For Families

Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs are all great family vacation destinations, with plenty of museums, kid-friendly restaurants and accommodations, and parks to romp around in -- not to mention easy access to the Rocky Mountains.

Day 1: Arrive in Denver

As with the 1-week itinerary, start in Denver and base your time there out of downtown. However, kid-friendly destinations are more far-flung, so rent a car from the get-go.

Days 2 & 3: Explore Denver

Start with a stop at Confluence Park before boarding the Platte River Trolley; then hit the Children's Museum and the Downtown Aquarium. For dinner, White Fence Farm and Casa Bonita are beloved birthday places. On the third day, hit the Colorado State Capitol and the U.S. Mint in the morning, and head to the southern suburbs to Wildlife Experience or to City Park, home of the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Days 4 & 5: Explore Colorado Springs

Take your time leaving Denver on the fourth day, but make time to make it to downtown Colorado Springs for lunch at Michelle's, and perhaps a romp in the water feature at nearby Acacia Park. In the afternoon, visit Garden of the Gods, before returning downtown for dinner at Giuseppe's Old Depot Restaurant. Center your next day around Manitou Springs and a trip up Pikes Peak by car or rail.

Days 6 & 7: Explore Boulder and Rocky Mountain National Park

Return north on the sixth day of your trip. En route to Boulder, stop off U.S. 36 at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. Visit Pearl Street Mall and Celestial Seasonings in the afternoon. On the last day of your trip, make a trip up to Estes Park for a quick taste of the Rockies.