Category Archives: USA Vacations

Explore Lake George Lake Rentals in New York

Why not try a family vacation at one of the gorgeous Lake George Lake Rentals?

Just think of the benefits.  You’ll be on what promises to be a memorable holiday vacation with all the comforts (but not the stresses) of home. Everyone can do with a change of scenery this year!

Lake George

Imagine a family trip to Lake George, New York. Situated in the six-million-acre Adirondack Park, it is the ideal place for the outdoor-loving family to spend the holidays together. When you’re not whipping up the secret family recipe mashed potatoes or lounging around sharing childhood stories with your kids, you can spend time hiking through the massive park

 

 

Even though the kids may be out of school, you can still share a piece of history with them by making a trip to the rebuilt Fort Ticonderoga. A visit to Lake George will promise to be the perfect blend of relaxation and bonding for the adventurous family on a holiday break.

 

Restaurants

Offering take-out and Curbside Pickup

Lake George, NY

163 Tap Room:

  • Delivery and take-out available; full menu, growlers, wine
  • Noon – 7:00 pm
  • Call to order at 518-685-3236 or 518-222-4880.
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Adirondack Pub & Brewery:

  • Offering pickup lunch from their food truck and pickup beer to go on Friday-Sunday.
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Adirondack Winery:

  • Open for pick up and curbside pickup of wine daily.
  • Call at a 518-668-9463.
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Bank Cafe:

  • Offering takeout on Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-5102.
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Barnsider BBQ:

  • Offering takeout and delivery daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-5268.
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Bella’s Delicatessen:

  • Offering curbside pickup daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-3354.
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Capri Pizzeria:

  • Offering pickup and delivery daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-5027.
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Caffe Vero:

  • Offering pickup, curbside pickup, and delivery daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-5800.
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Christie’s on the Lake:

  • Offering pickup and curbside pickup Friday-Sunday, 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-2515.
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Giuseppe’s Pizzeria:

  • Offering pickup and delivery daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-2920.
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Log Jam Restaurant:

  • Offering pickup and delivery daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-798-1155.
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Mama Riso’s:

  • Offering curbside pickup Friday-Monday from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Family-style specials are on Facebook.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-2550.
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Mario’s Restaurant:

  • Offering dinner pickup on Thursday-Sunday.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-2665.
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Olde Log Inn:

  • Offering takeout daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-3334.
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Pablo’s Burritos Cantina:

  • Offering pickup and curbside pickup on Friday-Sunday. Open from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
  • Order by phone at 518-685-5444.
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Pizza Jerks:

  • Offering curbside pickup and delivery daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-4411 or order online.
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SJ Garcia’s:

  • Offering pickup and curbside pickup on Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-5111.
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Spice Gyro & Kabob:

  • Offering pickup daily except for Tuesdays.
  • Order by phone at 518-685-5065.
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Tandoori Grill:

  • Offering pickup and delivery daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-685-5112.
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Tankard Tavern/Village Blacksmith:

  • Offering pickup at the Tankard Tavern on Friday and Saturday and pickup family-style meals on Friday and Saturday at the Village Blacksmith.
  • Order by phone at 518-964-6694.
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  • Takeout menu
  • Family-style Specials
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The Docksider:

  • Offering pickup and delivery daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-792-3534.
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The Garrison:

  • Offering deckside pickup daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-685-3013.
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The View Restaurant at Dunham’s Bay Resort:

  • Offering pickup and delivery Thursday-Sunday.
  • Order by phone at 518-656-9242.
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TR’s Restaurant & Lounge:

  • Offering pickup and growler fills daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-668-5781.
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XII Sporks:

  • Offering pickup and delivery for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
  • Order by phone at 518-685-5082.
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Colorado’s Celebration of National Native American Indian Heritage Month

November marks National Native American Indian Heritage Month,

Colorado honors its earliest inhabitants through cultural experiences throughout the year.

Following is a sampling of sites, exhibits, and museums as well as events and tours that pay tribute to and celebrate the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans in the state.


