Attractions

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Category: Ski Mountain
Crested Butte, Colorado, United States
Mt Crested Butte, CO 81224 US
www.skicb.com

Located just 3 miles NE of the town, Crested Butte Mountain Resort has been a favorite of Extreme Skiers for 4 decades. Now catering for families, with 121 trails, 16 chair lifts(including 4 hi-speed quads), halfpipes, a tubing hill and lodges, condos and hotels to suit all budgets. CBMR is a remote winter wonderland.

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Category: Gardens
Vail, Colorado, United States
530 N Frontage Rd, Vail, CO 81657 US
http://www.bettyfordalpinegardens.org/

I know what a garden is, but I’d never heard of an alpine garden. That is until I journeyed 8,250 feet above sea level in Gerald R. Ford Park and gazed upon the majesty of The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. The highest botanical garden in the United States (and maybe in the world), TBFAG has provided free access to over 100,000 annual visitors since 1988 and features over 3,000 species of high-altitude plant. Nestled comfortably in the shadow of Colorado’s Gore Range, TBFAG is comprised of four distinct sections: Mountain Perennial Garden, Mountain Meditation Garden, the Children’s Garden, and the Alpine Rock Garden which features a stunning 120-foot waterfall. Named in honor of former first lady Betty Ford for her numerous contributions to Vail Valley, the TBFAG also has an incredibly experienced staff whose knowledge and skill contribute daily to the mission statement of the garden: “To inspire a passion for plants in high altitude communities through beautification, conservation, education and research programs.” OK – now I know what an Alpine Garden is! NOTE: The Gardens are open to the public daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

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Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory at Gothic

Category: Nature Reserve
Crested Butte, Colorado, United States
317 Crested Butte Gothic County Hwy, Crested Butte, CO 81224 US
http://rmbl.org/rockymountainbiolab/index.html

Okay, so I know you probably saw the name of the destination and thought “Great, this sounds exactly like the location of an evil scientist’s lab full of sinister experiments and affronts to nature.” Well, poor nomenclature aside, The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory at Gothic is actually a dizzyingly beautiful nature conservatory built in 1928 as a private, nonprofit summer field station for research and education. Its current mission statement is “to advance the deep scientific understanding of nature that promotes informed stewardship of the Earth,” and although it is technically considered a place of higher learning, the station is open to visitors and provides special hikes, tours and camps during the summer. For kids there’s the summer nature camp where children aged 4 to 11 can explore and learn about the wonders of nature, while for adults and families there’s numerous field tours where you can witness such creatures as mule deer, elk, black bear, yellow-bellied marmots up close and personal. Special note: Make sure to bring a camera because the scenic views look like they were lifted straight out of the Sound of Music. The hills are alive indeed!

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Crested Butte Annual Wildflower Festival

Category: Festival
Crested Butte, Colorado, United States
911 Gothic Road, Crested Butte, CO US
http://www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com/

Most festivals that I'm familiar with usually celebrate music, film or some high school sports team's miniscule accomplishments, but every July in Crested Butte, a festival is organized to celebrate a curious and spectacular element: Wildflowers. That's right, an entire festival devoted to the admiration and preservation of wildflowers. The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival began in 1986 through the efforts of a few wildflower passionistas, but has since evolved into a week-long celebration with nearly 200 classes offered by over 40 instructors. Experts from all over the country converge on the glorious green mountain side of Crested Butte on the first week of July to dispel wisdom about botany, photography, gardening, art, flower arranging, cooking, crafts and more. Of course they also might come to admire the eye opening scenery provided by the Wildflower Capital of Colorado. Visitors can also hike, ride horses or take a jeep tour through lush alpine meadows or any of the nearby forests. A highlight of the annual festival is the town 'Garden Tour' where award winning gardens are specially selected for visitors to take a walking tour. Special Note: those seeking a unique place to tie the knot should research the Mountain Garden, a beautiful garden alcove featuring a spectacular mountain backdrop and a majestic display of wildflowers.

