When I first started as a Travel Physical Therapist it was a dream of mine to one day have a contract in Colorado. I had heard through the grapevine that obtaining a contract in Colorado would be quite difficult for a new grad. Luck must have been on my side because a short 6 months later I signed a 3-month contract on the front range of Colorado in Longmont. Although the time spent there was short, I had a blast getting to explore Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Springs, and other surrounding Colorado towns.
I’ve had 10 travel physical therapy contracts up until this point and Colorado is the only state that I have gone back to for a second time. This just goes to show that Colorado has so much to offer! I’ve lived through summer, fall, and winter in Colorado and each season has its unique qualities that make Colorado one of the best states to visit year-round! Check out Colorado: The Western Slope for more fun adventures west of the state.
THE FRONT RANGE
The front range of Colorado is home to many great towns, such as Boulder, Denver, Longmont, Golden, and Fort Collins. Each town is unique and offers a wide variety of fun activities, tasty restaurants, and delicious breweries. With only spending three months in Longmont for a physical therapy contract we didn’t get to explore all the hidden gems of each town, however, the places we did visit I would highly recommend and would 100% visit again!
BOULDER
One of our favorite towns on the front range is Boulder, Colorado. One reason is that the town sits at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, providing you with beautiful views all day long. Another reason we love this town so much is because it’s filled will epic hiking trails, biking trails, outdoor activities, great restaurants and breweries, and a lively crowd.
Boulder is home to the University of Colorado Boulder. I would highly recommend taking a tour of the university’s campus to visit the Museum of Natural History, the Fiske Planetarium, and the Sommers-Bausch Observatory. You could also attend a concert or one of the many sporting events the university hosts. Go Buffaloes!
If you’re just driving through Boulder, then I would highly recommend going downtown to Pearl Street. Pearl Street is a pedestrian street only and features tons of clothing boutiques, tourist shops, one-of-a-kind stores, and many great restaurants. If it’s a little crowded or wait times at restaurants are longer than you would like try escaping the crowd and going to Gondolier Italian Eatery or The Hungry Toad for dinner. Both are delicious!
Now let’s talk hiking! There are numerous hiking trails in Boulder, CO and we would’ve needed to stay a lot longer than three months to even make a dent in them. But the ones we did do we loved!
Comment below if you have any favorite hiking trails in the area!
DENVER
I know Denver is a hot spot for a lot of tourists, and I’m sure the city is home to dozens of quality restaurants and bars, beautiful parks, fun activities, and more. However, we tend to stay away from larger cities. We like to get out of the traffic and into the mountains. So, unfortunately, I don’t have many recommendations for Denver.
However, just outside of Denver, in Morrison sits Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater which I’m sure most of you are familiar with. A great area for concerts, hiking, biking, yoga, meditation, and exploring. If you’re looking for an easy trail to complete with beautiful views, and an up-close look at the Red Rocks check out Red Rocks Trading Post Trail. A 1.5-mile loop with an elevation gain of 357 ft. If you’re lucky maybe you’ll even see some wildlife!
LONGMONT
My physical therapy contract was located on the front range in Longmont, CO. I worked at a skilled nursing facility, Peaks Care Center. We didn’t have the RV just yet so we lived in an extended stay hotel, Residence Inn by Marriott. There are so many great perks of living in a hotel and you can read all about them in our blog post “TRAVEL THERAPY HOUSING PROS & CONS”.
One great benefit of living in that hotel was we were just minutes away from great restaurants! Some of our favorites were Oscar Blues, The Post Chicken & Beer, Flavor of India, Rosalee’s Pizzeria, & on Sunday mornings always Winchell’s doughnuts!
Throughout Colorado, you will find an overload of microbreweries and Longmont was no exception. Check out a few of our favorites!
Besides eating and drinking our way through Longmont we did enjoy walking the trails at Roosevelt Park, McIntosh Lake, and the Rabbit Mountain Open Space. We also loved going to the climbing gym, Climbing Collective. Here you can not only rock climb, you can workout, attend yoga classes, and there’s even a program for the kids.
FORT COLLINS
Fort Collins is one of the Northernmost larger towns on the front range. Similar to many of the other towns already mentioned, it’s full of great restaurants, and breweries, and has the energy of a college town being home to the Colorado State University Rams.
Fort Collins is also home to two fan-favorite breweries in the U.S., Odell Brewing Company and SweetWater Brewery Company, both of which are within walking distance from one another in Fort Collins, CO.
HIKING
Being the hikers we are, my favorite part about visiting Fort Collins was heading just West of the city towards the mountains to the Horsetooth Reservoir. This is a man-made reservoir where you can drive around the rim with many places to park for a hike, scenic picnic, a quick swim in the Summer, or a place to paddleboard/kayak or fish. Looking for a great camping spot? Post up at Horsetooth Reservoir South Bay Campground for the night for a waterfront campsite!
