Things to do in Colorado
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Denver: City Landmarks & Hidden Gems Bus TourYou board at the Slate Hotel and spend 1.5 to 2 hours on a guided bus tour hitting 25+ Denver landmarks, from the Colorado State Capitol and Molly Brown House to hidden local spots like the haunted Cheesman Park and the old red light district. You get stories about scandals, hauntings, and untold history, restaurant recommendations, and photo stops at iconic locations like the blue bear and Larimer Square. The guide is included, and you're back by early afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want Denver's real history — the scandals, hauntings, and untold stories — without arranging your own route or missing the local spots. The fixed itinerary and guide mean you cover 25+ landmarks in one afternoon and learn things you won't find in a guidebook.
Buena Vista: 1-Hour Family Rafting Trip Arkansas RiverYou float the Arkansas River for an hour in a small group with a professional guide, taking in Rocky Mountain views and easy current while kids as young as two stay safe and entertained. No experience needed, no babysitter required, and you're back on dry land before anyone gets restless or cold.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to introduce your kids to rivers without the stress of arranging childcare or worrying they'll panic in the water — the one-hour length and gentle current are what make it work for young families.
Monster Truck Sleigh Ride & Gold Panning in BreckenridgeA monster truck sleigh ride in Breckenridge combines a 45-minute ride high above the Country Boy gold mine on a vintage truck-pulled sleigh with gold panning and s'mores over an open fire. You'll hear the story of Breckenridge's gold rush while riding, then keep any gold you pan yourself. A live English-speaking guide leads the experience, and children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?At 45 minutes, this fits a free afternoon without taking over your whole day—you get the sleigh ride, the fire, and the panning without the time commitment of a full-day tour. Book it if you have a couple of hours between other plans and want something that photographs well and actually lets you walk away with something tangible.
Denver Capitol Hill Ghost Tour: Haunted Mansions WalkYou’ll walk Denver’s Capitol Hill after dark with a local guide who shares eerie stories about haunted mansions and scandals. Feel the chill as you pass places like the Molly Brown House and Patterson Inn, listen for strange sounds, and maybe catch something odd in a window. This tour isn’t just spooky—it’s a glimpse into Denver’s stranger side.
Private Haunted Driving Ghost Tour Denver: 8 StopsA private ghost tour of Denver for up to four people in a comfortable heated vehicle, with a live guide driving you past eight haunted landmarks and sharing the dark history of each. The tour runs 90 minutes and includes stops where you can step out for photos. Children are welcome, and paranormal activity has been documented on previous tours.Is it for me?The tour stays inside a vehicle the entire time except for photo stops you choose, so it works for an afternoon when you want to cover eight haunted sites without walking between them or arranging your own transport around the city.
Telluride: San Miguel River Morning Rafting Trip & Local GuidesYou’ll paddle Colorado’s San Miguel River near Telluride with a small group and an experienced local guide. Expect cold splashes, glowing canyon walls, and plenty of laughs between rapids. It’s an honest taste of mountain mornings—raw, lively, maybe even a little humbling if you try pronouncing “San Miguel” like a pro.
Rocky Mountain National Park photography tour: Lakes and meadowsA half-day guided photography tour of Rocky Mountain National Park's lakes and meadows in your own vehicle, led by an experienced park photographer who helps you capture images on your phone or camera. The tour includes timed entry to the park and stays in the lower valley to avoid high-altitude travel; your guide seeks out wildlife and stops at Alluvial Fan, Horseshoe Falls, Many Parks Curve, Moraine Park and Sprague Lake.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to photograph wildlife and mountain views without driving to high elevations or waiting in park entrance lines—the guide handles the timing and the route, leaving you free to focus on the shot.
Garden of the Gods eBike Tour: Trek E-Bikes Around Red RockAn electric bike tour around Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs where you ride Trek E-bikes along paved roads around 300-foot sandstone formations, with a guide explaining the park's history and geology. The pedal-assist system handles the climbing while you steer the route and stop for views of Pikes Peak and Balanced Rock. All safety equipment, water and the bike are included; the tour runs about 3 hours and suits any fitness level.Is it for me?The 3-hour timeframe fits a morning or afternoon slot without consuming your whole day, leaving time for lunch or another Colorado Springs stop. The pedal-assist system means you climb without exhaustion, so the ride suits anyone who wants to see the park's formations up close but doesn't want a strenuous hike or a car-window tour.
Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour: Red Rock FormationsA private or shared jeep tour of Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, led by an expert guide through towering red sandstone rock formations shaped over millions of years. The tour runs two hours with air-conditioned transport, bottled water, snacks and leather seating included. You choose between open seating in a shared group or a private vehicle experience.Is it for me?Pick private if you want the guide's full attention for questions about the formations, or choose shared seating to split costs with other visitors.
Shoshone Rafting in Glenwood Springs: Class II–III RapidsHalf-day whitewater rafting on the Shoshone stretch of the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs, where dramatic canyon walls frame a mix of lively rapids and calm scenic sections. The trip runs about 2.5 hours and includes a live guide, life jacket, splash jacket and river booties. Children from age 7 are welcome, and the rapids are designed to give first-time rafters and families a balanced introduction to whitewater without being too intense.Is it for me?The half-day format and Class II–III rapids mean you get genuine whitewater and canyon scenery without committing a full day or tackling harder sections—a solid fit for first-timers, families with kids from age 7, and anyone who wants a balanced mix of splash and float.
