There are hundreds of lists of things to do in the USA or individual states like Colorado, but we’ve come up with one thing in every state plus D.C. in 21 different categories. Truly something for everyone, from historic places to foods you have to try, from the downright quirky to amazing museums, and from weird places to stay to fun things to do. Our primary criteria were we have or want to see them, and they are things you can physically visit or try.
A map showing the location of everything on our bucket list for the Centennial State can be found at the end of the post.
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HISTORIC PLACE: MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Photos by Doug Kerr | CC BY-SA 2.0
Spanish for Green Table, Mesa Verde survived for over 700 years as a home to the Ancestral Pueblo people. Abandoned over 700 years ago, it now offers the opportunity to explore the archaeological sites of these well-preserved cliff dwellings.
Read Reviews for Mesa Verde National Park | Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado 81330
FAMOUS PERSON: STEPHEN KING
The famous US author of horror, suspense and fantasy found inspiration to write his best-selling book the Shining from the Stanley Hotel. It even featured in the film and mini-series of the book.
Read Reviews of The Stanley Hotel | 333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, Colorado 80517
NATURAL WONDER: GRAND MESA
Photo by Michael | CC BY-ND 2.0
The largest flat-topped mountain in the world, Grand Mesa offers stunning vistas. With the top of the mesa at over 2 miles, you can expect crisp clean air whilst you explore this beautiful part of Colorado.
Read Reviews for Grand Mesa | Grand Mesa, Colorado
FOOD & DRINK: CHILE VERDE & IZZE
Photos by Nick Bastian | CC BY-ND 2.0 & Shardayyy Photography | CC BY 2.0
This Colorado take on a Mexican dish is made with pork rather than beef. Served with tortillas and rice, it makes for a delicious dish stew. Wash it down with Colorado’s own Izze, available in a selection of sparkling flavours.
FACTORY TOUR: UNITED STATES MINT
Come and see where they literally “make money”. The US Mint in Denver makes circulating coins as well as commemorative coins and collectors coins. See how the money is made from the original design of the coin, through turning raw metal into shiny new pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters.
Read Reviews of United States Mint | 320 W Colfax Ave, Denver, Colorado 80204
MAN-MADE: BISHOP CASTLE
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Michael Atwell
Bishop Castle was the project of Jim Bishop, who built this amazing three-storey castle single-handedly. Originally intended to be a cottage, it turned into a 40-year project that resulted in the incredible building that now stands just outside Pueblo, Colorado.
Read Reviews for Bishop Castle | 12705 CO-165, Rye, Colorado 81069
RECORD-BREAKING: ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE
The highest bridge in the world when built, it held the record from 1929 to 2001!. With the main span covering 828 ft (268m) and the drop to the Arkansas River below measuring 955 ft (291m), it might not be the record holder any longer, but it is still mightily impressive.
Read Reviews of Royal Gorge Bridge and Park | 4218 Co Rd 3A, Cañon City, Colorado 81212
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
QUIRKY RECORD: WORLD’S LARGEST BEETLE
Nicknamed “Herkimer”, the world’s largest beetle is a scarily huge landmark for the May Natural History Museum. Housing over 7,000 species of insects, though thankfully none anywhere near the size of “Herkimer”, it is the world’s largest private insect collection.
Read Reviews of May Natural History Museum of the Tropics | 9080 CO-115, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80926
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ACTIVITY: TRY SANDBOARDING
Kind of like snowboarding, but on sand! Just one of the activities you can enjoy at Great Sand Dunes National Park. The park covers 132 sq. miles (343 km2) and has a diverse landscape that includes wetlands, grasslands, conifer forests and lakes, as well as the giant sand dunes.
Read Reviews of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Mosca, Colorado 81146
ATLAS OBSCURA: CONEY ISLAND HOTDOG STAND
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Patricia Henschen
Despite not having ever been anywhere near Coney Island, this quirky hot-dog stand has been around since 1966. Originally intended to be a chain of themed restaurants, it has now been called “the best example of roadside architecture in Colorado”.
