Colorado is well known for the glitz of Aspen, the picturesque views of Telluride and the champagne powder snow of Steamboat, but popular resort destinations in the Centennial State can bring big crowds and big price tags.
Luckily, Colorado is packed with lesser-known destinations that still boast a charming mountain lifestyle and plenty of activities for visitors, from the Front Range corridor to the Western Slope. Read on for our guide to escaping Colorado’s crowded resort towns.
Colorado Springs
Best “big” city
Despite being home to nearly 500,000 people, Colorado Springs may be one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. The city features excellent access to the outdoors at parks such as North Cheyenne Cañon Park and Red Rock Canyon, both in the shadow of Pikes Peak. The popular U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum brings visitors inside the lives of the nation’s best athletes, and you can catch a show at the recently-built Ford Amphitheater.