9 night itinerary suggestions

Question

We are arriving in Denver for a 9 nights stay mid March. 2 couples and a baby. We were thinking of spending 2-3 nights in Denver and then plans are open from there. We love beautiful mountain scenery and cute towns but not really into full on hiking. We have stayed in a cabin in the Smokey mountains near Gatlinburg before and absolutely loved it. Just after suggestions of where the best town/area would be to rent a cabin in the mountains so that we could do day trips to surrounding towns etc. if necessary we could stay in 2 different locations but with a baby the less times we have to move where we stay the better. Thanks for any help

Answer

For a 9-night Colorado trip in mid-March with two couples and a baby, focusing on mountain scenery and cute towns without intensive hiking, you’ll want a cozy cabin base that balances accessibility to the mountains with charming small-town amenities. Since moving frequently with a baby can be challenging, it’s best to limit the number of lodging changes, ideally staying in one or at most two locations.

Suggested Itinerary Overview:

Days 1–2/3: Denver – Spend the first 2–3 nights exploring Denver. It’s a good time to recover from travel and enjoy urban attractions such as Larimer Square, Union Station, Denver Botanic Gardens, and the Denver Art Museum. Convenient grocery stores and baby-friendly amenities make it easy to settle in.
Days 3/4–9: Mountain Cabin Base – Choose a mountain town within 1–2 hours of multiple scenic areas so you can take day trips without long drives. Here are some options:

Top Mountain Town Options for a Cabin Base:

Estes Park (near Rocky Mountain National Park) – Charming small town with shops, restaurants, and beautiful views. Easy day trips to RMNP scenic drives, Bear Lake, and nearby towns like Lyons and Nederland. Winter activities include wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, and scenic drives without strenuous hiking.
Boulder / Nederland / Lyons – Boulder offers a mix of outdoorsy charm and urban conveniences; Nederland and Lyons are smaller, picturesque towns nearby. Great for scenic drives, cozy cabins, and easy access to mountain scenery.
Breckenridge / Frisco – Historic mining town vibe with upscale dining and shops, plus easy access to Dillon, Keystone, and Vail for scenic day trips. Mid-March may still have snow, so winter activities like sledding or short walks are possible.
Fraser / Winter Park – Quieter, scenic towns offering mountain views, cabins with privacy, and day trips to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side.

Additional Considerations:

Mid-March weather: Snow is still likely at higher elevations; plan for winter driving conditions and check road closures.
Cabin amenities: Look for cabins with a fireplace, kitchen, and proximity to grocery stores or restaurants, which is helpful with a baby.
Driving distances: Limiting to a 1–2 hour drive for day trips will make outings manageable with a baby.

Sample 9-Night Allocation:

3 nights in Denver to explore the city and recover from travel.
6 nights in Estes Park or Breckenridge as your mountain base, using day trips to nearby scenic areas, smaller towns, and accessible winter activities.

This plan provides a balance between city exploration, mountain scenery, and minimal lodging changes, keeping logistics simple while enjoying the beauty and charm of Colorado.

9 night itinerary suggestions

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