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.

On the 10th (Sun), look and learn at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, make a trip to 16th Street Mall, and then get curious at Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center. Keep things going the next day: contemplate the long history of Union Station and then contemplate the long history of Dinosaur Ridge.

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

Chicago to Denver is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Chicago to Denver. Traveling from Chicago in June, plan for slightly colder nights in Denver, with lows around 55°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 11th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Boulder.

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is a busy college town known for its progressive values and natural resource conservation.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Mon): indulge your thirst for a good beer at Boulder Beer Company.

To find photos, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Boulder day trip site .

Drive from Denver to Boulder in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In June, daily temperatures in Boulder can reach 83°F, while at night they dip to 56°F. You'll have a few hours on the 12th (Tue) to wrap things up before traveling 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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Images of Rocky Mountain National Park and Holzwarth Historic Site. Get outdoors at Trail Ridge Road and Alluvial Fan. There's much more to do: explore the activities along Sprague Lake, look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, get your game on at Tiny Town Miniature Golf, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Cub Lake Trail.

For maps, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Estes Park attractions planner.

Getting from Boulder to Estes Park by car takes about an hour. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi. In June in Estes Park, expect temperatures between 87°F during the day and 54°F at night. You'll have a few hours on the 15th (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling home.