National Native American Indian Heritage Sites, Exhibits, and Museums:

Canyon of the Ancients Photo by Bureau of Land Management

Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Dolores: Covering 176,000 acres, the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is a rugged and breathtaking landscape containing the highest known density of archaeological sites in the United States. 6,000 ancient sites, some visible to the eye, dot the landscape, including cliff dwellings, villages and rock art. Plus, the monument is just 10 miles from the heart of Cortez. The outdoor site contains miles of trails ideal for hiking, mountain biking and horseback.

Video about the history of Colorado Native Americans

 



Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Cortez: Stories of the Native American experience, including the Pueblo people, often is told in the past tense. At the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, however, visitors experience a broader understanding of Ancestral Puebloan culture and modern culture through immersive workshops, tours, and travel opportunities. Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is a 170-acre research facility and living classroom offering hands-on archaeology programs.

Southern Ute Tribe Land Photo by Bureau of Land Management

Cultural Traditions of The Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ignacio: The Southern Ute Indian Tribe located on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation in Southwest Colorado, has a rich cultural tradition and holds several events throughout the year to keep these traditions alive.  The Southern Ute Museum and Cultural Center, owned and operated by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe provides information about the Southern Ute Indian Tribe culture, history, and traditions. The Sky Ute Casino Resort is the perfect place from which to explore the endless recreational options on the reservation and the surrounding areas.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science North American Indian Cultures Exhibit Hall, Denver: As visitors travel through the various regions in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s eye-opening North American Indian Cultures exhibit hall, they’ll explore authentically reconstructed dwellings, including an Eskimo snow house, a Northwest Coast clan house, a Navajo hogan, and a Cheyenne tipi. Along the way, visitors can examine beautifully crafted weavings, basketry, beadwork, and pottery. 

National Parks in Colorado

Hovenweep photo by Jimmy Thomas
Hovenweep National Monument, Cortez: Hovenweep, a Ute Indian word meaning “deserted valley,” was once home to over 2,500 people. Hovenweep includes six prehistoric villages built between A.D. 1200 and 1300. A variety of structures include multistory towers perched on canyon rims and balanced on boulders. Unique square, oval, circular and D-shaped towers display incredible attention to detail and will leave visitors marveling at the skill and motivation of the builders.
 




Mesa Verde National ParkMesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to 1300. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.

Native American Trading Company, Denver: For more than 25 years, the Native American Trading Company has offered high quality affordable and authentic handmade American Indian art. Every piece is individually selected by owners Jack Lima and Robin Lima Riddel, who frequently make trips to reservations, pueblos and the homes of the artists in search of the finest pieces, including antique weavings, pottery, baskets, jewelry, artifacts, and photographs. Located just across the street from the Denver Art Museum, Native American Trading Company is a must-visit gallery.
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, Eads: Visit the Site of The Sand Creek Massacre: profound, symbolic, spiritual, controversial, a site unlike any other in America.  As 675 cavalrymen came around a prairie bend, the camps of Chiefs Black Kettle, White Antelope, and Left Hand lay in the valley before them. Chaotic, horrific, tumultuous and bloody, the events of November 29, 1864, changed the course of history. Interpretive programs are offered daily. There is also a 173-milAnnual Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run/Walk in late November. 
 
Temple Canyon ParkCañon City: Discover Native American wonders at Temple Canyon Park. In 1881, workmen for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad discovered a hidden side canyon along Grape Creek that led to a large natural amphitheater. Dubbed ‘The Temple’, the site (along with hundreds of surrounding acres) was acquired as a city park in 1912. This stunning location may have been used by the Ute Indian Tribe as a ceremony site. It is also said there are Ute burial grounds along Grape Creek through Temple Canyon. The Ute Trail, as it is known today, was at one time used by the American Indians in their excursion to and from the plains country.
 
