There’s something about Colorado that sets it apart from the other 49 U.S. states. Scenic mountain vistas, world class skiing and snowboarding, a famous race up an equally famous mountain, the lab that housed the experiments of one of history’s greatest and perhaps most underappreciated geniuses are just some of the famous tourist attractions on offer from the Mile High State.
First up, head to the town of Durango. Come in the summer months and you can take the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway, a historic train trip that runs through the valley from Durango to Silverton. The nearby Purgatory Ski Resort, just 15 minutes out of Durango, provides heavenly skiing and snowboarding with slopes that rival those of Aspen.
Speaking of Aspen, the world-famous ski resort town now prides itself as a year-round tourist destination teeming with first-class hotels and restaurants. If the town’s full, nearby Glenwood Springs provides a popular alternative destination for the spillover crowd.
Then there’s Pikes Peak, home of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The Race to the Clouds takes place every June and starts from Mile 7 on Pikes Peak Highway. From there, world-class drivers race up a 19.99 km course with 156 turns, starting from an elevation of 1,440 m. and finishing at 4,302 m. above sea level. This ultimate test of race driving skill is always a sight to behold.
Finally, check out The Nikola Tesla Downtown Lightning Laboratory in Colorado Springs. Famed Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla set up his laboratory at Wardenclyffe during the turn of the 20th century where he experimented on wireless high frequency electricity transmission. The site has been transformed into a museum and science center as a tribute to his genius.
