When cheap flights beckon and you can hear all the fall activities in Colorado calling your name, you know it’s time to pack your bags!
I’m a Southern California girl by location, but here’s the deal: at heart, I definitely crave a little fall. Growing up, my “birthday cake” was often a pumpkin pie, and despite the often still-boiling California weather I can never resist cozy sweaters
But fall in Colorado is such a magical time. If you’re planning a trip already, maybe you are wondering about the best places to see fall colors in Colorado? Or maybe you want to know the best fall activities in Colorado? Or where you should go if it happens to rain while you’re there?
Read on to learn about some of the best places to visit in Colorado in fall!
Visit Breckenridge, Colorado
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Breckenridge was one of my favorite stops for seeing fall foliage in Colorado. This gorgeous mountain town is certainly worth adding to your fall Colorado itinerary!
In the town center, there are plenty of cute shops to wander through and find leather goods, outdoor and hiking gear, souvenirs, and fun local items. It is fun to pop inside and explore all the tiny shops to see what you will find!
But perhaps even more importantly, a beautiful river runs parallel to Breckenridge’s Main Street…and wandering along this route brings you to plenty of stunning, bright yellow Aspens. Aspen trees in fall are an icon of Colorado, and seeing the cheery yellow along the river makes Breckenridge simply a delight!
Be sure to scoop up handfuls of fallen leaves and let your inner child out by throwing them in the air, or simply run through the piles of leaves on the ground. This area is one of the best places to see fall colors in Colorado near Denver, so enjoy it!
Explore Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is one of those places that is impressive in all weather—be that sunny and blue skies, mysterious and foggy, or even dotted with snow! During the fall-turning-into-winter stage, you’re likely to find it in the thrall of mysterious clouds.
Bring warm clothes and perhaps a rain jacket, though, and you’ll be all set to explore and reveal the mystery of this beautiful and unique place!
Drive in the Mountains
If you want to see fall colors near Denver, sometimes the perfect way to find the best fall foliage is by driving and keeping your eyes open! One good place to start looking is when traveling west from Denver toward Mt. Evans.
Although we saw lots of gorgeous trees on our drive in this area, my favorite part ended up being near Silver Plume and Georgetown. The colors were such a vibrant yellow and orange!
So if you’re looking for the best fall colors in Colorado, get in your car and head up to the mountains. You’re sure to find many beautiful groves and lots of fall foliage to choose from!
See Red Rocks Amphitheater
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Admittedly, this is something you could do at any time of the year. But no matter what time of year you are in Colorado, this cool and unique concert venue should definitely be on your list to see! And it is especially pretty when there is fall-colored ground cover.
This outdoor venue is unique because it has the stage and seating built into two giant red rocks that act as a natural amphitheater. If you want to see Red Rocks without attending a concert, you can definitely do this but make sure to check the concert schedule before you go! They won’t let you in to see the venue if a concert is happening within a few hours.
And of course, as a working venue they also have plenty to choose from if you want to attend a concert. Attending a concert here is a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else!
Rainy Day Fall Activities in Colorado
If it’s raining during your visit and you don’t feel like braving the elements, there are still plenty of fall activities you can do in Colorado! Here are a few that I recommend.
Have Afternoon Tea at the Brown Palace
There’s nothing more cozy than a cup of tea in fall! And nothing tastier than Afternoon Tea with all the scones, tiny sandwiches, and delicious desserts that accompany it. During my fall visit to the Brown Palace, they served seasonal-themed treats like pumpkin scones, which made the experience even better.
If you love tea or are looking for a cozy, indoor activity to do in Colorado during fall, then this is the place for you. But if you still need more convincing, check out my post about having Afternoon Tea at the Brown so you can see the true opulence and beauty of this experience!
Visit the Cadet Chapel at the United States Air Force Academy
One other stunning place to visit if you are looking for shelter from the weather is the Cadet Chapel located on the United States Air Force Academy grounds. This vibrant chapel looks interesting from the outside, but when you step inside you are greeted by an array of color and beautiful stained glass!
Although some elements of this chapel remind one of the grand cathedrals of Europe, this is also a uniquely modern take on a classic. The shape is fascinating and the color is brilliant—this chapel is something you will not want to miss!
Unfortunately, the Cadet Chapel will be undergoing renovations beginning in 2019 to fix a persistent leak in the roof and will likely not be open for several years. So go see it now, or add it to your list to see once the renovations are complete!
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