The New Yorks and San Franciscos of the globe Colorado tend to receive all the acclaim — and tourists — but it’s frequently a state’s little towns that give the most authentic experience of the location. For instance, in the state of Colorado, some of the most beautiful areas in the state are located quite a distance away from major metropolitan areas such as Denver and Colorado Springs.
Where you’ll discover the state’s famous mountain vistas?
The greatest little towns in Colorado are where you’ll discover the state’s famous mountain vistas, downtowns that date back to the mining period, cowboy and rancher culture, and of course, a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including skiing, hiking, fishing, and whitewater rafting.
Therefore, when you’re ready to discover a different side of the location, have a look at our list to pick a tiny town in Colorado that has all you need for a lovely vacation there. Salida is a tiny hamlet in the Sawatch Range that is located about two and a half hours south of Denver. Salida surrounded on three sides by mountains.
It is a great place to challenge yourself to hike a 14,000-foot mountain (the area has plenty), bike the trail systems of the Arkansas Hills and Methodist Mountain, or do as the locals do and hang out by the shady shores of the Arkansas River, which runs through town. It is a great place to challenge yourself to hike a 14,000-foot mountain (the area has plenty). You are going to want to close off your day on the patio of Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub with a well-deserved piece of pizza and a drink, no matter what kind of adventure you end up going on.
This little agricultural haven produces
Although the climate in Colorado is generally dry, this little agricultural haven produces some of the state’s best tree-ripened fruits, including apricots, cherries, peaches, and pears. In the fall, it also hosts a Ciderfest, which celebrates everything apple-related with boot-stomping music, food, and cider. Visit one of the local vineyards if the thought of local fruit does not pique your interest. Instead, travel to the town’s well rated Creative District, which is a neighborhood filled with stores, artist studios, and galleries.
It is one of the few ski resorts in Colorado that has been able to maintain its small-town atmosphere, and Crested Butte is one of those few. Crested Butte is not going to discussed in the same breath as other famous ski resorts like Vail and Aspen, and that is precisely what makes it so special. The skiing is challenging, the town is adorable, and in the summer it transforms into a popular mountain biking resort with over 750 kilometers of trails. You could even be able to visit the town at the time of year when the wildflowers are in bloom, which is something else the area is famous for.
Which is just a 15-minute drive away
If you don’t want to go too far away from the city, you may go to Manitou Springs, which is just a 15-minute drive away from Colorado Springs and is quite convenient. Manitou is situated just outside of the city limits in a manner that makes it seem like a mountain hamlet while yet maintaining dordle its accessibility. You can easily make your way up Pikes Peak (a peak with an elevation of 14,000 feet) and check out the Manitou Cliff Dwellings in the same amount of time that it will take you to shop at the trendy shops on Manitou Avenue and then have a bite to eat at Swirl, a local wine bar.
While it is just fifteen minutes away by vehicle from Aspen, Snowmass Village has a character of its own, despite its proximity to Aspen. The ski area, which is a member of the Aspen-Snowmass family and comprises four mountains, serves as the center of wintertime activity here. And during the warm summer months, the Elk Mountains, which are often considered to the most stunning mountain range in the state, are the place to go for riding and hiking.
Which has a population of under 1,000
Make the Limelight Snowmass (which is ski-in, ski-out in the winter) your home base and enjoy exploring the quaint village before jumping into the day’s adventure. In addition to high altitude (Silverton clocks in at 9,318 feet), you’ll find high peaks surrounding this historic mining town, which has a population of under 1,000. Silverton known for its silver mines, which were discovered in the area in the late 1800s.
Arriving on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which offers travelers a gorgeous ride from Durango to Silverton, is the best way to get the most out of the experience. When you have arrived in this town in the Wild West, make your way to the Handlebars Restaurant & Saloon and get a basket of Rocky Mountain oysters (you may need to Google that one).
The protected lands of Rocky Mountain National Park
Although Estes Park is only about an hour’s drive from the city of Boulder (if you take the scenic route), it seems like a completely different world due to its location among the protected lands of Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest. This is because Estes Park surrounded on three sides by national parks and forests. Because of its location, entry to the national park is easy, and nature enthusiasts will appreciate coming in the autumn, when the town celebrates the annual elk rut. The elk rut is a mating ritual in which male elk compete with one another for the privilege to mate with female elk.
This little hamlet is located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, very close to the state line with New Mexico, and it is most well-known for its natural hot springs. The presence of mineral-dense water is a given at this location. You have the option of going to one of the “official” springs that are open all year long in the city, such as The Springs Resort & Spa, Healing Waters Resort & Spa, or Overlook Hot Springs, or you may go to the riverfront hippy dip, which is free. In any case, you shouldn’t forget to stop by the Pagosa Bakery Company in the morning for a cup of coffee and something delicious to eat (or three).
Who thrive on the excitement of exploring the great outdoors
Those who thrive on the excitement of exploring the great outdoors may found in plenty in Carbondale. Fly fishing on the Roaring Fork River, mountain biking on the Prince Creek trail system, and cross-country skiing in Spring Gulch are all simple ways to while away a day in the town of Roaring Fork. But even the most daring travelers need a break every once in a while, and that’s where a night at the Marble Distilling Co. & The Distillery Inn comes in handy. As the name of the establishment suggests, it’s a distillery and an inn combined, so you can have a strong drink and a restful night’s sleep all under the same roof.
After an action-packed day of skiing in Colorado mountains, Steamboat Springs is one of the few sites in the state where visitors may relax their tired legs in geothermal hot springs. Yet, in addition to its natural hot springs and skiing, Steamboat renowned for its authentic Western atmosphere, waterways that have awarded a gold medal for fishing, and an abundance of paths for hiking and bicycling.
Have a drink at The Barley Pub and Tavern after a hard day spent in the mountains, and then stroll the ten minutes to Laundry for a selection of small plates that you may share with others (we recommend the artichoke hearts).
