13 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.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Wed): mingle with the ghosts of the past at Holden Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: appreciate the history behind The John Denver Sanctuary and then take in the awesome beauty at Maroon Bells.

For reviews, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Aspen attractions planner.

Asheville to Aspen is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Asheville to Aspen is minus 2 hours. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Asheville in July since evenings lows in Aspen dip to 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) 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 14th (Sat): relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

To see photos and other tourist information, go to the Buena Vista route planning site .

You can drive from Aspen to Buena Vista in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In July, daily temperatures in Buena Vista can reach 79°F, while at night they dip to 49°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to travel to Canon City.

Part of Colorado's Royal Gorge Region, Cañon City straddles the Arkansas River.

On the 15th (Sun), take in breathtaking views at Royal Gorge Bridge and Park and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Canon City day trip website .

Traveling by combination of bus and car from Buena Vista to Canon City takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Buena Vista in July, expect Canon City to be somewhat warmer, temps between 94°F and 61°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) to allow time to 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.

Colorado Springs is known for nature, zoos & aquariums, museums, historic sites, and fun & games. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: explore the striking landscape at Garden of the Gods, admire all the interesting features of United States Air Force Academy, trek along Pikes Peak, and get your game on at Battlefield Colorado.

For ratings, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Colorado Springs online driving holiday planner .

Drive from Canon City to Colorado Springs in 1.5 hours. When traveling from Canon City in July, plan for little chillier days in Colorado Springs, with highs around 86°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) to allow time 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.

On the 19th (Thu), look for gifts at Kirk's Mountain Adventures Llc, take a memorable drive along Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, and then cruise along Trail Ridge Road. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Fri): explore the activities along Bear Lake and then trot along with a tour on horseback.

To see ratings, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Rocky Mountain National Park trip builder app .

You can drive from Colorado Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of flight, bus, and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) 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.

Denver is known for parks, museums, childrens museums, historic sites, and zoos & aquariums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: explore and take pictures at Coors Field, stop by Tattered Cover Book Store, get a new perspective on nature at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and meet the residents at Denver Zoo.

For photos, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Denver visit planning website .

You can drive from Rocky Mountain National Park to Denver in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, bus, and train. In July, daily temperatures in Denver can reach 87°F, while at night they dip to 60°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 23rd (Mon) to allow time for travel back home.