What to do or where to visit in summer (Boulder: hotel, purchasing)

[deedotcuzo]

Hello,

My parents are coming up July 8 to visit us. Only 3 weeks after our arrival to Colorado. They are only staying for a few days, but I would like to take them around so that they can enjoy themselves. They really never travel. What are nice places during the summer months that I can take my parents to? Preferably not more than 3 hours away (We stay in Parker). Also, my parents are in their 50s and active.

Thanks,

[TCHP]

What are some things they gravitate towards or want to do? Walk and look, historical, natural, distinctly Colorado, foodies, etc?

[deedotcuzo]

Originally Posted by TCHP

What are some things they gravitate towards or want to do? Walk and look, historical, natural, distinctly Colorado, foodies, etc?

walk, look, historical, natural, food LOL.

they're pretty much into everything!

[TCHP]

Colorado History Museum is nice primer on the area. A walk around Lo Do or Larimer Square and lunch/dinner at Union Station. A visit to Golden and the Coors brewery or Central City/Blackhawk for a mix of light gambling, historic structures, eats. A drive up Mt Evans Highway for high altitude vistas. A visit to Boulder and Pearl St. A trip up I70 t0 visit Georgetown and ride the train.

If they are former military, trips to Colo Spgs is an hour south and visits to the Air Force Academy are popular. If in the Cos area you have Manitou and the penny arcade and eclectic shopping with a variety of eateries. Garden of the Gods Park and visitor center, a trip up Pikes Peak, or a visit to the Olympic Training Center can also be included. Cos is much closer to the mountains than Parker and will give an entirely different view of the front range with Pikes Peak looming over the city.

[deedotcuzo]

Originally Posted by TCHP

Colorado History Museum is nice primer on the area. A walk around Lo Do or Larimer Square and lunch/dinner at Union Station. A visit to Golden and the Coors brewery or Central City/Blackhawk for a mix of light gambling, historic structures, eats. A drive up Mt Evans Highway for high altitude vistas. A visit to Boulder and Pearl St. A trip up I70 t0 visit Georgetown and ride the train.

If they are former military, trips to Colo Spgs is an hour south and visits to the Air Force Academy are popular. If in the Cos area you have Manitou and the penny arcade and eclectic shopping with a variety of eateries. Garden of the Gods Park and visitor center, a trip up Pikes Peak, or a visit to the Olympic Training Center can also be included. Cos is much closer to the mountains than Parker and will give an entirely different view of the front range with Pikes Peak looming over the city.

I think I'm going to do Boulder the first day and then go down to Colo Springs to Gardens of the Gods.

My husband is an Air Force Vet so we might stop by the Air Force academy.

Totally rookie question here but is there any where she (my mom) could see snow? She has never seen snow (I know we are talking about July, but its worth asking, sorry).

[Neditate]

Originally Posted by deedotcuzo

Totally rookie question here but is there any where she (my mom) could see snow? She has never seen snow (I know we are talking about July, but its worth asking, sorry).

If she just wants to "see" it, there may still be snow on the peaks if you drive over Loveland Pass, Mount Evans, Pikes Peak or Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park.
We drove up Pikes Peak the first week of August a couple of years ago and it snowed over night. The road to the summit was closed until 9 am so they could plow it.

[TCHP]

Ditto what Neditate said. If she wants to get out and actually touch it, walk in it, etc, Pikes Peak, Mt Evan, and Trail Ridge would be good selections. However, Rocky Mtn National Park is tourist central in the summer. This could easily wipe out a couple of days with a visit there, if you could even get reservations in a hotel in the area.

Assuming they are also arriving from Florida, altitude induced situations are very real and I'd avoid hitting a mountain top until they have been here for a few days. Do some lower altitude stuff first. Also, the arid air here will dry them out fast. Drink plenty of fluids, sleep at lower than where you take them to play, and take it easy of they (or you) get short of breath.

[deedotcuzo]

Originally Posted by TCHP

Ditto what Neditate said. If she wants to get out and actually touch it, walk in it, etc, Pikes Peak, Mt Evan, and Trail Ridge would be good selections. However, Rocky Mtn National Park is tourist central in the summer. This could easily wipe out a couple of days with a visit there, if you could even get reservations in a hotel in the area.

Assuming they are also arriving from Florida, altitude induced situations are very real and I'd avoid hitting a mountain top until they have been here for a few days. Do some lower altitude stuff first. Also, the arid air here will dry them out fast. Drink plenty of fluids, sleep at lower than where you take them to play, and take it easy of they (or you) get short of breath.

Which one is better Pikes Peak or Mt Evans?

[deedotcuzo]

Originally Posted by TCHP

Ditto what Neditate said. If she wants to get out and actually touch it, walk in it, etc, Pikes Peak, Mt Evan, and Trail Ridge would be good selections. However, Rocky Mtn National Park is tourist central in the summer. This could easily wipe out a couple of days with a visit there, if you could even get reservations in a hotel in the area.

Assuming they are also arriving from Florida, altitude induced situations are very real and I'd avoid hitting a mountain top until they have been here for a few days. Do some lower altitude stuff first. Also, the arid air here will dry them out fast. Drink plenty of fluids, sleep at lower than where you take them to play, and take it easy of they (or you) get short of breath.

and regarding the altitude.... I had a hard time back in March when we visited. I felt like I was having nose bleeds but it turns out it was just the climate there in Colo.

We visited Vail and I actually thought about purchasing the oxygen cans... but that was too tourist of me so I decided against it

[emm74]

Originally Posted by deedotcuzo

Which one is better Pikes Peak or Mt Evans?

There is a paved road you can drive up for Mt Evans, but not everyone is comfortable with that drive. With Pikes Peak, you can take the cog railway up if you prefer not to to drive although there is also a road you can drive.

Pretty sure both are likely to have snow.

I think either is great, so whichever fits your schedule best would be fine.