Julie Dugale

Colorado Springs occasionally gets overshadowed by its big brother neighbor Denver, but don’t let that kill your chances of experiencing its culinary delights. Once you look, Colorado Springs has a hell of a lot going for it, particularly its food scene. There are iconic chefs here that have been around for decades, serving up fresh takes and fusion cuisine all over the city.  So whether you’re looking for fine dining, hole-in-the-wall tacos, Pueblo green chile stew or vegan delights, there’s something for you in Colorado Springs. Some of the foodie spots that appear on our list are totally new, and others are old-timers from the area. There’s a little bit of everything in this urban oasis, so read on for the best restaurants in Colorado Springs.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Colorado Springs🏨 The best hotels in Colorado Springs🍴 The best restaurants in Denver 🍴 The best restaurants in Boulder🏔 The essential guide to Colorado

Denver might be known for its crunchy tacos, craft beer and iconic green chilli, and look, those are delicious. But let us tell you, that’s not all Denver is good for in the land of food. This Colorado city is actually home to an innovative food scene, and there’s seriously good cuisine from every culture to be found – you just have to know where to look.  Once Lower Highland (LoHi) and River North (RiNo) were firmly on the map as trendy cultural downtown spots, good food followed. Now, you can get hold of pretty much anything you’re craving, from lip-smackingly good pasta and bubbly woodfired pizzas to sleek sushi joints and steaming bowls of ramen. So whether you’re here for cheap eats or fine dining, get a load of these great restaurants.  RECOMMENDED:📍 Things to do in Denver🥑 The best brunch restaurants in Denver 🏛️ The best museums in Denver🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Denver🏨 The best hotels in Denver

With so much natural beauty surrounding Colorado’s capital city, it might seem silly to spend time indoors at the best museums in Denver. But to get a closer look at the city’s cultural crossroads—one that balances the past and present, from Wild West lore to modern-day innovation—you’d be remiss to skip Denver’s renowned, surprisingly packed institutions. Landmark museums like the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science are naturally at the top of the list of things to do for tourists and locals alike, and they continue to evolve: both museums recently underwent renovations, with future upgrades in the works. The long-awaited debut of the Meow Wolf Denver arrived in fall of 2021, while long-standing institutions like the Molly Brown House and the Kirkland Museum buttress Colorado's vibrant and ever-changing cultural identity. The exhibits at these Denver museums range from globally collected artifacts and works by artists of renown to contemporary art and unique interpretations of the state's spirited past—it’s a varied sort, with something for everyone. While you’re in town, check out our list of the best museums in Denver while you explore Mile High City. RECOMMENDED: the best things to do in Colorado

You may know Boulder as a satellite of Denver, but this western city has an appeal all on its own. Set at the intersection of the mountains and the plains with the Flatirons as its backdrop, Boulder was made famous in the 1970s by the Robin Williams show, 'Mork & Mindy,' and it's long been known as a hippie enclave. Lately, though, the city has ballooned with the advent of the local Google campus and other industry headquarters. Regardless, Boulder still retains its funky charm, so much so that locals call it 'The People's Republic.'  In Boulder, there's easy access to the outdoors (there's probably a biking or hiking trail or water access right out your back door), great restaurants that range from food truck to upscale, plenty of art and entertainment options, and lots of craft beer to sample. Discover what the locals love about this city that's a mecca for nature lovers, college students, and culture hounds alike: These are the best things to do in Boulder. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Colorado Springs isn't just Denver's smaller sister-city to the South, it's a whole new place to explore with a storied history all its own. Old Colorado City, the original capital of the Colorado territory, has transformed over the past century. Its frontier-era Main Street has  swapped saloons for modern storefronts, and the city has grown around it – all with a gorgeous Rocky Mountain backdrop. Outdoorsy types will soak up the scenery, from spectacular waterfalls rushing down a box canyon and hiking an almost vertical cable car track to meandering through otherworldly red rock formations and wading into a babbling river full of rainbow trout. But that's not all that draws visitors from around the globe. There are world-class museums, resorts, restaurants, and golf, too. Tourists can visit the U.S. Air Force Academy, train with Olympic athletes (or learn how they train), and even play penny arcade games. Its proximity to Denver makes it an easy day trip, too. The region has no shortage of ways to get acquainted with the Wild West and the frontier spirit that shapes the city’s character and heritage. So rustle up your inner cowboy and start exploring the best things to do in Colorado Springs.  RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Colorado Springs

