Looking for a fun-filled road trip that blends outdoor adventures, city vibes, and kid-friendly activities? This 7-day Colorado road trip itinerary takes you through Colorado Springs, Denver, and Boulder, with plenty of activities for kids and adults alike.
You can start in Colorado Springs and work your way to Boulder or reverse the route starting in Boulder. When booking flights, you can fly into Colorado Springs or Denver. We chose to fly into Denver because it offers a direct flight from San Diego, and then it’s an easy one-hour and fifteen-minute drive to Colorado Springs.
7-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary Summary
Day 1: Arrive in Colorado Springs + Hotel Check-in
Day 2: Pikes Peak + Magic Show or Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Day 3: Cave of the Winds or Seven Falls, High Point Overlook + Drive to Denver
Day 4: Downtown Aquarium + Holey Moley Mini Golf
Day 5: Rocky Mountain Arsenal + Red Rocks Amphitheater or Dinosaur Ridge
Day 6: Butterfly Pavilion + Drive to Boulder + Hotel Check-in and stroll Pearl Street Mall
Day 7: Hike Eldorado Falls or Chautauqua Park, Flagstaff Mountain, and Lost Gulch Overlook + Gateway Fun Center or Museums
Holly’s Hint: For more details about the places in this Colorado road trip itinerary, read:
Colorado Springs: How to Spend 2 Days In Colorado Springs (With or Without Kids)
Denver: Awesome Things to Do in the Denver Area Year-Round
Boulder: Family-Friendly Fun in Boulder: Where to Eat, Stay, and Play
Day 1: Arrive in Colorado Springs
Kick off your adventure in Colorado Springs
Check into your hotel. I recommend the Colorado Springs Marriott for its comfort, convenience, and sensational mountain views. Settle in, relax, grab some dinner, and get ready for an exciting week ahead.
Day 1 Photo Highlights
Day 2: Explore Colorado Springs
Start your first full day with a scenic morning and lunch, then choose one of the afternoon activity options to complete your day.
Ride the Cog Railway to Pikes Peak
Book an early train, 10 AM or earlier, for the best experience. This 3-hour adventure takes you to the Pikes Peak summit at 14,115 feet. Enjoy breathtaking views, grab a donut and coffee, then head back to the depot. If you’re lucky, you might spot wildlife—we saw long-horned sheep!
Holly’s Hint: Find out how to pick the best seats on the Cog Railway train before booking: All You Need to Know About Riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Enjoy Lunch
On your way back to Colorado Springs, stop in Downtown Manitou Springs. It’s filled with cute shops and restaurants, making it perfect for a midday break.
Afternoon Option 1: Magic Show at Cosmo’s Magic Theater
Catch the 3 PM kids’ show at Cosmo’s Magic Theater. It’s a hit with both little ones and their parents! This 45-minute show is a unique and unforgettable experience. My son had a blast and was thrilled to assist with the first magic trick of the show.
Holly’s Hint: The kids’ magic show at Cosmo‘s Magic Theater is on select Saturdays at 3 PM. Check their calendar before planning. You can read Cosmo’s Magic Theater: A Must-Do with Kids in Colorado Springs to find out more about what to expect.
Afternoon Option 2: Arcades and Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Play vintage arcade games at the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade. Be sure to bring a bag of pennies and cash. Then, explore the fascinating Manitou Cliff Dwellings. You can wander inside the dwellings and visit their museum and gift shop.
Unwind with a Drink or Dinner
End your day at Voodoo Brewing Co., located across the street from Cosmo’s Magic Theater. They offer craft beers, cocktails like margaritas (a bit too sweet for my taste), and tasty food. It’s all in a quirky space with doors hanging from the ceiling.
Day 2 Photo Highlights
Day 3: Colorado Springs to Denver
Spend the first half of the day exploring more attractions in Colorado Springs. Then, drive to Denver for the next chapter of your adventure!
Tour Cave of the Winds or Visit Seven Falls
Choose between touring the underground caverns at Cave of the Winds or visiting Seven Falls. We took the 10 AM Cave of the Winds tour, which lasted 45 minutes. Alternatively, if you pick Seven Falls, reserve a time on the Broadmoor website and pay for admission. Once you’re there, it’s an easy 0.8-mile walk to the base of the falls.
Visit High Point Overlook
Enjoy incredible views of the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak at High Point Overlook. My son had a blast climbing all over the giant red rocks in this area.
