Sometimes we think that we have to make major travel plans to enjoy a vacation. However, staying close to home can be even better. We are blessed to live in a State that has tons to offer.
Get Outside and Enjoy!
While in Northern Colorado there are lots of wonderful outdoor activities for all to enjoy. Since our weather is starting to feel like spring it is a great time to get out and enjoy the trails through out the Front Range. We have easy access to Horsetooth Mountain Open Space which provides 29 miles worth of trails for hiking and biking. In addition to Horsetooth 
Mountain Open space, we also have the reservoir. However, it might be a little early to take a swim. There are additional trails in the reservoir area to hike along the lakes edge. From Fort Collins you can head down towards Loveland and enjoy the Coyote Ridge Open Space which has 2.6 miles of hiking trails. The Coyote Ridge Trail System connects in to Devils Back Bone and Blue Sky Trails systems. This area is very popular with mountain bikers because of the addition trail access.
If the weather outside is not conducive then a trip to The Museum of Discovery could be a great choice. The museum focuses on exhibits that tell the stories of our community and its development over time. After viewing the exhibits there is an immersive theater experience with movies showing throughout the day. Currently there are 3 different movie choices to enjoy. Ticket prices range from $9.50 to $12.50 depending on age and an additional $2.00 to $4.00 for the theater tickets.
Visit Denver for the Day
Northern Colorado sits about 1 hour north of Denver Colorado and is easily accessible. There are multiple opportunity to have a wonderful time in Denver, whether you have kids or are looking for some adult time.
For the kiddo and the kids that exist in all of us. It is always a wonderful time at the Denver Zoo. Walking around the zoo offer a unique outdoor experience in Colorado, it is best to visit the zoo when the weather is corroborative. The Zoo opens at 9:00am and tickets range from $14-$20 depending on age. There are additional animal encounters guest can sign up for like, the feeding of the Giraffes, or a behind the scenes tour with the Penguins. The Denver Zoo offers many other options and the best way to learn about the Denver Zoo is to visit its website.
Did you know that we have an aquarium in Colorado, who would of thought in the middle of the country in a land lock state that one could go and see sharks. The Downtown Aquarium is open from 10:00am-9:00pm daily, however, it is best to verify the times of operations on their website. While visiting the aquarium guest can interact with fish and their environments, watch he Sea Otters play, see tropical fish and even sharks. It is a wonderful day of adventure and learning all in one. We have taken our family to the aquarium multiple times over the years, when the weather is not great outside it is a wonderful indoor experience for all.
To be honest, there are so many wonderful things to do in Denver, the list is too long. It just goes to show us that we do not have to travel far to have a wonderful time in Colorado.
For the Adults or older children:
One could visit The Museum of Art which exposes the viewer to various types of Art from around the world. The Museum has changing exhibits that rotate throughout the year. The Museum of Art is open from 10:00am to 8:00pm with the ticket price ranging form $8.00-$13.00 It is best to check out details about the exhibits, open hours, and pricing on the website.
If museums are not your thing then maybe you might enjoy inside Sky Diving at IFly in Denver. The indoor flight system is located in Park Meadows on the South Side of Denver. It is open durning various times throughout the week and reservation are required for flight times. The price varies on how many times you would like to fly and how high. Young children are also able to participate in this adventure. Sounds like a great outing for a family who would like to stay in Colorado but would like to experience something different.
A visit to the Mountains
The opportunities for a vacation in the beautiful Colorado Rockies are vast. Many people seem to think that you have to know how to Ski or Snowboard to enjoy the Rocky Mountains during the winter or early spring. This is not the case, there are tubing options for those who want to adventure out but do not want to go skiing. Some tubing areas offer options where there are rope-tow systems to pull you up the mountain…this is awesome! We love going to the tubing hill as a family, especially with a group of friends. It is quite exhilarating to be zooming down the hill on a tube.
Snow shoeing in he mountains is a great way to get outside and enjoy the trails during the winter months. Snow shoe rentals are very inexpensive and all one has to do is walk so the skill level need is low. Visitor centers in the mountain communities can help guide you to safe locations to get out and experience the mountains while covered in snow.
Many of our mountain communities offer wonderful shopping experiences, restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops. As people are walking around there are locations for people to stop and warm up by outdoor fire pits. The resorts offer spas to relax in. Many of the resorts are located on the mountain slops so watching people ski down the mountain with a hot drink is always entertaining.
It is obvious that it is not necessary to leave Colorado to have a great time. It might just take a little research to figure out what is the best stay vacation for you. Since many people are a little nervous to travel maybe staying close to home is the best option for this spring. I hope all of you have a wonderful time in Colorado!!!
Thank you for reading my Northern Colorado Lifestyle Blog!
by Tamara Suppes, Northern Colorado Real Estate Agent
Northern Colorado Homes for Sale | Fort Collins Realtor with The Group Inc.