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Category: Fishing
Colorado, United States
21700 CR 742, Almont, Colorado 81210 United States

Forget baseball, fishing is truly America's pastime. And in Colorado, location of some the best fishing in the nation, there's a reservoir about 35 miles northeast of Gunnison called the Taylor Park Reservoir that features some of the best fishing in the world. From rainbow trout, browns, cutthroats, lakers, kokanee and northern pike, the cool waters at Taylor are teeming with all kinds of life – delicious, tasty catches. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Collegiate peaks, the Taylor Reservoir was named after Jim Taylor, one of the first men to discover gold in the area in 1859 (calm down, there's no gold there any more). There are no daily fees to enter the water or the park and all types of boats, from motor to canoe are allowed (200 foot yachts are highly discouraged however). And for some added adventure, grab a guide and go downstream for some intense rafting and kayaking. You might even catch a glimpse of some Bighorn sheep and elk! But no matter if you come to fish, kayak or just enjoy the beautiful scenery, the Taylor Park Reservoir is truly a mile high experience.

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Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum

Category: Museum
Crested Butte, Colorado, United States
331 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224 US

Crested Butte might be a small town, but that doesn’t mean that a lot of fascinating history hasn’t occurred within its snow covered borders. So in between shredding the powdered slopes of the mountains or biking over the rocky terrain, set aside a few hours to visit the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Built in 1883 and housed in what used to be the Crested Butte Hardware store, this small slice of history focuses heavily on the regions mining, ranching and skiing heritage, with interactive exhibits, fascinating historical photos and a vast array of relics taken from the cabins of the original settlers. In the front of the museum you’ll find an original coal stove as well as portraits of some of the regions original settlers – many of Slovenian and Croatian descent. But make sure you venture around out back to gaze at the functioning model railroad, life-sized mining diorama and an original Crested Butte mining gondola. See firsthand how Crested Butte transformed from a mining town into a recreation hotspot! Hours: Ski season and summer daily noon-8pm; call for hours spring and fall.

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Skiing at Breckenridge

Category: Ski Mountain
Breckenridge, Colorado, United States
Breckenridge Mountain, CO US

You carve through the thick blanket of snow like a knife through a warm piece of cake. White powder flies through the air. The heat of your breath lightly fogs your goggles. Focus. Intensity. You are one with the mountain! This is just a small picture of the average day on the slopes of Breckenridge, one of Colorado's premiere spots for all things skiing and snowboarding. Providing 2,358 acres of premiere Rocky Mountain real estate, snow sport enthusiasts with all different experience levels from all over the world converge upon Breckenridge during the winter months to enjoy some of the best skiing on the planet. With an elevation of 12,998 ft, over 150 trails, 30 chair lifts and an 8 passenger gondola, Breckenridge features some of the most efficient ways to take skiers to the top of the mountain, and some of the most enjoyable and extreme ways to get to the bottom! Popular ski trails have names like Devil's Crotch or Tom's Baby and the difficulty levels can range from extremely easy to extremely dangerous, but one thing is for certain –when you ski Breckenridge, you are one with the mountain. Special Note: For those who have spent a long time away from the slopes, Peak 9, with its well groomed green and blue runs, is the perfect place to regain your ski legs.

