Where to visit/stay

Question

Looking for a town to visit that has hiking , pretty views, shopping and hiking and if course good restaurants. . Probably most places in CO. Want to bring my grown adults kids summer trip. Want to be able to fly and not drive too far from airport. Visited Telluride last year. So looking for a different spot.

Answer

Colorado offers numerous charming towns for a summer trip that combine stunning natural scenery, hiking opportunities, shopping, and good restaurants. Since you’ve already visited Telluride, here are some other excellent options that are accessible via airports without long drives:

Estes Park: Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, offering incredible hiking trails, mountain vistas, and wildlife viewing. The town itself has quaint shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Denver International Airport is about a 1.5–2 hour drive away.
Boulder: Nestled at the base of the Flatirons, Boulder has excellent hiking directly from town (Chautauqua Park, Mount Sanitas), plus Pearl Street Mall for shopping and dining. Denver Airport is around 45 minutes away.
Aspen: Known for upscale shopping and dining, Aspen also has beautiful nearby hiking in the Maroon Bells and surrounding mountains. Aspen-Pitkin County Airport serves regional flights and connects to larger hubs.
Vail: Famous for its resort village, Vail has scenic hiking trails in the summer, mountain vistas, and a European-style pedestrian village with shops and restaurants. Eagle County Regional Airport is about 40 minutes away.
Breckenridge: Offers excellent hiking and mountain biking, a charming historic downtown with shops and restaurants, and summer festivals. Denver Airport is about 2 hours away, with closer regional airports in Eagle County.

Additional suggestions:

Consider staying 2–3 nights in one town to explore the local trails and shops, then moving to a nearby town for variety.
Many of these towns have day trips possible to surrounding areas, so you can mix hiking, shopping, and dining without spending all day driving.
Summer is ideal for Colorado, but book accommodations early, especially in popular spots like Aspen or Vail.

For a balance of convenience, scenic hiking, and vibrant town life, Boulder or Estes Park are particularly appealing if you prefer shorter drives from Denver International Airport, while Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge offer more resort-style experiences with top-tier dining and boutique shopping.

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