Generations of Adventure: How Travelers Have Experienced Colorado for 150 Years

For more than 150 years, travelers have always been drawn to Colorado’s majestic mountains, wide-open plains, and character-filled towns and cities by the promise of adventure, discovery, and inspiration. From the earliest frontiersmen and gold rush prospectors to modern-day visitors and outdoor enthusiasts, the Centennial State has always offered a playground for the curious and daring.

Famous explorers like William Greeneberry “Green” Russell and the brave expedition leaders of the Trapper’s Trail certainly helped to establish the urban hubs that now form the fabric of Colorado’s cultural identity, but in turn, they are also credited for laying the foundations for some of the earliest forms of tourism to the state. At the forefront of Colorado’s emergence as a coveted tourist destination were the resulting railroads and stagecoach lines, which brought an early wave of 19th-century voyagers enticed by stories of the state’s untold beauty.

These days, visitors are still able to follow in the footsteps of these intrepid travelers by hiking in the Rocky Mountains and rafting down the Arkansas River, although more contemporary pursuits are also available, such as skiing any of Colorado’s world-famous ski runs. And, while the methods of transport may have changed, Best Western’s longstanding historical ties to Colorado have ensured our properties are perfectly positioned to welcome families, road-trippers, and, of course, adventure-seekers eager to experience everything the Centennial State has to offer.

Welcome To Colorado’s Legendary Outdoor Adventure Playground and Historical Attractions

Remarkably, while the history books reveal just how pivotal the railways were in Colorado’s journey to statehood in 1876, they remain one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions. Of these, the world-renowned Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway provide modern-day hikers, landscape photographers, and families of all ages a fascinating glimpse of the sights, sounds, and picturesque views that prospectors and pioneers of old would have witnessed.

However, perhaps the biggest pull for visitors to the Centennial State is the bounty of rugged backcountry expanses and iconic national parks that are the backbone of multi-generational exploration, offering endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and wildlife observation. In fact, studies have shown more than 62% of Colorado’s long-stay visitors do so to partake in its outdoor recreations, not only surpassing the national average elsewhere, but cementing the state’s status as a top adventure tourism destination.

No matter if your passion is to chase the adrenaline-fueled highs of Colorado’s favorite outdoor pursuits or simply exploring the cultural wonders of the state’s small towns and cities – when you arrive, you’ll soon see why visitors come back again and again. From soaking in the natural thermal hot spring of Glenwood Hot Springs to visiting its prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mesa Verde National Park, if you are ever in need of an excuse to visit, simply check out our sensational shortlist of 150 Ways to Experience Colorado.

A State Brimming with Natural Wonders and Urban Adventures

Despite Colorado’s unwavering appeal for lovers of the great outdoors, it might surprise you to learn that the Centennial state’s urban offerings are equally appealing, with more than 66% of guests also engaging in its cultural entertainment experiences, live music events, craft beer breweries, and more. Cities like Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder are just a few of Colorado’s bustling urban hubs popular with fans of contemporary art, whose historical backdrops make an idyllic setting for multi-generational exploration.

Captivating family-themed adventures also connect visitors with Colorado’s prehistoric past, such as when visiting the Dinosaur Journey Museum in Craig or the Garden of the Gods on the outskirts of Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs. For couples and solo travelers too, Colorado boasts a distinctive collection of stunning vineyards and wineries to sample a collection of the state’s fine wine reserves.

Unquestionably, the enduring allure of Colorado is the same today as it’s always been, as witnessed in the tales of all those who came before. Rooted in the escapades of the early fur trappers, gold hunters, and railway adventurers, it was their own experiences that inadvertently laid the foundations for the wide-ranging outdoor and cultural experiences enjoyed by visitors to Colorado to this day.

As a trusted choice for generations of travelers to Colorado, Best Western still prides itself on offering guests a range of experience-focused amenities and ideally located properties to truly relish every minute of their stay in the Centennial State. So, whether you’re hiking and biking around the Rocky Mountains, sampling the state’s impressive farm-to-table culinary delights, or wandering the cultural festivities of Denver’s celebrated RiNo Art District, you can do so knowing Best Western puts the best of Colorado right at your doorstep.