Visiting Colorado Oct. 23rd -28th (Denver, Colorado Springs: neighborhood, construction, casinos)

[johnts71]

Will be the first time other than the airport! Doing a lot of sight seeing and a little bit of gambling in Cripple Creek and Black Hawk. Defiantly going up pikes peak (will there be snow at the top?)..going to Garden of the Gods

Is Vail worth the trip from Denver?
what about Aspen? anyone drive from Denver to Aspen? if so how long does it take?

planning on visiting Colorado Springs as well

are there any "must see or do" kinda things around those areas?

really looking forward to the cooler weather too.

thanks

[Willy702]

Vail is much closer than Aspen. Aspen is nicer, especially if you can go over Independence Pass. However that seems iffy as some storms are supposed to be on their way next week and could close the road for the winter. You'd probably be better off just going to Vail one morning/afternoon and then heading to the casinos afterwards.

I'd say Springs has more of the "must see" sights with Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Air Force Academy, etc. Denver is more about things which are good for a few hours at a time, whether its a museum, a neighborhood, a drive out to nearby cities (Boulder and Golden are worth the trip), or just an afternoon out shopping or an evening out. Most of the visitors I have had agreed what makes Denver good is the variety of choices for activities, not one thing which makes it a can't miss city.

[SheridanL]

I'd go to Breckenridge myself. It's closer and is a much more "walkable" town than Vail.
You could go to Canon City and visit the Abbey winery...free tasting. The Royal Gorge Route is the train that goes down along the Arkansas River and thru/under the Royal Gorge Bridge. It's very cool with all kinds of different packages!!!!
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is cool (especially the giraffes!) And the North Pole too!!

[Katarina Witt]

The chances of snow at the top of Pike's Peak are close to 100%. I went up there in early Nov. last year, and they weren't sure we could even get to the top due to snow, and there was no snow on the ground in COS. (We made it up!) It was a fun trip.

[johnts71]

thanks everybody. Anything else?

[captain_hug99]

There is snow on Pikes Peak now, I can see it from my window.

Dress for any kind of weather. We can have anything from 70 degrees (maybe 80!) to snow.

[johnts71]

Originally Posted by captain_hug99

There is snow on Pikes Peak now, I can see it from my window.

Dress for any kind of weather. We can have anything from 70 degrees (maybe 80!) to snow.

I want to touch snow.
Anyone recommend a good german restaurant?
can you drive up pikes peak to the top? I hear it can be closed due to snow..


thanks

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by johnts71

I want to touch snow.
Anyone recommend a good german restaurant?
can you drive up pikes peak to the top? I hear it can be closed due to snow..


thanks

Google "Pikes Peak Highway" and you'll find out if it's closed due to weather, otherwise it's open all year. Yes, an easy drive and worth doing.

Two notable German eateries here in town that I know of are:
- Uwe's, small, plain, intimate and excellent food.
- Edelweiss, large and touristy with the full treatment of German decoration.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by johnts71

Will be the first time other than the airport! Doing a lot of sight seeing and a little bit of gambling in Cripple Creek and Black Hawk. Defiantly going up pikes peak (will there be snow at the top?)..going to Garden of the Gods

Is Vail worth the trip from Denver?
what about Aspen? anyone drive from Denver to Aspen? if so how long does it take?

planning on visiting Colorado Springs as well

are there any "must see or do" kinda things around those areas?

really looking forward to the cooler weather too.

thanks

It is off season in both Vail and Aspen with both towns gearing up for ski season opening in a month.

Vail is 2 hours from Denver, Aspen is 4. Independence Pass will certainly be closed by then. To get to Aspen you drive to Glenwood Springs on I-70 and then back to the SE to Aspen on Hwy 82.

Both Vail and Aspen have walkable towns with restaurants and shopping. However as I said, it's the off season. Skiing hasn't started and summer sports are basically over with, so it is quiet with really not a whole lot going on. For both of these towns the summertime and early fall is when they are bangin' with great summer weather, tons of summer sports and plenty of concerts and festivals. June 15-Sept 25 is my recommended times to visit those towns. Winter I say don't bother unless you are skiing.

Breckenridge was also offered up, but it's basically the same there as well and colder. Due to the 10 miles you have to go on Hwy 9, Vail is only 10 minutes further away in total timings.

If you head up that way, check the weather because there is always a chance at this time of year for snow or even a snowstorm.

[saucystargazer]

I didn't think Vail was even worth going to. Its also got a lot of construction going on which makes it miserable to get around in. If you do go, bring nice clothes (or else you can't get in anywhere) and prepare to be raped by food prices. I'm all for paying for good food, but I didn't think anything we had was worth the prices we paid. After trying two different places, we ended up at mcdonalds the next day.

BUT! If you have time you really really need to check out the co. wolf and wildlife center. Its in divide, about an 45min or so from CO springs. It was the most amazing experience of my life. You'll need to make reservations, but I think you might get lucky and be there during their full moon events! http://www.wolfeducation.org/