What to do in Colorado?

[Netdewt]

I'm heading to Colorado soon and wanted to see if you all have recommendations where to stop? I'll be in Frisco, Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. We've got young kids with so there are limits but I'd love to find a few stops related to bikes, beer, food, family fun, etc, that I may not know about and must visit.

Thanks!

[Bruce K]

Not a resident but have visited a fair amount.

You have chosen all fun places to see.

I think up at Frisco it is pretty much still ski season, but plan to eat at the Butterhorn. Sometime long lines, but great breakfast. There is a bike path that runs through town that goes out to Breckenridge or up a pretty good climb to Copper Mountain. There is also a bike path around the reservoir that is pretty but you either make it an out and back or you have to climb Swan Mountain. Nothing very impressive bike shop wise.

The drive up to Leadville is pretty and Leadville is a funky little town.

In Boulder, visit Vecchio's for sure. University Cycles is a good shop as well as Boulder Cyclesport. St. Vrain Cidery for a great varieties of hard ciders made on site.

In Colorado Springs you could drive up to Manitou Springs which is another fun, funky town. You could also drive or take the railway up Pikes Peak if it has opened for the season. Bring appropriate dress for much colder conditions at the top.

I don't know much about Denver.

BK

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Netdewt

I'm heading to Colorado soon and wanted to see if you all have recommendations where to stop? I'll be in Frisco, Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. We've got young kids with so there are limits but I'd love to find a few stops related to bikes, beer, food, family fun, etc, that I may not know about and must visit.

Thanks!

https://www.butterflies.org/?gclid=C...FYhqfgod3Q0KTA

great for kids.

[icepick_trotsky]

Mt. Evans is not far from Denver. A fun sight-seeing drive or challenging climb if you want to ride it. The highest paved road in North America.

[cdn_bacon]

when in Rome...

[Dromen]

Not sure when your going but Evans is probably closed for season still. Check schedule. Another 14teener to ascend with much better roads for 2 and 4 wheelers is Pikes Peak.

Evans is great but sketchy on a bike descent. PP has shoulders, guardrails and smoothness.

[mgm777]

Considering you have kids with you...

Colorado Springs
-Garden of the Gods -- great place to walk around - easy hikes, great scenery
-Pikes Peak -- drive to top
-Manitou Springs Incline

Since you are planning to visit Boulder, I suggest....
-Rocky Mountain National Park
--Drive Trail Ridge Road
--Spectacular Scenery/Views
--Estes Park is a funky little town that caters to tourists(and kids)
--have lunch at the Stanley Hotel

Just a few ideas

[Netdewt]

Thanks for the tips.

We're going very soon to catch the end of ski season at Copper, then visiting family and friends. The kids have never been on a plane before, so anxiety and excitement are high.

We were just in Salida last year for my brother's wedding and did the drive through Leadville area in the fall when the leaves were all yellow. Amazing.

[Mr. Pink]

Originally Posted by Netdewt

Thanks for the tips.

We're going very soon to catch the end of ski season at Copper, then visiting family and friends. The kids have never been on a plane before, so anxiety and excitement are high.

We were just in Salida last year for my brother's wedding and did the drive through Leadville area in the fall when the leaves were all yellow. Amazing.

Oh. Well, since you're skiing, Abasin and Loveland are highest, so best late season conditions. Wear your sunscreen! Seriously. But, a lot of other activities in the mountains are restricted, because many places are still snowed in. As mentioned above, Mt. Evans is cool, but won't open until May.
Denver is a nice city, but lacks cultural attractions. But, you may be entertained by renting bikes and hitting some of the 400 miles of well maintained bike trails down there, some of which are not flat.

[Ken Robb]

A few years ago in Colorado Springs I rented a bike from a shop very near a path that follows a creek north from town and through the back side of the Air Force Academy. It was a peaceful quiet ride on a weekday that would be good for kids too.

Snow would be very unlikely there.

[Mzilliox]

also heading to denver this weekend, what bike shops to visit?

[maxdog]

Went to Denver last summer, but loved Boulder and the surrounding riding north and west.

[jbreebs]

I can't give much advice on things to do with kids specifically, but from what I've seen most of the breweries are fairly family friendly. I'd recommend Backcountry in Frisco and Pug Ryan's in Dillon/Silverthorn. If you get up towards Vail, Crazy Mountain Brewing is great but it's a long haul just for a beer. Pretty drive, though.

If you go to Ft. Collins, the New Belgium brewery tour is quite good as well. I'd also put in a vote for Estes Park and RMNP, and it might be better this time of year (aka before it turns into a zoo for the summer), though there's probably too much snow for most of the good hikes.

[kingpin75s]

2 stops I always make in CO:

Vecchio's in Boulder
Tattered Cover Books in Denver

[HenryA]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

https://www.butterflies.org/?gclid=C...FYhqfgod3Q0KTA

great for kids.

Yep, that's a good one.