Soon off to Colorado? So here it is the ultimate 4-day itinerary for making your way through Denver, Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado Springs. Wondering what are some of the best things to do in Colorado? Keep reading!
Our first trip to Colorado was in the summer of 2017, which we turned into one exciting long-weekend by staying short amounts of time in three overwhelmingly big cities, spending two days at Rocky Mountain National Park and eating foods that were just yummy! We continually exclaim that if we ever were to leave the West Coast, Colorado would be our first stop!
From incredible food and coffee culture to outdoor activities that never end, there really is something for everyone in Colorado! Sure, you can spend more than four days exploring the state of Colorado but that itinerary is perfect for someone traveling to Colorado for the first time & on a budget in order to get all those highlights while visiting cities like Denver and Boulder heading down towards Colorados Springs rounding it off with Rocky Mountain National Park.
Colorado in 4 Days
Day 1: Denver
- Start with Coffee at Huckleberry Roasters
Now, the cafe is not just another coffee joint but a quaint place with interesting murals inside and outside along with seasonal drinks you can enjoy. - Enjoy Breakfast at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Snooze is a must for breakfast. This place comes from colorado, and it is famous for it’s pancake flight If you have already had your fill of Snooze, try Sassafras American Eatery - Explore Union Station
Explore at Union Station, a wonderful 1914 train station conversion. Although it is still a functioning train station, there are several restaurants and shops inside the LoDo area as well – such as Snooze. - Walk Through Downtown Denver
Spend some time wandering downtown Denver. Must-see spots include:- Coors Field
- Tattered Cover Book Store
- Larimer Square—a charming street full of character
- The Crush Walls, where the murals, especially in the RiNo area, are particularly eye-catching.
- Lunch at Denver Central Market
Denver Central Market With a range of food options as well as coffee and bar, this indoor market is dedicated to deliciousness. You absolutely have to get an ice cream flight from High Point Creamery- it’s divine! - Hike at Red Rocks Park and Enjoy a Concert
Hiking this trail in Red Rocks Park (Free) in the afternoon The Majesty of an Outdoor Concert (or Stick Around for a Show) in This Amazing Natural Amphitheater 7. If that lineup still doesn’t entice you, there’s always a game at Coors Field or possible brewery tour. - Dinner at Tocabe
Complete your day with dinner at Tocabe for unique Native American cuisine and their famous fry bread.
Day 2: Boulder Adventure
- Start with Breakfast at Denver Biscuit Co.
Before hitting the 35-minute drive to Boulder, head over to Denver Biscuit Co. for a heartwarming breakfast and start your day right! Be ready to fight for a spot since this awesome hangout has been on Diners, Drive-Ins and also Get (yes trying the triple “D”)! - Coffee Stop at Boxcar Coffee Roasters
When in Boulder, head to Pearl Street and grab a coffee at Boxcar Coffee Roasters. This quaint street is gate to the mountains and makes for a wonderful point of entry into Boulder. - Stroll Along Pearl Street Mall
Walk through Pearl Street Mall. Sure, this tree-lined avenue can get a bit touristy; however it is still wonderful to walk around. Boulder Book Store on Pearl Street was a down right joy to have visited. - Lunch on Pearl Street
For a quick and affordable lunch, Pearl Street has several great options, including:- Roxie’s Tacos
- Foolish Craig’s
- Illegal Pete’s
- Rincon Argentino
- Hike at Chautauqua Park
Go for a hike in Chautauqua park after lunch. One of our favorites is the Royal Arch Trail, 3.4 mikes long with a gain in elevation of 1,358 ft. Only do this trail if you are acclimated to the altitude because it is a fairly challenging hike unless you’re used to mountain terrain. - Dinner at Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery
For dinner, check out Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery. This cash-only spot is a Boulder favorite with a wide range of dishes to satisfy any palate. - Dessert at Gelato Boy
Treat yourself to dessert at Gelato Boy, a perfect way to end your day in Boulder. - Return to Denver for the Night
Return to Denver for the night after a long day of exploring- tomorrow has more adventures in store!
Day 3: Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park
- Early Departure from Denver
Denver to Rocky Mountain national park Leave early morning with around 1.5 hours drive from Denver Parking and shuttle lines can be long, especially in the busy summer months, so get an early start. - Choose Your Hiking Adventure
There are several wonderful trekking possibilities in your time of day within the park. Best suggestions Follow the links below for more information. Oh and pack a picnic lunch to eat along the trail! - Scenic Drive on Trail Ridge Road
If you have extra time or enjoy a leisurely drive, take the scenic Trail Ridge Road. Along this 48-mile route you will have spectacular views and chances to see wildlife, as well as a few pullouts where you can stop. So if nothing else happens, you can always do the most practical thing and drive up to Alpine Visitor Center from Estes Park for best views. • - Stroll Around Estes Park
After your hike, take a leisurely walk around Estes Park. If you’re in need of a caffeine boost, Inkwell & Brew is a great coffee spot to visit. - Return to Denver for Dinner
Denver for dinner, Chop Shop Casual Urban Eatery It ended up being one of our diners from the trip! The food is excellent, and high-quality like you would get in a sit-down restaurant style of eatery. - Dessert at Nuggs Ice Cream
After dinner, walk across the street to Nuggs Ice Cream for a delicious dessert treat.
