Sometimes, due to schedules or budgets, it’s impossible to plan a big vacation in the winter or during the holidays, or maybe you want to stay close to home and not travel a long distance.
It can be a thrill to play tourist in your city or take a short excursion within an hour’s drive, especially when places are decorated for the festivities of the winter months.
The mountain towns have the draw of the slopes and likely more snow, but Colorado’s Front Range cities offer big city amenities. You can check out new hotels this winter, see big shows, and enjoy dining out. Consider these suggestions for a day out, or combine them for a longer break to explore your backyard. You could even take a bus from one city to the next, then walk downtown.
Destination: Denver
Day 1: After an $11 million refresh, the Crawford Hotel is ready for guests inside the historic Union Station. The 112 rooms have a new take on vintage railway style, and the Great Hall is more inviting than ever to lounge and sip cocktails while viewing the annual holiday tree. Or check in at Populus, a brand new design-forward hotel that opened in the fall.
Both of these lodging options have you covered for dinner, too. Pasque is on the main floor of Populus with a forest theme, and Stellar Jay has mountain views from the rooftop, where it offers “live-fire” cooking. Both restaurants are inspired by what’s in season in Colorado. At the Crawford Hotel, start with a drink in The Cooper Lounge before dining at Mercantile or Ultreia.
Day 2: It’s time for holiday shopping! There are indoor and outdoor markets to stroll to and around through late December. Check online for hours and dates of the Denver Christkindlmarket in Civic Center Park; during the Lights on Larimer Square, there is a new Holiday BAZAAR at Larimer Square along with Santa and Mrs. Claus; and the Mistletoe Market in the Dairy Block Alley will have daily giveaways and live music.
Take in a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, within walking distance from just about any hotel in downtown Denver.
Day 3: Denver has over 100 miles of trails to explore, so depending on the weather, you can go for a walk — perhaps along Cherry Creek or the South Platte River — or the 3-mile Mile High Loop in City Park. If there is enough snow on the ground, you can rent snowshoes from REI and try this sport in a local park such as Civic Center Park or Commons Park. Ice skating is available seasonally at Skyline Park in the heart of downtown.
The Ruby Hill Rail Yard is an urban snowboarding hill that is weather-dependent. You’ll need your own gear, but you don’t have to fight traffic to and from the mountains to try this sport. It’s a short drive from downtown Denver.
Professional sports teams play through the winter. View the calendar for the Ball Arena, where the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche play in November and December.
Destination: Colorado Springs
Only an hour’s drive south of Denver is Colorado Springs, where you can extend your Front Range vacation or explore for one to three days (or more!):
Day 1: The Hotel Polaris at the United States Air Force Academy opened last fall with 375 rooms, making it the city’s second-largest hotel. This is the only hotel in the country with immersive flight simulators. Choose between six restaurants, including The Aviator, with Rocky Mountain views.
The Broadmoor is a perennial favorite when staying in Colorado Springs. With 784 guest rooms, it is the largest hotel in the city. Eight restaurants give you plenty to choose from for a special meal.
Since these hotels are not based downtown, another option might be The Mining Exchange. This 128-room former stock exchange was remodeled in 2024 and now offers rooms and suites, plus a new bar with live jazz on Thursdays.
Day 2: For those staying downtown, consider walking to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, where a few interactive exhibits let you “compete” against an Olympian. You can also visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center nearby.
For a matinee or a night out, head to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College for a show. In December, it presents “The Little Mermaid.”
Day 3: Rent a car and explore the Pikes Peak region. Even in winter, the Garden of the Gods can be beautiful to drive through, walk on the trails, or visit the visitor center to learn about the area’s geology.
Surprisingly close to Garden of the Gods is Miramont Castle, where you can go on a Victorian Christmas tour. Make a reservation for a Victorian Christmas Tea in the Queen’s Parlour Room — “fancy” or Victorian attire is suggested to get in the spirit. Driving in, you will likely see their bighorn sheep herd wandering the grounds.
Drive across the Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City, about an hour from Colorado Springs, for the twinkling lights of the seasonal Bridge of Lights. The suspension bridge hangs 956 feet over the gorge.
Destination: Fort Collins
Head north to Fort Collins for one to three days:
Day 1: Check-in at one of the city’s hotels awarded a Michelin key in 2024 — the Armstrong Hotel or the Elizabeth Hotel, Autograph Collection. Michelin keys for hotels are the equivalent of Michelin stars for restaurants. These hotels are both in downtown Fort Collins, making walking to many shops, restaurants, bars, and sights easy.
Dine at The Emporium, an American Brasserie in the Elizabeth Hotel, then go upstairs to the Sunset Lounge for a drink and to listen to live jazz (for 21 and up only). New casual dining options include Avery Eatery and Yellow Crunch.
For those who prefer a less urban experience, try the new Riverside Colorado in the Poudre Canyon just outside town. You can stay in a yurt, a tiny home, or a lodge room. A small general store will have simple prepared meals on hand.
Day 2: Downtown Fort Collins is a shopper’s paradise, with an array of locally owned shops selling shoes, toys, outdoor gear, men’s and women’s apparel, and crafts. Trimble Court Artisans is a reliable stop for one-of-a-kind gifts, or try one of the many holiday markets in the area.
Also, in this season of giving, consider patronizing a local business that donates a portion of its proceeds to a good cause. Arboretum Coffee, which opened in 2024, is a nonprofit that offers apprenticeships for refugee and immigrant youths. Just Love Coffee Café, which also opened in 2024, helps adoptive families offset expenses. Locust Cider donates to the Hydrocephalus Association.
New this year is the NoCo Light Trail, where you can drive between Estes Park, Fort Collins, and Loveland to see several light displays.
Day 3: Get outside and savor the season with winter activities in City Park, where, depending on if it’s cold enough, you can go ice skating or ice fishing. Several local businesses can rent you the gear needed. You can also rent snowshoes or cross-country skis and go into the nearby foothills to practice these sports in the snow.
Fat tire biking is famous here in winter, so consider a tour on local trails with a guide from Front Range Ride Guides.
After a fun day out, get to one of the city’s breweries, New Belgium Brewing Co., or the new Gnebriated Gnome Distillery. Then consider seeing one of the Christmas shows like “The Nutcracker” at the city’s Lincoln Center.
