Labor Day is just around the corner – if you haven’t made your plans yet, it’s not too late to plan an unforgettable long weekend escape. Of course, you’ll need to get on that sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. The Rocky Mountain State offers some fabulous getaways, with early September one of the best times to be there. These ideas are sure to get you motivated to start packing now.
Aspen
Aspen is not only one of Colorado’s most beautiful mountain towns but spending Labor Day weekend here offers the chance to attend a wealth of events and activities, from music festivals to sampling delicious local fare and all sorts of outdoor adventures. If you like music, the world-renowned Jazz Aspen Snowmass features performances by big-name artists.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Early September is a wonderful time to hike the remote trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are over 350 miles of trails that crisscross the vast park, linking alpine lakes, jagged peaks, waterfalls, dense pine forests and rocky tundra, which means you’re bound to find out where you’re more likely to spot wildlife than other humans. The park is home to everything from deer and elk to moose and bighorn sheep. In the eastern gateway town of Estes Park, the annual arts and crafts show will be hosted as well, showcasing more than 100 artisans offering unique handcrafted items.
Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs offers a wealth of attractions to enjoy over Labor Day Weekend, including the world’s largest hot spring pool, which includes two water slides. It’s also home to Glenwood Caverns, the only theme park in the country that sits on top of a mountain. It features an alpine coaster, a haunted mine drop, the Cliffhanger roller coaster, and the Giant Canyon Swing, among other thrill rides. Nearby, enjoy the area’s spectacular scenery by hiking to nearby Hanging Lake, a serene pool renowned for its cascading waterfalls and strikingly clear azure waters.
Steamboat Springs
This beautiful northern Colorado town offers lots to do year-round. The Yampa River runs right through, offering activities on the water while the surrounding mountains provide miles of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails. There are dozens of hot springs to soak in after a day of adventure throughout the area, including Old Town Hot Springs, right in the heart of town.
Great Sand Dunes and Alamosa
The Great Sand Dunes are massive, covering the majority of the 150,000 acres in the San Luis Valley, offering the opportunity to hike the country’s tallest dune, Star Dune, at 750 feet. This is also one of the few spots in the U.S. to go sand-boarding or sand-sledding too. Plus, the annual Early Iron Festival will be hosted in nearby Alamosa, featuring vintage vehicles as well as music and parties to attend.
Durango
Located in the southwest corner of the state, Durango is a historic town that retains a touch of the Wild West, renowned for its outdoor adventures and popular attractions. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railwood is an 1800s steam train that travels 50 miles to the tiny town of Silverton and back. Look forward to fishing, rafting, tubing and more on the Animas River and hiking and biking in the surrounding San Juan Mountain Range. On Friday and Saturday over Labor Day weekend, you can also join in the street parties featuring live music, food, and beer.
Breckenridge
Many consider Breckenridge the place to be in Colorado over Labor Day weekend, a time when as many as 10,000 little rubber ducks float down the Blue River while thousands of spectators watch, willing their tiny ducks to move quickly downstream and win the race, which includes some serious prizes, like a week-long vacation at a destination chosen by the winner. This photogenic town offers lots of other things to do, too, including checking out the many Victorian-era buildings that line its streets, taking hot air balloon rides and enjoying the thrill of whitewater rafting.
Nathrop and Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
The tiny town of Nathrop is surrounded by stunning Rocky Mountain scenery and is home to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort which hosts hot springs that sit within natural, rocky surroundings as well as human-created pools, all heated by wonderfully soothing geothermal water. There are pools for splashing around and having fun, as well as pools for unwinding and experiencing the healing power of the rich, warm mineral waters. The resort also includes a fine dining restaurant, bars, a beer garden, yoga and fitness classes. The onsite spa has an impressive menu of massages, body treatments, facials, acupuncture, private soaks like the mud or lavender salt soak, and much more. There are lots to do in the area if you want to get out and explore, including hiking and biking, as well as attractions in the nearby towns of Buena Vista and Salida, home to unique shops, art galleries, and breweries, distilleries, and a winery.