Now for my favorite place in Fort Collins, which is Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. Here you can hop on one of multiple trails to see Horsetooth Falls or head straight to the star of the show, Horsetooth Rock. We hiked the South Ridge and Horsetooth Rock trail to the top of Horsetooth Rock. This is a 4.9-mile out-and-back trail with a 1391 ft elevation gain, which provides BREATHTAKING 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding area. If you have the extra time, I would extend the hike and connect to the Horsetooth Falls Trails making for a 6-mile 1600 ft elevation gain loop trail. This way you can see all that Horsetooth Mountain open space has to offer all in one go!
GOLDEN
Another one of our favorite towns on the front range was Golden, CO. I’d say this place is aptly named because when I think of Golden, CO, I think of the miles of golden native grass at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains which always brings me fond memories. With more incredible hiking trails and unique places to visit, Golden is a town you must visit!
HIKING TRAILS
For an incredible view of the city of Golden and the beautiful Rocky Mountain backdrop, you should hike South Table Mountain. Unfortunately, at this time, the trail is closed for restoration but the Olivine Trail loop, a 1.5 mile 367 ft elevation loop trail, still provides a similar view of the city as well as a close-up view of the rocky peak of South Table Mountain.
For a less popular hike in Golden try Huntsman Gulch Trail. An out-and-back trail that is 1.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 659 ft. On this hike, you will see incredible views of the surrounding mountains and the windy road that bends and curves throughout it.
FUN ACTIVITIES
Not into hiking? No problem. Visit the Coors Brewery for a tour of the facility and samples of the coldest Coors beer. Tickets are $20/adult, $10/child, $10/active military or veteran. Obviously must be 21+ to enjoy the samples. If you don’t want to participate in the tour, you can always visit their lounge for $10 to enjoy the three samples they have on hand. Be sure to visit their website for more information regarding parking, shuttles, and reservations.
Some other fun activities to do in Golden would be to participate in their annual Goldens in Golden festival where hundreds of Golden Retrievers and their owners flood the streets of Golden. There’s golden merchandise, pup cups, and meet and greets! What’s not to love about that?! You could also visit the Colorado Railroad Museum, golf at Fossil Trace Golf Club, or go whitewater tubing on Clear Creek.
Golden is such a fun and beautiful place to visit on the front range that no matter what you pick it’s bound to be a great time!
COLORADO SPRINGS
Colorado Springs is a town that a lot of people are familiar with. It’s perfect for a tourist because there are so many different avenues to explore. We’ve been a handful of times now and each time was fun, unique, and educational. Whether you’re looking for the perfect hike, the perfect drink, or the perfect adventure, Colorado Springs is bound to have it!
GARDEN OF THE GODS
If you’re going to visit Colorado Springs, then you must visit the Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods is an iconic park that is spread out over 480 acres. This park was passed down through the generations and gifted to the city of Colorado Springs with the understanding that it would be forever FREE to the public. HOW INCREDIBLY GENEROUS! Because of this, roughly 370,000 people visit the Garden of the Gods each year to take in the beautiful red rock landscape that is home only to nature and that which protects said nature.
PARKING
Getting to the Garden of the Gods is quite easy, however, parking can be difficult. There are parking lots spread throughout the park but depending on what season you visit will determine how fast the lots fill up. If you’re worried about parking, you can always hop on the free shuttle (seasonal) which runs every 15 minutes and stops at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, Central Garden, Historic Rock Ledge Entrance, and the overflow parking lot.
FUN ACTIVITIES
Exploring the Garden of the Gods will never be boring with the number of fun activities this park has available to the public. Whether you want to explore the park on a segway, bike, safari truck, jeep, or horse, there’s a tour for you! You can also rock climb as long as you access a permit or book a climbing excursion. Another fun activity and one that we sadly didn’t do is book an adventure challenge. Basically, an escape room, but outside and built for ages 8-adult. A fun experience for the whole family! And lastly, our favorite activity, hiking.
HIKING IN THE GARDEN OF THE GODS
With over 400 acres of land, there are bound to be great hiking trails! And we managed to find a few.
Most of the trails are going to be pretty easy near the main attractions. And most of the time you will be able to drive up to or hike a short distance to the popular interest points, such as Balanced Rock, Kissing Camels, and Pulpit Rock. Garden of the Gods is a great park to explore on foot and admire the beautiful surroundings!
*Fun Fact: my brother proposed to his wife here!
GLEN EYRIE CASTLE
Located just 10 minutes down the road from Garden of the Gods sits Glen Eyrie Castle. A perfect and romantic destination for those who want to get away but feel the presence of God & nature. This castle was built in 1871 by the founder of Colorado Springs, William Jackson Palmer. Today, you can tour the castle, enjoy afternoon tea, hike the property, and stay the night. We did just that!
