Walk outside in Dallas right now and you’ll smell the strong aromas of corny dogs and cotton candy from the State Fair of Texas, even miles away.
While that’s only a slight exaggeration, we simply love traveling to Colorado for the freshest pine-scented air we’ve ever breathed. As autumn settles in for a couple of weeks with auburn colored leaves mingling with morning snow flurries, Glenwood Springs should top your list for a relaxing fall escape.
Or a full-on winter adventure if you’re into skiing and snowboarding.
American Airlines offers nonstop service from DFW to EGE, which is about 35 minutes by car from Glenwood Springs.
We were invited to spend a couple of days in the quaint mountain community a couple of weeks ago and fell head over heels with Glenwood Springs, from the scenic vistas and adrenaline-pumping outdoor experiences to the tasty craft beers and delicious food.
Of course, true to the town’s name, nightly soaks in the natural hot springs helped us sleep like babies each night.
Even though our time in Glenwood Springs was far too brief, we enjoyed every magical moment.
Below, we’ve created a list of highlights to help plan your own Rocky Mountain getaway with details on where to stay, eat, drink and explore.
Where to Stay
Cuddle up with a teddy bear at Hotel Colorado (the very place where the now-famous plush toy was first gifted to its namesake, Theodore Roosevelt). This charming, historic hotel features spacious rooms with high ceilings and comfortable amenities, all walking distance from the town’s hub of shops, restaurants, bars and dispensaries.
What to Do
The resort town of Glenwood Springs gets its name from the natural hot springs that occur here, so it would be an outright crime against relaxation if you don’t pop in for a few hours of soaking. Place Iron Mountain Hot Springs, which coincidentally was where our very own WorldSprings in The Colony got its start, at the top of your list.
The sprawling property features 30 different hot spring-fed pools with different temperatures and mineral compositions, as well as a cold plunge, snack bars with cocktails, an adults-only section and a bathhouse with lockers, showers and changing rooms.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park brought out the kid in us immediately. Our adrenaline started pumping the moment we started ascending to the top of the mountain in a gondola, which offered breathtaking views in every direction.
The park itself couldn’t be cooler, with its thrill rides perched at the edge of cliffs, adding an extra layer of laugh-inducing terror (or terror-inducing laughs, depending how you choose to look at the situation). Ride the Cliffhanger (pictured), the highest elevation roller coaster in North America, plummet deep into a cave on the Crystal Tower or zip through the trees on the surprisingly fast Alpine Coaster, among several other death-defying, record-breaking attractions.
For something beautiful, but a little more tame, venture into two different show caves (one of them the largest open to the public in all of Colorado). You can also upgrade to black-light cave tours or a two-hour wild cave tour that gets you down on your hands and knees while putting your claustrophobia to the test.
We love to hike (evidenced by our super-sexy hiking outfit) and our up-mountain trek to Hanging Lake rewarded us with one of the most spectacular sights we’ve ever experienced on any of our recent hikes around North America. With a 1200-foot elevation gain from start to finish, it can be quite strenuous, but the effort totally pays off in the end.
Where to Eat & Drink
Next to being out in nature, trying area restaurants and bars ranks as our favorite part of travel. We get to support the local economy and experience dishes we’ve often never tried. Based on our recent trip, three top spots include The Pullman, a casual spot with fine-dining-quality fare; Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, birthplace of the delightfully gay-sounding Rainbow Goblins Fresh Hop IPA; and breakfast at Sweet Coloradough, home of 11-layer cronuts, 8-hour fritters and hearty breakfast sandwiches for those seeking something savory.
When to Visit
If you don’t have time on your fall calendar, spring and summer would be equally amazing for anyone who prefers a less-snowy situation. We’re all about the après-ski experience, however, so feel free to invite us to tag along to drink hot toddies in the lodge or soak in a hot spring while you freeze on the slopes.
We’re good travel companions like that.
Visit Glenwood Springs
visitglenwood.com
