Colorado is famous for its ski slopes. Without a doubt, some of the finest powder to be had is within Colorado’s borders, but the state has so many other attractions to offer.

Colorado is a state of mind. You may notice it yourself as you walk the streets of its towns and cities: people here are generally happy, laid back, physically fit, and friendly. They tend to be very generous, with their time and their money. Is it because of all the hippies? All the outdoor sports?  The gorgeous scenery? What contributes to this attitude of happiness?  Some say it’s all three, and then some. You’ll find most cities and towns in Colorado welcoming to all lifestyles -- to families, couples without children, singles, gays and lesbians. They’re by and large a very non-judgmental state with a world view. Foreign tourists will enjoy the helpfulness of the locals as well.

A visit to Colorado will put you in touch with many nice people. But when you plan your vacation, what is it you actually want to see and do? Colorado is very diverse with regard to landscape type, topography, cultural attractions, weather, etc.  Here are some examples of activities. Which one suits you? Several may pique your interest.

* If you love whitewater, Colorado’s got it, for beginners on guided tours, to experts on their own. Decide what scenery you want when you’re there. If you want Rocky Mountain highs, try the Cache le Poudre near Fort Collins in the North. Southwestern Colorado, at Buena Vista, offers fabulous rapids and the most awesome mountain scenery in the state. There are many other options, but the point is, you have choices depending on what other things you’d like to do. See this for more info.

* History and prehistory are alive and well in Colorado. Here you can explore old mining and gambling towns, 1,000-year-old Anasazi cliff dwellings, and dinosaur fossils embedded in rock. Denver has some of the most beautiful examples of turn-of-the-century buildings in America. For those looking for the feel of the old west, Colorado can take you back in time. For those who want to learn more about the area before the arrival of the "white man", there are stories to be told.

* Film and music festivals abound in Colorado, and these celebrations are usually held outdoors, since the sun shines here over 300 days a year. At night you can see the stars while you enjoy a performance surrounded by gorgeous rock formations, a rushing river, or near a quiet meadow.

* You can never run out of recreation ideas in Colorado. There’s world-class skiing to be had, as well as miles and miles of US Forest Service trails for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, mountainbiking, etc. Campsites are plentiful, offering the ultimate outdoor sleeping arrangements. Birdwatching and wildlife viewing are very popular here so bring the binoculars. They’ve got moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, black bear, antelope and more. Working ranches and riding outfitters will get you and your family on horseback in no time. And for those who like playing nickel slots in an old-time casino, they’ve got that too, in Blackhawk and Cripple Creek. Hunters will find the landscape a treasure trove.

* Skiing is a given here, and much has already been written about places such as Aspen, Vail, Crested Butte, and Steamboat Springs.  Other smaller gems scatter the landscape. Glenwood Springs offers slopes that are perfect for beginners and families. Winter Park offers diverse runs and the opportunity to ride the Ski Train to your destination from Denver. Smaller resorts can have the advantage of lower lift ticket prices and fewer crowds around the hot tubs. You decide.

Recreation by region 

Anyone interested in visiting Colorado is this should first decide what it is you want to spend time doing. Then select a region of the state that offers these opportunites, as well as the scenery and level of remoteness you desire. Colorado can be very, very remote, or it can be pleasantly crowded. Decide which is best for you. Colorado is home to several National Parks and Monuments, as well as National Forests and National Wildlife Refuges, so an easy way to plan a visit is to select one of these public lands for your destination and then recreate in the area surrounding it. Some options:

* Rocky Mountain National Park (north-central part of the state): Trails from beginner to expert for hiking. Plentiful wildlife to view, especially elk and bighorn sheep. Camping, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting in nearby Fort Collins on the Cache la Poudre river. The quaint town of Estes Park offers shopping and dining, along with cabins, cottages and motels. Lots of US Forest Service camping. Close enough to Denver to drive in for a day spent shopping and dining in LoDo (lower downtown), visiting the museums or taking in a ball game. (Even if you are unable to walk a trail, have someone drive you along Trail Ridge Road, where you end up at the 11,000’ plus peak. It will reinvigorate you.)