Morrison Colorado Red Rocks photo by Wally Gobetz

Tesoro Cultural Center, Morrison: From art and cuisine to historical re-enactments and music, the Tesoro Cultural Center’s mission is to create enriched, community-based events and educational outreach programs designed to preserve and celebrate Colorado’s cultural American Indian heritage. Tesoro Cultural Center is proud to offer several approved curriculums for public schools, including a program titled “The American Indian Tribes of Colorado.”

Ute Council Tree, Delta:Once a 200-plus-year-old cottonwood where it’s been claimed that Chief Ouray, his wife Chipeta and Ouray’s braves met with white settlers to smoke the pipe of peace and settle their differences, what remains of the Ute Council Tree is a 23-foot stump. Chipeta was said to have been the only American Indian woman ever permitted to sit in council meetings. The site is still considered a cultural landmark.

The Ute Indian Museum, Montrose: The Ute Indian Museum celebrates the history and the living culture of Colorado’s longest continuous residents. The museum welcomes visitors with a stunning building and exhibition connecting the past with contemporary Ute life and culture. Exhibitions focus on the Ute peoples’ history of adaptation and persistence, and unfold around a central theme of geography, highlighting significant locations in Ute history and Ute cultural survival, political self-determination, economic opportunity and the celebration of the Bear Dance.

Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, Towaoc: The Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park offers an in-depth experience not to be missed. Tribal members interpret tribal culture, pictographs, cliff dwellings, surface ruins, and artifacts. It has been selected by National Geographic Traveler as one of “80 World Destinations for Travel in the 21st Century,” one of only nine places in the United States to receive this special designation. The Park encompasses approximately 125,000 acres around a 25-mile stretch of the Mancos River and is located in the Mesa Verde/Mancos Canyon area just outside the boundaries of the National Park.


The White River Museum, Meeker: The White River Museum is housed in two of the log buildings from the 1880′s that served as officer’s quarters of the federal troops stationed in Meeker, as a result of the Meeker Massacre in 1879 and the infamous Milk Creek Battle, the last Indian Tribe/U.S.Army battle in America. Named “one of the last curio museums in Colorado” by the State Historical Society, it is filled with collections ranging from the 1880s to the 1950s, including many Ute Indian exhibits.

Written on the Land: Ute Voices, Ute History at the History Colorado Center, Denver: Hear the story of Colorado’s longest continuous residents, told in their own voices in the exhibit, “Written on the Land: Ute Voices, Ute History” at the History Colorado Center. Take a journey to iconic Colorado places the Ute people call home. Visitors can see traditional arts, gorgeous photography and contemporary video showing how Ute people have adapted and persevered through the centuries. The exhibit showcases the tragic loss of Ute homelands and efforts to keep Ute culture and language alive today.
Yampah Vapor Caves
Yampah Vapor Caves, Glenwood Springs: Glenwood Springs’ Yampah Vapor Caves, the only known natural vapor caves in North America, were originally inhabited by the Ute Native Americans who visited the caves for centuries regarding them as a sacred place of healing, curative powers and rejuvenation. In fact, Yampah translates into “Big Medicine” in the Ute language. Visitors still enjoy “Big Medicine” from the Yampah Vapor Caves, which are blessed by Utes every year. Members of the Ute Tribe also hold monthly traditional sweats in the caves in an effort to keep the traditions alive.


Events and Tours:

 
Shining Mountains Film Festival, Aspen – October 13-14, 2019:Shining Mountains Film Festival is a documentary film festival focused on fostering Native American and indigenous peoples storytelling through film and live events in a way that supports and engages indigenous media arts; authentically captures national and international indigenous voices; highlights the work of indigenous filmmakers and performers for diverse audiences; and breaks barriers of racism by replacing stereotypes with credible representations of Indigenous peoples’ history, culture and community.

39th Annual Colorado Indian Market & Southwest Art Fest, Denver – January 17-19, 2020: This colorful celebration of Native American, Southwestern and Western arts features 200 top-quality juried artists and craftsmen alongside tribal dances, award-winning entertainers, artists demonstrations, culinary booths, and interactive special attractions.

