Best 3 Day Itinerary for Colorado

With so much to do in Colorado and so little time to do it, it can be easy to overbook your stay. Fortunately with a little careful planning, you can have a Colorado vacation that's both memorable and enjoyable, without the stress that often accompanies a hectic schedule.

In an effort to help you plan your Colorado vacation, we've devised a tentative 3 day itinerary that you can tweak to fit your schedule and personal interests!

• Visit Larimer Square: Come see where it all began at Larimer Square, located between 14th and 15th street on Larimer Street. This historic landmark boasts numerous shops, restaurants and bars, and even hosts the occasional festival during the summer months. To find out what's happening in Larimer Square during your stay, or to learn about the history of the area, visit their website.

  Don't forget to visit the Tattered Cover Bookstore while you're in the neighborhood. This multi-level, independently-owned bookstore has become one of the most popular in the area, featuring wall-to-wall books, magazines, greeting cards and gifts, plus a café and coffee shop on the main floor.

• Check out the 16th Street Mall: Positioned on 16th Street in Denver between Wewatta Street and Broadway, the 16th Street Mall has become quite a popular destination. Featuring the historic Daniels & Fisher Clock Tower turned cabaret plus numerous restaurants, shops and clubs (and even a few painted pianos), Denver's 16th Street Mall is a pedestrian-friendly shopping district with loads of charm.

  Getting hungry? Then check out the Mellow Mushroom. This independently-owned pizza place offers a wide variety of unique, vegan-friendly (or not) pizza sauces and toppings including my personal favorite, the Kosmic Karma. All pizzas are hand-tossed right in front of you then baked in a stone-heated oven. If you're into people-watching, their heated patio is a great place to do this, too.

• Finish up on Colfax Avenue: At the south end of the 16th Street Mall, you'll find a popular stretch of road called Colfax Avenue. Colfax is filled with food, bars and some of the best music venues in the area including the Paramount, Ogden theater and the Fillmore Auditorium.

  If you like to drink or play video games, then the 1 Up could be right up your alley. This arcade-style bar is located just across the street from The Fillmore and features multiple pinball machines and arcade games, affordable drinks and occasional live musical performances to boot. And, because Sports Authority Field is only a 10-minute drive away, the 1 Up works as a great pre- or post-game activity during football season.

Boulder is a charming town filled with lively culture, award-winning micro brews and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you'd like to spend the day shopping, hiking or sightseeing, you'll find it all and more in Boulder, Colorado.

• Visit Pearl Street Mall: One of the most popular areas to visit in Boulder, Pearl Street Mall is home to many locally-owned businesses and breweries. The stretch of pedestrian-friendly land between 11th and 15th street on Pearl Street also features vendors, activities for the kids and amazing street performers during the summer months. While you’re here, be sure to check out Helping Hands which has been named Boulder's best dispensary for both 2013 and 2014.

• Go on a hike: Positioned at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, Boulder is home to many great hiking trails. Whether you'd like to scale the top of Flagstaff Mountain or enjoy a leisurely walk around Coot Lake, you can find a hike that fits your pace and desired distance.

• Check out Boulder Theatre: The Boulder Theatre began as an opera house in the early 1900's and has since been transformed into a majestic music hall featuring live musical performances, ballets and movie screenings. Located at 2032 14th Street, the Boulder Theatre is a great place to watch a show while taking in a bit of history.

Fort Collins is a mid-sized college town that always seems to be bustling with an active and lively culture. Located just over an hour away from Denver, Fort Collins is a great place to visit for the day or stay for a lifetime.

• Ride the Rapids: If you're ready for a little more excitement than simply strolling down a busy business district, then why not go white water rafting? No matter what your experience level, if you have a desire to ride the popular Rapids, you'll be able to find several thrilling options in Fort Collins.

• Go on a tour: No need to be your own tour guide anymore. Fort Collins features a ton of tour options to help you relax while you learn about the area. Most notably are the Magic Bus Tours, which will guide you on foot, bus, limousine or on a Flintstones bike on a variety of different tours, including history, food production, craft brews and forbidden culture.

• Play disc golf: A game of disc golf can be a great way to spend time outdoors. The rules are similar to traditional "ball golf" (except for the difference in equipment and golf course size) which makes it easy to learn and fun to master. Some of the most popular courses in the area include one at Edora Park and another at Cache La Poudre Junior High School.

Just because you’ve only got a few days to spend in Colorado doesn’t mean you have to limit your activities. In just three days, you can play, explore, shop and dine at some of Colorado’s most popular tourist destinations.

Will you be visiting Colorado any time soon? Tell us what you hope to do while you’re here. Comment below or let us know on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Rex Brown (license)