10 Old Stagecoach Rd POB 973, Bailey, Colorado 80421
MOST VISITED: ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
For over 100 years, Rocky Mountain National Park has preserved this beautiful part of Colorado. The continental divide runs right through the middle of the park, signifying where water runs towards either the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. In 1976 the park was designated as UNESCO world heritage site as one of the first World Biosphere Reserves.
Read Reviews for Rocky Mountain National Park
STATE/NATIONAL PARK: GARDEN OF THE GODS
With incredible rock formations and stunning scenery, it’s no surprise that Rufus Cable decided that this place was fit for God’s to assemble. From hiking to rock climbing, biking to jeep tours, there is plenty to do to keep you occupied in this gorgeous park.
Read Reviews for Garden of the Gods | 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904
EVENT: STEAMBOAT WINTER SPRINGS CARNIVAL
Photo reproduced with kind permission of John McArthur
Originally started as a way to break-up the deep winter, Steamboat Springs now hosts one of the oldest winter carnivals in the world. Ski racing, jumping and dog-sledding down the main street are just some of the activities you can expect to enjoy.
Read Reviews of Steamboat Springs | Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487
DIFFERENT PLACE TO STAY: INDIANA JONES BED & BREAKFAST
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Indiana Jones B&B
This was Indy’s childhood house in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade but is now an Indy themed bed and breakfast. Just down the street is the Cumbres and Toltec scenic railroad which is also featured in the film.
Read Reviews for Indiana Jones B&B | 502 Front St, Antonito, Colorado 81120
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
DIFFERENT PLACE TO EAT: THE AIRPLANE RESTAURANT
Photo by Simon Morris | CC BY-ND 2.0
You won’t be going anywhere, and hopefully, the food will be better than that which is normally served on planes! This quirky restaurant is positioned in an old US Air Force KC-97 tanker from 1953.
Read Reviews of The Airplane Restaurant | 1665 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80916
HAVE SOME FUN: DURANGO & SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD
This 3 foot, narrow-gauge railroad takes passengers from, funnily enough, Durango and Silverton! The 45 mile (72km) ride travels through beautiful scenery as it follows the Animas river almost all the way.
Read Reviews of Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum | 479 Main Ave, Durango, Colorado 81301
FILM LOCATION: OURAY COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Photo by Ken Lund | CC BY-SA 2.0
The courtroom of Ouray Country Courthouse was used in the John Wayne film True Grit. It includes the staircase that Mattie chased Rooster on.
541 4th St, Ouray, Colorado 81427
FUN FACT
The 13th step of the state capital building in Denver is exactly 1 mile high above sea level.
Read Reviews of Colorado State Capitol | 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, Colorado 80203
SOMETHING DIFFERENT: PETRIFIED WOOD GAS STATION
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Mike Fitzpatrick
Petrified wood, is wood that has turned to stone. So this gas station isn’t “wooden” in the sense we know it. It’s made from petrified wood that’s over 175 million years old!
Read Reviews of Petrified Wood Gas Station | 100-198 Sherman St, Lamar, Colorado 81052
MUSEUM: DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE
Photo by lightwrite | CC BY-SA 2.0
With over a million objects in its collections, plan to be here a while if you want to see them all! With permanent exhibitions covering Egypt to gems and minerals and Native American cultures to Space, along with temporary exhibitions covering a range of topics, there should be something for everyone.
Read Reviews for Denver Museum of Nature & Science | 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80205
SCENIC DRIVE: PIKES PEAK
This 19 mile scenic drive to the top of Pikes Peak ascends to 14,000 ft (4,200m), so be prepared for the thinner air at the summit. But it’s worth it to experience the ever-improving views as you climb nearer the summit.
Don’t miss Bottomless pit, a seemingly endless drop into an abyss.
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
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RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR TRIP TO COLORADO
To book flights, rental cars, accommodations, and activities for your trip, please check out our recommended travel providers, favourite apps and websites.
These are a few tours we would recommend for your trip to Colorado, USA.
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