10 days in Colorado Itinerary

More than just a convenient resting place for travelers on their way to the national park encompassing the Front Range of the Rockies, Estes Park is a popular place to visit in its own right.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read our Estes Park trip maker website.

New York City to Estes Park is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. Traveling from New York City to Estes Park, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from New York City in July, expect a bit cooler with lows of 59°F in Estes Park. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can drive 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 5th (Sun): take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Evans and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 6th (Mon): see the sky in a new way at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Denver Zoo, then browse the exhibits of Denver Botanic Gardens, and finally explore the activities along Crown Hill Park.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Denver trip builder app.

Getting from Estes Park to Denver by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus. In July in Denver, expect temperatures between 87°F during the day and 60°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Colorado Springs.

Stunning Garden of the Gods Park scenery, blue skies and the glory of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain have attracted visitors to Colorado Springs for more than a century.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Tue): walk around Garden of the Gods and then examine the collection at Miramont Castle Museum.

To see traveler tips, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Colorado Springs trip site.

You can drive from Denver to Colorado Springs in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and flight. In July, daytime highs in Colorado Springs are 86°F, while nighttime lows are 58°F. On the 7th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to Durango.

Originally a frontier mining town, Durango is known today for its scenic setting, outdoor activities, and the 1880s steam-powered railway that takes visitors through sections of the mountains where roads don't reach.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Wed): take a memorable tour with Tours and then see Off-Road Tours.

For more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, use the Durango attractions planner.

You can drive from Colorado Springs to Durango in 6 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a bus. In July, daily temperatures in Durango can reach 86°F, while at night they dip to 54°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Buena Vista.

The Town of Buena Vista is a Statutory Town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. Start off your visit on the 9th (Thu): see Off-Road Tours, then mingle with the ghosts of the past at Vicksburg, and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

Inspirock's itinerary builder makes planning a Buena Vista trip simple and quick.

You can drive from Durango to Buena Vista in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of shuttle, taxi, and bus. In July, Buena Vista is slightly colder than Durango - with highs of 80°F and lows of 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can drive to Glenwood Springs.

Glenwood Springs occupies a scenic location at the junction of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River, halfway between Vail and Aspen along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

When in Glenwood Springs, make a side trip to see Maroon Bells in Aspen, approximately Aspen away. And it doesn't end there: take a memorable tour with Tours, hike along Hanging Lake Trail, and test the waters at a local thermal spa.

To find more things to do, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Glenwood Springs road trip planner.

You can drive from Buena Vista to Glenwood Springs in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and bus. Traveling from Buena Vista in July, you will find days in Glenwood Springs are a bit cooler (68°F), and nights are about the same (50°F). Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 12th (Sun) to allow time for travel back home.