[Gold] Small Group of 14 People | 7 Days Tour to Denver, Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Black Hawk, and Colorado Springs

After breakfast, head to downtown Denver to experience the unique charm of this Mile High City. First, Stroll along the 16th Commercial Street, a bustling section of the city center, where there are many bustling shops and many historical buildings, and then visit Denver's most famous public art work - the Big Blue Bear, whose meaning is: I See What You Mean (I know what you are talking about). Go to the Colorado State Capitol and Denver Art Museum, and take the 16th Street sightseeing bus to the old train station under the guidance of a tour guide. It is one of the few old buildings in the United States that is over a century old. It has been modernized and is still in operation. middle. Head to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, only a 30-minute drive from Denver. This is one of the local people’s favorite suburban parks. The amphitheater in the park is an outdoor music venue and is the only naturally occurring acoustically perfect circular shape in the world. The theater was the first stop for the Beatles' American debut. The theater is majestic and overlooks the greater Denver area. Afterwards, go to the beautiful university town of Boulder, visit Colorado State University Boulder and the National Center for Atmospheric Research and Museum, and stroll along Pearl Street in the city center. Finally, return to Denver.

Itinerary:

Denver → The 16th St Mall (30 mins) → Denver Big Blue Bear (15 mins) → Colorado State Capitol Building (outside visit, 30 mins) → Denver Art Museum (outside visit, 30 mins) → Old Railway Station (inside visit, 30 mins) → Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater (1.5 hours) → Boulder ( 35 mins) → Colorado State University, Boulder (1 hour) → National Center for Atmospheric Research and Museum ( 45 mins) → Pearl Street (1.5  hours) → Denver

Big Blue Bear

The bear's gesture and size evokes a dialogue between viewer and the viewed. The sculpture is titled, "I See What You Mean." The title itself generates a dialogue between the bear and viewer, placing both in conversation about what they are visually witnessing and sensing. It is a clever site-specific bridge between Colorado's fauna and new digital technology. The final bear is made up of about 4000 triangles on the surface. The scale of the bear was propositional to the massive size of the Convention Center. The final blue color of the bear was a happy accident. When creating the first small prototype with a 3D printer, the ABS plastic that created the 3D print just happened to be a bright blue in color. Both Lawrence and Anne quite liked the result as blue also represents the Colorado sky. They agreed that the surface color of the final bear would be lapis lazuli in color. This is a rare powerful stone found in few places in the world, one being Colorado.

The 16th St Mall

The 16th Street Mall is located in the heart of downtown Denver, Colorado. Designed by famed architect I.M. Pei, the pedestrian promenade is made of red, white and gray granite in a repeating pattern that, seen from above, resembles the skin of a diamondback rattlesnake. The mall offers 42 outdoor cafés along the mall, making it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat or have a drink. Points of interest along the mall include the D&F Tower, a two-thirds replica of the Campanile of St. Mark's in Venice that was the highest building west of the Mississippi when it was built in 1909. 

Denver Art Museum

Founded in 1893 as the Denver Artists' Club, the Denver Art Museum today is one of the largest art museums between Chicago and the West Coast. The museum’s global art collections represent cultures around the world, with more than 70,000 works of art in 12 collections, including African art, architecture and design, art of the ancient Americas, Asian art, European and American art before 1900, Latin American art, Oceanic art, modern and contemporary art, photography, textile art and fashion, Indigenous arts of North America, and western American art. The museum’s global collections also reflect work by artists from Denver and the Rocky Mountain region—and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about the world.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

Red Rocks National Park, located less than 20 kilometers west of downtown Denver, sits at an altitude of over 6,000 feet and covers over 860 hectares. It takes its name from the massive, 300-foot-tall red sandstone formations. The park's most eye-catching feature is the Red Rocks Amphitheater, also known as the "Amphitheater." It's the only large[1]scale open-air theater in the world constructed from the natural contours of a mountain. Perhaps due to the valley's natural echo, the venue has been a favorite of the American and international music community since its inception, becoming one of the world's most renowned open-air theaters.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

Red Rocks National Park, located less than 20 kilometers west of downtown Denver, sits at an altitude of over 6,000 feet and covers over 860 hectares. It takes its name from the massive, 300-foot-tall red sandstone formations. The park's most eye-catching feature is the Red Rocks Amphitheater, also known as the "Amphitheater." It's the only large[1]scale open-air theater in the world constructed from the natural contours of a mountain. Perhaps due to the valley's natural echo, the venue has been a favorite of the American and international music community since its inception, becoming one of the world's most renowned open-air theaters.

University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), colloquially referred to as CU or Colorado, is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado. It is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system, and was founded in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state. The sandstone used in the construction of nearly all the buildings on campus was selected from a variety of Front Range Mountain quarries. In 2011, Travel + Leisure named the Boulder campus one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States.

