36 Hours in the Front Range

With an abundance of sunshine, craft beer and outdoor opportunities, the hardest part of spending 36 hours along the Front Range of Colorado is narrowing down the best spots to hit. Between Denver and Fort Collins you don’t have to go far before running into a new brewery or a scenic trail. To make it easier, we’ve narrowed down some of our favorite spots in the area.

Start your tour by catching a Colorado Rockies game at the downtown Denver stadium, Coors Field. Even if you’re not a baseball fan, the Rocky Mountain views are worth the price of admission. Bonus points if you can attend an afternoon game and enjoy the sunset. City Park should be your next stop for activities like paddle boats on the lake, live jazz on Sunday nights, or just a leisurely jog through the many paths circling the Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature & Science.

Photo by Geoff Livingston

Head northwest to Boulder and hit Pearl Street (pop into the Topo Designs Store) for unique shopping, delicious food and great people watching. The outdoor mall features over 150 boutiques and several restaurants with rooftop decks to enjoy the iconic view of the Flatirons. Get an up-close look at these beauties at Chautauqua Park. You can challenge yourself on the Royal Arch hike or take it easy and see a concert at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, built in 1898.

Photo by Larry Koester

Back on the road, keep going north to your final stop: Fort Collins (aka “Fort Fun”). As the largest producer of craft beer in Colorado, you could make a full day of visiting tasting rooms and supplementing with local food trucks here. Keep it interesting by using the extensive trail system, like the Poudre Trail or the trails up at Horsetooth Reservoir. Hop from spot-to-spot on a rental bike either from the kiosks around town or one of many local bike shops. Finish off the evening in historic Old Town for yes, another brewery stop. Because Colorado.