Since Austin and I were both born and raised in Texas, it’s pretty rare that we get to experience snow (or even cold weather, for that matter). Sometimes I just get the urge to watch flurries of snowflakes drift through the air and turn the regular world into a beautiful scene dusted with powdery white. We decided to plan a quick four-day long weekend trip to Colorado to enjoy some mountain scenery and play in the snow!
Here are some of the highlights from our Colorado weekend trip for anyone who wants to plan their own snowy retreat!
Colorado Weekend Trip: Day 1
Our Denver, CO Airbnb
As soon as our plane landed at DEN and we picked up our rental car, we headed straight to our Airbnb for check-in. The Airbnb we stayed in was a converted trolley car on an urban farm. Roost Farms is home to vegetable and flower gardening, chickens, goats, and a very friendly goldendoodle named Seamus. It was such a charming place to stay, and we really enjoyed coming back to it each night at the end of our adventures. One of our favorite parts was feeding the goats in the backyard!
You can read about our stay and more Colorado Airbnbs in this post.
Dillon Ice Castles
After getting settled in, we drove from Denver out into the Rocky Mountains to a small town called Dillon. The drive itself was pure magic to a couple of Texans who are used to flat prairie land for miles and miles. The mountains towered over us, and for the second half of our journey beautiful snow was gently falling around us.
When we arrived, we pulled over to take in the view of the Dillon Reservoir, which was a stunning frozen lake. We made time for a quick snowball fight before heading over to the main event: the Dillon Ice Castles.
When we planned our trip to Colorado, the ice castles were the number one thing I most wanted to see. And they truly did not disappoint! The ice castles are man-made structures of glistening icicles, hidden tunnels, playful fountains, and even an ice slide. We had so much fun wandering around and marveling at the ice formations.
The ice castles have moved to a new location in Cripple Creek, CO this year and could pop up at other Colorado towns in future years. Check out their main website to make sure you factor the updated location into your travel plans if you decide to visit!
Colorado Weekend Trip: Day 2
Denver Biscuit Company
The next morning, we woke up early and smelled the biscuits! We visited Denver Biscuit Company in Colfax and indulged in some delicious breakfast. We shared a chicken biscuit sandwich called the Ellsworth, plus a plate of biscuits with a trio of raspberry, strawberry rhubarb, and apple butter preserves.
Tattered Cover Book Store
Just down the street from Denver Biscuit Company in Colfax is the Tattered Cover book store. Its roots in the Denver area date back to 1971, and it’s a favorite amongst locals and tourists alike. We had a great time picking out books together.
Meow Wolf Denver: Confluence Station
I have to mention that Meow Wolf’s Denver location “Confluence Station” is also located within walking distance from our first two stops in Colfax! Back when we took this trip to Denver, Meow Wolf’s mind-bending immersive art installation was still under construction so we tragically missed out on visiting. We love the Meow Wolf location here in the Dallas area, and Confluence Station is definitely on our bucket list now! Make sure to add it to your Denver, CO itinerary.
RiNo Art District
Our next stop in the city was the RiNo Art District. The River North (RiNo) Art District comprises four historical neighborhoods. The district started as a grassroots movement by local artists who wanted to connect art organizations in the area. We drove around photographing cool murals painted by local Denver artists and enjoyed the lovely cool weather.
Union Station
No trip to Denver, CO would be complete without a stop at Union Station. We just wandered around inside and explored, but next time we visit we definitely want to take a scenic train ride somewhere in the area!
Little Man Ice Cream
We heard rave reviews of Little Man Ice Cream from the internet and even from some of our friends here in Dallas, so we knew we had to add it to our Denver, CO itinerary. I ordered Banana Pudding and German Chocolate Cake flavored ice cream, and it was divine!
Confluence Park
Right beside Little Man Ice Cream we came across a gorgeous river park in the middle of the city. Confluence Park makes a lovely backdrop for some pictures, and you can even kayak on the river in the warmer months. It’s also conveniently located next to a shopping center with outdoorsy shops like REI, Wilderness Exchange, and the only Fjällräven store in the U.S.
Colorado Weekend Trip: Day 3
The Boulder Dushanbe Tea House
For the next leg of our Colorado adventure, we wanted to drive into the mountains again. We started by heading up to Boulder for some brunch. We feasted on Chai Pancakes and stir fried noodles at the beautiful Boulder Dushanbe Tea House. The tea house is an architectural marvel. It was a gift to the city of Boulder from their sister city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan. It was completely built by hand without the use of any power tools, disassembled, crated up, and sent halfway around the world to be rebuilt in Boulder as a symbol of friendship and cultural exploration.
Rocky Mountain Drive
The main reason we booked a Denver, CO weekend trip was to see the beautiful Rocky Mountains. They did not disappoint! One of my favorite parts of our trip was driving through the mountains, pulling off to the side of the road to snap pictures, and taking mini hikes in the rocks or the snow. The main road through Rocky Mountain National Park is closed during the winter due to the icy conditions, but you can still explore the mountains by driving along State Highway 7 and U.S. Route 36 stopping in the small towns along the way.
Downtown Estes Park
Our drive through the Rockies ended with the charming town of Estes Park. It’s nestled right up against the mountains, and it was snowing when we arrived. We stopped to buy taffy at a famous shop that has been operating since 1935, then huge ice cream cones we snacked on right there in the snow.
The Stanley Hotel
If you think Estes Park sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve head of The Stanley Hotel. It was the real-life inspiration The Overlook Hotel in The Shining! Visitors can take guided tours of The Stanley, or stay in its supposedly haunted rooms. We visited the main staircase and the hedge maze out front before continuing on to more mountain views.
Colorado Weekend Trip: Day 4
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
On the last day of our Denver, CO weekend trip, we took yet another mountain hike. But instead of snow flurries and icy rivers, this time we saw towering red boulders! Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is Denver’s famous concert venue. One of the coolest parts about exploring here was glimpsing the Denver skyline in the distance from some stairs on the trail.
Tips for Planning a Colorado Weekend Trip
We absolutely loved our time in the Colorado mountains, and I know we will treasure the snowy memories forever. If you’re inspired to plan your own Colorado weekend trip, check out these blog posts with more helpful ideas!
Colorado Weekend Trip Itinerary
15 Fun Things to Do in Denver, CO
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