11 days in Colorado Itinerary

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.

Visiting Mount Sanitas Trail and Dinosaur Ridge will get you outdoors. Shop till you drop at Tattered Cover Book Store Colfax and Dardano's Shoes. Step out of Denver to go to Boulder and see Boulder Book Store, which is approximately 34 minutes away. There's much more to do: see a show at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, head outdoors with Christy Sports Ski and Snowboard, and look for gifts at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

To see traveler tips, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Denver driving holiday tool.

New York City to Denver is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to Mountain Standard Time is minus 2 hours. Plan for little chillier nights when traveling from New York City in May since evenings lows in Denver dip to 43°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Breckenridge.

Founded in 1859 as part of the Gold Rush in the Rockies, Breckenridge boasts a main street lined with colorful wooden storefronts housing cafes and shops, giving the effect of a thriving western town from the 19th century.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Wed): stop by Breckenridge Hat Company, get outside with Christy Sports Ski and Snowboard, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Blue River Sports, then stop by Alpine Sports, and finally browse the handmade items at Ready Paint Fire!.

For other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Breckenridge trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Denver to Breckenridge in 2 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of train and shuttle. When traveling from Denver in May, plan for cooler days and slightly colder nights in Breckenridge: temperatures range from 44°F by day to 31°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to travel to Steamboat Springs.

An internationally known ski resort, Steamboat Springs sits in the shadow of Mount Werner in north central Colorado.

On the 26th (Thu), look for gifts at F.M. Light & Sons, stop by Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, then fly down the slopes at Steamboat Ski Resort, and finally get outside with Christy Sports Ski and Snowboard. On your second day here, admire the sheer force of Fish Creek Falls and then trek along Yampa River Core Trail.

For where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Steamboat Springs trip planning website.

Traveling by combination of taxi and shuttle from Breckenridge to Steamboat Springs takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and shuttle. Traveling from Breckenridge in May, you will find days in Steamboat Springs are a bit warmer (61°F), and nights are about the same (35°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Fri) to allow enough time to 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.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Sat): stop by Honeyville, stroll through Animas Mountain Trail, and then grab your bike and head to The Colorado Trail. Here are some ideas for day two: hike along Animas River Trail and then take in the exciting artwork at Toh-Atin Gallery.

To find traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, use the Durango journey builder app.

You can drive from Steamboat Springs to Durango in 7.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of shuttle and bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Steamboat Springs in May: highs in Durango hover around 68°F, while lows dip to 35°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) so you can drive to Telluride.

The town of Telluride is the county seat and most populous town of San Miguel County in the southwestern portion of the U.S. Kick off your visit on the 30th (Mon): look for gifts at Telluride Trappings and Toggery, look for gifts at Telluride Truffle, and then take in the dramatic scenery at Bear Creek Falls.

To see more things to do, photos, ratings, and tourist information, read our Telluride day trip planning website.

You can drive from Durango to Telluride in 2.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of shuttle and taxi. Traveling from Durango in May, you will find days in Telluride are slightly colder (55°F), and nights are about the same (36°F). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Grand Junction.

The city of Grand Junction is the home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Start off your visit on the 31st (Tue): look for gifts at Enstrom's, stroll through Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, then do a tasting at Mesa Park Vineyards, then learn about winemaking at Colterris at the Overlook, and finally do a tasting at St Kathryn Cellars.

To see reviews, maps, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Grand Junction travel route planner.

Drive from Telluride to Grand Junction in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Telluride in May: high temperatures in Grand Junction hover around 73°F and lows are around 46°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) to allow time to travel back home.