LODGING
You can choose to stay at either the Castle itself, the Premier Lodges, or the Standard Lodges. Because we booked last minute we settled for a room at the Standard Lodge. No matter what room you choose, you still get to enjoy breakfast for two in the Castle Dining Room.
TOURS
If you only have time for a day visit, don’t worry! You can still explore the perks of Glen Eyrie Castle. Book a tour, Daily Castle Tours, Educational Castle Tours, or for the holidays, the Christmas Castle Tour. The daily castle tour is only $12/person and runs twice a day Monday-Sunday. Learn about the history of Colorado Springs, and the architecture of the Castle, and enjoy the beautiful views of the Garden of the Gods.
EXPLORING
Exploring the grounds of Glen Eyrie Castle was our favorite part. But to do so, you need to have reservations. Whether that’s a booked tour, an overnight stay, or simply afternoon tea. There are hiking trails all over but can only be accessed with one of those reservations. Personally, I think it’s worth it. These are trails that not everyone has access to, making them hidden gems. And they’re good too! Beautiful views, amazing rock formations, and trails off the beaten path are exactly what make visiting Glen Eyrie Castle a trip to remember!
MANITOU INCLINE
If you’re looking for a challenging hike on your vacation completing the Manitou Incline is where it’s at. Technically located in Manitou Springs, “The Incline” is a 4-mile loop trail with an elevation gain of 1,978 ft. What makes this hike interesting is that it’s all stairs on the way up. The trail used to be a Cog railway and now it’s a test of fitness. Can you climb 2,744 steps over the length of 1 mile? It’s challenging, but it’s worth it!
As you’re climbing the steps only get steeper, and shallower, making it even more difficult to climb. There are three bail-out points if you feel you can’t complete the hike. However, once you get to the top of the mountain you will have breathtaking views of Colorado Springs. It’s then your choice on how you want to proceed down. I suggest you take the long way, with never-ending switchbacks down the mountain for 3 miles. If you want to wreck your knees and quads maybe you choose to hike back down the stairs…but that’s a no for me.
To hike the Incline is a great achievement and one I highly suggest you try if able. To get there you will need reservations. They are free but this way they’re able to spread people out more evenly. Once securing the hiking reservation you will need to pay for parking in a specific lot. I suggest the Hiawatha Gardens parking lot. You can pay at a kiosk upon arrival and then board the next shuttle which will drop you off at the Incline trailhead.
PIKES PEAK
Pikes Peak is one of the most visited mountains in the world due to its incredible accessibility. Hence why it’s been coined “America’s Mountain”. To get to the 14,115 ft summit, you can hike or bike, both of which are a treacherous climb to the top. For an easier experience, you can also take the (newly renovated) Pikes Peak Cog Railway or you can drive yourself to the summit.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway operates all year round. The round trip starts at “The Depot” in Manitou Springs and is about three hours in total. This includes one hour up, 40 minutes at the Summit, and 1 hour 10 minutes back down to the Depot. So arriving 30 minutes ahead of time means it’s about a four-hour experience.
Rates depend on the age of the passenger, the type of seat you decide to purchase, and whether you’re booking ahead of time online or at the ticket window the day of. Rates can be found here. Options for tickets include standard admission for any seat on the train, advanced reserved seating, or Engineer’s view admission, where you can ride next to the Engineer in the front of the train! Book your tickets for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway today!
DRIVING
If you have a vehicle and want to save some money, I’d recommend driving the 19-mile paved Pikes Peak Highway to the summit of Pikes Peak. This road offers views of lakes, mountains, wildlife, and the surrounding area, ultimately leading to the summit of Pikes Peak. Plan for the round-trip drive to the summit to take at least 2-3 hours.
Like the Cog Railway, this road is open year-round, of course with weather permitting. Conditions change frequently, so it is recommended to call the pre-recorded information line. The staff updates the info approximately 15 minutes before opening and then as conditions change throughout the day. Call 719-385-7325 and select option 1 for current road conditions.
**Fair warning!** The drive to the top is not for the faint of heart as it has many winding switchbacks along the mountainside with steep drop-offs, with little comfort being provided by the small guard rails that are very seldom present in places along the drive.
SUMMIT VISITOR CENTER
No matter how you get to the top, the views at the top are SO worth it! At the top of the 14,115 ft summit is, the Summit Visitor Center, which was recently renovated and re-opened in 2021. The visitor center has multiple viewing terraces of the surrounding area, engaging interpretive exhibits that share the history of the mountain, a revamped gift shop, and indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Don’t forget to get a world-famous Pikes Peak donut, the only donut made at 14,000 ft+ elevation, made with special, high-altitude ingredients. Be sure to eat these donuts at the top of the mountain, as the change in altitude will change the texture of the donut.