Pearl Street Mall

The Pearl Street Mall (also referred to as Pearl Street, or Downtown Boulder) is a four-block pedestrian mall in Boulder, Colorado. The pedestrian area stretches from 11th Street to 15th Street along Pearl Street and is home to a number of businesses and restaurants as well as the Boulder County Courthouse. The Pearl Street Mall is filled with public art, including numerous fountains and sculptures as well as a sandbox for children, a stylized map of Boulder County and a number of small gardens which are planted with a variety of flowers and trees, most notably tulips in the spring.

After breakfast, drive along Highway 70 into the Rocky Mountains. The scenery along the way is breathtaking. Pass by Vail. This fairy tale-like town is a world-famous ski resort and a paradise for outdoor activities. The town has exquisite and beautiful scenery. . In the afternoon, we arrived at Grand Junction, the largest city in western Colorado. It is only 60 kilometers away from Utah and is surrounded by mountains, rivers and lakes. Because the climate remains mild all year round, it has developed an agricultural oasis with a large area of ​​vineyards and is also the largest red wine destination in Colorado. Important place of origin. The Colorado National Monument, a 30-minute drive from Grand Junction, is a unique red rock mesa landscape along the Colorado River. Some rocks have been eroded away from the main body of the mesa, or stand independently like a golden rooster or a pillar holding up the sky. Americans believe that these independent rocks are The rock also represents the independent spirit of the United States, so it is designated as a National Monument. We will walk through the park along a famous scenic road-Rim Rock Drive. Along the way, there are leg-weakening cliffs and countless strange rocks and rocks. , there are also layers of red canyons, the scenery is very majestic and spectacular, and the uncanny craftsmanship of nature is in front of you.

Itinerary:

Denver → Vail (Walking tour, 2 hours, including free time+lunch time) → Grand Junction → Colorado National Monument (drive tour + photo taking, total 2.5 hours)

Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument is also a unique red rock terrace along the Colorado River. Some rocks have been eroded away from the main terrace, standing upright like a golden rooster or a pillar. Americans believe that these independent rocks also represent the independent spirit of the United States, so they are designated as a National Monument and belong to the same system as national parks, under the jurisdiction and protection of the NPS.

After breakfast, head to Aspen, the most famous mountain town in Colorado. It is not only picturesque, but also one of the world's top ski resorts. It has four major mountain ranges: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Butter Mountain and Snowmass Mountain. Covering an area of ​​more than 5,500 acres, the scenery here is pleasant in all seasons. Visitors will slow down unknowingly when they come here and enjoy the paradise-like beauty and tranquility. Hidden in the Rocky Mountains, about half an hour's drive south of Aspen, is a beautiful place that attracts photographers from all over the world: this is the Maroon Bells, which is the most photographed place in the United States for landscape photography. It has also been selected No. 1 of 99 places in Colorado that offer postcard-worthy photos, but in reality, photos simply don’t do justice to her true beauty. Arrive in the afternoon at Greenwood Springs, located in the center of the Rocky Mountains. This mountain town is famous for its geothermal resources and outdoor adventure activities. Head to Glenwood Springs Hot Spring, which is located next to the beautiful Colorado River and surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. With beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains, it provides an all-natural soaking experience to relax and rejuvenate.

Itinerary:

Grand Junction → Aspen Town (2 hours) → Visit Maroon Bells Scenic Area (tour bus round trip, 3 hours) → Glenwood Springs → Glenwood Springs Hot Spring (1.5 hours)

Notes:

1. As the Maroon Bells scenic area is closed until 05/15/2025, the attraction will be replaced by the Dillon Lake Tour & Hike (2 hours, including transportation to the Dillon Lake Dam). Thank you for your understanding.

2. Please bring your own swimsuit or bathrobe when go to Greenwood Springs Hot Springs. People with heart disease and hypertension should be careful.

After breakfast, return along Highway 70 to Blackhawk Town, a gambling town in the mountains. This town covers an area of ​​3.9 square kilometers and is 2,602 meters above sea level. It was established with the gold mining boom in the 19th century. In 1990, the town began to renovate, developing the gaming industry in the Midwest of the United States, and establishing a gambling city deep in the Rocky Mountains. Then go to Gold Town, which was founded during the gold rush. Its geographical location is very important. It was historically a trade center between the gold mines in the west and settlements in the east. It was the capital of Colorado from 1862 to 1867. The Colorado School of Mines is located in the center of the town. It is the first public institution of higher learning in Colorado. It is famous for its engineering and mining majors. It is a world-class public research university, mainly dedicated to engineering and applied scientific research. It has the strongest research strength in resource development, mining and utilization in the world. One of the strongest institutions. The Coors Brewery (appearance), founded in 1873, brews beer with snow water from the mountains. Now with an annual output of more than 22 million barrels of beer, it is the largest single brewery in the world and the business card and pride of King Town. Finally return to Denver.

