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.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Wed): take in the awesome beauty at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, then identify plant and animal life at North Cheyenne Canon Park, and then sample the tasty concoctions at Smiling Toad Brewery. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 10th (Thu): meet the residents at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, explore the activities along Manitou Springs Incline, and then join in the after-dark buzz at Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.

To find photos, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Colorado Springs trip itinerary maker website.

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. Traveling from New York City to Colorado Springs, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from New York City in December, plan for little chillier nights in Colorado Springs, with lows around 18°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Thu) to allow enough time 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.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Fri): take in the awesome beauty at Lookout Mountain, then have a few drinks at Barrels and Bottles Brewery, and then get outside with Mile High Drives. Here are some ideas for day two: get outside with Christy Sports Ski and Snowboard, then take in the awesome beauty at William F. Hayden Green Mountain Park, and then have fun and explore at Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities.

For maps, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Denver online holiday planner.

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 December, daily temperatures in Denver can reach 43°F, while at night they dip to 19°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) so you can 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.

On the 13th (Sun), try your luck at The Famous Bonanza Casino and then immerse yourself in nature at Flagstaff Mountain. On the 14th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: tee off at Eagle Trace Golf Club and then play a few rounds at Omni Interlocken Resort Golf Club.

To find photos, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read Boulder day trip planning tool.

Boulder is just a stone's throw from Denver. In December in Boulder, expect temperatures between 44°F during the day and 22°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Mon) early enough to drive 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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Tundra Communities Trail and Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead. Step out of the city life by going to Twin Sisters Peaks Trail and Flattop Mountain Trail. There's lots more to do: trek along Cub Lake Trail, see the interesting displays at Moraine Park Museum, and stroll through Lily Lake Trailhead.

For reviews, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read Rocky Mountain National Park trip planner.

Drive from Boulder to Rocky Mountain National Park in 1.5 hours. Traveling from Boulder in December, Rocky Mountain National Park is a bit cooler at night with lows of 17°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.