Spring break is coming up, and that means that some Pios have exotic trips planned to destinations like Hawaii or Florida. However, for those of us not quite so lucky as to score a beach vacation, never fear. Spring break is a time to relax and reinvigorate yourself for spring quarter, and sometimes a staycation or weekend getaway is better than spending hours roaming through airports and in cramped cars to enjoy that time. We are fortunate enough to live in a state that many other people actually come to for vacation, and there are a multitude of activities available right in and around the Denver area to spend a week exploring, relaxing and having a good time.
Weekend getaways:
Glenwood Hot Springs
Glenwood Hot Springs is right up I-70, about two and a half hours away. Many people glance at it as they exit for Aspen, but don’t realize what a perfect vacation spot it is. For such a small town, Glenwood has a lot to offer. The hot springs pool is open year-round (although the water slides don’t open until summer; sorry, guys) and the area also boasts the Glenwood Vapor Caves and a variety of hiking trails, including the famous Hanging Lake trail, which takes you up a unique and picturesque waterfall. There are also some delicious restaurants to check out. The Italian Underground and the Glenwood Brewery are both great options.
To get to Glenwood Springs, take I-25 North to I-70 West. From I-70, get on CO-82 East and take exit 116.
Moab, Utah:
Moab is only about five and a half hours away from Denver, and serves as a great vacation spot without getting too far from DU. Be careful of the weather this time of year, as it can be windy out there, but the Arches National Park is a beautiful location for hiking and has enough space to spend all of Spring Break and more exploring. Canyonlands National Park is very close to the town of Moab as well and offers hiking, rafting, and backcountry driving with stunning views.
To get to Moab, take I-25 North from DU to I-70 West to Grand County. Take exit 182 and follow US-191 South to Moab.
Idaho Springs:
Idaho Springs is another little town where people only think to stop for Starbucks on the way to go skiing, but it certainly has hidden merits of its own. It is a quaint small mountain town, but boasts the Indian Hot Springs and a few good restaurants, including Beau Jo’s—a Colorado favorite for pizza. Very close by are opportunities for hiking at St. Mary’s Glacier.
To get to Idaho Springs, take I-25 North from DU. Get on US-6 West to I-70 West and take Exit 241 A to Idaho Springs. From Idaho Springs to St. Mary’s glacier, head west on Colorado Blvd and turn left on 13th St. Turn right to merge onto I-70 West and take I-70 to Exit 238; turn right onto Fall River Road.
Fraser/ Winter Park:
Just around the corner from Winter Park is the Hot Sulphur Springs, which is wonderful because it is a natural hot spring that includes 21 different mineral pools at varying temperatures, from 95 to 112 degrees (for the braver members of your group). It is surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Winter Park and Fraser area.
To get to the Hot Sulphur Springs from DU, take I-25 North to I-70 West. Exit I-70 onto US-40 West in Hot Sulphur Springs.
Denver Staycations:
Golden:
Golden is another sometimes-overlooked city near campus. A quick drive down I-25 to 6th Avenue, Golden is the home of the Colorado School of Mines and offers at least a day’s worth of exploring.
Situated with Clear Creek running right down the middle, the Clear Creek Trail is a multi-use trail ideal for walking or biking and has 24 miles of interconnected paths.
Golden also has options for shopping at unique boutiques and many opportunities to eat and drink. For those of-age, the Mountain Toad is a fairly new micro-brewery that offers signature beers and rotating food trucks. The town also boasts the Golden City Brewery and Cannonball Brewing. And even if you aren’t 21, you can take the Coors Brewery tour (just no taste-testing at the end). If you’re getting hungry, the Table Mountain Inn offers Colorado-style Mexican food and Woody’s Pizza offers some of the best pizza in the area.
Colorado Springs:
Colorado Springs is about an hour drive from DU and is a great town for a day trip. Many students have probably heard of Garden of the Gods, as it is one of the parks for which Colorado is best-known, but if you haven’t gotten the chance to check it out, it is a beautiful area full of different trails for all skill levels.
If you’ve already made the trek to Garden of the Gods, the next challenge is the Manitou Incline, which offers three different trails of varying difficulty. The Bailout Loop is the easiest at 2.2 miles in length and an elevation increase of 1,100 vertical feet. The Extended Loop is the most difficult at 4.5 miles and an elevation increase of 2,200 vertical feet. The climb is difficult, but the breathtaking mountain scenery along the way and the view at the top is worth the effort.
To get to Colorado Springs, take I-25 South from campus and take Exit 142 onto West Bijou Street in Colorado Springs. From there, take West Kiowa Street to East Pikes Peak Avenue.
With a glorious week off in the near future and our beautiful state offering its sun, nature and activities, there is a lot to look forward to in your spring break.
