Highest-rated free things to do in Colorado, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Colorado, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Colorado.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Colorado using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Boreas Pass Road
- Rating: 4.5/5 (687 reviews)
- Address: Breckenridge, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. The John Denver Sanctuary
- Rating: 4.5/5 (730 reviews)
- Address: near Rio Grande Park Aspen, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Coors Brewery
- Rating: 4/5 (1,862 reviews)
- Address: 1221 Ford St. Golden, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Riverwalk in Downtown Estes Park
- Rating: 5/5 (760 reviews)
- Address: 470 Elkhorn Ave. Start at the Visitors Center Estes Park, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Lookout Mountain
- Rating: 4.5/5 (903 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Colorado State Capitol
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,633 reviews)
- Address: 200 East Colfax Ave. Denver, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Grand Mesa
- Rating: 5/5 (735 reviews)
- Address: 2250 South Main St. Delta Grand Junction, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
- Rating: 4.5/5 (878 reviews)
- Address: 522 South Frontage Road East Vail, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Helen Hunt Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (886 reviews)
- Address: 3440 North Cheyenne Canyon Road North Cheyenne Canon Park Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Manitou Springs Incline
- Rating: 5/5 (863 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Treasure Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,087 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Old Colorado City Historic District
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,601 reviews)
- Address: West Colorado Ave. & 24th St. Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. 16th Street Mall
- Rating: 3.5/5 (4,736 reviews)
- Address: 16th St. Denver, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. New Belgium Brewing
- Rating: 5/5 (1,272 reviews)
- Address: 500 Linden St. Fort Collins, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Flatirons
- Rating: 5/5 (1,132 reviews)
- Address: Boulder Mountain Park Boulder, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Million Dollar Highway
- Rating: 5/5 (754 reviews)
- Address: Hwy 550 Between Ouray and Silverton Silverton, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Red Rock Canyon
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,185 reviews)
- Address: 3550 West High St. Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Skyline Drive
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,264 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Colorado Chautauqua: Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,347 reviews)
- Address: 900 Baseline Road Boulder, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Historic Downtown Durango
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,912 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Independence Pass
- Rating: 5/5 (1,731 reviews)
- Address: Hwy 82, 20 miles East of Aspen Aspen, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Pearl Street Mall
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,805 reviews)
- Address: 1303 Pearl St. Boulder, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Main Street
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,959 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,840 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Hanging Lake Trail
- Rating: 5/5 (2,211 reviews)
- Address: 802 Grand Ave. Glenwood Springs, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. United States Air Force Academy
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,010 reviews)
- Address: 2346 Academy Drive Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Telluride Mountain Village Gondola
- Rating: 5/5 (1,976 reviews)
- Address: 455 Mountain Village Blvd. Telluride, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Denver Union Station
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,437 reviews)
- Address: 1701 Wynkoop St. Denver, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
- Rating: 5/5 (3,824 reviews)
- Address: 18300 West Alameda Pkwy Morrison, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Garden of the Gods
- Rating: 5/5 (17,931 reviews)
- Address: 1805 N. 30th St. Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
