In One Week

Colorado's three major Front Range cities are quite different from each other, offering very different experiences, but they are also close and convenient. They are also close to Colorado's famed Rocky Mountains, making it very easy to leave the city lights behind and enjoy the serenity of the great outdoors.

Day 1: Arrive in Denver

Whether you arrive by car or by air, the best place to base yourself is downtown, where you can see all of the attractions on foot and by public transportation. Get acquainted with the lay of the land by walking the 16th Street Mall and wandering down Wynkoop Street in LoDo. Have dinner at one of the many top dining spots in the area, such as the Wynkoop Brewing Company or Rioja.

Days 2 & 3: Explore Denver

Start the next morning at Larimer Square, Denver's birthplace, with a self-guided walking tour of the historic sites. Then stroll the 16th Street pedestrian mall and head toward the state capitol, just across Broadway. En route, take a 1-block detour for an early lunch or a cup of tea at the Brown Palace Hotel. After seeing the capitol, explore other Civic Center sites, especially the Denver Art Museum. On your third day, explore more of Denver. The city has numerous historic homes, beautiful parks, attractive shopping centers, and several highly touted museums -- for example, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Botanic Gardens, and the Black American West Museum.

Day 4: Boulder

From Denver, rent a car and make the 30-minute trip to Boulder. Split your time between the Pearl Street Mall and an attraction or two: We're particularly fond of the Celestial Seasonings tour and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Explore a bit of the Boulder Creek Path by foot or bike as well, if time allows, before dinner and a show at one of many venues -- Boulder is renowned for its music.

Day 5: Explore Rocky Mountain National Park

Boulder is about an hour's drive from Estes Park, the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Stop for lunch in Lyons, and then explore the park by car, parking to take a hike. Stay in Estes Park for the night.

Day 6: Rocky Mountain National Park to Golden

Drive over Trail Ridge Road and south to Berthoud Pass to get back to I-70. This scenic drive gives you the option to hike in the park, or else hightail it back south to Golden for a tour of the Coors Brewery or some time to stroll around the pleasant downtown. Either way, it's an ideal overnight stop that lets you avoid the bulk of the traffic in central Denver.

Day 7: Colorado Springs

Leave for the 70-mile trip in the morning and you can easily make it to downtown Colorado Springs for lunch. Spend the afternoon in Manitou Springs, or drive or take the train up to the summit of Pikes Peak. In the evening, if your pocketbook allows, head to The Broadmoor for a fitting dinner to cap the trip. From Colorado Springs it's about an hour and a half to Denver International Airport.