Best Park to Begin a Hike: Boulder’s Chautauqua Park has a historic theater used for summer music festivals, a restaurant, a playground, and cabins, and is also the starting point for dozens of stellar hikes.

Best Get-Smart Hike: The National Center for Atmospheric Research has many scientific displays inside, but also offers the Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail with signs that tell about local weather.

Best Opera Venue: The Central City Opera House is both a historical attraction and an excellent place to see a performance.

Most Refreshing Hike: The Bluebird Lake Trail on the south end of Rocky Mountain National Park passes by Ouzel Falls, Ouzel Lake, Calypso Cascades, and Bluebird Lake. Although it can be a difficult hike, it is the perfect respite from a hot summer day in the city.

Best Red Rocks: Whether you choose to see Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs on foot, by car, on horseback, or by mountain bike, you will be awed by the natural beauty.

Best Free Drinks: The Mineral Springs are one of the best attractions in Manitou Springs. The spring water trickles from decorative spigots and fountains around the historic town. Anyone can bring a cup or bottle and drink as much of the potentially healing waters as they want.

Best Way to Get to the Slopes: The most scenic and relaxing way to get to the Winter Park Ski Resort is the Ski Train.

Best Cross-Country Skiing: Devil’s Thumb Ranch, just 15 minutes outside of Winter Park Ski Resort, is a gorgeous and peaceful valley exclusively for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

Best Alpine Garden: Billed as the highest botanical garden in the world, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail are a beautiful example of what grows, blooms, and thrives at a high altitude.

Most Unique Architecture: No matter what your religion, the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya shrine is intriguing and worth the hike.