12 days in Colorado Itinerary

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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Estes Park: Rocky Mountain National Park (Milner Pass, Trail Ridge Road, &more). There's still lots to do: see Off-Road Tours, admire the verdant scenery at Many Parks Curve Overlook, trek along Emerald Lake Trail, and see exotic creatures in open habitats at Estes Park Guided Tours.

For other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Estes Park online vacation planner.

New York City to Estes Park is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from New York City to Estes Park. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from New York City in August since evenings lows in Estes Park dip to 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) 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.

On the 27th (Thu), browse the exhibits of Molly Brown House Museum, take in the awesome beauty at Mount Evans, and then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour. On your second day here, look and learn at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, push the limits with The EDGE Ziplines & Adventures, and then admire the natural beauty at Denver Botanic Gardens.

To see where to stay, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Denver online road trip planner.

You can drive from Estes Park to Denver in 1.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of taxi and bus. In August in Denver, expect temperatures between 85°F during the day and 58°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can drive 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.

Get out of town with these interesting Colorado Springs side-trips: Canon City (Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours, River Rafting & Tubing, &more). There's lots more to do: walk around Garden of the Gods, expand your understanding of the military at United States Air Force Academy, take in the exciting artwork at Commonwheel Artists Co-op, and find something for the whole family at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park.

To find photos, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Colorado Springs online journey planner.

Getting from Denver to Colorado Springs by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of train and flight. In August in Colorado Springs, expect temperatures between 83°F during the day and 56°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to go by car to Buena Vista.

The Town of Buena Vista is a Statutory Town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. Kick off your visit on the 1st (Tue): see Off-Road Tours, take a pleasant ride with Mt Princeton Riding Stables & Equestrian Center, and then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find maps, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Buena Vista attractions planner.

You can drive from Colorado Springs to Buena Vista in 2.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Colorado Springs in August, with highs in Buena Vista at 77°F and lows at 47°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Tue) to allow enough time to drive 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 2nd (Wed), take in the awesome beauty at Maroon Bells. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu): trek along Hanging Lake Trail, test the waters at a local thermal spa, and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

For where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Glenwood Springs trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Buena Vista to Glenwood Springs takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and bus. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Buena Vista in September: highs in Glenwood Springs hover around 59°F, while lows dip to 42°F. On the 4th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.