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National Historic Downtown District

Category: Historic Walking Area
Breckenridge, Colorado, United States
National Historic Downtown District, Breckenridge, Colorado United States

I know what you're thinking, "But people come to Breckenridge to ski." I get it. I really do. But while the skiing in Breckenridge is phenomenal, some people –believe it or not- occasionally get tired of wildly careening down steep cliffs on two thin pieces of plastic. So thankfully, the National Historic Downtown District of Breckenridge helps provide a much needed break from the bumps and bruises often suffered on the slopes. Still ingrained in much of the mining and frontier culture of the past, the 254 building National Historic District is one of the largest in Colorado and possesses an authentic charm rarely found in other, more commercialized ski towns (I'm looking at you Aspen). Peak your head into the 1875 Carter Museum and Barn (said to be the oldest museum in Colorado) or venture into the abandoned Country Boy hard-rock mine, where you can test your fortunes panning for gold (I didn't find any). Main Street also hosts quite a number of festivals every year like the International Ice Carving Festival and the Ullr Fest (celebrating the Nordic god of snow), and of course, the four mountain peaks flanking this quaint town provide a view both intimate and grand. So make sure you get plenty of skiing in during the day, but come nightfall, get your butts down the mountain and check out all that the National Historic Downtown District of Breckenridge has to offer.

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Breckenridge Whitewater Park

Category: Whitewater Rafting
Breckenridge, Colorado, United States
Breckenridge Whitewater Park, Breckenridge, Colorado United States

Is flying down a mountain at 50 miles per hour barely extreme enough for you? Does the lack of snow in Breckenridge in the summer months make you slightly depressed? Do you enjoy the feel of cold water stinging your face as you attempt to navigate the roaring currents and waves of the Colorado rapids? If you answered yes to all those questions then have I got the place for you! Breckenridge Whitewater Park is Colorado's largest kayak park and features some of the most intense and enjoyable controlled rapids in the world. Stretching over 1,800 feet of the Blue River at the north end of Breckenridge, the park is a city maintained, open-to-the-public white-water park that has over a dozen features including play waves, drop structures, eddie pools, s-curves and splash rocks, all with varying levels of difficulty. Open from April to August, the park is absolutely free (although if you don't own your own kayak you might have to pony up some dough for a rental). So stop crying every time you walk past your unused snowboard and throw on a wet suit to prepare yourself for some extreme kayaking courtesy of the Breckenridge Whitewater Park! Did I mention it was free?

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Riverwalk Center

Category: Town Center / Square / Plaza
Breckenridge, Colorado, United States
150 W Adams Ave, Breckenridge, CO 80424 US

Because most people spend time in Breckenridge engaging in physical activities like skiing or whitewater rafting they simply overlook the vast amount of culture and entertainment options available just a few footsteps away at The Riverwalk Center. Nestled in the heart of downtown Breckenridge, the Riverwalk Center is a hub for such diverse events as the Sounds of Summer presented by the National Repertory Orchestra, the Vintage Car Show or the Breckenridge Festival of Film. The center recently underwent some serious renovations (4 million dollars worth!) and can now hold over two thousand patrons and features state of the art acoustics, temperature control and lighting within the facility. Surrounded by the majestic hills and flowing water of the Blue River, the Riverwalk Center is the perfect location to celebrate some of the finer (and indoor) things that Breckenridge has to offer.

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Mountain Top Children's Museum

Category: Children's Museum
Breckenridge, Colorado, United States
605 S Park Ave, Breckenridge, CO 80424 US

If your family is anything like mine (large and slightly crazy), then by about day three of the annual family vacation you need some time apart. Not a full day or anything, but a good 10 to 12 hours away from each other, so kids can act like kids and adults can stay sane. So if you happen to need one of these days while in Breckenridge, make sure to drop your little munchkins off at the Mountain Top Children’s Museum for a full day of fun, learning and excitement. Located in the heart of downtown Breckenridge, The Mountain Top Children’s museum is an educational institution that “promotes informal learning through interactive exhibits and programs, imaginative play and engagement in active experiences for children ages 10 and under.” Translation: it’s a place where kids can have fun and (maybe) learn. Featuring a wildlife exhibit, a mini-planetarium and a “Kidstruction Zone” (think Legos but cooler) there’s enough activities to keep any kid (or adult for that matter) engaged and entertained for hours. So give yourself and your kids a break one day and drop them off at the Mountain Top Children’s Museum. You’ll be glad you did.

