Colorado vacation suggestions?

[Elena]

I am looking at either the Estes Park area or the Colorado Springs area for one week in July. It will be me & Brevin, who is 13 yrs old, and my friends with their 13 yr old son. We want to be active (with some hiking /biking/touring/exploring) but not in the XTREME sports sense! Any thoughts on which area would have more to do? Any suggestions for accommodations? Thank you!

[blkcow]

I would defer to the Colorado gals here...but my family lives near Salida/Buena Vista area and the white water rafting is fantastic on the Arkansas River....it passes right along our family ranch. You can do an all day or 1/2 raft trip. It is very safe....I would not call this an EXTREME trip at all. I did it about 3 yrs ago and would do it again in a second! PM me if you want raft company details.

[Jen D]

Colorado springs is packed full of neat things to see Garden of the Gods, Cave of the winds, Pikes Peak, Seven Falls, a zoo. All of those include a lot of walking/hiking

[digigal]

Originally Posted by Jen D

Colorado springs is packed full of neat things to see Garden of the Gods, Cave of the winds, Pikes Peak, Seven Falls, a zoo. All of those include a lot of walking/hiking

I second that. My brother lives there (in Denver); we have been there a few times and I LOVE that area. (There is also the air force academy there.) Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods - just a wonderful place for kids that age!

[Blesus]

The Cog Rail to the top of Pike's Peak is an amazing adventure. Take a sweatshirt because the temperature really dips at the top, even in July, and they are $$ in the gift shop . Incredible views up there. I thought Estes was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! So many wonderful hiking trails. Enjoy - what a wonderful opportunity. The photo ops are amazing - had an Elk out my window one morning!

[justmp]

Estes is beautiful and DH and I really enjoyed our honeymoon there even though it is only 45 minutes from my childhood home. However, I think with 2 13 year olds in tow, Colorado Springs is the way to go!

[carollee]

te he, here I am the other side of the world giving you some ideas, but I travelled through Colorado.

I remember we went up the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak. I absolutely loved it. It was the first time I'd seen snow so I was pretty over the moon.

I also remember Garden of the Gods and it was absolutely gorgeous.

They are the first two things that came to mind, I'd have to dig out my photos to remember what else we did. I do remember going to a very nice cross stitch store, but LOL, I don't think that classes as x-treme sports unless you use a rusty needle, hahahaha.