Denver March Powow, Denver – March 2020:Since 1984, the heritage of American Indians has been celebrated in Denver every March at the Denver March Powwow, one of the largest events of its kind in the country. A welcoming glimpse into Native American culture, more than 1,600 dancers from close to 100 tribes from 38 states and three Canadian provinces come to the three-day event, filling the Denver Coliseum with singing, dancing, storytelling, food, and art.

20th Annual American Indian Market & Powwow at The Fort, Morrison – June 6-7, 2020:Each year, The Tesoro Cultural Center hosts a public event celebrating American Indian art, culture, and dance, known as the American Indian Market & Powwow. Events include Colorado’s largest authentic and juried American Indian art show, featuring nationally acclaimed artists in a variety of mediums, and a two-day contest Powwow with participation from more than 40 American Indian Nations.

The Huajatolla Heritage Festival,La Veta – June 2020: Each June, people come to honor Hispano and Native American cultures through music, art, food, dance, education and more in the shadows of the beautiful Spanish Peaks (The Huajatollas or Wahatoyas). The Huajatolla Heritage Festival is hosted by the Huajatolla Heritage Foundation, a grassroots organization of artists, visionaries, educators, and community leaders in La Veta who strive to preserve rich Colorado American Indian heritage through exploration and sharing of culture, language, art and spiritual beliefs.

Native American Living History Weekat Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, Loveland – July 19-25, 2020: Gray Wolf transforms part of the ranch into an authentic, historically accurate Cheyenne camp from the mid-1800s, complete with tipis, buffalo hides, tomahawks, saddles, rifles, buckskin and rawhide, old-time beadwork and much more. Guests will learn about tomahawk and knife throwing, arrow making, fire making, Native American sign language, wild edibles, and the Great Plains culture.
Colorado Detours: Colorado’s Oldest Inhabitants, Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area – Ongoing: Join Colorado Detours on a hike into deep human time that challenges the imagination. Dr. Dave Noe, geologist, takes visitors on an overland van ride into the desert-like Adobe Hills. Once there, he guides visitors to many wonders: petroglyphs, an archaeological dig, a dinosaur trackway and more.

Indigenous Roots LLC, Weston – Ongoing:Indigenous Roots offers an authentic living history immersion experience that includes educational offerings on history, human geography, sustainability and cultural anthropology from a Native American perspective. Participants live in a tipi village near the historic Santa Fe Trail for a four-day, three-night program learning through firsthand experience and deepening understanding of traditional Native American culture.

9th Annual Saguache Community Powwow – August 2020: A small but devoted group of participants gathers in late August each year for an intertribal celebration that has successfully revived a powwow tradition dating back more than two decades. Visitors are invited to enjoy dancing, music, food, and festivities in this small town located at the north edge of the beautiful San Luis Valley.


Tour Estes Park Driving Tour
Estes Park – Ongoing: Tour Estes Park offers a driving tour focused on the native, or first people, of Estes Park. During this tour, they visit several sites in the Estes Valley and share the amazing stories of specific people and their cultures. They also offer a one-hour slide presentation of the first people of Colorado and the Estes Valley.


Longwood Gardens and Brandywine River Museum : A Must Stop On Your Philadelphia Vacation


Longwood gardens are located in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania.  a beautiful area in all seasons: summer, spring, fall, and winter. . Longwood is a world-class garden and museum.

Be sure to visit both the  Longwood Gardens and the Brandywine River Museum, located a few miles from each other.

Can you see Longwood Gardens and the Brandywine Museum in one day?

We spent a full day exploring the area. Longwood Gardens which is in the historic Brandywine Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania (PA) and northern Delaware (DE) was our first stop.

Pierre S. du Pont established and maintained the Longwood Gardens so it is often called the DuPont Gardens. The gardens were established in 1906.  Today, hundreds of employees and volunteers work to keep Longwood beautiful and pristine.  

