Once the chilly autumn season begins to emerge, we say goodbye to our beach gear and are eager for the appearance of pumpkin spice lattes and spooky decorations. If you are a Colorado resident or are visiting the state, you are in luck because there are tons of fun things to do during the fall. Keep reading for ideas on some Colorado activities, like corn mazes and festivals.
1) Hike or Bike
Fall is the perfect time for taking a hike or bike ride in the rocky mountains. The weather is ideal because the day is warm but provides crisp air for staying cool while working up a sweat on your journey.Hiking and biking are also great ways to view Colorado scenery.
2) Enjoy the Scenery
During the fall, Colorado’s green landscape turns into a palette of various red, orange, and yellow tones. The state is known for its golden Aspen trees which is why many say it has the best autumn leaves views in the country. The best sightseeing places are:
- Kebler Pass
- Trail Ridge Road
- Last Dollar Road
- Guanella Pass
- West Elk Loop
- Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
These trails and roads are great for a casual car ride, or you can participate in a train tour.
3) Pumpkin or Apple Picking
When September rolls around each year, apple orchards and pumpkin patches are ready for harvesting. In Colorado, many pick your own orchards and patches open to the public, making for a great fall time activity. This activity is especially great for kids since they love to pick their own pumpkins for carving.
4) Stanley Hotel
If you love Halloween and its spooky elements, you may be interested in visiting the haunted Stanley Hotel. The historic Stanley Hotel is considered one of the most haunted places in the world. In fact, the hotel is so creepy that when author Stephen King visited the facility, he found inspiration for his infamous novel “The Shining.” If you want to visit the hotel yourself, you can rent one of its rooms or stop by for a tour.
5) Cornfield Mazes
Corn mazes are a favorite amongst family and friends during the fall season.Depending on which field you go to, the puzzle-like pathways may provide hours of fun at different difficulty levels. Additionally, some cornfield mazes have tons of other activities like games and pony rides.
- The most infamous mazes in Colorado are:
- Anderson Farms
- Fritzler Corn Maze
- Rock Creek Farm
- Diana’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze
6) Durango Arts Fest
The Durango Arts Fest is an annual event that features artists’ fine arts and crafts, big and small. You will find gallery-style exhibits at the arts fest with unique artwork made from all mediums. Artwork could be anything from prints and paintings to sculptures and jewelry. Visitors can spend their day appreciating interesting pieces, shopping, and snacking on festival food. If you are an artist, you can apply to become a vendor and spend the fall season creating products for the fest.
7) Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is an annual festival with a beer, music, and autumn theme. The Vail Oktoberfest, in particular, has been recognized as one of the top ten Oktoberfests in the US by USA Today. This classic Bavarian fare offers authentic beers and foods like brats, schnitzel sandwiches, and spaetzle. At the fest, you can participate in the brat eating contest, dance to live music, join the costume contest or compete in the world keg bowling championship.
8) Canna Con West
Colorado cannabis lovers will enjoy Canna Con West, which takes place in Denver each September. This cannabis convention is great for current or inspiring business owners in the industry in addition to marijuana consumers. At the event, you can expect to test products, purchase the best strains, and listen to the most influential speakers found in the cannabis industry. To prepare for the event, you may want to seek a medical marijuana doctor for a card. However, a card is not required.
9) Telluride Film Festival
The Telluride Film Festival is an annual event that showcases films from creators of all sizes and talent. This film festival stands out from others because the featured films are kept a mystery until showtime. Local residents and tourists from around the world travel to the tiny mountain village of Telluride each year. Attendees get to be some of the first individuals to view films that may be the next box office hits. Films like Juno, Brokeback Mountain, and Blue Velvet were introduced at the telluride festival. To make the event even more exciting, celebrities flock to the film fest, so you never know who you may meet.
