I am planning a trip to Colorado this summer as part of a road trip. We are planning to see Denver, Boulder area because we will be coming from Kansas, thenwork our way towards Bryce in Utah.
Are there places you would recommend? Is Rocky Mountain National Park a must see?
Would love to hear any suggestions!
In the Denver area: the US Mint in downtown Denver; the zoo is amazing; WaterWorld is one of the largest water parks in the country (it's in Federal Heights which is about 20 min north of Denver); skip Elitch Gardens and the Aquarium as both are lame;
Boulder: Pearl Street Mall can be very interesting and entertaining; Chautauqua Park for hiking
Colorado Springs Area (an 1 -1.5 hours south of Denver depending on traffic): Garden of the Gods; Cave of the Winds; Pikes Peak; Cheyenne Mountain zoo; Air Force Academy
As you are driving west on I-70 towards Utah, I would spend a day in Glenwood Springs and at least a half a day at the pool. You can also visit Aspen, Vail, or any of the other ski towns along the way.
If you do Rocky Mountain National Park, it does get very crowded and most sight seeing is now done on a bus and you're not allowed to drive to the different trail heads anymore. Estes Park outside of RMNP is a cute little town with the Stanley Hotel, which gave Stephen King inspiration for
The Shining.
Durango and Telluride along with Mesa Verde are probably my favorite places in Colorado. However, they are several hours from Denver or the I-70 corridor traveling towards Utah so I would skip them. Instead of I-70 from Denver to Utah, you could go down to Salida and then take US 50 through Gunnison and visit the Black Canyon of Gunnison, which is very beautiful as well. Then you head west back to I-70.
I'll add more as I think about this.