Things to do in Central Colorado

It is doubtful that you could find a more dramatic setting for a concert than Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This live music venue sits at almost 2,000 metres above sea level, amongst huge rocky outcrops that, just by chance, form an acoustically perfect space. Many famous artists perform here, drawing on the magical atmosphere of this natural wonder.

Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful in the spring with slopes of wildflowers and in the winter with a blanket of pure, white snow. Come here to hike, look for wildlife, see the Continental Divide and appreciate nature.

The rugged landscape of the western states of America has long been central to the region’s reputation as the Wild West and the Garden of the Gods is a stunning example of this terrain. As the low, grassy plains around Denver give way to dense woodlands, a series of rock formations rise dramatically upwards. These phenomenal red rocks are the centerpieces of the 1,367-acre (553-hectare) Garden of the Gods park, a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers and other lovers of the great outdoors.

Step onto the campus of the US Air Force Academy to discover what goes into the training of the country's elite air force personnel. Every year, the military institution puts hundreds of cadets through a rigorous 4-year academic program.

Pikes Peak is the second most visited mountain, after Mount Fuji in Japan, so you can be sure of an awe-inspiring experience. It stands 4,300 metres above sea level and is the most easterly peak in the Rocky Mountains, hence the old pioneer saying “Pikes Peak or Bust”. A trip to the top of this mountain, named after the explorer Zebulon Pike who first led an expedition here in 1806, will reward you with stunning panoramic views across the Rockies and the four surrounding states.