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Category: Opera
Aspen, Colorado, United States
320 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO 81611 US

Here's a little trivia question. Which world famous theater consistently features the best in film, music, theater, dance and comedy? Which stage has given performance space to the diverse talents of George Carlin, Oprah Winfrey and the entire cast of the Simpsons (not at the same time unfortunately)? Which historic and aesthetically gorgeous structure has been the home to the best in culture and entertainment in all of Colorado since 1889? The Wheeler Opera House of course! Located just three miles from downtown Aspen, The Wheeler is home to the HBO U.S Comedy Arts Festival, Aspen Shortfest, The Rooftop Comedy Festival and consistently features the best in local, national and worldwide talent. Built by J.B Wheeler during the height of Aspen's Silver Boom, The Wheeler has burned out and been restored twice in the last 100 years. Until 1984 the Wheeler was mainly a movie house until the City of Aspen purchased the property and pumped over 4 million dollars of renovations into the property. Looks like it worked because since then the Wheeler has been the heartbeat of the new Aspen cultural renaissance. Vive la Wheeler!

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Category: Ski Mountain
Aspen, Colorado, United States
Aspen, CO US

Although certain folks attempting to poke fun at Aspen's recent spike in celebrity citizens might make the joke that skiing in Aspen is a lot like going down a fashion runway in the snow (with clothes on), those who have truly experienced the majesty of Aspen Mountain know better. Often referred to by the locals as Ajax (its original name), the mountain is actually located in Pitkin County, which is just outside and slightly above (geographically, not metaphorically) the city of Aspen. With only 673 acres, the mountain is somewhat small compared to other ski areas, but makes up for its size with its unique cultural flavor that hearkens back to the good ol' days of Rocky Mountain recreational skiing. Rising up 3,267 feet from the heart of downtown, Aspen Mountain (in conjunction with Snowmass, The Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk) dishes out plentiful servings of mogul covered double blacks, smooth and easy green trails and challenging yet non-life threatening blue slopes to make for a perfect ski/snowboard experience. And thanks to a 2006 renovation to the famous Silver Queen Gondola (now featuring 147 spacious Swiss-made cabins) getting to the top of the mountain has never been easier. Thankfully, the methods for getting to the bottom are still the same. And no, they don't involve a cat walk.

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Category: Fishing
Aspen, Colorado, United States
Aspen, CO US

Some people think fishing takes skill. It doesn’t. Don’t even try to argue. There is nothing challenging about dangling a piece of bait under water and waiting hours for a fish to bite. Fly fishing, however, is a much different story. Fly fishing is a sport that requires not only skill, but patience, precision and finesse in order to be taken seriously. And nowhere is this sport taken more seriously than in the rivers, creeks lakes and reservoirs flowing through and around Aspen. Wade into the cool waters of the Roaring Fork, a free flowing river that extends about 70 miles and is teeming with massive Rainbow and German Brown Trout, or, for those with a little less experience, explore the calm waters of Maroon Creek, (but prepare to do battle with some feisty Cutthroat Trout). Other bodies of water in the Aspen area perfect for fly fishing include the Frying Pan River, Castle and Hunter creeks, and a plethora of lakes and reservoirs such as Thomas, Blue, Petroleum, Grizzly and Lost Man. Although it’s free to venture out into many of these fly fish havens, several tour companies in the Aspen area offer expert guides and training lessons for those hoping to brush up on their fly fishing skills. And yes, it does take skill to fly fish!

