5 days in Colorado Itinerary

5 days in Colorado Itinerary

Created using Inspirock Colorado trip itinerary planner

©
Plan created by another user. Make it yours
Start: Chicago
Fly
1
Estes Park
— 1 night
Drive
2
Glenwood Springs
— 1 night
Drive
3
Buena Vista
— 1 night
Drive
4
Colorado Springs
— 1 night
Fly
End: Chicago
Sat, Aug 1 - Wed, Aug 5 Edit
S M T W T F S
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
See full calendar

1
night
Estes Park

Trail Ridge Road ©
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.
For other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Estes Park online sightseeing planner.

Chicago to Estes Park is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Chicago to Estes Park due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Chicago in August, plan for a bit warmer days in Estes Park, with highs around 89°F, while nights are slightly colder with lows around 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Sun) early enough to drive to Glenwood Springs.

Things to do in Estes Park

Outdoors · Tours · Scenic Drive · Wildlife

Side Trip

Rocky Mountain National Park
Highlights from your trip
Trail Ridge Road ©
Must see
Trail Ridge Road
4.9
©
Must see
Off-Road Tours
4.8
Many Parks Curve Overlook ©
Valley
Many Parks Curve Overlook
4.7
See timeline
See Colorado Travel Guide

1
night
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 3rd (Mon), stroll through Hanging Lake Trail, then boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa, and then get interesting insight from Tours.

For traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read Glenwood Springs trip itinerary site.

Traveling by car from Estes Park to Glenwood Springs takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Expect much colder weather when traveling from Estes Park in August: highs in Glenwood Springs hover around 64°F, while lows dip to 47°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Mon) so you can go by car to Buena Vista.

Things to do in Glenwood Springs

Outdoors · Spas · Parks · Tours
Highlights from your trip
©
River Rafting / Tubing
River Rafting & Tubing
4.8
©
Thermal Spa
Thermal Spas
4.0
Hanging Lake Trail ©
Hiking Trail
Hanging Lake Trail
4.7
See timeline

1
night
Buena Vista

©
The Town of Buena Vista is a Statutory Town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. Kick off your visit on the 4th (Tue): get interesting insight from Tours and then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour.

To see ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Buena Vista visit planner.

Drive from Glenwood Springs to Buena Vista in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car. When traveling from Glenwood Springs in August, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Buena Vista: temperatures range from 77°F by day to 47°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Tue) so you can go by car to Colorado Springs.

Things to do in Buena Vista

Outdoors · Tours · Adventure
Highlights from your trip
©
Must see
Off-Road Tours
5.0
©
Must see
River Rafting & Tubing
4.9
See timeline

1
night
Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods ©
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.
On the 5th (Wed), learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, then walk around Garden of the Gods, and then find something for the whole family at North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Colorado Springs sightseeing website.

Drive from Buena Vista to Colorado Springs in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Buena Vista in August: high temperatures in Colorado Springs hover around 83°F and lows are around 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel back home.

Things to do in Colorado Springs

Parks · Zoos & Aquariums · Theme Parks

Side Trip

North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop
Highlights from your trip
Garden of the Gods ©
Must see
Garden of the Gods
4.8
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo ©
Must see
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4.7
North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop ©
Theme Park
North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop
4.4
See timeline

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See also:

Colorado travel guide

4.4
River Rafting & Tubing · Parks · Scenic Drive
The Centennial State
Home to diverse natural ecosystems, Colorado boasts numerous ski resorts, vineyards, canyons, fossil-rich national parks, rugged natural trails, and picturesque scenic drives. Arguably the greatest of Colorado's many natural wonders is Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in the North American Rockies. The state's natural beauty inspired the opening lyrics of the song "America the Beautiful." Aside from its abundant unspoiled wilderness, Colorado also offers many urban attractions, including award-winning restaurants and nationally praised microbreweries. With an extensive system of highways and railroads, the state provides visitors on vacation with a chance to explore this largely untamed part of the country by car or train.