18 days in Boulder, Manitou Springs & Austin Itinerary

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 29th (Wed), relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas and then take in the dramatic natural features at Flatirons. Here are some ideas for day two: admire the sheer force of Calypso Cascades, admire the sheer force of Ouzel Falls, and then brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Spirit Hound Distillery.

To see photos, ratings, maps, and tourist information, go to the Boulder driving holiday planner.

New Orleans to Boulder is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from New Orleans to Boulder due to the time zone difference. Plan for much colder nights when traveling from New Orleans in June since evenings lows in Boulder dip to 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Manitou Springs.

Manitou Springs' main street was once a trail that led directly to the base of Pike's Peak.

Explore hidden gems such as Manitou Springs Incline and Barr Trail to Pikes Peak. Change things up with these side-trips from Manitou Springs: Cañon City (Royal Gorge Anglers & River Rafting & Tubing). The adventure continues: admire all the interesting features of Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, get outside with Adventures Out West, and find something for the whole family at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park.

For photos, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Manitou Springs trip planner.

Traveling by car from Boulder to Manitou Springs takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Boulder in July: high temperatures in Manitou Springs hover around 82°F and lows are around 54°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly to Austin.

Despite its laid-back college vibe, Austin is an influential center for politics, technology, film, and music.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Climbing Tours and Town Lake. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Austin: New Braunfels (Comal River & Landa Park), Hamilton Pool Preserve (in Dripping Springs) and National Museum of the Pacific War (in Fredericksburg). The adventure continues: glide peacefully along the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, make a trip to HOPE Outdoor Gallery, tour the pleasant surroundings at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and get a sense of history and politics at Texas State Capitol.

To plan Austin vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.

Traveling by flight from Manitou Springs to Austin takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Manitou Springs to Austin, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Manitou Springs in July: highs in Austin hover around 98°F, while lows dip to 75°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly back home.