PAINT MINES
Located less than one hour from Colorado Springs in Calhan is the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. If you’ve ever visited and enjoyed the Artists Palette at Death Valley or Petrified Forest National Park, then you will LOVE the Paint Mines. This park sits on ~750 acres of land and has evidence that’s shown to be 9,000 years old! Paint Mines is open year-round and is FREE to the public. However, no pets, horses, animals, or drones are allowed in the park. And besides hiking there isn’t much to do. BUT the Paint Mines is a beautiful park and one I highly suggest you explore. The colors are amazing, the rock formations are unique, and the trails will lead you to small slot canyons and more!
THE ROYAL GORGE
If you’re already visiting Colorado Springs, drive one hour Southwest to Canon City and visit The Royal Gorge. An iconic spot for locals and tourists. The Royal Gorge much like the Grand Canyon, was formed through years and years of sediment washing through the Arkansas River creating a valley almost 1,000 ft deep. Today, you can experience the Royal Gorge in exciting and adventurous ways!
ADVENTURES
One of the main attractions is the Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge, also known as “America’s Bridge”. If heights don’t scare you, walking 1,260 feet across 1,257 wooden planks will be nothing for you! To complete this trek, you do not need to have reservations. You can purchase tickets online which are valid for up to one year. Tickets cost $27/person and include the Suspension Bridge, the Gondola Ride, and the Childrens Playground. You can also book exciting adventures like The Cloudscraper Zipline, The Royal Rush Skycoaster, and The Via Ferrata.
ROYAL GORGE RAILROAD
If these are all a little too ambitious for you, hop aboard the Royal Gorge Railroad for a unique ride-and-dine experience. A perfect way to see the Royal Gorge, but from a safe and low perspective. The ride & dine experience will last on average ~2 hours. There are multiple riding experiences to choose from. Unless you’re looking for a romantic date night dinner idea, I would highly suggest booking a morning or afternoon trip. One reason the train ride is so fun is because of the views!
To choose your experience you have to decide if you want breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Then choose where you would like to be seated on the train. Coach, first-class, deluxe, Vista Dome, or maybe right alongside the engineer. After you choose the experience you wish to have, just board the train, and wait for departure. Along the ride, you’ll pass under the Suspension Bridge, witness the incredible majesty of just how deep the canyon is, and potentially see some wildlife! I would highly recommend boarding the train, enjoying the ride, and dining through the Royal Gorge!
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
In my opinion, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best National Parks out there. For starters, it’s HUGE! You can visit multiple times and experience different views, see different wildlife, and hike different trails. The list is endless. We were fortunate enough to live less than an hour away from the park while living in Longmont. Just about every weekend we were headed to the park to hike a new trail and explore a new part of the park. We also loved having an excuse to drive the back roads because they provided some spectacular views, and if we were lucky Legacy Pie would be open and then we had an excuse to stop and enjoy some great pie!
There are so many great hikes to choose from inside Rocky Mountain National Park, but here are a few of our favorites.
Because we lived in Longmont in the winter months, we weren’t able to access all of the park. Luckily when we moved to Rifle for my second Colorado contract one year later, we were able to go back and explore the other side! I was so glad we got to do this because the park offered stunning new views of the glaciers and the Rocky Mountains. We also got lucky and saw a Momma Moose and her calf and a giant herd of Elk!
ESTES PARK
One reason Rocky Mountain National Park is so popular is because just outside the park sits Estes Park. Estes is a huge attraction for tourists providing multiple gift shops, great local restaurants and bars, and fun activities such as Open Air Adventure Park. Estes also provides many rental shops depending on what you want to do. We rented an ATV at Backbone Adventures for a half-day ride through the mountains and loved every second of it! There are also rentals for Jeep rides, cross-country skiing, snowshoes, and so much more! I would highly recommend renting snowshoes during the winter! It’s a lot easier than you think and a great way to hike year-round!
Speaking of hiking, if you’re looking for a hike outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, I suggest Mount Olympus. A hard out and back that’s 2.5 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,397 ft. A challenging but rewarding hike! Once you make it to the top you have a vast view of the valley, Estes Park, and Lake Estes. A perfect hike for great views of Estes and the Rocky Mountains. If you’re looking for more great hikes in the area, check out our blog post TOP HIKES IN THE COLORADO FRONT RANGE.
The front range of Colorado is a destination that you’ll want to keep going back to! With great cities to explore, fun excursions to enjoy, and beautiful views for miles, the front range will quickly become your favorite place in Colorado. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or email me. And if I missed any epic adventures, drop them in the comments below!