10 days in Colorado Itinerary

Known as a ski resort town, Aspen's history goes back to its roots as a silver-mining village tucked away in an isolated valley of the Rocky Mountains.

When in Aspen, make a side trip to see Thermal Spas in Glenwood Springs, approximately Glenwood Springs away. Next up on the itinerary: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Maroon Bells, tour the pleasant surroundings at The John Denver Sanctuary, hike along Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, and take a memorable drive along Independence Pass.

To find ratings, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Aspen vacation planner.

New York City to Aspen is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train, taxi, bus, and car. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from New York City to Aspen. Traveling from New York City in September, you will find days in Aspen are slightly colder (72°F), and nights are colder (41°F). Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough to go by car 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 13th (Sun): get to know the resident critters at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, stroll around Garden of the Gods, and then gain insight at United States Air Force Academy.

To see photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Colorado Springs trip itinerary maker site.

Drive from Aspen to Colorado Springs in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Aspen in September, expect Colorado Springs to be somewhat warmer, temps between 79°F and 51°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Sun) early enough to 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.

When in Denver, make a side trip to see Summit Lake Park in Idaho Springs, approximately Idaho Springs away. And it doesn't end there: take in the awesome beauty at Mount Evans, contemplate the long history of Molly Brown House Museum, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Denver Zoo, and look and learn at Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

For photos, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Denver trip itinerary maker app.

Traveling by car from Colorado Springs to Denver takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of flight and train. In September in Denver, expect temperatures between 79°F during the day and 52°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Estes Park.

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.

On the 17th (Thu), take in the exciting artwork at Images of Rocky Mountain National Park, see Off-Road Tours, then take a memorable drive along Trail Ridge Road, and finally identify plant and animal life at Many Parks Curve Overlook. Keep things going the next day: get a taste of the local shopping with Aspen and Evergreen Gallery, then cruise along Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, then see exotic creatures in open habitats at Estes Park Guided Tours, and finally take some stellar pictures from Milner Pass.

For traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Estes Park sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Denver to Estes Park in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. September in Estes Park sees daily highs of 81°F and lows of 50°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 19th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.