In Two Weeks

Start with the 1-week itinerary, but expand your time in Denver to 4 nights, Boulder to 3 nights, and Rocky Mountain National Park to 2 nights. Overnight in Golden en route to Colorado Springs for the final 3 nights.

Days 1-4: Denver

Start with a shuttle to a downtown hotel for the first 3 days, but take the extra day in Denver to explore a neighborhood by bike and foot. Get a rental and a map from Campus Cycles, and then hop on one of the in-city trails that converges on Confluence Park for lunch in the vicinity. After your ride, get your rental car and head to one of the attractions that's further afield, or if the schedule allows, take in a Rockies game at Coors Field, or another sporting event in this sports-crazy city.

Days 5-7: Boulder

Explore the Pearl Street Mall and a museum on your first day, but take the second day to hike some of the trails in the area, packing a lunch before descending for dinner. On your third day in Boulder, visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research or the Redstone Meadery, and take time to do more hiking, biking, or Pearl Street Mall people-watching.

Days 8-9: Rocky Mountain National Park

Use Estes Park as a base on night one and camp in the park (or else stay in Grand Lake, the park's western gateway) on night two. Spending 2 full days in the area allows for the second day to be centered on a significant day hike, like the Mills Lake Trail or the Bierstadt Lake Trail.

Day 10: 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 further hike in the park, or else high-tail it back south to Golden for a tour of the Coors Brewery or just 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.

Days 11-14: Colorado Springs

Instead of a rushed afternoon, take your time to explore the Pikes Peak region over 3 unhurried days. Move Pikes Peak and Manitou Springs to day 2, and spend your entire first day and night exploring downtown and its attractions, namely the Fine Arts Center and the Pioneers Museum. Day 2, head to Manitou Springs before ascending Pikes Peak by rail or car; then descend for an overnight in Manitou Springs or Old Colorado City. Day 3's foci: Garden of the Gods and The Broadmoor, where the trip-capping dinner remains our recommendation.