Taking a vacation in CO, need some advise

[usregimechange]

We are looking at visiting eastern CO. Where should we go? I want to see the mountains and see the neatest natural spectacles but it needs to be fun for kiddos as well (6 and 12). Thanks.

[hlthe2b]

1. Eastern Colorado is the plains...

Mountain foothills start just west of Denver. On the plains you can see the distant mountains when you get as far as Limon, but you are going to need to head west if you want to really see Colorado.

[usregimechange]

2. Well we are willing to go as far as Denver, or near there

[hlthe2b]

3. Plenty to do and see in and around Denver...

Ask anyone who came to the DNC... Golden and Boulder would also be in the general area. You could do some mountain hiking or rafting/kayaking, depending on when you come nearby. If you want to go just a bit further into the mountains, you can go to the old mining towns, now gambling areas, Blackhawk and Cripple Creek. Seriously, if you are coming to CO you need to make a beeline across the plains... otherwise, you may as well be in Kansas. (no offense Kansans, or CO plains folks)...

[Hawkeye-X]

4. Eastern Colorado

B O R I N G.

Unless you live for farm stuff or the occasional oil derrick.

Denver's pretty east enough in Colorado, and the Rockies are just less than 20 miles out of Denver.

[hlthe2b]

5. Here's something 30 min outside Denver that kids would love

http://www.tinytownrailroad.com/

about Tiny Town Colorado:
Tiny Town is a unique, one-sixth-size town with more than 100 colorful buildings and a train ride powered by authentic steam locomotive, all nestled into a scenic mountain canyon 30 minutes outside of Denver. Tiny Town was created at the site of the Denver-Leadville stagecoach stop in a scenic mountain canyon southwest of Denver in 1915.

getting there:
From the intersection of C-470 and Highway 285 (Hampden), head south into the mountains on Hwy 285 for 6 miles. Exit at North Turkey Creek Road. Turn left (east) and go under Highway 285 and proceed to a stop sign and turn left on South Turkey Creek Road. Go approximately ½ mile and Tiny Town is on the left. There is another exit off of Highway 285 directly to South Turkey Creek Road but you must make a left turn from 285 and cross two lanes of traffic. This exit will also get you to Tiny Town in about ½ mile from the intersection of 285 and South Turkey Creek.

[usregimechange]

6. That rules! Thanks

[usregimechange]

7. Anyone been to Elitch Gardens Denver? Looks neat

[Hawkeye-X]

8. Well, it's in downtown denver...

before that it was in north denver....

but at least they kept the old name.

[rockymountaindem]

9. Well if you want to get a little closer to the mountains than Denver, you can try Colorado Springs

Go ahead and make all the quips about how it's the most conservative city in the country and you're not going anywhere to see Focus on the Family headquarters etc. Now stop that.

The mountains are much closer to Colorado Springs than Denver, and there is less traffic. Colorado Springs has a city park called "Garden of the Gods" which has some very interesting rock formations and easy walks/hikes to see them, all within the city. If you're a little more adventurous you can also drive to the top of Pike's Peak or take the incline railway, if that's something you've got the time for. It's fun. There is also the US Air Force Academy which is an interesting place in its own right, and if your kids like to see some old airplanes (they even have a B-52) or want to check out the visitor center about the USAF (which is pretty spiffy) that's another alternative. So even though certain people give my hometown a bad reputation, it's not like there's nothing worth doing down there if you can make it.

[hlthe2b]

10. I'll agree.. the Springs is a beautiful place to visit...

and Garden of the Gods is a great spot(easy hiking) area. Kids usually enjoy the unusual formations.

[usregimechange]

11. Not too far from Denver either.... Thanks

[blaze]

12. The Cog Railway

If you go to Colorado Springs, check this out: http://www.cograilway.com/

[Name removed]

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[blondie58]

14. boy, am I late to this!!!

yeah, those are several great suggestions. I would also recommend going up to Red Rocks Park, where you can go hiking, and they have an old fashioned trading post. It is really close to Denver, and perhaps you can catch one of their films on the Rocks, with a film, a comedian and a band- it is really cool! http://www.redrocksonline.com/