Welcome to colourful Colorado

We flew direct with United Airlines from London Heathrow to Denver. The flight took around 10 hours - plenty of time to watch movies, nap, and tuck into some tasty treats. The first stop was Downtown Denver; we hopped on a train from the airport, which was easy and hassle-free, and soon arrived at our meeting point, The Rally Hotel.

We kicked off our first morning in Denver with a hearty American breakfast. Pancakes were a must, and as you can imagine, they were huge and towered with fruit and maple syrup – delicious!

A city tour was the perfect introduction to Denver. We visited the most iconic attractions and must-see sights in the area. I was extremely excited about seeing the legendary Big Blue Bear, which stands 40 feet high, peering into the Colorado Convention Center. It’s incredibly impressive and a great photo opportunity, so make sure you have a camera to hand!

Next up was City Park Golf Course, an affordable course boasting impressive city skyline views. If you’re not into golf, though, there’s a café where you can sit back and soak in the breathtaking views. Then, we drove through Cherry Creek, a prime spot for shopping with a selection of high-end boutiques, department stores, and plenty of restaurants and cafés for you to refuel at.

One of my trip highlights was visiting Red Rocks Amphitheatre, one of the world’s best outdoor concert venues, and it’s easy to see why. The amphitheatre is a naturally formed venue built in amongst the rocks. We were lucky to see a band sound-checking in the late afternoon, and the acoustics were fantastic! I recommend checking out who’s playing while you’re there, as visiting this impressive amphitheatre is a must-do. There are also opportunities to enjoy yoga on the rocks, experience movie nights, or head on awe-inspiring hiking and biking trails.

Next was Fort Collins – where the inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street USA came from. This pedestrian-friendly, historic area has plenty of small boutique shops, restaurants, and breweries. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon meandering. After exploring, we worked up an appetite and headed to RARE for dinner, an Italian restaurant offering classic dishes in a modern setting. The food and wine selection were 10/10!

Waking up the following day in Fort Collins, we headed to the Museum of Discovery, where there were many hands-on learning exhibits and a 360-degree digital dome theatre - great for adults and children. We then went to Ginger and Baker, famous for its freshly baked goods and pot pies. After stocking up on baked goods for the road, we headed to our next destination, Loveland. 

Nestled in the foothills of Colorado’s dynamic Rocky Mountains, just 55 minutes north of Denver, Loveland is the ideal base camp for all Northern Colorado adventures. There are many things to do here, whether you’re looking for an authentic arts community, brewery tours, unique shopping districts, or world-class recreational activities. 

Home to the largest Love Lock Sculpture in Colorado, the Visitors Centre was our first stop, where we were all given our own locks to engrave and add to the impressive sculpture. Shortly after, we walked around Bensons Sculpture Garden, showcasing over 170 hand-crafted art pieces. Keeping art within the community, each art sculpture displayed here is ‘adopted’ by a local family who oversees its maintenance and cleanliness, keeping it refreshed with new flowers.

Then, we channelled our inner cowboy and took a sunset horseback trail ride to the top of Eagle Ridge at Sylvan Dale Ranch. Truth be told, I was terrified, but I’m glad I plucked up the courage and did it because it was a fantastic bucket list experience - the views were insane, and my horse was a beauty. The day ended as any day spent as a cowboy should, with a barbequed meal cooked by our cowboy companions. We rounded off the day with a few drinks at the Tom Davis Saloon, Loveland’s first Honky-Tonk Bar!

Rocky Mountain National Park is a bucket list destination for many outdoor enthusiasts. Home to 335 miles of hiking trails, 147 lakes, 77 mountains taller than 12,000 feet, and opportunities to see elk, bighorn sheep, and moose, the drive to Rocky Mountain National Park was jaw-dropping, surrounded by beautiful snow-topped mountains and lakes – we felt like we were in a movie. Once we arrived, we took the Ute Trail, which took just under two hours and was suitable for any skill level. On the trail, you can expect beautiful scenery and chipmunk sightings. Towards the end of the day, as it started to rain, we hit the road and headed for Winter Park. 

Winter Park is the closest major ski resort near Denver, just 67 miles away. With over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, Winter Park Resort offers an unforgettable experience for any traveller – from adrenaline-pumping slopes to epic mountaintop views. The resort has cafés, restaurants, and breweries for you to explore or simply hop onto their shuttle bus and head downtown. We stayed at Zephyr Mountain Lodge; the rooms were spacious, with a little balcony overlooking part of the resort. It was such a magical experience, especially when it began to snow - a real winter wonderland. 

The journey to Glenwood Springs was stunning. It was snowing most of the way, and the roads were lined with snow-dusted forests and mountainscapes. We even played Christmas music to get us in the winter mood - October isn’t too early for a bit of Michael Bublé! Glenwood Springs serves a vibrant dining scene and an endlessly fun, outdoorsy to-do list.

We took a trip to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, America’s only mountaintop theme park, where we enjoyed thrill rides and cavern tours and had the most wow-worthy views over the city below us. Adrenaline junkies should travel far and wide to visit this adventure park because of its epic rollercoasters and mountain-edge location. After a fun-filled day, we enjoyed dinner at a restaurant called Smoke before heading to the main event and another of my trip highlights - a night in the hot springs at Iron Mountain!

We soaked in 10 world-experience pools of unique mineral formulas designed to replicate hot springs from around the world, such as the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and Hokkaido in Japan. We enjoyed a cocktail – or three – and soaked in the mesmerising views. We were even lucky enough to see the Rocky Mountaineer pass by on its route to Denver.

Our final stop on this unforgettable trip was Grand Junction, home to the Colorado National Monument. Here, you’ll find panoramic views stretching across much of the Western USA. Hop in the car and wind through the red-rock cliffs, mesas, and canyons, or see it by foot or bike - whichever you choose, you’ll be impressed by the landscapes. And keep your eyes peeled for wildlife - we spotted some deer and bighorn sheep.

We spent the rest of our day downtown sampling local wines and eateries before returning to the hotel for our last group meal. We watched the sunset and reflected on our amazing memories in this beautiful state. I visited during the peak season of October, renowned for ‘leaf peeping’. This is when the colours of the trees turn to fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. And this trip’s landscapes and roadside views were certainly out of this world!