8 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.

Your list of things to see and do now includes 16th Street Mall, Molly Brown House Museum, Denver Art Museum, and other attractions. Start off your visit on the 29th (Sat): take an in-depth tour of Golden History Museum & Park, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Denver Zoo, then admire the masterpieces at Denver Art Museum, then contemplate the long history of Molly Brown House Museum, and finally browse the different shops at 16th Street Mall.

To see traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Denver trip app.

Durham to Denver is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also fly; or drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Durham to Denver, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Durham in August, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Denver, with lows of 58°F. You will leave for Estes Park on the 30th (Sun).

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.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Bear Lake. Start off your visit on the 30th (Sun): admire all the interesting features of Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, then take in the dramatic scenery at Alberta Falls, then explore the activities along Bear Lake, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Flattop Mountain Trail.

To see other places to visit, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Estes Park trip itinerary tool.

You can drive from Denver to Estes Park in 1.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In August in Estes Park, expect temperatures between 89°F during the day and 56°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Sun) early enough to go by car to 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.

To see ratings, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read Glenwood Springs vacation planner.

Drive from Estes Park to Glenwood Springs in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly; or do a combination of taxi and bus. While traveling from Estes Park, expect much colder days and little chillier nights in Glenwood Springs, ranging from highs of 64°F to lows of 47°F. On the 31st (Mon), you'll travel to Aspen.

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.

For ratings, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Aspen road trip planner.

You can drive from Glenwood Springs to Aspen in an hour. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Glenwood Springs in August, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Aspen: temperatures range from 77°F by day to 46°F at night. You will leave for Buena Vista on the 31st (Mon).

The Town of Buena Vista is a Statutory Town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. On the 31st (Mon), see Off-Road Tours and then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour.

For maps, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Buena Vista trip builder app.

You can drive from Aspen to Buena Vista in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 77°F, and evening lows to 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) 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.

For reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Colorado Springs holiday maker app.

You can drive from Buena Vista to Colorado Springs in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Buena Vista in August, with highs in Colorado Springs at 83°F and lows at 56°F. On the 1st (Tue), you'll travel to Durango.

Originally a frontier mining town, Durango is known today for its scenic setting, outdoor activities, and the 1880s steam-powered railway that takes visitors through sections of the mountains where roads don't reach.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Durango: Mesa Verde National Park (Nordenskiold #16 Trail, Long House, &more). There's lots more to do: see Off-Road Tours, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, take a peaceful walk through San Juan National Forest, and grab your bike and head to The Colorado Trail.

For reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Durango trip app.

Traveling by car from Colorado Springs to Durango takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder evenings in Durango when traveling from Colorado Springs in September, with lows around 44°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can travel back home.