12 days in Colorado Itinerary

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.

Colorado Springs is known for parks, zoos & aquariums, and nature. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: walk around Garden of the Gods, get to know the resident critters at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, take a memorable drive along Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, and pause for some photo ops at Will Rogers Memorial Shrine of the Sun.

For photos, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, read our Colorado Springs trip app.

New York City to Colorado Springs is an approximately 9.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train and bus. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to Mountain Standard Time is minus 2 hours. Traveling from New York City in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Colorado Springs, with lows of 39°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Boulder.

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is a busy college town known for its progressive values and natural resource conservation.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Mon): explore the landscape on two wheels at Valmont Bike Park, stroll around Colorado Chautauqua: Park, and then don't miss a visit to Pearl Street Mall. On your second day here, catch some excitement at Colorado Railroad Museum and then cool off at Water World.

To find other places to visit, reviews, photos, and tourist information, go to the Boulder trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Colorado Springs to Boulder in 2 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or fly. In October, daily temperatures in Boulder can reach 66°F, while at night they dip to 41°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) 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 7th (Wed): look for gifts at Honeyville, then delve into the lush surroundings at San Juan National Forest, and then take a memorable tour with Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum. On the 8th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Historic Downtown Durango and then explore the ancient world of Balcony House.

For maps, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Durango trip planning app.

Fly from Boulder to Durango in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Boulder in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Durango, with lows of 32°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Cortez.

As the closest town to a national park known for its archeological dwellings, Cortez sits along ancient trails that native Puebloan tribes have used for millennia.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Fri): explore the ancient world of Cliff Palace.

To find reviews, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Cortez journey planner.

You can drive from Durango to Cortez in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. In October, daytime highs in Cortez are 69°F, while nighttime lows are 34°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 10th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel 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.

On the 11th (Sun), see Canyon Bikes and then test the waters at Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: trek along Hanging Lake Trail and then get in on the family fun at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

For reviews, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, read Glenwood Springs travel route planner.

You can drive from Cortez to Glenwood Springs in 5 hours. Traveling from Cortez in October, you will find days in Glenwood Springs are colder (47°F), and nights are about the same (32°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Mon) so you can travel back home.