Itinerary:

Glenwood Springs → Black Hawk (walk through the casino town in the mountains and visit the Ameristar Casino, 1 hour) → Gold → Colorado School of Mines (25 mins) → Coors Brewery (outside visit, 20 mins) → Denver

Black Hawk

Black Hawk is nestled adjacent to Central City in Clear Creek Canyon west of Denver. While Black Hawk occupies less than two square miles and has fewer than 100 residents, the former mining and mill town welcomes visitors who come to experience the area's history, scenery and entertainment.

Golden Town

Golden, located approximately 15 miles west of downtown Denver, is said to be the site of a gold rush discovered by a prospector named John Gregory 150 years ago, sparking the town's and Colorado's gold rush. Golden is also home to the Colorado School of Mines and the headquarters of Coors Brewery. Coors was founded in Golden, and has maintained its headquarters there since its founding in 1873.

After breakfast, proceed to the famous Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rocky Mountains, which are more than 4,500 kilometers long, run through the North American continent from north to south. They have given birth to most of the rivers in North America and are also the main watershed of the North American continent. It has the highest altitude. Rocky Mountain National Park is just near Denver. From Denver, you can go northwest for about 110 kilometers to the east gate of the park, Estes Park. First, go to Bear Lake. This mountain lake named by the Indians has breathtaking beauty. The scenery is also one of the most famous lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Then, follow the famous Trail Ridge Road to the top of the mountain. The 48-mile Trail Ridge Road traverses Rocky Mountain National Park from east to west, and finally ends on the west side of the park. Along the way, there are mountains and mountains. The dense and rich vegetation and the sky with rolling clouds are like a painting. The Alpine Visitor Center is located at the highest point of the Ridge Road at an altitude of 3637 meters, where you can feel the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Finally, we turned back to Sheep Lake. At the foot of the mountain, an open and flat grassland surrounded a small bay of lake. This is the habitat of Colorado's state animal, the bighorn sheep.

Itinerary:

Denver → Rocky Mountain National Park (Head to Bear Lake, Alpine Visitor Center, Sheep Lake, about 9 hours a day) → Denver

Special Note:

If Trail Ridge Road is closed due to season or weather conditions, the itinerary for this day will be changed to:

After breakfast, head to Estes Park, a resort town located at the east gate of the national park, to view the lakes and mountains of Lake Estes and see the Stanley Hotel, the prototype of the hotel in the classic horror movie "The Shining". Then go to Rocky Mountain National Park and visit Bear Lake, Sheep Lake, and the Visitor Center. Finally, return to Denver

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado spans the Continental Divide and encompasses protected mountains, forests and alpine tundra. It's known for the Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road, drives that pass aspen trees and rivers. The Keyhole Route, a climb crossing vertical rock faces, leads up Longs Peak, the park’s tallest mountain. A trail surrounding Bear Lake offers views of the peaks. 

After breakfast, head to Colorado Springs, the second largest city in Colorado. It is located at the eastern foot of Pikes Peak in the Rocky Mountains, at an altitude of 1,840 meters. It is also the birthplace of the "American Sports Festival". Go to the famous Garden of the Gods, also known as God's Garden, which is dotted with the most beautiful red sandstone in the United States. More than 300 sandstones of different shapes stand in the park, with the famous Pikes Peak and the blue sky as the background. People marvel at the miraculous craftsmanship of nature. Then explore the quaint town of Manitou Springs. With its breathtaking scenery, friendly people, and great outdoor adventures, you're sure to fall in love with this quaint town no matter how you visit. Then go to the Garden of the Gods to explore its original and wild beauty. The garden scenery is extremely pleasant and is filled with the most beautiful red sandstone in the United States. It has a unique flavor.

Itinerary:

Denver → Colorado Springs → Garden of the Gods (3 hours) → Manitou Springs (drive-through+free tour, 1 hour) → Overlooking Pikes Peak → Denver International Airport

Garden of the Gods

The unique red sandstone formations create a myriad of bizarre rock formations. The garden's two treasures are the Kissing Camels, shaped like two camels, and Balanced Rock, resembling a giant's head and weighing 700 tons. For outdoor enthusiasts, the garden offers numerous rock formations for climbing, making it a paradise for rock climbers worldwide.

Manitou Springs

Historic Downtown Manitou Springs is an artist’s enclave featuring time-honored art galleries, street performers, creek-side restaurants and boutique stores. Located at the base of Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, Manitou Springs is abundant with fun attractions and activities. 

Pikes Peak

The safe and scenic Pikes Peak Highway provides you the opportunity to enjoy 19 miles of mountain terrain, with frequent breathtaking views, four different Colorado life zones and unique animal sightings. From the summit’s various viewing areas, snap photos of Pikes Peak’s incredible scenery.  Pikes Peak is one of Colorado’s majestic 14’ers and is one of the few places so grand in scale that are also accessible to be experienced first-hand by people of all ages and abilities.