* Dinosaur National Monument (northwest): This is a very remote location, but within easy driving distance to combine with a summer trip to Steamboat Springs for a dip in its famous hot springs, bicycling along the Yampa River, a brewfest or a summer concert. Camping is plentiful, without the crowds. The monument itself will intrigue dinosaur-lovers of all ages and interest levels. Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge offers up the chance to see many species of migratory birds and waterfowl, as well as antelope and deer. (Dinosaur is quite close to the Utah border, if you feel like slipping across the line for adventure there.)

* Mesa Verde National Park (southwest): A very popular park that spotlights the multistory pueblos that existed here. Lots to do regarding Anasazi culture. Combine a visit with a drive to the Four Corners, where four states (Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico) meet. Camping abounds as do opportunities for horseback riding and other outdoor recreation. You must visit Cortez and/or Durango while you’re here, to sip a microbrew, or a latte, and to just talk to the locals.

*Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument (Southwest): This is a less-visited area, perfect for those who want to beat the crowds. The Monument is starkly beautiful and the visitors center offers info on the history and geology of the region. Camping is plentiful. Combine a visit here with a whitewater trip in Buena Vista. Boating is also popular at Curecanti National Recreation Area. The town of Salida is a nice place to bunk, shop and dine.

* Royal Gorge (south-central): Though not a National Monument, it could be. It’s a world-famous geological landmark-- a 1000’ gorge into the Arkansas River. Combine a visit here with a night in Cripple Creek, enjoying the old west feel of this restored mining town. The town of Canon City is surrounded by public lands for recreation. The Arkansas River from Canon City to Salida offers some of the best whitewater in the country. Pay extra to rent a wet suit. The water is COLD!

* Great Sand Dunes National Park (south-central): The 700’ sand dunes here are the tallest in the US. Definitely a breathtaking and pleasantly remote destination. Camping is plentiful. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist nearby at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, famous for Sandhill Crane viewing in March. Combine this trip with a visit to the tiny town of Walden, moose-viewing capital of Colorado. If you're lucky, you might end up in Walden pitching horseshoes with cowboys at a local saloon. My those boys are polite!

* Colorado National Monument (southwest): Awe-inspiring red rock cliffs and formations in a less-traveled National site. Many scenic overlooks and picnic areas as you drive RimRock Drive. The town of Grand Junction offers shopping, dining and lodging, as well as cultural opportunities. Camping, hiking, boating, and cycling are very popular, as are the winery tours in the area. Hummingbird enthusiasts also favor this area. (Opportunities for great photography abound here. Be sure your tripod is set up well before sunset.)

* Cities offer great vacation opportunities. They can be where your plane lands and takes off, or where you simply start or end your official vacation by car. Boulder has hip shops, nightlife, and a decidely college feel. So does Fort Collins to the north, but with fewer people. Denver has major league sports teams, world-class museums and five-star dining and lodging. Cherry Creek in Denver is a famous destination for the ultimate in luxury shopping. Colorado Springs offers the same, on a slightly smaller scale, with the fabulous Garden of the Gods (a favorite park for rockclimbers) at its doorstep. Other cities to check out: Glenwood Springs (great cycling, a very nice public hot springs pool and close to Aspen),Trinidad (near the New Mexico border, stunning views of the mountains, hunting popular), and more. Colorado is full of surprises. And its cities offer up many of these. Don’t neglect the urban centers when you visit this beautiful state.

This may sound trite but unfortunately it’s true: When describing Colorado, it's easy to run out of adjectives -- gorgeous, beautiful, awe-inspiring, majestic, serene, remote, wild, jagged, exhilirating -- they all fit. Why not come to Colorado yourself and make up your own description? They’d love to have you. After all, what good is all that natural beauty if they can’t share it with others?