Looking for a great day trip from Vail or Aspen? From either town, Glenwood Springs is a beautiful drive of an hour or less to reach soothing natural hot springs, amazing outdoor adventures and all sorts of outstanding attractions, shops and eateries.
This iconic Colorado destination is located right off Interstate 70 and offers a wealth of options for all ages and types of travelers. Don’t miss Glenwood Hot Springs Resort featuring the world’s largest natural hot springs pool as well as a poolside restaurant, a shop filled with a huge selection of swimming apparel, an athletic club and a lodge (just in case you want to stay a night or two!).
Here are a few ideas to make sure you have One Mother Nature of a Good Time in Glenwood Springs.
Calling All Families
Let the kids call the shots from rafting and biking through Glenwood Canyon to splashing and playing all day at Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. The pool’s Sopris Splash Zone aquatic park, included in the admission price, debuted two summers ago and is sure to be a hit with its three distinct features. Shoshone Chutes is a fast-paced tube ride that mimics floating the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon. The children’s play area was modeled after the local Hanging Lake hike and has interactive waterfall features, three small water slides and shallow play areas for the youngest members of the family. All kids are sure to enjoy the Grand Fountain, which is a splash pad by day and a huge fountain that changes colors at night.
For an ideal gathering spot to bring the troops back together, rent a cozy cabana for the day. And if you get a little hungry, head to the poolside Grill or the summer food truck stationed on the west end for tasty treats. Don’t miss the colorful soft-serve twist cones!
Families also can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park exploring the Historic Fairy Cave (Colorado’s largest show cave) and King’s Row (the most highly decorated cave room in the state). Kids are sure to tell their friends about the cave bacon and cave popcorn! And there is much more to America’s only mountain-top theme park like the Giant Swing that juts over the edge of Glenwood Canyon; Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, the world’s highest elevation roller coaster; and the exhilarating Haunted Mine Drop that drops 110 feet inside Iron Mountain. There also are children’s activities, laser tag and a 4-D movie theater.
Gathering Your Friends
A day in Glenwood Springs also is ideal for girlfriend getaways or mancations. Get out for world-class hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking or fly fishing before soaking in the mineral-rich water at Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. Next, take a short walk over the pedestrian bridge that spans the Colorado River and links the pool to downtown for shopping and dining at local establishments. Taste local brews at Glenwood Canyon Brewpub or Casey Brewing Taproom or choose from a wide variety of wines poured at Riveria Supper Club & Piano Bar, which offers flights and has a wine list featuring more than 40 wines by the glass. Just make sure to have a designated driver if you plan to imbibe and drive back to Vail or Aspen!
There is an abundance of outdoor concerts on summer evenings, including Summer of Music at Two Rivers Park on Wednesday evenings, Fridays on 7th at Bethel Plaza downtown in July and August, and Music on the Mountain hosted by Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park on select Saturday evenings from mid-June to mid-September. Or at any time of year, check out Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, a dinner-theater comedy show that plays off the heyday of Vaudeville complete with skits, jokes, slapstick humor, audience participation, barbershop numbers, novelty songs and more.
Savoring the Romance
Mountain destinations like Glenwood Springs, Vail and Aspen are the perfect backdrop for romantic vacations that are pure relaxation.
Upon arrival in Glenwood Springs, stop by a local coffee house for your favorite coffee, tea or smoothie and a delicious pastry before an early soak at Glenwood Hot Springs Pool to start the day off right. Continue down the block to Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, featuring underground mineral-rich steam from Yampah spring, the same source that fills the pool. The water seeps into three subterranean chambers that are lined with marble benches where guests can relax and inhale the healing vapors. While there, extend the pampering with a spa or salon visit.
End a perfect day with a cocktail in the courtyard of historic Hotel Colorado across from the pool before strolling hand-in-hand over the pedestrian bridge for a delicious meal at nearby restaurants like The Pullman, Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse, Colorado Ranch House and Brava Modern Trattoria.
You might not want to call it a day when it’s time to leave Glenwood Springs, but come back for a weekend or week next time. Your travel team will be sure to cheer the wise decision!