18 Must-See Attractions in Colorado
![](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/sebastien-gabriel-pt0h_ijo4ko-unsplash.webp)
Colorado’s mix of attractions is as diverse as its terrain of mountains, prairies and red rock formations. Whether it’s the call of the majestic Rocky Mountains, historical monuments or one of several cultural establishments, it has something for every traveler. Here’s our pick of the must-visit sights throughout the Centennial State.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Natural Feature
![A woman standing in front of Chasm Lake and Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/alyssa-teboda-ap1j6um4b4i-unsplash-min.webp)
Breckenridge
Natural Feature
![Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/taylor-turtle-yxo0lpul1ky-unsplash.webp)
Hanging Lake
Hiking Trail, Natural Feature
![Hanging Lake, Colorado, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/emily-talbot-g_oypfcgvf0-unsplash.webp)
Coloradans are outdoor enthusiasts, and one of their beloved hiking spots is Hanging Lake. The Hanging Lake Trail sits off Interstate 70, just 10mi (16km) east of the town of Glenwood Springs. The trail itself is short, just a little over a mile, but it can be a challenging hike because it’s steep and rocky. However, reaching the end is worth it. Hanging Lake is a unique geological feature, complete with a stunning hanging garden.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway
Natural Feature
![Mount Evans, United States](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/evershot-b_db88wwlsy-unsplash.webp)
Those looking for a scenic mountain drive will love the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, the highest paved road in North America. The highway rises to a height of 14,264ft (4,348m) above sea level and takes you right to the top of Mount Evans. Along the way, you might spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep as you pass alpine lakes and rock formations. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime drive with plenty of places to stop and snap a photo.
Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
Museum
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater
Music Venue
![Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater captured from the top looking out onto the beautiful horizon with the stage centered.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/benjamin-r-8wggqhpugu4-unsplash-1.webp)
Denver Art Museum
Art Gallery, Museum
Pearl Street Mall
Shopping Mall
No visit to the city of Boulder is complete without a stroll down Pearl Street Mall, the delightful pedestrian promenade that also serves as the city’s heart for dining, shopping and the arts. You’ll find hundreds of businesses along this stretch, most being locally owned and operated. While you take in the shops and some of Boulder’s best restaurants, be sure to enjoy the many street performers who are usually out and about showing off their skills.
Garden of the Gods Park
Natural Feature
![Jutting red peaks reach for the sky at Garden of the Gods.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/melanie-magdalena-ddwltcr9gpc-unsplash.webp)
A registered National Natural Landmark just outside Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods Park is open year-round and offers stunning views of its 300ft (91m) sandstone rock formations, along with hiking, horseback riding and camping. The Visitor and Nature Center has all kinds of interactive exhibits. If you’re looking for souvenirs, the Trading Post, which lies on the edge of the park, features artwork by local artists. Admission to the park is free.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Architectural Landmark
![Pikes Peak Cog Railway](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pragyan-goswami-gsh5tpa1g8c-unsplash.webp)
If you’re going to summit one of Colorado’s “fourteeners” – a mountain peak that’s at least 14,000ft (4,267m) high – there’s no better way to do it than on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The views you’ll see on the world’s highest cog railroad inspired the song America the Beautiful, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a gorgeous ride, which takes place year-round.
Mesa Verde National Park
Natural Feature
![Mesa Verde National Park, CO, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/alec-krum-y8xvlz2lp5k-unsplash.webp)
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Architectural Landmark
![Durango, CO, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/yugarya-goyal-ygiqqmfwlyq-unsplash.webp)
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Museum
Argo Gold Mine and Mill
Historical Landmark
Take a tour of the Argo Gold Mine and Mill to learn about its history, including its tunnel, which processed more than $100m worth of gold ore after its completion in 1893. This Idaho Springs attraction also provides insight into the history of the gold rush in Colorado. You and your family will not only get to tour the mine and museum, but you can also try your hand at panning for gold.
Celestial Seasonings
Art Gallery, Building, Shop
You don’t have to love tea to enjoy a tour of Celestial Seasonings. Its headquarters, just outside Boulder, not only provides a behind-the-scenes look at how tea is made but also has some unique attractions that are a whole lot of fun. Take a whiff inside the Mint Room and see how long you can stand it. Spend some time in the tea shop or enjoy a casual outing at the Celestial Café. It also has an art gallery and a herb garden.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Park, Zoo
![An image of a Wallaby perched atop a rock ledge looking down on passersby inside of an enclosure at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/nathan-andress-yujaaw9a_ss-unsplash.webp)
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Natural Feature
If playing in a giant sandbox appeals to you, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve near Alamosa is a must-visit. This giant dune field of 30sqmi (78sqkm) features at least one dune that’s more than 750ft (229m) high. Sledding down the dunes is a popular pastime, as is hiking and camping. There are also horseback riding trails and the scenic four-wheel drive on Medano Pass.
Dinosaur National Monument
Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark
![Dinosaur National Monument Quarry Visitor Center, E 1500 S, Jensen, UT, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/steve-wrzeszczynski-2pnn-5cilgw-unsplash.webp)
On the Colorado-Utah border, Dinosaur National Monument is an incredible testament to the natural and geological history of the area. You can see more than 1,500 fossils on display on the cliff face inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall. There are also petroglyphs of lost cultures and the abandoned homesteads of early settlers. For the adventurers, there are camping and whitewater rafting opportunities.