Ghost tour Denver LoDo: 2.5-hour walking tour with expert guideA 2.5-hour guided ghost walking tour through Denver's historic LoDo district led by an expert guide who shares chilling local legends and the supernatural history behind the city's most infamous haunted locations. The tour covers the entire Lower Downtown area on foot, moving between sites as the guide narrates the stories tied to each one. Live guide in English; suitable for all fitness levels, and wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a guide to lead you through LoDo's haunted sites and tell the stories as you walk—rather than exploring the district on your own or reading up beforehand.
Buena Vista: Arkansas River Extreme Whitewater RaftingYou meet at the Buena Vista headquarters, get fitted for gear, receive a safety briefing, then paddle six miles of technical rapids on the Arkansas River with a professional guide. The full-day option adds a riverside lunch and continues into the more difficult Narrows section. You return to the office to view photos and collect your gear.Is it for me?Choose this if you're in solid physical shape and want a real whitewater challenge on one of Colorado's most technical sections — the professional guide and included gear mean you show up ready to paddle hard without arranging anything yourself.
Roaring Fork Rafting from Carbondale: Class II-III whitewaterRoaring Fork rafting is a 2.5-hour whitewater paddle from Carbondale to Glenwood Springs through Colorado's high country, mixing calm stretches with class II-III rapids and views of 13,000-foot Mount Sopris. The trip includes a professional guide, all rafting equipment, and transportation to and from the river. It suits families and first-timers who want adventure without the crowds of bigger Colorado rivers.Is it for me?Book this trip if you want whitewater and scenery without the intensity of bigger Colorado rapids or the crowds on the Colorado River. The class II-III mix and calm pools in between make it work for families and first-timers who are looking for splash without the risk of swimming.
Denver Ghost Tour: Inside Historic Buildings & TunnelsA 2-hour guided ghost tour through Denver's LoDo neighborhood that takes you inside Union Station and several of the city's most haunted historic buildings, including a former luxury hotel and the site of the famous Wazzee Supper Club. Your guide demonstrates paranormal investigative tools you can use, and the tour covers Denver's darker history—from the tunnels beneath the streets to the seedy characters and establishments that shaped the Mile High City. Meet at Union Station 15 minutes before your start time.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want the actual history of Denver's darker side told inside the buildings where it happened, not just stories told on the street. The guide's access to the interiors—Union Station, the old hotel, the tunnels—is what separates this from a walking tour that stays outside; it's also what makes the route flexible, so some buildings may not be accessible on your date depending on what's happening downtown.
Browns Canyon Rafting Buena Vista: 10-Mile Arkansas River Half-DayYou paddle 10 miles through Browns Canyon's intermediate rapids with a professional guide steering the boat through the toughest sections. The trip includes helmet, wetsuit, splash jacket, and all technical guidance; you bring secure footwear and the willingness to paddle hard when the current demands it. The whole experience runs a half-day, making it easy to fit into a Buena Vista itinerary without sacrificing the rest of your plans.Is it for me?Pick this if you want real whitewater without a full-day commitment or advanced paddling skills—the half-day format and family-level rapids mean you get the river and the canyon without the logistics of arranging your own transport or timing.
Animas River Rafting in Durango: Class I-III RapidsRaft the Animas River in Durango on a quarter-day trip combining multiple runs through the Whitewater Park with inflatable kayaks when water levels allow. The day includes a live guide, all equipment, transportation to and from the river, and your choice of lunch; children from age 4 are welcome, and the Class I, II and III rapids suit both experienced rafters and first-timers.Is it for me?You paddle your own kayak in a group while a guide handles safety and route-finding, so you get hands-on river control without navigating whitewater yourself.
Ghosts of Denver Walking Tour: Victorian Hauntings & HistoryThe Ghosts of Denver is a 90-minute walking tour of the city's most haunted historic homes and Victorian mansions, led by a live guide in English. You'll start at Civic Center Park and visit seven stops including the Molly Brown House, the Patterson Inn, the Whitehead House, the Marijuana Mansion, and the Byers-Evans House, hearing the real stories behind the hauntings and the people who lived there. The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels, with infants and small children able to ride in a stroller.Is it for me?At 90 minutes, the tour fits into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day, leaving time to explore other Denver neighborhoods or attractions before or after. The fixed route and guide-led pace mean you don't have to research the history or navigate between sites yourself—the stories and the stops are already woven together.
Vail: Colorado River Rafting Half Day & Wildlife ViewingYou meet at the boathouse in Bond, gear up with a certified guide, and float the Upper Colorado River for a half day with Class I-II rapids and canyon views. The trip includes all safety equipment, a shuttle to and from the put-in, and a good chance of spotting bald eagles and other wildlife. Departures run twice daily at 9am and 1pm, so you can fit it around the rest of your Vail schedule.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to introduce kids or grandparents to rafting without the logistics of a full-day trip — the half-day format and twice-daily schedule fit around other Vail activities, and the mild rapids mean everyone stays safe while actually seeing wildlife and canyon walls.
Glenwood Canyon: Side by Side ATV Tour on Bair RanchYou’ll climb rugged trails through Glenwood Canyon on a side by side ATV tour with a local guide who knows every turn of Bair Ranch. Expect mountain views, wildlife sightings, and plenty of laughs (even if you’re new to driving these). Helmets and goggles are included for safety — just bring your sense of adventure.
4-Zipline Adventure Denver: Colorado's Longest LinesA 4-zipline adventure near Denver where you ride Colorado's longest and fastest ziplines on a course spanning more than 4,000 feet, with scenic hikes between each run. The entire experience takes under 2 hours and includes a certified guide, all safety equipment, and snacks. A shuttle takes you to and from the nature park, located about 5 minutes from the office.Is it for me?At under 2 hours, this adventure fits into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day. The shuttle and guide mean you show up ready to zipline—no driving to find the course, no figuring out the equipment yourself.
