Colorado Vacations

Colorado was formed as the 38^th US state in the year 1876 with the city of Denver as its capital. A large chunk of land mass in the United States lies about 10,000 feet above sea level and more than three quarters of this land area is in the Colorado state. The city is also home to the Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel, which is the highest car tunnel in the world and stands almost 9,000 feet long. The tunnel is constructed under the Continental Divide at 11,000 feet above sea level and serves over 25,000 vehicles a day. Another interesting fact about the state is that the song "America the Beautiful" was inspired by the view from Pikes Peak in Colorado. Rivers, plains, and mountains contribute to the beautiful landscape of Colorado.

One of the most beautiful attractions in Colorado is "Seven Falls" in the South Cheyenne Canyon area. This region is at a distance of hardly 10 minutes from the Colorado Springs. The water falls over seven distinct faces, dropping a total of 181 feet. The solid granite cliffs also feature a stairway along the side of the falls of over 200 steps. From a series of trails from the stairway at Seven Falls, you can also catch a glimpse of the Midnight Falls. The city's beaming wildlife is another major attraction.

For those who are on the lookout for fun, the other attractions in Colorado include 24-hour gaming along with skiing and winter sports. In short, Colorado is the land of sunshine, colorful springs, snowfall, and whitewaters.

Aspen

Once a mining town, the town is ideal for those who love outdoor adventure activities. Mountains like Buttermilk and Ajax very well serve the purpose. Aspen is famous for its ski resort and lodges. The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies offers Ski and Snowshoe tours. Most of the attractions in Aspen are easily accessible by foot. Public transportation facilities are also available. You have venues in Aspen which provide training for skiing irrespective of the fact whether you are a novice or an experienced skier. From budget motels to ski and spa resorts, there is a wide range of lodging options available in Aspen.

Vail

Vail, another former gold rush mining town, is also famous for its world class ski resort. The town was once home to President Gerald Ford and even today, the Vail botanical garden carries the former First Lady's name, Betty Ford Alpine. Along with summertime activities like fly fishing, camping, and hiking, the visitor is also offered skiing opportunities. You can also snowshoe and enjoy the backcountry hiking. You can camp and stay in yurts like the ancient nomads. Vail also plays host to a couple of mountain bike camps, music, and arts festivals.

Telluride

Telluride is another ski town, with a 1,700 acre ski resort. Once a vibrant mining community, Telluride is a National Historic Landmark District, featuring historic information about mining. A few areas in the town are preserved as they were during the mining heyday in the late 19^th century, when gold and silver brought European settlers in droves to the place. You can also explore the immaculate hiking and biking trails at Telluride.

One of the most interesting features of Telluride is its free transportation system, the Gondola. Cabs suspended on wires, travel the 13-minute one-way trip back and forth from Telluride to Mountain Village several times an hour. Because Telluride is a small town, walking will get you anywhere you need to go. Busses and shuttles do run within the city at a small cost. However, it is always free to ride the Gondola and the same is kept open for most part of the year (closing only in the off-season).