If you’re not brunching in Denver, you’re doing the city wrong. In the past few years, the lingering weekend meal has been elevated to an art form in the Mile High City. With the recent residential and dining boom in Lower Highland (LoHi) and the revitalization of the River North (RiNo) warehouse-turned-art district, it’s no surprise that the brunch scene and options for things to do on that buzzy side of the city has followed in a big way. But the cool thing about Denver is that the longtime stalwarts in the quieter city ’hoods continue to thrive, even amid the sea of see-and-be-seen brunch spots across town. What the places on this list have in common is that they know what they do well—and they’re committed to their craft, whether it’s trendy small plates on a gritty-turned-glam block, a lavish champagne spread in a historic hotel or beignets and Bloody’s with mismatched napkins. So decide what you crave, then check out these Denver restaurants to get your brunch game on.

Outdoor access, striking mountain views, and historic character dominate the hotel scene in Colorado Springs. The Pikes Peak region in particular, anchored by Colorado Springs, is renowned for its majestic mountain views, western mining lore, and endless recreation opportunities. So it’s no surprise that the city and its neighboring hamlets offer a plethora of lodging options for the streams of outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs that flock to this picturesque gateway city on Colorado’s Front Range. And sure, you could stay in any hotel and find yourself a trail to hike or a historic building to ogle. But why not book a place where you’re immersed in the very essence of the rugged former mining region and its resident grande dame, Pikes Peak? Our pick of the best accommodation in the area range shares is an ever-present reverence for the stunning Rocky Mountain landscape and rich heritage of the region. So book a hotel suite, lodge room, or cottage. Walk out your door. And breathe the fresh mountain air you came to enjoy. By Julie Dugdale

Colorado’s fourth-largest city and the northernmost hub of the Front Range, Fort Collins used to be considered one-part outdoorsy, one part college town, and one part agriculture. Today, it’s got another part: a growing foodie reputation. Buoyed by the exploding craft beer scene—it’s got nearly two dozen breweries that produce almost 70 percent of the state’s craft beer—Fort Collins is home to everything from wallet-friendly gourmet taco shops to historic farmhouses-turned-eateries that plate up the harvests from all those nearby farms and ranches. From the charmingly walkable Old Town to the River District to the CSU campus, here are 10 restaurants worth a visit in Fort Collins.

If Boulder is best known for its out-the-back-door access to all things bike, hike, and mountain, a close second is its burgeoning upscale culinary scene. Chefs with the best pedigrees in the business gravitate toward the buzzing town flanked by the Rockies to the west and farms, pastures, and green space in, well, every other direction. It’s a veritable haven for locavores in search of inventive farm-to-table meals, whether served as a five-course artisan tasting menu or a juicy grass-fed burger and a microbrew. No longer a city where the food and drink come second to your list of adventurous things to do, Boulder’s dining scene is the adventure these days. Dig in at 10 of the best. 

Surrounded by some of Colorado’s most majestic peaks, Estes Park is a hamlet that stands apart from the typical mountain town. Perhaps it’s because there’s no mega ski resort here; just unfettered access to one of the most treasured national parks in the country and an outdoor culture that boasts a charm all its own. Just 1.5 hours northwest of Denver, the town is a hub for all things Rocky Mountain, from wilderness adventures to wildlife watching to artisan booze made with the alpine waters from the neighboring peaks. If you can, plan your trip for late September, when the aspens are in full golden bloom and the elk are out in droves during rutting season, filling the air with their haunting bugling. Whether you’re an adrenaline junky in search of your next thrill or more of a sit-back-and-take-it-all-in kind of traveler, Estes Park has plenty to keep you entertained. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.