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Ski in Vail

Category: Ski Mountain
Vail, Colorado, United States
Vail Road, Vail, CO 81657 US

What's the biggest complaint most people have about skiing or snowboarding? It's too crowded! Be honest, there's nothing worse than having to constantly avoid throngs of people when all you want is the freedom to zoom down the mountain at your desired speed. Well, if you went to Vail Mountain, you could have that freedom! With over 5,289 acres of free ride terrain and trails on average of seven miles wide, finding fresh powder to carve on Vail Mountain is simple. So simple that on any average day there are only two skiers per acre! Divided into the three sections (Front-Side, Blue Sky Basin and the Back Bowls) Vail Mountain is the second largest resort in North America and is perfect for the advanced "I ski double black diamonds in my sleep" types or the just beginning "I can't even get on a lift without falling" category. With 193 runs, 34 lift systems and two terrain parks the only complaint you should have while skiing Vail Mountain is "why do I have to leave?"

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Vail Film Festival

Category: Festival
Vail, Colorado, United States
Vail Road, Vail, CO 81657 US

Unlike another film festival located in a small ski town, cough, Sundance, cough, the Vail Film Festival manages to feature just enough ground breaking new cinema and high profile celebrities to not become overwhelming. Held annually in late March or early April, The Vail Film Festival welcomes over 14,000 attendees and 300 film makers (and countless wannabe film makers of course) in a four day cinematic celebration that isn't just about attending the right industry parties or seeing Paris Hilton buy her lap dog ten dollar mineral water. Vail Film Festival is more about discovering quality movies amidst a clutter of brainless blockbusters that Hollywood expects us to swallow year after year. Voted by MovieMaker magazine as one of the top ten best destination film festivals in 2007, VFF has in the past screened premiered such indie gems as Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy's real-time romance Before Sunset and David Duchovny's directorial debut House of D. So pack your bags and head down to that quaint, little ski town – not that one – the one where cinema comes first, not celebrity.

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Colorado Ski Museum

Category: Museum
Vail, Colorado, United States
231 South Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657 US

When most people think of skiing and snowboarding, the thought of an amusing vacation sport or perhaps a gnarly ski bum catching some serious air usually comes to mind. The idea that skiing and snowboarding are both sports rich in history and culture doesn’t tend to come up, right? Well thankfully there’s the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum and Hall of Fame which “preserves and interprets the history of skiing and snowboarding; honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport; and educates adults and children about Colorado’s rich skiing legacy.” Located on the third floor of the Vail Transportation Center, the Museum contains over 1,500 photographs, artifacts, pieces of equipment and articles of clothing representative of over 130 years of Colorado’s rich skiing and snowboard heritage. Check out the fascinating timeline display that’ll give you a sense of the evolution and progression of the snowboard. Or see with your own eyes, actual Olympic and World Cup memorabilia. And of course, drop some cash at the gift shop if you like what you see. But whatever you do, don’t just think of skiing and snowboarding as a simple recreational sport or something that a lazy ski bum does to avoid getting a job – visit the museum to learn just how far these sports have truly come.

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Vail Village

Category: Town Center / Square / Plaza
Vail, Colorado, United States
Vail Road, Vail, CO 81657 US

We get it Vail. You’re a big ski and snowboard town. But what else you got to offer? You know how the old saying goes: Man can not live on snow sports alone. Thankfully, there’s Vail Village – Vail’s cultural hub, and the place to find true sanctuary from the slopes. This is a place to experience the gloriously delicious dining, the hundreds of shopping hot spots and the plethora nightlife options – all based at the foot of Vail Mountain. With its pedestrian streets and quaint yet appealing Bavarian architecture, Vail Village can help provide a few relaxing beers at the end of a long, rough day at the slopes or a hopping dance club with slightly over priced Apple-tinis. For the famished family it can provide an elaborate five course meal to celebrate a successful year or a quick five minute meal/snack to celebrate your first time to get on the lift without falling. For the shopping hounds out there, search for hot bargains on the latest in name brand apparel or authentic, local ski wear. And what’s a vacation without a trip to the spa – a wasted one if you ask me! So seek muscle and mind rejuvenation at one of the numerous spas all within walking distance of the mountain. But whatever you do – make sure to occasionally take a break from the ski/snowboard action. There’s a lot more of Vail to see!

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