6 Best Towns in The Rockies to Visit in 2024
When the mountains call, why not make it one of the best towns in the Rockies for a getaway to remember? Whitefish is a rustically charming town, like the best vacations back in the day. At the same time, Bozeman, its neighbor in Montana, lets travelers relive youth again with its hip cafes and an infectious spirit for the outdoors. Visit Breckenridge for top skiing thrills along Peak 9 and a real Victorian Neverland experience downtown. Nearby, Telluride offers an intimate skiing experience with the best views from its Box Canyon location!
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman, one of America’s coolest small towns in the majestic mountains of southwest Montana, is the northern entrance into the unreplicable Yellowstone National Park, just a short drive to its striking Gallatin Range. As a summer hub for hikers and fishing enthusiasts, it becomes a wintertime skiing destination at Bridger Bowl. Also home to Montana State University, this college town, with an infectious fever for the outdoors, prevails in youthful spirit and ways to unwind for students that tourists can readily jump into!
With something for every group's interest and personal tastes, the historic downtown district bursts with pleasures for the eyes and tastebuds, like hip eateries, boutiques, and art galleries under the ever-towering, ever-scenic Bridger Mountains! Even if folks are here just to kick back and enjoy the views, this authentic slice of the US Rockies, with a "mountain" of epic adventures, will be a highlight of any summer in 2024 at the nearby Lake Bozeman! Although a bigger town of just over 56,000, there is always something new and rocking, along with old favorites like the unmissable Museum of the Rockies!
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge, where adventure meets alpine charm at a mind-boggling 9,600 feet above sea level, is the perfect town to start a love affair with the Rockies, with its top-notch ski areas. Persistently ranked among the top mountain towns in the nation for skiers, the snowy season is often long and dependable. In contrast, Breckenridge provides slopes and terrain for every level of skier. From novices and family fun along Peak 9 to thrills for the advanced skiers on Peak 8, it truly lives up to its reputation as a winter sports hub in the state! Blending contemporary conveniences with beautiful architecture, visitors can browse Main Street between the well-preserved structures and museums, nodding at mining heritage.
But even the snowy paradise season is bound to end, which reveals a flourishing mountain playground for summertime outdoor enthusiasts. Dressing up its alpine scenery in just another stunning outfit, from the famous network of hiking trails to mountain bike paths, there's also the adrenaline-pumping Blue River to tame on a white-water raft or fly fishing rod! The charming Breckenridge Downtown is a distinguished historic landmark that sets it apart from other Colorado mountain towns, bursting with scenic beauty and cultural diversity, including events. As a thriving artistic community, poke in and out of various art galleries and catch an evening show or performance at the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Water enthusiasts rejoice in Glenwood Springs, a perfect small-town getaway year-round, with hot springs for soaking and a unique geological formation of the Hanging Lake. Visitors can access this real Colorado treasure, a rare example of a natural travertine, via a rocky 1.2-mile (1.9-kilometer) steep backcountry trail. More than rewarding, think before bringing children here, along the heart of Glenwood Canyon in the White River National with an elevation gain of 1200 feet (366 m) over a mile. This picture-perfect lake within the framing scenery, a National Natural Landmark, features an awe-inspiring, gentle waterfall!
Back downtown, visitors can heal their sore muscles in none other than the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool! Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park will tickle all senses, including its imposing troll carvings, open year-round with fun, rotating exhibits and attractions! Yampah Spa is a naturally-formed vapor cave with services built around its deep relaxation benefits, with average cave temperatures of 110–112 degrees for ten-minute exposures in between a cooling room. The top-rated Denver Hotel offers a modern and comfortable stay, just a six-minute stroll away from Glenwood Springs Hot Spring Pool so that you can fall into slumber for a do-over in the morning or a shopping spree!
Taos, New Mexico
Home to around 6,631 people, Taos, a town in the inspiring Sangre de Cristo Mountains, is a more spectacular New Mexico destination to experience the scenic southwestern charm at its finest! From the high-altitude streets with mountain views as your escort, the ten fourteeners around are most alluring to the adventurous types and the climbers! Find the 650-foot-long Rio Grande Gorge Bridge after a quick hike to cross over a breathtaking chasm 650 feet above the Rio Grande River—and then try and find a better photo than this! Attracting artists and free spirits, history fans enjoy the nearby family-friendly Taos Pueblo with a glimpse into the indigenous heritage of the community that has continuously been inhabited for over 1,000 years.
Both a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tourists can gawk and take courteous shots. Truly unlike any other town to visit in the Rockies, Taos is proud of its uniqueness, holding its charm close to heart with adorable adobe architecture, eclectic galleries, and authentic eateries. Start the day over locally roasted coffee along a quaint plaza and hop just north to the rugged Wheeler Peak Wilderness area. Carson National Forest embraces hiking trails, alpine lakes, and those towering peaks we mentioned at over 13,000 feet! San Francisco de Assisi Church, the area's last remaining Spanish church, is painter Georgia O’Keeffe's favorite, while Taos Ski Valley is only a thirty-minute drive from Taos or a free shuttle to the slopes.
Telluride, Colorado
Both a popular destination and a hidden gem in the state, Telluride is a fantastic town to visit in 2024, with all the best attractions and the prospect of low crowds! Nestled in a remote box canyon, the charming hamlet may take some effort to find, promising a sedated mountain getaway in some of the most pristinely beautiful landscapes! Tucked away at the foot of the Rockies, the towering peaks guard against any city vibes while framing your adventures through the outdoor splendor. Visitors can enjoy stunningly natural skiing and snowboarding areas with top-notch ski slopes for all levels in the winter.
Transforming into a summer playground still void of tourist kitsch, you can establish closer relationships with nature through hiking, mountain biking, and nature exposure like the nearby beautiful waterfalls, including the favorite trek to Bridal Veil Falls. Do not forget about the plein-air relaxation, like a peaceful stroll along the attractive downtown streets with vibrant Victorian architecture. Telluride is a perfect romantic gesture for couples with candle-lit dining, historical landmarks, and art galleries, while the renowned Telluride Film Festival is one of many annual events that liven up the town!
Whitefish, Montana
Whitefish, a homey, humble town of just under 9,000 locals in Montana, features a rustically hip downtown for a getaway to the mountains like it used to be! Retaining year-round small-town charm with something for everyone through shops, galleries, and restaurants. Accommodations include the fabulous Belton Chalet. It does not take long for one to discover just how much there is to do year-round outdoors, such as skiing fresh powder at Whitefish Mountain, hiking, and mountain biking, from backcountry treks to the dramatic mountain scenery!
Best for solitude seekers, this scenic, viciously underrated town will be a highlight of any group's Rocky Mountains escape this year in northwest Montana. The alpine community offers easy access to Glacier National Park for a Northern Lights fantasy and its expansive Whitefish Mountain Resort in winter! Located along the spectacular Whitefish Lake, it is a charming base camp for a summer trip to the surrounding mountains via many local trails to explore the nearby lakes against the soaring peaks.
When the mountain fever strikes, the over 3,000-kilometer-long range of the Rockies will take care of your group year-round. Craving adventure? Visit Bozeman. Culture? Taos will do the trick! In Glenwood Springs, hike to a hanging lake, relax in the hot springs or a spa, see some trolls, and enjoy shopping. There is still plenty of time for skiing this season, so choose a favorite vibe from the bustling Breckenridge to the quieter Telluride, Taos, or Whitefish and get packing!
