Colorado

Carved out by the Gunnison River over the course of 2 million years, this natural wonder of cliffs, spires and narrows are packed with adventures. Hike the rim or go deep into the inner canyon.

This historic terminal building in Denver’s LoDo district is quite the scene: hip restaurants and bars, artisan shops and boutiques, and cool hotels reflect the spirit and the history of the city.

At Mesa Verde, get an up-close look at how Native American tribes thrived in Colorado from AD 600 to 1300. Take a tour and explore amazingly well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.

Located in southern Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest dunes in North America. Hike along scenic trails to forests, wetlands and alpine lakes.

This 1-meter-wide heritage railroad operates 73 kilometers of scenic track with special events including brew and wine rides, cowboy poet rides, photographers’ rides and holiday-themed Polar Express rides around Christmas.

A stunning park located just outside Denver, Red Rocks is known for its large red sandstone outcroppings and naturally formed, iconic amphitheater that hosts big-name music acts.

The Denver Mint, a branch of the U.S. Mint, struck its first coins on February 1, 1906. Take a free tour to learn about the history of the Mint and how it produces U.S. coins.

Near Colorado Springs, 4,302-meter Pikes Peak is one of the most famous summits in the U.S. Drive or ride the cog railway to the top. Visit nearby Garden of the Gods to see spectacular rock formations.

The Denver Art Museum’s impressive collection includes more than 70,000 works including Western, Native American and regional art housed in seven stories. The angular, award-winning Hamilton Building serves as the stunning main entrance.

In the Uinta Mountains on the Colorado-Utah line, visitors can see more than 1,500 dinosaur fossils exposed on the cliff face inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall. All told, this park contains 800-plus paleontological sites.