Planning Your Colorado Vacation - 5 Day Itinerary

If you're planning an extended vacation in Colorado, we suggest touring South Central Colorado where you can see mountains, valleys, cities and mountain towns. Our 5 day itinerary can help you make it all happen -- or simply take a little inspiration and make your own unique getaway!

Denver, Colorado’s state capitol, offers many activities and tourist-friendly destinations including sporting arenas, shopping districts, historical sites and museums.

• Sporting Arenas: Denver is home to four professional sports teams including the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies, the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche. If you're in town during the right season, be sure to check out a game while you're here.

• Shopping Districts: Denver is filled with great shopping districts. Most notably are Larimer Square for its long-standing historic appeal, Cherry Creek North for its upscale dining and boutiques, and most recently Denver Union Station for adding a fresh face (and plenty of shopping and dining) to the historic train station.

• Historical Sites: Many other historical sites can be found in Denver including Four Mile Historic Park where you can experience what it was like when settlers first stopped in Denver, complete with farm animals and activities for the kids. Other historical sites you can check out include the Molly Brown House or the Colorado State Capitol Building itself.

• Museums: There are a lot of things to learn in Denver and plenty of museums to help you learn it. Some of the most popular on the list include the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Downtown Aquarium.

Breckenridge is a popular destination in the winter because of the great ski slopes and other cold-themed activities, but warmer days give way to some awesome activities, too.

• Outdoor Activities: Outdoor activities abound in and around Breckenridge, including hiking, fly fishing, white water rafting, rock climbing, camping and horseback riding during the summer; and skiing, snowshoeing, sledding in the winter.

• Hot Air Balloon Rides: Take a look at Breckenridge and the Rocky Mountains from a bird's-eye view in a hot air balloon. These one-hour balloon rides will take you thousands of feet in the air and carry you two to ten miles away. Rides begin at $235 per person and are suitable for anyone between the ages of five and 80, as long as there are no health problems or pregnancies among passengers.

• Cannabis Education Classes: Beyond visiting dispensaries in Breckenridge, there is a whole cannabis experience to be had at Cultivating Spirits, a company dedicated to providing the most enlightening marijuana experience in the area. With packages ranging from food, wine and cannabis pairings; cannabis cooking classes and dispensary tours, you're sure to learn something new at Cultivating Spirits in Breckenridge.

Awe in the power of water and bask in the beauty of nature at the Royal Gorge and Canon City where you can go on adventures by day and relax with a glass of wine at night.

• Experience the Canyon: Having been carved by a flowing stream over approximately 3 million years, the Royal Gorge now measures a few hundred feet across and over 1,200 feet deep. Experience it for yourself by hiking, riding a train, or rafting down its center. Don’t forget to check out the Royal Gorge Bridge. As the highest suspension bridge in America, it just might take your breath away.

• Go Wine Tasting: The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey is an award-winning winery with gorgeous views. Many wine tastings are free of charge with a few reserve choices for $1 each. You can also have a private wine and cheese tour which includes samples of all wines and a selection of artisan cheeses.

Next, we suggest you head to Manitou Springs where you can summit mountains, plummet into canyons, and explore caves.

• Summit Pikes Peak: If you want to summit Pikes Peak in a day, you can either enjoy a leisurely drive or take the famous Pikes Peak Cog Railway. If you would rather head up on foot, get an early start on the Barr Trail, located southwest of Manitou, which is about 26 miles long round-trip. Be mindful in the summertime because afternoon thunderstorms are very common and encountering lightning while on the mountain can be extremely dangerous.

• Visit the Cave of the Winds: When you visit the Cave of the Winds, you will not only be able to journey deep into the earth on a cave tour, but will also get to fly high and fast on their zip line rides which launch down the canyon at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.

We’ll wrap up the trip in Colorado Springs, the second most populated city in Colorado. Here you will find many different things to do including shopping, sightseeing and family entertainment.

• Check out the Garden of the Gods: The Garden of the Gods, given its name because of the majestic rock formations within the park, offers many activities to fill your day. From dining, shopping and sightseeing to hiking, horseback riding and rock climbing, there’s something for everyone at the Garden of the Gods.

• Visit the United States Air force Academy: Go on a self-guided tour of the U.S. Air force Academy to see where young men and women are transformed into Air Force leaders. With any luck, you might even see a training session or two, so don’t forget to look up.

• Go Wild at the Cheyenne Zoo: The Cheyenne Zoo is a great place for the family. Featuring hundreds of different animal species (and even a few up-close encounters), rides and shows, people of all ages can find the fun at the Cheyenne Zoo.

Hope our five-day itinerary guide will help you get the most out of your Colorado vacation! What kind of things would you like to do on your next Colorado visit? Comment below or let us know on Facebook.

Photo Credit: David Blackley (license)