summit, a testing 7,000ft ascent (and a toll charge just as steep) or take the seven mile ride on the Cog Railway, a three-hour round trip as the old Swiss-made trains trundle the 26% grade slopes. You could also hike to the summit as thousands do every year.
There's much else to see nearby, including the USAF Academy with a huge visitor center; the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and Museum and Manitou Springs, 10 miles west with an artistic centre and a National Historic District.
Garden of the Gods
This is one of the Colorado Springs area's top attractions, a geological oddity of sandstone rock formations and a paradise for hikers and climbers. There's a visitors' center with lots of geological information. It's near Manitou Springs so both visits can be combined.
Boulder Market
Estes Park crags
Loop railway
Classic Mountain
