Best Summer Day Trips from Denver, Colorado Without a Car

Colorado Mountain Towns, Denver, things to do in Denver, Uncategorized, Visiting Colorado in Summer Michelle@SquareState
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Denver’s traffic is awful. It really is. Denver’s traffic during the summer, peak tourist season is so painful. One of my goals as I share my hometown and state is to share how to get around without a car. I’m a huge supporter of car free travel for so many reasons. It’s cheaper, more cars are off the roads and it’s better for the environment. If you’re visiting Denver and are wondering if you can visit the mountains without a car, I have you covered. If you live in Denver and are wanting to ditch the car because you’re tired of driving I-70, I have some tips. Here are the best summer day trips from Denver, Colorado without a car and I’ve made all of them numerous times.

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Cowtown Denver

5 Summer Day Trips from Denver without a Car

How am I even qualified to share these tips? I don’t own a car and use a Colorado local car share program. I also embrace car-free travel when I’m visiting other states and countries. With that in mind, I’m excited to share that it is possible head the Rocky Mountains from Denver. This is a huge deal because growing up this was not the case and it was incredibly difficult to head to the mountains without a car. Now there are several options to consider specific to each destination that I’ve listed below.

Boulder

The city of Boulder often finds itself on a number of “Best of” lists. These lists could be “Best Small Town to Live in” “Best College Town” “Best Place to Visit” For me, I think of Boulder as the place that I grew up in. What has been wild to see is all of the interest generated from Coach Prime’s revitalization of the CU Buffs football team. It often feels like watching a doctor bringing a patient back to life. There’s a lot to do if you plan on spending a day in Boulder. First you have to get there.

  • Public Transit-Take the FF1 Bus from Union Station. In 2024, RTD lowered prices and the cost is now $5.50 for a round trip ticket (good all day). You’ll board the bus and exit it at the Boulder Bus Terminal.

The Boulder Bus Terminal is located at 14th and Walnut street which is one block from the iconic Pearl Street (walking) mall. Below is a bare bones itinerary for visiting Boulder if you’re visiting during the week.

Things to Do in Boulder

  • Arrive in Boulder mid-morning and walk 4 blocks over to Süti & Co. a lovely Danish coffee shop and Scandinavian store owned by a Dane who now lives in Boulder. It’s calm, lovely and has a beautiful patio. There are also gluten-free offerings and great coffee.

  • Make your way to Pearl Street Mall and make your way west (towards the Foothills) Pop into the many local stores and regional stores that make this a unique shopping experience.

  • Take a hike. Once you hit the West End of Pearl Street Mall continue walking west until you reach Settler’s Park. This is a short, but fun hike with an incredible view of Boulder Valley at the top. It can be a little slippery and I recommend that you wear good shoes for it. I’ve worn tennis shoes or hiking shoes when making this hike. You can climb the rocks at the top, but be careful if you plan on doing that because everything has a risk LOL!.

  • Enjoy lunch on the rooftop-Boulder has some of the best rooftop eating in the state. The views are immaculate and the food is good too. My favorite place for this is Rosetta Hall especially if you’re hiking with a group of people.

Head to the Hills

  • Head to Nederland-Instead of hiking in Boulder, you could take the bus from Boulder Bus Station and make your way further into the mountains. Nederland is cute Colorado mountain town that still feels like it did when I was a kid. Check out the small downtown or go hiking. If you are NOT used to hiking in the mountains or exploring nature I would go with someone who has those skills. You can encounter animals (moose/bear/deer/elk/mountain lions) on and around the trails. It very rarely happens, but you do need to know what to do if it does. Most trails are pretty busy with other hikers-but, I did want to bring this up.

  • Head back to Boulder-There are a number of great places to enjoy happy hour in town before returning to Denver.
    • SALT
    • T-Zero Bar and Lounge
    • Bar Taco

Return to Denver after spending a great day in Boulder. Or, you could stay over night. I’ve shared a couple of places that I would recommend staying at below.

Breckenridge

I spend a ridiculous amount of time in the town of Breckenridge. In fact, it is my #1 town for Black travelers looking for a mountain town to visit. It’s beautiful, there’s plenty to do and the people are chill. It’s also accessible by transit.

Take the 7:00 am Bustang bus from Denver to Frisco. There is a later bus, but taking that bus will cut a lot of time out of your day in the mountains. I strongly recommend paying for your ticket via the app the day before. Make sure you watch for notifications related to the bus on Twitter. Once you arrive in Frisco you will then transfer to the free Summit Shuttle heading to Breckenridge.

Now that you’re in the mountains, you’re going to have to transfer to another bus. It’s not a big did and super easy because of Frisco’s cute transit station.

Heading to Breckenridge

  • Typically there is a 30 ish-1 hour gap between when the time you arrive and when the shuttle arrives. Check the times. The Frisco bus depot has a fireplace. It’s cozy. Or, you can walk 1 block over and head to the Outer Range Brewery building that also has a coffee shop (Mountain Dweller Coffee) with phenomenal coffee and a chicken shop that makes Thai inspired chicken (Bird Craft). The chicken shop opens after 11:00 am MTN. Head upstairs for the rooftop patio.

