The Rocky Mountains offer guests more than a vivid portrait of the pristine wilderness. You'll find an abundance of free and entertaining tours and attractions that provide the perfect side trip for an active vacation day. Whether you enjoy the free wine or beer tasting, toffee testing or choosing your own toy dinosaur after touring an ancient fossil site there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Colorado.
Visit Colorado's Western Slope where you can sample fine wines at one of many wineries and watch wild horses roam near Grand Junction. Other free activities found in the Grand Junction area include gold panning and historic walks through the town. Indulge your sweet tooth by stopping in at Enstrom's Candies where they have made delicious toffee and other sweets since 1960.
Travel along the paths of Indians, pioneers and Pony Express riders on the South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway. Visitors will find sweeping scenery and more in northeastern and northwestern Colorado. In the northeast, near Julesburg you can explore the history of Native Americans, early pioneers, and the great Pony Express while on the South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway.
If you head west you can travel along the Pawnee Pioneer Trails Byway that is anchored by the towering Pawnee Buttes. Here you can hike, enjoy a picnic and admire the abundant wildlife around the buttes, which James Michener renamed Rattlesnake Buttes in Centennial, his novel about Colorado.
Rich learning experiences can be explored in throughout the scenic state of Colorado. Step back in time to the Colorado Gold Rush on a tour of the historic Brown Palace Hotel located at 321 17th Street in Denver can be reached at: 1-800-321-2599. Find politics in action on tour of the state capitol and visit the governor's mansion while in Denver.
For interactive exhibits, a Performers' Hall of Fame, and sweeping views of the Front Range travel about 15 miles west of Denver. Once there you will find Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, a world-famous geologic wonder and musical venue. Families will be thrilled and entertained by the astonishing site of fossils and 300 visible dinosaur tracks found just minutes away at Dinosaur Ridge.
Plan Your Trip To Colorado
For complete information on planning your vacation to Colorado, including lodging, attractions and activities, logon to www.colorado.com or call 800-Colorado for a free official state vacation guide.