Hiking Options in Rocky Mountain National Park:
- Emerald Lake Trail (3.2 miles, 620 ft elevation gain)
This trail starts at Bear Lake, winds through Nymph and Dream Lakes before ending with the breathtaking beauty of Emerald Lake. Trail is beautiful and all the lakes are stunning! With Hiayaha Lake the hike is 4.9 miles in total, which itself allows for an extended day-hiking option. - Alberta Falls and Mills Lake (5.4 miles, 938 ft elevation gain)
This hike is a favorite! We paired it with the Emerald Lake hike and Mills Lake was not nearly as crowded but just as beautiful. First picture on this then and now road trip was snapped from Mills Lake tour! - Sky Pond (8.5 miles, 1,761 ft elevation gain)
One of the best hikes in the park but it gets a bit tougher than previous recommendations. We hope to do this one as part of the summer 2021 release. - Chasm Lake (8.2 miles, 2,542 ft elevation gain)
A beautiful hike along a lake; you’re definitely going to work for it, but again – worth it. - Mount Ida (9.3 miles, 2,362 ft elevation gain)
Located off Trail Ridge Road, this hike offers incredible panoramic views from the top!
Note:
Rocky Mountain National Park will require reservations from June 4 to October Make sure to book your slot in advance. Outside of that time you can even enter the park without a valid permit! A free shuttle is available at the park and quite necessary if you arrive later when parking becomes very full.
Day 4: Exploring Colorado Springs
- Early Departure from Denver
Begin your day by heading out from Denver early to Colorado Springs, which is a 1 hour and 15 minute drive. Check out some of the beautiful places in this area — leaving early is always good to give yourself enough time. - Breakfast and Coffee in Colorado Springs
Then, when you get there go have coffee at Switchback Coffee Roasters or if Sunday — Loyal Coffee to start your day. - Drive to the Summit of Pike’s Peak
Drive to the top of Pike’s Peak, rising above 14,114 feet. The round trip takes 2-3 hours depending on your speed and provides nice views. The summer-time fee is $10 per adult, but when you see those vistas we think you will feel it was worth the expense! - Lunch in Colorado Springs
Stop in at Skirted Heifer or Piglatin Cocina for lunch, they are popular places to eat! - Explore Garden of the Gods
This spot is home to hiking trails like Garden of the Gods. Tahunanui Beach: a picturesque stretch of golden sand that is backed by an expansive reserve with green lawns and patches of lush native bush, the park offers great picnic spots amongst easy, pleasant walkways for everyone from toddlers to seniors. - Return to Denver for Dinner
After your adventures, head back to Denver for dinner. Some great options include:- Avanti Food & Beverage—We particularly enjoyed Quiero Arepas and the upstairs view!
- Work & Class
- Root Down
- Linger
- Indulge in One Last Ice Cream
Finish off your evening with one last goodie at either Little Man Ice Cream or Sweet Action (remember, there is always room for more ice cream!
Planning Your 4 Days in Colorado
How to Get to Colorado
Reachable by car as well as plane, Denver is where your 4-day Colorado getaway sets off from. Denver is the biggest city in Colorado, so it was more or less strategically established at a major freeway junction across many of Americas highways. For drivers from some nearby cities, here’s how long it would take to get there:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico: 6.5 – 7.5 hours (449 miles)
- Salt Lake City, Utah (519 miles) — 7.5-8.5 hours
- Kansas City, Mo.: 8.5–9.5 hours (603 miles)
Prefer flying? Denver International Airport (DEN) has so many non-stop flight choices from cities across the nation. By car: The airport is located about 45 minutes east of downtown, although traffic on Interstate 70 can significantly lengthen the trip in peak travel times hours. Alternatively, you can take a train, which takes a little over an hour to reach downtown.
Getting Around Colorado
Lots of driving involved in this 4-day Colorado itinerary but all the routes are scenic! Uber and taxi services are accessible in both Denver and Boulder, but if you want to make the most of your trip out west, we highly suggest renting a car. This is the liberty for you to freely travel across cities and hills. You do not need a high-clearance vehicle for this trip any sedan or the like will work.
Where to Stay in Colorado
We recommend Denver as your home base since it is centrally located to all the stops on this itinerary and boasts a dynamic dining scene. Nothing finishes off a day of exploring in the mountains better than dinner and ice cream back in Denver!
- Some sweet VRBO options in Denver:
- Notorious Outlaw (1 bdrm, 1 bth)
- Trendy Urban Space in 5 Points (1B, 1BA) – Downtown
For a hotel option, the newly opened The Crawford located inside Denver’s Union Station is perfect. Vans and RVs can use Cherry Creek State Park Campground as a great spot near the city
If you’d rather go somewhere else, here are some recommendations in one of the other cities:
Boulder:
- Hotel Boulderado
- St. Julien Hotel & Spa
Colorado Springs:
- Skyview Studio Downtown Colorado Springs (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom)
- Downtown Charming Mini-Victorian w/ Garage (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom)