  • Take the Shuttle to Breckenridge-Exit at the Breckenridge Gondola. I absolute recommend taking the Gondola if it’s running while you’re in town. Typically, it’s shut down from mid-April through mid-June for maintenance and upkeep after the end of ski season. It’s a fun, free experience. Once you’re at the top of the mountain you can go hiking, sit on the patio or enjoy one of the many activities at the top of the mountain.

  • Explore Main Street-I love Breckenridge’s historic Main Street. It’s so pretty and has a gorgeous view of the mountain.

  • Walk along the River Walk.

  • Rent a Bike and explore town on two wheels.

Heading Back to Denver

  • Make sure to take the 2:45 pm Summit Shuttle from the Breckenridge Gondola stop back to Frisco. Why this bus? You will miss the 4:20pm Bustang back to Denver if you take a later bus from Breckenridge to Frissco. Unless you plan on taking the later Bustang back to Denver.

  • Head Back to Denver

Breckenridge is one of my favorite mountain towns for so many reasons. It’s accessible, there’s plenty to do and the town doesn’t take itself seriously in the way that some well-known towns have been known to.

Want to Spend the Night? Here’s where could book your stay:

Estes Park-tour

This town is so beautiful. Unlike 85% of the mountain towns in Colorado, there’s a beautiful lake adjacent to the town. It’s a beautiful place and one of my favorite mountain towns to explore. But, what’s so awesome about having Estes Park on this list is that there is FINALLY public transit from Denver to Estes Park available throughout the summer. This is huge. In my entire life living in Colorado, this is the first year (2024) that there is public transit to Estes Park. I’m so freaking excited about the fact that there’s now car-free travel to Estes Park!

  • Take the Bustang to Estes Park-I really enjoyed the last time that I did this with my mom. You will head over to Union Station to take the bus and get off the bus at the last stop. Simple.

You’re Now in Estes Park

There are two ways you could enjoy Estes Park. You could head directly into Rocky Mountain National Park and spend most of the day there. If you’re not used to enjoying nature, you should bring a person with you who is. Then you can take the shuttle back into town from Rocky Mountain National Park after a day of hiking. Make sure to triple-check how to reserve your seat two and from Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park on the hiker shuttle.

If you’re spending a leisurely day in Estes Park, I’ve shared some experiences that you could enjoy below.

  • Spend time on Lake Estes Marina. There’s a marina shop where you can rent paddle boards, kayaks and bikes.

  • Take a ride share to Sombrero Stables for a horseback riding experience. I used to take groups of adult international students

  • Walk along the river walk from the Visitor’s Center into the heart of town. Make sure to interact with the public art that is along that walk.

  • Walk up and down Main Street

Find your way to one of the many wonderful restaurants or coffee shops that have a patio and watch the people wandering by.

Where to Stay (if you decide to hang out longer)

Vail

I will admit that I have a love-hate relationship with Vail. Despite that, I do think it’s a lovely town for a day trip. Summer travel to Vail is made so much easier when you don’t have to do the driving.

  • Getting there-Take the Bustang and depart at the Vail Transit Station. So dang easy.

Vail is designed to give visitors a European ski village feel. One of the best ways to experience it is to roam around the village. I like to head over to Unravel Coffee for a nice cup of coffee. During the winter months I will work from the public library that has a fireplace in it. During the summer I like to approach Vail a little differently.

  • Head up during one of the many cool summer festivals hosted in town.

  • You can take Vail Gondola up the mountain and explore. Do note: they charge adults to ride the Gondola.

  • For those of you who are budget conscious-the Mexican restaurant located inside the Bus Depot is the place that I always make a point of eating at while I’m in town. It’s pretty good!

  • Book a spa day using ResortPass-I am not an affiliate (I would love to be) but, I love this really cool resource that gives users the ability to enjoy different spa or resort spaces around the world at an affordable rate.

Where to Stay

If you decide to stay longer here a few places that I recommend.

Idaho Springs

I’m way overdue for a visit to Idaho Springs. Before the Pandemic, I used to go all the time with specific goal of visiting the Indian Hot Springs. If you’re looking for a more authentic Colorado mountain town experience, good food and a first stop before heading further into the mountains then Idaho Springs is a town where you should visit.

  • Check out Miner Street

Indian Hot Springs

I’m going to be candid and say that if you’re looking for a super bougie and polished spot-this is not it and it won’t be for you. If you’re looking for a truly local, old school hot springs experience circa Colorado 1972-this is it. Read the details closely for clothing optional and clothing mandatory days.

Where to Stay (if you’ve decided to linger in town)

Best Summer Day Trips from Denver, Colorado Without a Car

I can’t believe that’s I’m able to write about car free travel to the mountains. There was a very long-period of time where this would not have been possible. Ok, I’ve shared my 5 best summer day trips from Denver, Colorado without a car-but, there are other amazing car free trips that just barely missed the list.

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