8 Ideal Colorado Destinations For A 3-Day Weekend In 2024
Bustling metropolises like Denver put Colorado on the map as one of America's most popular travel destinations, attracting millions annually. However, beyond the major cities lies an equally vibrant landscape of adorable small towns just waiting to be explored. With only a long weekend to immerse in the Centennial State's riches, finding the ideal spot for a quick retreat out of so many can be daunting.
To get you started, these ideal Colorado destinations present the perfect setting for a three-day retreat in 2024. From mountain villages and desert oases to historic towns and natural wonders, this diverse collection of towns ensures fun and adventure around every corner. By focusing on these underrated areas, you can look forward to a rich and stimulating experience off the beaten path.
Steamboat Springs
An outdoor lover's dream come true, Steamboat Springs welcomes tourists for an adventurous weekend across its rich natural scenery. This Yampa Valley gem is famous for its hot springs, which provide healing natural therapy in toasty waters from the ground. Visitors can take a therapeutic dip at the Old Town Hot Springs. This fine recreation center features eight spring-fed pools with amenities like waterslides. Outdoorsy travelers are spoiled for choice in Steamboat Springs, but many choose to test their hiking endurance along the 7.5-mile Yampa River Core Trail.
In addition to the alluring outdoors, the town invites indoor enthusiasts to explore its rich heritage at the Tread of Pioneers Museum. This exciting facility houses a vast collection of artifacts and archives documenting Steamboat Springs' origins, starting from the pioneer days. Meanwhile, the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas promise guests a luxurious night stay to rejuvenate.
Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs offers a quieter and more rural escape from the chaotic scenery of neighboring Colorado Springs. This little alpine gem delights visitors with its spellbinding natural landscapes punctuated by the majestic Pikes Peak. Adventurers have much to explore in the vast open spaces in Manitou Springs, starting with Manitou Cliff Dwellings. This iconic site offers a hint of prehistoric life in the town with a series of cliffside structures made by Native American tribes. Hiking to Rainbow Falls introduces a wonderful scene of a stunning waterfall against the backdrop of dramatic red rock formations.
Visitors will fancy uncovering the town's best-kept secrets at the Manitou Springs Heritage Center & Museum. A broad collection of artifacts inside provides a detailed look into the history and culture of Manitou Springs. Guests don't have to look far to find accommodation in this bustling resort city, with the Cliff House at Pikes Peak offering a cozy lodging experience.
Durango
This delightful southeastern Colorado community close to the New Mexico border has a curious railroad history and a walkable downtown that you can lazily explore to discover Durango's colorful heritage. The Durango Welcome Center makes for a worthwhile first stop downtown, providing travelers with all the information they need to create the perfect weekend itinerary. Animas Museum is a noteworthy point of interest, where you can learn about Durango's history by browsing diverse exhibits inside a well-preserved 1900s city school.
Durango offers multiple outback trails for adventurers craving to discover its sprawling outdoors. Past visitors claim the Colorado Trail among the best in town, stretching 485 miles of picturesque vistas and accommodating to hikers, bikers, and horse riders. Finally, booking a room at the Strater Hotel places you in the heart of downtown and close to all the action in Durango.
Salida
Tourist traffic through Salida persists around the year as travelers from across the state visit to experience its four-season attractions. This scenic mountain river has the Arkansas River passing through its downtown, and touring the Arkansas Headwater Recreation Area offers access to fun adventures like kayaking and whitewater rafting. Tourists interested in Salida's background can find insightful information at the Salida Museum. The venue preserves and exhibits rare artifacts on the town's past and the surrounding region.
Salida excites arts enthusiasts with something to look forward to at the Salida Steam Plant Theater. Locals and visitors gather in this pleasant venue to watch live theatrical performances and movie screenings. Surrounding the building is a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden that adds to the experience. While there are multiple hotels in Salida, the Great Western Colorado Lodge is a fantastic option that won't break the bank.
Telluride
Telluride's claim to fame might be its powdery skiing slopes, but the small town retains its vibrancy throughout the year. Thanks to its Victorian mining heritage, this town has plenty to offer visitors outside the cold season. Strolling through the quaint downtown district, you will come across the Telluride Historical Museum. Inside this fine facility is a diverse collection of artifacts across ten themed rooms documenting the town's past. Telluride boasts picturesque natural landscapes punctuated by panoramic vistas of the Rocky Mountains. Outdoor hikes are popular among visitors, and you can join in the fun by hiking the Jud Wiebe Memorial Trail.
While immersed in the great outdoors, use that opportunity to discover its natural wonders, especially the Bridal Veil Falls. These iconic cascades fall 356 feet over dramatic cliff faces to present an extraordinary sight. After a tedious day outdoors, relax and rejuvenate in the cozy sanctuaries of the New Sheridan Hotel.
Ouray
If you fancy secluded getaways that offer a new meaning to "alone time," Ouray is one of the ideal Colorado destinations to visit. This former mining town is home to less than 1,000 residents, providing you with free rein to discover its mountainous outdoors. There is much to see in the open spaces, but you can start by venturing into Cascade Falls Park. This lush oasis offers excellent hiking opportunities and entices adventurers with a series of awe-inspiring waterfalls. Many tourists visit Ouray to experience the healing waters of its hot springs, which you can also try at Ouray Hot Springs Pool.
When you have had enough of Ouray's outdoors, the Ouray County Museum breaks the monotony with an exciting trip into the town's captivating past. Afterward, you can enjoy a cozy night's sleep at the Ouray Hotel.
Silverton
Picturesque alpine slopes, scenic byways, and jagged peaks just about define the rich outdoor scenery in this bustling mining town. Silverton is a gateway to Colorado's pristine wilderness, flanked by the majestic San Juan and Rocky Mountains. One of the best ways to take in the scenery is to get behind the wheel and drive along the Million Dollar Highway, ranked among the most beautiful routes in the country. But if you want to get up close to nature, you can book an adventurous tour and get lost in Silverton's wilderness courtesy of Rock Pirates Backcountry Adventures.
Tourists can also relive the town's mining heydays with the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour. This rare experience takes you underground into the defunct mines, with a resourceful guide narrating their historical background. There are several B&Bs where you can spend the night in Silverton, including the Bent Elbow Hotel.
Victor
Victor harbors a rich mining heritage and saw a barrage of speculators descend upon the town when gold was discovered in the late 1800s. Strolling through the town’s well-preserved downtown feels like stepping into a time capsule. The region houses several historical markers to remind you of the peak days, including the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum. Most of the exhibits in this quaint museum highlight the mining era. More mining heritage awaits discovery at Victor's Gold Camp. Here, guests will encounter the techniques and tools used during the Gold Rush days.
A trip to Victor isn't complete without posing for a photo next to Rita the Rock Planter. This quirky attraction features a larger-than-life sculpture made from recycled wood, "Rita the Troll." When it's time to call it a day, consider spending a comfortable night at the Victor Hotel.
Final Thought
From the towering peaks of the Rockies to scenic alpine valleys, these ideal Colorado destinations are the right stops for fulfilling weekends on any budget or schedule. Authentic and uncrowded, exploring main streets, museums, recreation areas, and sensational scenery in these thriving yet undiscovered gems promises a refreshing escape from city life. Whether hiking, soaking, shopping, or simply relaxing in pastoral settings, a quick trip immersed in small-town charm along any highlighted routes guarantees lifetime memories from just a few days in the Centennial State.
