Colorado | Colorado Top 12

This is a cumulative list of the best things to see and do in Colorado, from our several trips to this absolutely amazing state.

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

This park offers something for everyone. It is full of amazing hikes, long and short, with no shortage of spectacular waterfalls, mountains, lakes and wildlife. Several of its scenic drives are some of the best in the country. You can spend a week here and still not see all the amazing sights this park has to offer. It is also a short drive from Estes Park.

A still lake covered in lily pads, ringed by pine forest

Nymph Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park.

2. Mesa Verde National Park

This park really surprised us. Not only does it offer unbelievable views of mountains, it showcases some incredible ancient dwellings preserved through time. Even though we were not able to hike here, we enjoyed our visit enough to want to go back again.

Ancient stone dwellings tucked under a sandstone cliff overhang above a forested canyon

Cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde.

3. Telluride

One of the best mountain towns in Colorado. Telluride boasts nature, hiking, outdoor activities, free gondola rides with gorgeous views, a great food scene, art and culture.

Man and dog sitting together in a Telluride gondola cabin, with mountains outside the windows

The free gondola, dog included.

4. Bridal Veil Falls

This is the tallest waterfall in Colorado. The hike offers amazing views of the Rocky Mountains and a couple of smaller waterfalls along the way. You can make it longer by hiking up to the power plant on the cliff. The same path can be driven in a 4x4, if you have off-roading experience.

Boy and dog on a rocky trail looking up at Bridal Veil Falls pouring off a tall cliff

Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest in Colorado.

5. Royal Gorge Train

This train ride follows the Royal Gorge alongside a gushing river. Mountain views, rivers and fresh mountain air can be enjoyed from the open-air carriage. The train has a snack car and offers meal service as well. This ride was perfect for our railfan son.

Woman and boy smiling by a train window, with the river and canyon outside

Riding along the Royal Gorge.

6. Million Dollar Highway

Driving this stretch of mountain road is a must in Colorado. The views are simply unbeatable. We did not find it quite as sketchy as we had read. The drop-offs are steep, with grand vistas anywhere you look.

A winding two-lane mountain road between steep forested slopes

On the Million Dollar Highway.

7. Independence Pass

We found this drive incredibly beautiful as well. The pass begins after the Twin Lakes area, which is gorgeous too. There is a viewpoint along this drive that we regretted not stopping at. The sheer cliffs and tree-covered valleys were just spectacular.

8. Aspen Silver Queen Gondola

We took several gondolas in Colorado. This one was by far the best (and the most expensive). It climbs higher than any of the others we rode and offers amazing views of the Aspen mountain range. We especially liked that this mountaintop was kept for nature lovers to take in the views, hike, or ski in winter, and not made into an amusement park like some of the other gondolas.

Man, boy and dog at the top of Aspen Mountain, with a range of peaks behind them

At the top of the Silver Queen Gondola.

9. Pikes Peak

This historic cog railway to the summit of Pikes Peak is a must for any Colorado itinerary. The ride weaves through the mountain’s climate zones on its way to the summit. There is a gift shop and restrooms at the top.

A red cog railway car on the track at the Pikes Peak station

The Pikes Peak cog railway.

10. Maroon Bells

This is the most iconic view in Colorado. During the summer there is no parking at the Maroon Bells trailhead, so getting here means a bus ride from Aspen Highlands. The epic viewpoint itself is only a short walk away, though there are some spectacular trails if you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of the area a little more.

Man and dog on a trail toward Maroon Lake, with the snow-streaked Maroon Bells peaks ahead

The walk toward the Maroon Bells.

11. Leadville train ride

This train is not a luxurious one, but it more than makes up for it with the views. It passes several fourteeners (mountains over 14,000 feet) and beautiful alpine vistas. It is a perfect way to enjoy this area.

Alpine valley with pine forest, a small lake and mountains, seen from the train

The end point of the Leadville train ride.

12. Hoosier Pass hike

This hike begins from a trailhead a short drive from Breckenridge, surrounded by peaks, valleys and wide-open views. With the altitude, we got a little taste of the more challenging hikes Colorado has to offer.

Boy standing on a high, open ridge with mountains and blue sky behind him

Up high on the Hoosier Pass hike.

Bonus: Estes Park

This town is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, and a charming mountain town that offers something for everyone. It has a beautiful lake for boating, a bubbling stream running right through downtown, many awesome restaurants, the (haunted) Stanley Hotel, lots of elk, and hanging flowers everywhere.

A bull elk walking along a street in front of an inn sign in Estes Park

Elk in downtown Estes Park.

Bonus: Ouray

We only spent a short time here, but this town is definitely not short on beauty and adventure. There are waterfall hikes to enjoy, as well as the loop around the entire town. A hot spring, a box canyon and some gorgeous viewpoints are here as well.

Man and dog on the rocks at the foot of Cascade Falls in Ouray

Cascade Falls in Ouray.