9 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.

Bring the kids along to Mount Evans and Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Change things up with a short trip to Summit Lake Park in Idaho Springs (about 1h 25 min away). Next up on the itinerary: see the sky in a new way at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, get to know the resident critters at Denver Zoo, take in nature's colorful creations at Denver Botanic Gardens, and contemplate the long history of Denver Union Station.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Denver tour planning app.

Lubbock to Denver is an approximately 9.5-hour car ride. You can also fly; or drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Mountain Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. In July, Denver is little chillier than Lubbock - with highs of 87°F and lows of 60°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) early enough 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.

Kids will enjoy Garden of the Gods and United States Air Force Academy. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Colorado Springs: Canon City (The Abbey Events Complex, River Rafting & Tubing, &more). There's still lots to do: learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, admire the masterpieces at Michael Garman Museum & Gallery, find something for the whole family at North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop, and stop by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Colorado Springs using our trip planner.

Getting from Denver to Colorado Springs by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of train and flight. In July in Colorado Springs, expect temperatures between 86°F during the day and 58°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Buena Vista.

The Town of Buena Vista is a Statutory Town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. Start off your visit on the 24th (Fri): get interesting insight from Tours and then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

For more things to do, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Buena Vista trip itinerary builder site.

Getting from Colorado Springs to Buena Vista by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Colorado Springs in July, with highs in Buena Vista at 80°F and lows at 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can 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.

On the 25th (Sat), take in the exciting artwork at Images of Rocky Mountain National Park and then trot along with a tour on horseback.

For traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, use the Estes Park online day trip planner.

Getting from Buena Vista to Estes Park by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Buena Vista in July, with highs in Estes Park at 91°F and lows at 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 25th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.