5 days in Colorado Itinerary

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.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Wed): get to know the resident critters at Denver Zoo and then see the sky in a new way at Denver Museum of Nature & Science. On the 24th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate the long history of Molly Brown House Museum, then admire the natural beauty at Denver Botanic Gardens, then explore the world behind art at Denver Art Museum, and finally observe the fascinating underwater world at Downtown Aquarium.

To find photos, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read Denver trip maker site.

New York City to Denver is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from New York City to Denver. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from New York City in December: high temperatures in Denver hover around 43°F and lows are around 19°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Thu) early enough to drive to Estes Park.

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.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Fri): take a memorable tour with Tours, take an exotic tour of Estes Park Guided Tours, and then relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

To find ratings, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Estes Park online road trip planner.

Drive from Denver to Estes Park in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 46°F in December, and nighttime lows around 17°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) to allow enough 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.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Sat): find something for the whole family at North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop, stroll around Garden of the Gods, then brush up on your military savvy at National Museum of World War II Aviation, and finally get a new perspective on nature at Expanding Minds Unlimited - The Colorado Springs Children's Museum.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, use the Colorado Springs trip builder tool.

You can drive from Estes Park to Colorado Springs in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or fly. December in Colorado Springs sees daily highs of 45°F and lows of 18°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Sun) to allow time for travel back home.