There are more than 1,000 acres of both indoor and outdoor gardens featuring over 10,000 different varieties of plants, gorgeous fountains, and frequent events and activities for everyone in the family. Longwood is visited by almost 1 million people each year.

They feature everything in children’s programs,  concerts, and gardening demos. Their famous fireworks displays will delight and always ends with applause from the crows attending.

Where do you see the most fountains in the US?

Longwood is famous for its fountains they have more fountains than any other garden in the US. Longwood fountains are much like European fountain displays. Pierre du Pont was passionate about fountains and water. Creating 3 unique fountain gardens and many smaller water displays makes Longwood Gardens very special indeed!

Over the years the fountains have been restored and some were enlarged. The fountain shows are some of the most visited parts of the gardens.

DuPont was also a gunpowder and fireworks enthusiast.

The DuPont company has been manufacturing gunpowder for close to 200 years. Pierre Dupont’s fascination with pyrotechnics and fountains lead to the creation of one of the best displays of fireworks and waterworks shows. They offer 3-4 shows per year so be sure to check the schedule when you plan your trip.

Don’t miss the fireworks or at least the fountain shows, new technology has been added to make the show outstanding displays.

Pierre du Pont was cutting edge in his time so I’m sure he would be pleased with the technological advancement made to show off his fountains and fireworks

Brandywine River Museum

Just down the road from Longwood Gardens is the Brandywine River Museum. It’s located in an 1850s grist mill that’s been transformed into a museum. This Museum has a stunning collection of Wyeth family paintings.

Surprisingly this rural setting has the largest and most complete Wyeth collections in the world. The exhibit changes frequently and features artwork from the Brandywine Valley area artist and other Pennsylvania artists.

Since much of the art features the local area you can pinpoint local sites. Many special events are held throughout the year, both indoor and outdoor, including concerts, slide shows, and crafts fairs.

Hungry after all these displays?

both restaurants at the Longwood Garden and Brandywine River Museum are excellent. There are also many other restaurants nearby.

You will be sure to enjoy this unique and beautiful area and glad you added it to your bucket list. 

Travel Survival Kit – Every adventure needs a little travel humor.

Travel Survival Kit

Every adventure needs a little travel humor – enjoy!

  • Tissue-for your tears when the motel is booked or for romantic sunsets
  • Paper bag to hold treasures and in case of hyperventilation when you see the prices of souvenirs
  • Sponge-to soak up the sun, sand, snow, and memories
  • Feather-to remember to gently float through the vacation rather than racing
  • Earplugs to avoid the yelling or listening to the 7,000th singing of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall”
  • Quarter-someone always needs a quarter for something
  • Bandaid-for boo-boos, real or imagined
  • Rubberband-for flexibility as sometimes when you are flexible, you have wonderful experiences you would have never considered
  • A box of CrackerJack -vacations always come with good surprises. Remember to look for yours.

 Still, need some travel humor to de-stress?

More humorous travel humor survival kit items:

  • A small plastic bag to remind us to always bring back small things that will help the vacation live on for years
  • Chuckles-never leave home without the ability to laugh at yourself and situations
  • Chopsticks-to remind us that even within the US, there are many different cultures and customs
  • A picture of a watch or clock without hands-forget the clock, you’re on vacation!
  • A disposable camera (or picture of one)-capture the fun and memories before they disappear
  • A compass-you’ll need this especially if you are with someone who can’t stop for directions
  • A picture or map of Kansas-as Dorothy says in the Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.”

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Explore Dublin Ireland an old World Charm with a Modern Vibe.

Fall in Colorado – Unforgettable Adventures and Can’t Miss Events

Fall Colors in Colorado  via Train in Leadville

There’s no better time to visit the Centennial State than during the fall months. The days are sunny and warm, while the nights are cool and crisp. Across all four corners of the state, the landscape shimmers with a vast array of fall colors. Below is a sampling of the best outdoor adventures and events to enjoy Colorado’s brilliant fall foliage.

