11 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.

Aspen is known for nature, scenic drive, trails, adventure, and winter sports. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Maroon Bells, tour the pleasant surroundings at The John Denver Sanctuary, fly down the slopes at Aspen Snowmass, and hike along Maroon Lake Scenic Trail.

Use Inspirock's suggestions to plan your Aspen trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.

Nashville to Aspen is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and shuttle; or drive. Traveling from Nashville to Aspen, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Nashville in December, plan for slightly colder days and colder nights in Aspen: temperatures range from 35°F by day to 10°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Steamboat Springs.

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

Start off your visit on the 20th (Fri): take in the natural beauty of Strawberry Park Hot Springs, hit the slopes at Steamboat Ski Resort, and then stop by Off the Beaten Path Bookstore.

For more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Steamboat Springs trip planner.

You can drive from Aspen to Steamboat Springs in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or take a bus. When traveling from Aspen in December, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Steamboat Springs: temperatures range from 29°F by day to 9°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park presents an ideal setting for recreation in the mountain range for which the park is named.

On the 21st (Sat), explore the activities along Bear Lake, then take a memorable drive along Trail Ridge Road, and then take some stellar pictures from Farview Curve Overlook.

For maps, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Rocky Mountain National Park trip builder website .

Drive from Steamboat Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car; or do a combination of bus and car. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Steamboat Springs in December; daily highs in Rocky Mountain National Park reach 46°F and lows reach 17°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can go by car 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 22nd (Sun): see the sky in a new way at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Denver Zoo, and then view the masterpieces at Denver Botanic Gardens. On the next day, admire the masterpieces at Denver Art Museum, then take in the views from Denver Millennium Bridge, then see where the action happens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, and finally see where the action happens at Coors Field.

To see traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Denver route planning website .

You can drive from Rocky Mountain National Park to Denver in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 43°F in December, and nighttime lows around 19°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Mon) so you can catcht the bus 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.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Tue): explore and take pictures at Pike's Peak - America's Mountain, then examine the collection at Michael Garman Museum & Gallery, and then stroll around Garden of the Gods. On the 25th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: expand your understanding of the military at United States Air Force Academy, then look for gifts at Downtown Manitou Springs, then get to know the resident critters at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and finally get your game on at Battlefield Colorado.

For ratings, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read Colorado Springs trip itinerary planning tool .

Traveling by bus from Denver to Colorado Springs takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly. In December, daytime highs in Colorado Springs are 45°F, while nighttime lows are 18°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) to allow time to travel 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 26th (Thu): browse the exhibits of Toh-Atin Gallery and then take a memorable tour with Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum.

To find where to stay, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Durango trip maker app .

Fly from Colorado Springs to Durango in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and flight; or drive. In December, Durango is a bit cooler than Colorado Springs - with highs of 40°F and lows of 13°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Thu) to allow time for travel back home.