If you plan on flying to Colorado, Denver International Airport (DEN) and Colorado Springs Airport (COS) are serviced by all of the major airlines. Even if you fly into an airport, you should consider renting a car to travel one of Colorado's 25 scenic highways and byways. Visitors who choose to drive from out of state will most likely enter Colorado from one of its two major interstates. Interstate 70 runs east and west across the state while Interstate 25 runs north and south.
Colorado's rich history remains one of the biggest draws for travel and vacations in Colorado. Prior to statehood in 1876, Colorado was initially settled by Pueblo Indians and home to Plains Indians such as the Arapaho and Cheyenne. Spanish explorers made their mark in the 1500s, followed by the French in the mid-1800s. The Pike's Peak Gold Rush, which was the discovery of gold in what is now Denver, fueled Colorado's population and also created some of America's worst conflicts between European settlers and Native Americans. As you travel around the state, visit one of its many historical sites and museums such as Fort Garland, Fort Vasquez or El Pueblo History Museum.
Take your pick of hotels in and around the big cities of Colorado. You will find major hotel chains such as Hilton (hilton.com) and Marriott (marriott.com) as well as small independent hotels and motels. If you are planning a resort vacation to Colorado, there is no shortage of mountain resorts like the St. Regis in Aspen (stregisaspen.com). You can also stay at a dude ranch like the Elk Mountain Dude Ranch (elkmtn.com) in Buena Vista. Colorado also offers historic inns and bed and breakfasts. Adventure travelers who prefer to camp can find hundreds of campgrounds and RV parks throughout the state.
Colorado is most famous for its world-class ski mountains such as Vail, Breckenridge and Aspen. However, Colorado offers many more exciting activities for visitors. You can go hiking or mountain climbing at one of Colorado's four national parks or almost 50 state parks. Sportsmen can go hunting or fishing in one of Colorado's 8,000 rivers or over 2,000 lakes. If you don't prefer outdoor activities, you will find art and entertainment in Denver, which houses the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and other smaller theaters.
