I plan on visiting Colorado from NY and was wondering if I should stay in Denver or Colorado Springs.

[smdensbcs]

Originally Posted by McGowdog

Denver.

Really? How does Denver provide greater access to the things the OP described he was coming to Colorado to do: outdoor stuff, camping, hiking, etc? Colorado Springs and/or Boulder, tucked up right against foothills and a 14er would seem to be a better choice than flat Denver out there on the plains. Am I missing something?

[Count David]

I was thinking the same thing.

If you want to visit another city, Denver is the obvious choice. If you want to visit somewhere that feels more quintessentially "Colorado", Colorado Springs would have to be it.

When we came out for our scouting trip, we visited both, but spent more time in Denver. I didn't like Colorado Springs initially (and for several years), but it has grown on me immensely with every successive visit. It is almost the anti-Denver, and even has things that Denver does not.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by Scottiehier

I plan on visiting Colorado from NY and was wondering if I should stay in Denver or Colorado Springs. I plan on doing more outdoor related activities such as camping, hiking, and just general exploring. I am not renting a car I was just going to use Uber or Lyft for things not in walking distance and would like to keep that at a somewhat minimum. I don't really need "Touristy" things to do as being from NY I know how annoying some of those people can be. Some local insight on some really cool trails or activities would be nice. Thank you, everybody.

Neither. If you want to do outdoor stuff, stay in a place such as Summit County (Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, Breckenridge) or in some other ski town. Denver is on the plains, not on the mountains. You don't want to be doing day trips back and forth from the mountains every day of your trip. What a joke the suggestion of the Cherry Creek Trail. Nobody comes to Colorado in order to experience the outdoors (ie-- the mountains) so they can walk-- an urban concrete path in the middle of a city on the plains. That's fine for people who live near downtown Denver who want a place to run/walk/bike/rollerblade on a Sunday morning without having to drive far, but it's not what you come to Colorado for. You come to vacation in Colorado for the mountains.

[TCHP]

Well, IMO, the OP did throw out a conflicting statement right from the get go; outdoor related activities such as camping, hiking, and exploring against not renting a car and using Uber. I'll admit my ignorance of Uber and Lyft, but I'd imagine the opportunities for those getting someone off the beaten path, into the mountains, and into places to provide the requested activities may be slim.

I'd agree that renting a vehicle and getting away from the front range will give you the better outdoor experience, but we may not know how much urban interaction and activities they may also want to participate in between their outdoor excursions.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by TCHP

Well, IMO, the OP did throw out a conflicting statement right from the get go; outdoor related activities such as camping, hiking, and exploring against not renting a car and using Uber. I'll admit my ignorance of Uber and Lyft, but I'd imagine the opportunities for those getting someone off the beaten path, into the mountains, and into places to provide the requested activities may be slim.

I'd agree that renting a vehicle and getting away from the front range will give you the better outdoor experience, but we may not know how much urban interaction and activities they may also want to participate in between their outdoor excursions.

Exactly. Would be better to get a car and go to Summit, Eagle, Grand, or Pitkin counties.

[otowi]

Actually I would recommend Salida area - like Chaffee County. Denverites tend to think only of what is up near them or on I-70. Colorado Springs has better mountain views and, imho, better access to the mountains - I-70 traffic can be incredibly nasty! But yes, public transportation options will be better in Denver - and a lot more traffic and people and the amenities and challenges that come with that.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by otowi

Actually I would recommend Salida area - like Chaffee County. Denverites tend to think only of what is up near them or on I-70. Colorado Springs has better mountain views and, imho, better access to the mountains - I-70 traffic can be incredibly nasty! But yes, public transportation options will be better in Denver - and a lot more traffic and people and the amenities and challenges that come with that.

Love Salida. I boat the Ark all the time.

[moenelson2012]

Originally Posted by Scottiehier

I plan on visiting Colorado from NY and was wondering if I should stay in Denver or Colorado Springs. I plan on doing more outdoor related activities such as camping, hiking, and just general exploring. I am not renting a car I was just going to use Uber or Lyft for things not in walking distance and would like to keep that at a somewhat minimum. I don't really need "Touristy" things to do as being from NY I know how annoying some of those people can be. Some local insight on some really cool trails or activities would be nice. Thank you, everybody.

I would say both have great things to offer. If you are a more scenic type person I would go with Colorado Springs. The view of the mountains is unbelievable. But you can see the mountains in most parts of Colorado. It is also cheaper in the Springs compared to Denver right now. But from the way you make it sound Denver is definitely a better fit for you. Public transportation everywhere and Uber and Lyft are great in Denver (use them all the time!)