11 days in United States Itinerary

Part of Colorado's Royal Gorge Region, Cañon City straddles the Arkansas River.

To see maps, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Canon City day trip website .

Chicago to Canon City is an approximately 5.5-hour combination of flight and taxi. You can also do a combination of flight, shuttle, and taxi; or drive. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. While traveling from Chicago, expect somewhat warmer days and little chillier nights in Canon City, ranging from highs of 89°F to lows of 55°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) so you can go by car to Colorado Springs.

National Landmark red cliffs and the even more striking Pikes Peak mountain attracts tourism to Colorado Springs.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Mon): meet the residents at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and then take in the dramatic natural features at Garden of the Gods.

To find more things to do, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Colorado Springs driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Canon City to Colorado Springs takes 1.5 hours. When traveling from Canon City in July, plan for a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Colorado Springs: temperatures range from 86°F by day to 58°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon) to allow time to take a bus to Denver.

Aptly nicknamed the "Mile-High City," Denver sits at an altitude of 1,600 m (5,280 ft) above sea level, located right where the Great Plains give way to the Rocky Mountains.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Tue): look for gifts at Tattered Cover Bookstore, then admire the natural beauty at Denver Botanic Gardens, and then admire all the interesting features of Coors Field.

To find reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Denver driving holiday tool .

Take a bus from Colorado Springs to Denver in an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly. In July, daily temperatures in Denver can reach 87°F, while at night they dip to 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Santa Fe.

Santa Fe continuously ranks among the world's top holiday destinations, attracting visitors with its unusual combination of scenic beauty, rich history, cultural diversity, and high concentration of performing arts venues, fine restaurants, and interesting attractions.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Wed): admire the masterpieces at Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, take a memorable drive along The Plaza, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Loretto Chapel, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Canyon Road, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

To find reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Santa Fe planning site .

Traveling by flight from Denver to Santa Fe takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and shuttle; or drive. July in Santa Fe sees daily highs of 88°F and lows of 60°F at night. You'll set off for Rapid City on the 5th (Thu).

South Dakota's second-largest city, Rapid City has for many years served as a gateway to the West.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Fri): admire nature's wide array of creatures at Reptile Gardens.

To find reviews, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Rapid City trip planner .

Fly from Santa Fe to Rapid City in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. In July in Rapid City, expect temperatures between 89°F during the day and 60°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 6th (Fri) to allow time for travel to Yellowstone National Park.

An exceptionally diverse landscape and varied wildlife have made Yellowstone National Park one of America's most popular parks.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Sat): witness a stunning natural landmark at Old Faithful, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Artist Point, and then explore the stunning scenery at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get great views at Observation Point Trail, explore the striking landscape at Lower Geyser Basin, and then witness a stunning natural landmark at Grand Prismatic Spring.

To see reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Yellowstone National Park trip website .

You can do a combination of flight and car from Rapid City to Yellowstone National Park in 6 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and taxi; or drive. While traveling from Rapid City, expect little chillier days and much colder nights in Yellowstone National Park, ranging from highs of 73°F to lows of 40°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 9th (Mon) to allow time for travel back home.