Images from the sky ( drone) of Colorado in the Fall.


COLORADO LEAF PEEPING ADVENTURES:

Four-Wheel Among the Aspens on the Alpine Loop Scenic & Historic Byway:  Travelers equipped with four-wheel drive can head to the Alpine Loop Scenic and Historic Byway, connecting the mountain towns of Ouray, Silverton and Lake City. This rugged route has hiking and mountain biking trails galore, a rich mining history and unfettered views of shimmering aspen leaves and 14,000-foot peaks.

Search for Gold on Breckenridge’s Singletrack: The Breckenridge fall trails of the French Gulch pass through Breckenridge’s “Golden Horseshoe,” one of Colorado’s most fertile mining regions. The initial gold strikes here in 1859 gave birth to the town and, for most of the next century, Breckenridge’s fortunes were largely driven by the Golden Horseshoe’s output. Today, the French Gulch Road area offers a number of singletrack options, several that pass by old mining remains and groves of changing aspens, that make for a beautiful autumn ride or hike.

Soak in the Colors at Glenwood Hot Springs: With high country colors at their showy peak, fall is one of the best seasons to visit Glenwood Hot Springs, the world’s largest hot springs pool. The 130-year-old resort is unveiling a major renovation this year that includes an Adventure River, with fast-moving waters with cascading tiers and boulders, and a new children’s play area that’s equipped with mini water slides and a fun splash pad.

Take A Colorful Fall Road Trip Along the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway: The 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic Byway leads travelers to the top of Grand Mesa, the largest flat-top mountain in the world, and into the fall-color-saturated Grand Mesa National Forest.  From there, drivers can explore Cedaredge, replete with apple orchards and groves of white ash.

Round Up the Herd at Latigo Ranch: The ultimate dude and guest ranch experience, Latigo Ranch near Kremmling invites visitors to participate in its annual fall cattle roundup. Held the third week in September, participants will help local cattle ranchers gather their herds, bring them home and move them from place to place on their home ranches, all while experiencing the area’s outstanding fall colors.

Hop Aboard the Fall Color Train in Leadville: Train enthusiasts can ride up into the San Isabel National Forest aboard the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad where the mountains are ablaze with yellow, orange and red. The train departs daily at 1 p.m. on weekdays in the fall and offers photo weekend specials. These three-hour rides allow visitors to experience untouched wilderness in its autumn beauty, the headwaters of the Arkansas River Valley and sweeping vistas of Colorado’s two highest peaks, Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive.

Climb to Colorful Heights at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park: The Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City, the highest suspension bridge in America, marks its 90th anniversary this year. To celebrate, the park opened a brand new Via Ferrata climbing experience. All climbs are led by a trained mountain guide who will show participants the breathtaking beauty of the park from new heights.

Take A Wild Hike in State Forest State Park: Located near Walden, State Forest State Park is considered the moose-viewing capital of Colorado with some 600 of Bullwinkle’s buddies roaming free. Fall is prime moose viewing season, and wilderness access is easy for visitors who start at the Moose Visitor Center.

Soar Above the Trees in Steamboat: For travelers who have a hot-air balloon ride on their bucket list, Steamboat is the place and fall is the time of year to do it. Wild West Balloon Adventures will have guests gliding above Steamboat Springs’ color-soaked fall scenery with views of the Flat Top Mountains and Hanh’s Peak, an inactive volcano.

COLORADO’S NOT-TO-MISS FALL EVENTS:

Fall Tarantula Migration on the Comanche National Grassland, La Junta, Sept.-Oct.: Each fall, Colorado’s Arkansas Valley becomes an arachnophobe’s nightmare. During this time, thousands of tarantulas migrate through the area during their mating season. Generally, this peaks sometime in mid-October. The best place to spot this natural phenomenon is on Highway 71, just north of Ordway, as well as on Highway 109, between La Junta and the town of Kim.

