Rebecca Treon

Want a trip full of adventure? Consider Colorado. You’ll find an endless itinerary of things to do, from incredible mountains just waiting to be climbed (or looked at from ground level) to wide open water for paddleboarding. Or even skiing at one of the nearby resorts. But after a long day of enjoying everything the state has to offer, a cozy place to rest your head is needed. Yeah, a posh hotel is nice, but Colorado has so many other options worth considering. Cozy desert cabins, yurts, and even treehouses overlooking forests and a skyline of mountains. Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work – these are the best Airbnbs in the whole of Colorado, to get that perfect trip every time.  RECOMMENDED:  🪵See the coziest Airbnb cabins in the U.S.🏨Find the best hotels in Colorado🧖‍♀️Check out the best Airbnbs with hot tubs in Colorado   Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Colorado is an obvious choice for adventure-loving travelers: it's got the mountains, whose former mining towns still welcome intrepid souls, plus four national parks, more than 40 state parks, and countless open spaces for seekers of outdoor recreation. But it's not just the great outdoors that attracts here; Around the Centennial State, visitors will find a strong music scene, thriving arts communities, and innovative restaurants. You'll never run out of things to do in Colorado. Beyond metropolises like Denver and Boulder, the state is also dotted with small towns offering a slice of history (imagine ambling over fossil beds and checking out cliff dwellings built by Ancestral Puebloans) paired with a range of fully modern activities from ziplining to single-track mountain biking. Creative breweries and distilleries, noteworthy galleries and museums, and worthwhile outings pepper the state, no matter what types of things you enjoy. And the weather can't be beat – with over 300 days of sunshine a year, visitors can book their hotel or Airbnb based on what they plan to do rather than the season. If Mother Nature interferes with your plans, as the saying here goes, "just wait a minute" and it will change.  Recommended: The best restaurants in ColoradoRecommended: the best Airbnbs with hot tubs in ColoradoRecommended: the best Airbnbs in ColoradoRecommended: the best hotels in Colorado

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

The 4th of July is back in full force this summer, and we're here for it. After the pandemic canceled any 2020 celebrations that might encourage a crowd to gather, this year, there are plenty of places (and hotels) welcoming back festivity-seekers with open arms. It's time to make up for lost time and celebrate with a bang! Colorado is open again, and we've never been more ready to party. One of the best things about Colorado is that you can catch shows in the city, the mountains, or on the plains. So don your red, white, and blue, grab the cooler, and pack a picnic (burgers and apple pie, anyone?) and get ready to toast America's birthday. If you haven't decided yet where you're spending the 4th, we have the best events around Denver for 4th of July fireworks right here – from downtown Denver to Colorado Springs and beyond.   RECOMMENDED: Fuel up for the day with the best brunch restaurants Denver

Linger, the brainchild of Justin Cucci (whose restaurant group, Edible Beats, is behind local favorites like Root Down, El Five and Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, among others), is housed in what used to be Olinger Mortuary. Founded in 1890, the mortuary was a Denver landmark for decades, instantly recognizable by the oversized neon sign on the roof. Now, only the ‘O' is blacked out, with the restaurant’s name illuminated across the LoHi neighborhood skyline. Fortunately for Denver diners, its former life didn’t deter Cucci. Instead, he made the building's history part of the concept, making it an 'eatuary' instead of a ‘mortuary’. Inside the restaurant, guests are greeted at the host stand, made from a former church lectern – but don’t worry, this business is serving up drinks instead of sermons. The interior’s throwback 1970s vibe is far out, with cozy booths made for a tete-a-tete or more open seating at the counter. Much of the space is decorated with Cucci’s own thrift store finds (one of his trademarks). But the real draw at Linger is the rooftop lounge, which not only offers great city views but houses Bar-V, a 1975 RV that’s been converted into a bar. Linger takes the inspiration for its food from around the world: Morocco, Turkey, Asia, Italy, and India along with some American favorites. Menu favorites include: 5-spice pork belly bao buns, wagyu sliders and satay lettuce wraps. For drinks, choose from beers from local breweries like Ratio and Great Divide, wines by the

If you're building a bucket list of scenic trains rides across North America, you need to add this high-flying track in Colorado to your list.  The highest railway in the United States (and the highest cog railway in the world), the Broadmoor Manitou Springs Pikes Peak Cog Railway takes you 14,115 feet up the steep face of Pikes Peak mountain in Manitou Springs, Colorado. And the views along the way are seriously unreal.  The railway initially closed in 2017, citing infrastructure issues, but its 130-year legacy spurred the owners to invest in a total overhaul. Three years and $100-million dollars later, the result was worth it. Every inch of the operation was revamped, starting at the depot where a second platform was added along with a scenic new walkway and a gift shop. The cog track itself (which allows the train to easily summit steep peaks) was replaced with a single-cog rail designed to improve safety and function. And the train's iconic red cars are now equipped with cushioned and upholstered seats in lieu of old-timey wooden benches. Photograph: Courtesy Pikes Peak Cog Railway For those looking to climb the mountain, the hour-journey takes riders into scenic Pike National Forest and Englemann Canyon, passing boulders, a waterfall, and local flora and fauna along the way. At the summit, riders are given 40 minutes to explore and take photos. On an overcast day, visitors will literally be among the clouds, while clear days offer a 360-degree view of the famous red ro