First-Timer’s Guides

First-Timer’s Guide: Dillon

You've likely considered Dillon a pass-through on the way to mountain towns with more name recognition. But it's time to give this small Summit County enclave its due.

By Daliah Singer

First-Timer’s Guide: Leadville

Located at the base of Colorado’s two tallest fourteeners, America’s highest incorporated city is home to a colorful downtown packed with history and outdoor adventure.

By Kirsten Dobroth

First-Timer’s Guide: Casper, Wyoming

More than a pitstop en route to Jackson Hole or Yellowstone, this central Wyoming town is full of charm, suds, and adventure.

By Katie Hearsum

How to Enjoy Aspen on a Budget

There's more to Aspen than caviar crepes and bluetooth gondolas. Here's how the 99 percent can enjoy the world-renowned ski town.

By Katie Hearsum

Why Santa Fe Should Be Your Winter Road-Trip Destination

Discover the off-season allure of our artistic southwestern neighbor.

By Shauna Farnell

First-Timer’s Guide: Georgetown

We know you’re in a hurry to get to the mountains come Saturday morning. But instead of zooming past, take exit 228 for Georgetown, a quaint and historic mountain town with a lot to offer.

By Victoria Carodine

First-Timer’s Guide: Silverthorne

If you’ve been treating Silverthorne as a mere outlet-mall shopping destination or a quick rest-stop on the way to Vail or Breckenridge, it’s time to take another look.

By Angela Ufheil

A Visitor’s Guide to Dinosaur National Monument

Visit the real Jurassic Park at this homage to dinosaurs—including more than 1,500 150-million-year-old fossils—near the border of Utah and Colorado.

By Bess Vanrenen

First-Timer’s Guide: Louisville

Head to the playful and charming town of Louisville for the simple pleasure of a walkable downtown with plenty of shops, restaurants and, of course, easy access to the Rockies.

By Victoria Carodine

First-Timer’s Guide: Creede

This remote town might seem like just a blip on the map, but Creede is at the epicenter of some of Colorado’s most spectacular outdoor recreation and scenery.

By Katie Hearsum

A First-Timer’s Guide to Enjoying Summer in Crested Butte

A perennial favorite of powder hounds, this charming town in Gunnison County is also a bucket-list destination during the warmer months.

By Tyra Sutak

First-Timer’s Guide: South Lake Tahoe, California

It's always a good time to visit this snow- and sun-kissed city in the Sierra Nevadas.

By Tyra Sutak

First-Timer’s Guide: Lyons, Colorado

One of Colorado’s best kept adventure town secrets is just a short drive from Denver.

By Tyra Sutak

First-Timer’s Guide: Reno, Nevada

Now that DIA offers direct flights to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, we've discovered there's more to the western Nevada locale than its proximity to Lake Tahoe.

By Katie Hearsum

First-Timer’s Guide: Fruita, Colorado

Don't overlook this high-desert town on the Colorado River, which has world-class mountain biking trails and a funky downtown.

By Katie Klingsporn

First-Timer’s Guide: Silverton, Colorado

This mountain town is rich in history, big on adventure, and appealingly rough around the edges.

By Katie Klingsporn

First-Timer’s Guide: Ouray

The “Switzerland of America” boasts incredible box canyon views, a cozy wintertime feel, and a seemingly endless list of outdoor activities.

By Tyra Sutak

First-Timer’s Guide: Beaver Creek

Keep traveling west on I-70—past Frisco, past Vail—and you'll be rewarded with spacious terrain and upscale offerings, no matter the season.

By Daliah Singer

First-Timer’s Guide: Los Alamos, New Mexico

This bizarro New Mexico town offers its visitors a macabre bit of American history, family-friendly skiing, and top-notch breakfast burritos.

By Heather Mundt

First-Timer’s Guide: Nederland

This tiny town tucked into the Rocky Mountains is not to be overlooked.

By Haley Gray

Why the Ten-Hour Drive to Northern Arizona is Totally Worth It

Fall is a perfect time to explore this stunningly beautiful part of the Grand Canyon State.

By Haley Gray

First-Timer’s Guide: White Sands National Monument and Alamogordo, New Mexico

Explore the natural anomaly of White Sands National Monument, which offers a striking mix of white sands and clear blue skies, as well as the quirky neighboring town of Alamogordo.

By Haley Gray