It is (pretty much) officially fall in Colorado… can I get an “amen” from all you basic folk like me?! Now that pumpkin spice lattes are flowing and leaves are changing color, it is time to get out and enjoy everything that Colorado has to offer this time of year, which includes:
1. Drive the San Juan Skyway.
Located in the San Juan Mountains, this easily recognizable 233-mile road passes through some of the most stunning and colorful scenery in not just the state, but in the country.
2. Stroll through Georgetown.
With easy access via I-70 (just 45 miles west of Denver), the historic "Silver Queen of the Rockies" is truly the ultimate Colorado fall destination with its ample shopping and dining opportunities, rides aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad, and multiple museums. (Need we even mention that the town is surrounded by some the most jaw-dropping colors in the state?)
3. Find your perfect pumpkin at Diana's Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. (Canon City)
Whether you are looking for big, small, or somewhere in between, this family owned and operated farm is sure to have the perfect pumpkin for you!
4. Hike the Maroon Bells.(Aspen)
If you have yet to hike the iconic Maroon Bells in the fall, you have yet to truly experience this incredible area! In addition to its picture-perfect views, the area is home to 5 different trails the range from 1 to 13 miles round trip.
5. Attend AppleFest.(Cedaredge)
Nothing says fall more than fresh picked apples, so what better way to celebrate the season than by attending Cedaredge's AppleFest on October 7th and 8th (2017)? (In addition to apple goodness, AppleFest also features a car show, chili cook-off, vendors, and more.)
6. Dine at the allegedly haunted Meeker Hotel and Cafe. (Meeker)
Are you looking for something a bit spookier to do this fall? Look no further than the Meeker Hotel and Cafe; a historic 1896 hotel and restaurant that is home to both Charlie Dunbar (the original owner who was killed during a gunfight that still likes to hang around the hotel and chivalrously lead women down the long staircase) and the Painted Lady (who wakes guests in the middle of the night with her strong perfume).
7. Photograph the old Crystal Mill. (Crystal)
Hidden away outside of Carbondale is one of Colorado’s best kept and most well-preserved secrets: Crystal Mill. While the historic mill is no longer in service, it is still a popular spot for hiking and photography. (Can you see why?)
8. Camp at Pearl Lake State Park. (Clark)
Do you think this photo of Pearl Lake State Park—which is located just north of Steamboat Springs and boasts unbeatable mountain views—looks amazing? Wait until you this Centennial State gem in person.
9. Search for that perfect apple at Fruit Basket Orchards. (Grand Junction)
It's time to grab the kids, load up the car, and hightail it on over to the Fruit Basket Orchard; a U-Pick orchard along the Western Slope that has not one, not two, but 18 different varieties of apples!
10. Scream bloody murder at the 13th Floor Haunted House. (Denver)
Named the #1 haunted house in America by Fox News and USA Today, the 13th Floor Haunted House is the granddaddy of all haunted houses that is a must-visit for all you Halloween lovers out there.
11. Climb aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. (Durango)
Last but not least on our must-do fall list is the exciting Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which was originally constructed to haul silver & gold ore from the San Juan Mountains to Denver and is now one of Colorado’s favorite train rides that spans across some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.
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