Desert Meets Caverns

Memorial Day weekend heralded the official return of festivals, camping, picnics, Tevas, pools and margaritas on the patio. And while there are plenty of old favorites to return to, from Red Rocks shows to your favorite ice cream shop, and from the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to SUPing on Cherry Creek Reservoir, sometimes it is nice to try something new. Check out our list of what’s new in Colorado (like a wave park, hotels and more) here, or take a look below to see 10 “cool” new ways to beat the heat in the Denver area and across the state. Pedal a swan boat at Washington Park Washington Park has always been a good bird-watching spot, but it’s even better with the addition of 18 swan-shaped pedal boats that people can rent.

The adventure no one needs this summer is having their car run out of gas — or battery charge for hybrid and electric vehicles. As the state adds more charging stations strategically placed along scenic byways, electric vehicle drivers have more chances to see Colorado scenery. As of February, 65% of the Centennial State’s historic and scenic byways are “electrified.” The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Scenic & Historic Byway Commission announced that 17 of Colorado’s 26 byways have electric charging stations within 100 miles.

For more than a century, the Broadmoor has welcomed travelers to Colorado Springs with its elegant decor, high-end amenities and mountain views. Now, fans of the historic resort can spend the night inside one of its guest rooms — while sailing around the world on a cruise ship. Windstar Cruises, a sister company to the 106-year-old hotel, has created near-exact replicas of Broadmoor rooms onboard several of its ships.

Some people return each year to a favorite spot for summer vacation. But if you are among those wanting to try something new in the Rocky Mountain region, here are some suggestions that will give you reason to brag. Ride the rails A cellist plays in Hunter Canyon as part of the Moab Music Festival in 2023.

Kevin Morrison wants to fill Denver International Airport guests with Tacos Tequila Whiskey before their next departure. This month, Tacos Tequila Whiskey opened its first DIA location in Concourse A near Gate A18. Morrison is working with Greenwood Village-based airport concessionaire Skyport Hospitality to operate the fast-casual Mexican restaurant. “We had just lost an airport proposal four weeks prior, and I felt rejected and down when [Skyport] first called,” Morrison said.

TLC famously said don’t go chasing waterfalls. But during the Colorado summer, there are few more fun things to do than hop in the car, hit the trail and bask in the spray of cascading snowmelt. We designed four different road trip routes that start in Denver and take drivers to some of the state’s best waterfalls.