7 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.

On the 16th (Mon), identify plant and animal life at Dinosaur Ridge and then contemplate the long history of Denver Union Station. On your second day here, look and learn at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, admire the masterpieces at Denver Art Museum, then buy something for everyone on your list at 16th Street Mall, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Denver vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Charlotte to Denver is an approximately 6-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. You'll gain 2 hours traveling from Charlotte to Denver due to the time zone difference. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Charlotte in November: high temperatures in Denver hover around 54°F and lows are around 29°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Tue) 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.

Kick off your visit on the 18th (Wed): see exotic creatures in open habitats at Estes Park Guided Tours, see Off-Road Tours, then take a peaceful walk through Many Parks Curve Overlook, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Chapel on the Rock. Here are some ideas for day two: admire all the interesting features of Trail Ridge Road, explore the activities along Bear Lake, and then relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Estes Park holiday maker website.

Traveling by car from Denver to Estes Park takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. In November, daily temperatures in Estes Park can reach 57°F, while at night they dip to 27°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can go by car to Vail.

Originally built as a base for Vail Ski Resort, the town of Vail has blossomed into its own destination, but still has less than 6,000 permanent residents.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Fri): take a pleasant ride with Sage Outdoor Adventures, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Vail Interfaith Chapel, and then test your team's savvy at Frisco Escape Room.

For more things to do, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Vail visit planning site.

Traveling by car from Estes Park to Vail takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from Estes Park in November, expect nights in Vail to be a bit cooler, around 22°F, while days are much colder, around 34°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (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.

On the 21st (Sat), learn about all things military at National Museum of World War II Aviation, stroll around Garden of the Gods, and then wander the streets of Old Colorado City. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get in on the family fun at North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop and then take a memorable drive along Pikes Peak - America's Mountain.

To find photos, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Colorado Springs road trip tool.

You can drive from Vail to Colorado Springs in 3 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a bus. When traveling from Vail in November, plan for much hotter days in Colorado Springs, with highs around 55°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 27°F. On the 22nd (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.