ArtoCade, Trinidad, Sept. 13-14: Trinidad’s delightfully quirky ArtoCade will roll through historic downtown in a parade of “artfully enhanced” cars, motorcycles, bikes, trikes, scooters, tractors and golf carts. There’s a lot packed into the two-day festival including an ArtoKids booth for hands-on kiddie fun, a circus-like dance party called Cardango and meet-and-greets with the event’s “artists.”

Pedal the Plains, Sept. 13-15:Pedal the Plains is more than a bicycle tour; it’s a traveling party packed with boot-stomp’n live music, beer gardens, delicious locally sourced food, interactive educational exhibits and a touch of country fun. The 2019 ride host communities include Holly, Springfield, and Lamar.

Snowmass Wine Festival, Snowmass, Sept. 14: A long-standing fall tradition, the Snowmass Wine Festival features a weekend of wine tasting and pairing dinners hosted by the Rotary Club of Snowmass Village. Friday evening features a wine pairing dinner, while the Saturday highlight is a three-hour grand tasting event with wines from all over the world.

Historic OHV Tour, Buena Vista, Sept. 17-21: Riders will experience four days of self-guided tours through the awe-inspiring backcountry of the Collegiate Peaks range with 12 14,000-foot mountains during Buena Vista’s OHV Fall Color Tour, Sept. 17-21, 2019. Participants will immerse themselves in the fall foliage during these self-guided tours and will also explore old mining camps and ghost towns via high mountain passes where gold and silver ore were carried by mule wagons to the railroads.

FORToberfest, Fort Collins, Sept. 21: Fortoberfest, Downtown Fort Collins’ last music festival of the summer, features a full day of live music on the Choice Organics stage, seasonal microbrews from Odell and High Country Beverage, wine from Wilbur’s Total Beverage and regional German-themed cuisine.

Mountain Harvest Festival, Paonia, Sept. 26-29: Head to Paonia to celebrate this everything-local harvest. From agricultural producers to artists, writers and crafters, this is a truly local event. Live music will be playing throughout the four-day event, and there is a Friday night pub crawl. Plus, enjoy all the fall colors along the way to the Western Slope.

Elk Fest, Estes Park, Sept. 29–30: The beautifully haunting bugle of a bull elk is unmistakable, and spectators head to Estes Park every autumn to experience the phenomenon. The elk gather there, at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, to show off for their ladies during the start of the rutting (breeding) season. At Elk Fest, visitors can learn about these beasts’ behavior, observe them in their natural habitat, participate in a bugling contest and see performances by American Indians.

La Veta Oktoberfest, La Veta, Oct. 5: Beer, music and fall foliage all converge during La Veta’s Oktoberfest. This downtown street fair also features a car show, dancing, and more than 60 arts and crafts vendors.

Old West Fest, Ridgway, Oct. 11-13:2019 marks the 50th anniversary of True Grit, the movie that earned John Wayne his only Academy Award and was filmed in Ridgway and Ouray County in 1968. The first annual Ridgway Old West Fest will celebrate Ridgway’s brief transformation into Fort Smith, Arkansas half a century ago. Festivities will highlight Ridgway’s film, ranching, and railroad heritage and celebrate Western arts and culture.

Dairy Block Fall Flannel Festival, Denver, Oct. 20:  Dairy Block and Denver Milk Market will again celebrate the changing of the seasons with the second annual Fall Flannel Festival on Sunday, Oct. 20. This free community event, held in the Alley at Dairy Block, will feature a festive line-up of events for all ages, including face painting and balloon art, live music, games, an urban pumpkin patch, a live pumpkin carving artist and more.

Emma Crawford Coffin Races, Manitou Springs, Oct. 26: The Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Parade is an annual event held just days before Halloween. The rules are very simple: form a team with one “Emma” in a coffin and four “runners” dressed in the most creative costumes and have them race toward the finish line. It’s an uncanny and crazy spectacle for everybody’s amusement

More:

Big list of things to do in the winter in Colorado plus skiing