Mile High Fun 
“Not to see Elitch’s is not to see Denver.” That sign on the giant Ferris wheel greets guests as they enter the Elitch Gardens theme park in downtown Denver, which, in 2010, is marking its 120-year anniversary. The slogan may have been more relevant when Elitch Gardens was in its heyday in north Denver, located … Read more
Lions and tigers and bears – plus wolves, bobcats, coyotes and other large carnivores – call the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, home. The sanctuary, 30 miles northeast of Denver, provides 320 acres of grassland habitat and shelters to more than 200 animals rescued from horrible living conditions around the world. Visitors can see … Read more
At 7,700 feet of altitude and inside a river basin, Gunnison, Colorado is a well-endowed setting for summer fun and high adventure. Check out Gunnison for iconic outdoor Rocky Mountain activities like rafting and fly fishing, or try something new and brave the rapids by surf board, “duckie,” or stand-up paddle. Gunnison is so into … Read more
The tidy city of Loveland is known for its sculpture shows every August. But, make no mistake, this city serves up art year-round — on the streets, in the parks and at the Loveland Museum/Gallery in the heart of downtown. To get a taste of this artful little town about 50 miles north of Denver … Read more
Colorful Colorado just seems to be built for family camping because it’s packed with magnificent scenery, fascinating history and superb outdoor adventure. Of all the great places where our family has camped in the U.S. and Canada, we rank Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado as our all-time favorite. For several days at Morefield … Read more
Nestled in the charming town of Fort Collins lies a boutique gourmet wine shop called The Cellar. I went to their popular wine tasting event they host every Saturday and, needless to say, I was not disappointed. This charming boutique wine cellar opened in August 2011, and is stocked with over 500 unique wines from … Read more
Keystone is one of Colorado’s many premier ski locations. Cradled amongst the vistas of the Continental Divide and steeped in thousands of acres of wilderness, Keystone makes for the perfect location for Colorado vacation skiers, snowboarders, and outdoor enthusiasts. With powdery slopes, lakes, and rivers nearby, this ski town provides activities to take part in … Read more
Driving to a strip mall and clumping my clothes into a corner of the massage room isn’t really my idea of a spa experience. So I am a bit uneasy about visiting a hotel spa located in a business park. As it turns out, the Spa at the Inverness includes none of the drab styling … Read more
In an alpine meadow carpeted with lush grasses, newborn white-spotted elk frolic under the watchful eyes of their mothers. Travelers edge their cars onto the shoulder of Trail Ridge Road, opening their windows to gaze at the endearing wildlife “nursery.” Around another bend, snow-mantled Never Summer Range scrapes the sky. Such wondrous sites unfold as … Read more
As summertime comes to Colorado, so does the onslaught of outdoor enthusiasts. But you don’t have to leave the Denver area to find adventure. Golden, just west of Denver, offers a variety of free activities year-round that are especially fun during the summer months. So for those who like to keep things under budget and … Read more