First-Timer’s Guides

First-Timer’s Guide: Manitou Springs

This tiny town at the base of Pikes Peak has fun for the whole family.

By Kassondra Cloos

First-Timer’s Guide: Winter Park

A quick jaunt over Berthoud Pass leads to this fun-loving, outdoor paradise in Grand County—and offers a merciful early exit from I-70 traffic.

By Katie Hearsum

First-Timer’s Guide: Loveland

Trade a visit to Fort Collins for a tour of this up-and-coming northern Colorado town.

By Mary Clare Fischer

First-Timer’s Guide: Salt Lake City, Utah

This mountainside city has more to offer than proximity to the slopes. (Hint: Come hungry.)

By Haley Gray

First-Timer’s Guide: Zion National Park

One of Utah's five national parks, this Southwestern gem is brimming with adventure.

By Jerilyn Forsythe

Day Trip: Georgetown

Discover historic Georgetown’s wealth of old-school charm this holiday season.

By Mary Clare Fischer

First-Timer’s Guide: Morrison

The best way to spend a Saturday this fall? Exploring this charming, pint-sized town.

By Jerilyn Forsythe

First-Timer’s Guide: Albuquerque, New Mexico

For stunning high desert, craft breweries, and world-class art, drive south.

By Haley Gray

First-Timer’s Guide: Gunnison

If you blast through this funky ranching town on your way to Crested Butte, you're missing out.

By Kasey Cordell

First-Timer’s Guide: Black Hawk & Central City

These former gold rush towns are known for their casinos, but there are other stops to explore.

By Daliah Singer

First-Timer’s Guide: Evergreen

Come to this mountain enclave for the outdoor recreation, but stay for the friendly community vibe.

By Erin Skarda

First-Timer’s Guide: Buena Vista

This quaint town offers the best of Colorado—outdoor adventures, tasty restaurants, boozy sips—all with beautiful views.

By Daliah Singer

First-Timer’s Guide: Durango

Though this southwestern Colorado town is heavy on Old West charm, its restaurants, craft beer scene, and outdoor recreation options bring it firmly into the 21st century.

By Jessica LaRusso

First-Timer’s Guide: Rockies Spring Training

A week in Arizona might be the best escape Colorado baseball fans have in March.

By Lindsey B. King

First-Timer’s Guide: Fort Collins

Located just over an hour from Denver, this mid-size college town offers an ideal mix of outdoor recreation, casual dining and drinking, and activities for day and night.

By Callie Sumlin

First-Timer’s Guide: Vail

Ditch your car and don your winter wear. Lionshead-Vail Village is a skier's—and pedestrian's—paradise.

By Jerilyn Forsythe

First-Timer’s Guide: Carbondale

Sitting at the base of Mt. Sopris and at the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers, this mountain town is made for enjoying every kind of high-country thrill.

By Daliah Singer

First-Timer’s Guide: Moab, Utah

We unearth the small-town charms in this high-desert destination.

By Sarah Boyum

First-Timer’s Guide: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Just six hours from the Mile High City, this international art destination feels a world away. A few ideas to inspire your next three-day-weekend romantic getaway.

By Jessica LaRusso

First-Timer’s Guide: Paonia

With the state’s largest concentration of organic and sustainable growers, petite Paonia is a hotbed of fresh farm-to-table food—and wine. Here, a few suggestions for making the most of your visit to this scenic and friendly Western Slope town.

By Terri Cook

First-Timer’s Guide: Grand Lake

This idyllic mountain hamlet, with its come-as-you-are watering holes, wealth of recreational activities, and legendary hikes, provides the quintessential Colorado summer vacation.

By Mary Clare Fischer

First-Timer’s Guide: Palisade

From July through September, Colorado’s Grand Valley—with the town of Palisade located at its heart—is full of roadside fruit stands as well as eager agri-tourists. Here, a few suggestions for where to go, what to see, and how to best enjoy a visit to this stunning part of Colorado.

By Lindsey B. King

First-Timer’s Guide: Laramie, Wyoming

We're crossing the border to explore everything that the Gem City has to offer travel-obsessed Coloradans.

By Lindsey R. McKissick

First-Timer’s Guide: Telluride

From hiking and festivals to eating and drinking, here are even more reasons to love Colorado’s unofficial favorite destination.

By Natasha Gardner

First-Timer’s Guide: Golden

This outdoorsy town might be just a short drive from Denver, but it’s a world away from city life.

By Erin Skarda

First-Timer’s Guide: Estes Park

There’s something for everyone in this Rocky Mountain town, from outdoor adventures to delicious food and haunted hotels.

By Erin Skarda

First-Timer’s Guide: Steamboat Springs

We never tire of the ever-busy, all-season ski town.

By Jerilyn Forsythe

First-Timer’s Guide: Aspen

This luxury mountain getaway is a must-see in every season. Here are suggestions on living it up on your next visit, no matter your budget.

By Kasey Cordell

First-Timer’s Guide: Idaho Springs

Next time you're cruising west on I-70, make a pit stop in this historic mining town.

By Jerilyn Forsythe

First-Timer’s Guide: Breckenridge

A look inside the bustling ski town—one of our favorite mountain destinations.

By Daliah Singer