12 days in Colorado Itinerary

Glenwood Springs occupies a scenic location at the junction of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, halfway between Vail and Aspen along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Bring the kids along to Maroon Bells and Thermal Spas. Get out of town with these interesting Glenwood Springs side-trips: Aspen (The John Denver Sanctuary & Maroon Lake Scenic Trail). And it doesn't end there: trek along Hanging Lake Trail, view the masterpieces at Cooper Corner Gallery, and relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

To see where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Glenwood Springs holiday app.

Washington DC to Glenwood Springs is an approximately 8-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. Traveling from Washington DC to Glenwood Springs, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Washington DC in September, things will get cooler in Glenwood Springs: highs are around 59°F and lows about 42°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Estes Park.

More than just a convenient resting place for travelers on their way to the national park encompassing the Front Range of the Rockies, Estes Park is a popular place to visit in its own right.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Thu): stop by Images of Rocky Mountain National Park, see Off-Road Tours, then cruise along Trail Ridge Road, and finally admire the verdant scenery at Many Parks Curve Overlook. On the 25th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, then take a memorable drive along Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, then view the masterpieces at The Studio Fine Art and Framing, and finally surround yourself with nature on Estes Park Guided Tours.

To find reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Estes Park holiday planner.

You can drive from Glenwood Springs to Estes Park in 4 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Glenwood Springs in September, expect nights in Estes Park to be somewhat warmer, around 50°F, while days are warmer, around 81°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) so you can drive to Denver.

Aptly nicknamed the "Mile-High City," Denver sits at an altitude of 1,600 m (5,280 ft) above sea level, located right where the Great Plains give way to the Rocky Mountains.

Bring the kids along to Mount Evans and Denver Botanic Gardens. Change things up with a short trip to Hidee Gold Mine in Central City (about 52 minutes away). Next up on the itinerary: admire nature's wide array of creatures at Denver Zoo, explore the activities along Crown Hill Park, wander the streets of 16th Street Mall, and get interesting insight from Oxotic Supercar Driving Experience.

To find traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Denver travel route tool.

Traveling by car from Estes Park to Denver takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus. In September in Denver, expect temperatures between 79°F during the day and 52°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Colorado Springs.

Stunning Garden of the Gods Park scenery, blue skies and the glory of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain have attracted visitors to Colorado Springs for more than a century.

Family-friendly places like Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will thrill your kids. Get out of town with these interesting Colorado Springs side-trips: Cañon City (Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours, River Rafting & Tubing, &more). And it doesn't end there: get in on the family fun at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, visit Old Colorado City, deepen your knowledge of military history at United States Air Force Academy, and view the masterpieces at Commonwheel Artists Co-op.

To find photos, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Colorado Springs road trip app.

Drive from Denver to Colorado Springs in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and flight. In September in Colorado Springs, expect temperatures between 79°F during the day and 51°F at night. On the 2nd (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.