Head to Denver
Drive to Denver and check into your hotel. I recommend the Westin Denver Downtown.—it’s a wonderful place to stay. We loved the comfy beds and unbelievable views. Plus, the indoor-outdoor pool was awesome—especially when it was snowing outside!
Walk to Dinner
Enjoy dinner at Oskar Blues Grill & Brew. If you stay at the Westin, it’s a short walk.
Day 3 Photo Highlights
Day 4: Downtown Denver
Explore the Downtown Aquarium
Dive into marine life at the Downtown Aquarium. It’s one of the best aquariums we’ve been to! The exhibits are incredible, and you can see colorful fish, sharks, tigers (yes, that’s right!), and so much more.
Play Mini-Golf at Holey Moley
Have a blast playing mini-golf at Holey Moley. It’s indoors, so it’s a great place to warm up if it’s cold outside. You can also order food and drinks while playing or hang out in their restaurant area before or after you play.
Dine at Nola Jane Restaurant & Bar
Wrap up the day with dinner at Nola Jane Restaurant & Bar for a taste of Southern-inspired cuisine.
Day 4 Photo Highlights
Day 5: Denver Wildlife to Red Rocks
Drive Through Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Spot bison and other wildlife while driving through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
Try Detroit-Style Pizza at Blue Pan Pizza
Enjoy lunch at Blue Pan Pizza in Golden—a must-try for pizza lovers.
Visit Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater
Walk around the iconic Red Rocks Parks and Amphitheater and soak in its natural beauty. You can also wander trails, check out the visitor center, and get some souvenirs at the Trading Post.
Explore Dinosaur Ridge (Optional)
If time allows, visit Dinosaur Ridge for a prehistoric adventure. It’s super close to the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater.
Day 5 Photo Highlights
Day 6: Butterflies and Boulder
Stop at the Butterfly Pavilion
On your way to Boulder, stop at the Butterfly Pavilion for a magical experience with fluttering friends in a warm, tropical haven. It’s another wonderful place to warm up on a chilly day.
Have Lunch at Avery Brewing Company
Grab lunch at Avery Brewing Company and enjoy some craft brews. This huge brewery has a tasting room downstairs and a restaurant upstairs. Plus, the spacious patio offers stunning sunset and mountain views. If you have little ones, they can burn off energy in the outdoor area.
Check into the Boulder Marriott
Check into the Boulder Marriott for a comfortable stay with fantastic views of the Flatirons. Kids will love the indoor pool and pool table. Meanwhile, grownups will appreciate the welcoming bar and well-equipped gym.
Stroll Pearl Street Mall and Dine
Stroll the lively Pearl Street Mall and dine at Pedro’s Tacos and Tequila Bar. Then, pop into the historic Hotel Boulderado to admire its old-fashioned glamour and speakeasy bar.
Day 6 Photo Highlights
Day 7: Boulder Adventures and Departure
Hike Eldorado Falls or Explore Chautauqua Park
Start with an outdoor adventure: hike to Eldorado Falls or explore Chautauqua Park, Flagstaff Mountain, and Lost Gulch Overlook.
Holly’s Hint: If you hike to Eldorado Falls, start early since there’s not a lot of shade on parts of this trail. This hike can range from 2.4 to 3.8 miles if you start at the Ethel Harrold Trailhead. You can find more details about this activity here: Family-Friendly Fun in Boulder: Where to Eat, Stay, and Play.
Eat at Wild Pastures Burger Company or Dark Horse
Eat grass-fed burgers paired with a keto-friendly milkshake at Wild Pastures Burger Company, or check out the unique memorabilia at Dark Horse and play some arcade games.
Visit Gateway Fun Center or Museums
Keep the fun going with a round of mini-golf at Gateway Fun Center. Or, visit a museum like the Museum of Natural History or Fisk Planetarium—or both!
Dine at Bohemian Biergarten
End the last full day of your trip with a delicious Bavarian meal at Bohemian Biergarten. It was our favorite place to eat in Boulder.
Day 7 Photo Highlights
Ready for Family Time in Colorado?!
This 7-day Colorado road trip itinerary offers a mix of outdoor adventures, family-friendly activities, and delicious dining options. Whether you’re marveling at Pikes Peak, exploring Denver’s aquarium, or strolling Boulder’s Pearl Street, there’s something for everyone in the family. Happy travels!