Best towns for a Colorado vacation for couples

Planning a romantic anniversary or weekend getaway in Colorado? Whether you’re dreaming of a mountain vacation, a ski trip, a cozy cabin rental in the woods or a weekend in the city, Colorado has something for everyone.

I’ve been lucky to explore these places while photographing weddings and elopements, and I’m excited to share some of my favorite vacation spots in Colorado that are perfect for a couple’s trip, whether you’re doing a summer, fall or winter trip!

• Breckenridge – Best for couples who love the outdoors, want adventure and a lively mountain town
• Aspen – Best for a luxurious mountain getaway with outdoor adventures, restaurants and, high-end shopping
• Vail & Beaver Creek – Best for couples who want a more secluded, upscale resort mountain vibe
• Steamboat – Best for couples who love mountain towns with a western flare
• Telluride – Best for couples wanting to get off the beaten path with stunning scenery
• Denver – Best for couples who want a weekend in the city, museums, brewerys, etc.
• Estes Park – Best for an easygoing mountain adventure right by Rocky Mountain National Park
• Devils Thumb Resort – Best for a cozy, all-inclusive mountain lodge experience
• Dunton Hot Springs – Best for a secluded, romantic stay with hot springs immersed in nature
• Things to do in Colorado for couples

Best Colorado mountain towns for a couple’s trip

Colorado’s mountain towns are perfect for couples who want to escape the city and are looking for something a little more adventurous or outdoorsy. Think casual, small towns with activities like skiing, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, camping, rock climbing — basically, anything outdoorsy.

These towns can get busy during holiday weekends and peak seasons. If you’re aiming for a quieter trip, try visiting midweek or during shoulder seasons like October or early May.

Breckenridge, Colorado

I may be a little biased of my cute little town of Breckenridge, but it’s such a special place to visit and there’s so much to do! If you like a mix of outdoor activities and a cute downtown, this is your spot! It’s one of the busier mountain towns with a lively Main Street. There are a few other cute surrounding towns to explore like Frisco or Leadville.

Why people love it

→ Walkable, lively downtown with a quaint mountain feel	→ Perfect combo of outdoorsy and relaxing
→ Gorgeous ski resort views right from Main Street	→ Easy to pair it with day trips to explore nearby towns
→ Laid-back ski town vibe with plenty to do	→ Lots of cozy cabins and cute boutique hotels

Fun day trips from Breckenridge

Frisco (10 minutes) – A smaller, mountain town with cute shops, bike paths, and Dillon Reservoir views.

Vail (45 minutes) – A little more upscale, European-style resort village, with beautiful mountain views, skiing and hiking trails

Georgetown (45 minutes) – A small historic mining town with antique shops and the famous Georgetown Loop Railroad.

Where to stay in Breckenridge:

There’s no lack of places to stay! You can find anything from a cute mountain cabin or local hotels! If you’re on a ski trip, check out The Grand Lodge on Peak 8 for an amazing ski-in, ski-out hotel with all the amenities. If you’re wanting to stay near Main Street and downtown, check out Gravity Haus.

• Mountain cabins: There are tons of cabin and vacation rental options. There are homes close and walkable to mainstreet and others tucked away a little outside of town away from the hustle and bustle, but still close to the action.
• The Grand Lodge on Peak 8 – If you want more of a ski-in, ski-out resort-like feel. An amazing spa, hot tubs, and a short drive to town.
• Gravity Haus – A boutique hotel right on Main Street and also right next to the lifts. Best of both worlds.

Aspen

If you’re looking for more of a luxury destination for a couple’s vacation, Aspen has it all! It has all the Colorado outdoor mountain activities, but it’s also the mecca for luxury shopping and high-end experiences. I love just strolling around downtown Aspen window shopping and stumbling upon an incredible meal.

Why people love it

Where to stay in Aspen:

The Little Nell and Hotel Jerome are both iconic, luxury Aspen hotels downtown to check out. If you’re looking for a unique outdoorsy experience with no cell service, check out Beyual Retreat about an hour outside of Aspen.

• Luxury VRBOs – You can find rental homes all over downtown, but also more remote cabins. I love staying close to downtown Aspen. It’s super walkable with lots of condo and home rental options.
• The Little Nell – The Little Nell is a gorgeous 5-star, ski-in, ski-out hotel right in the heart of downtown Aspen and at the base of the mountain (and dog friendly.)
• Hotel Jerome – if you want a hotel with more character and history, but with a luxury experience downtown.

Vail & Beaver Creek

Vail Village or Beaver Creek is a magical little place for a romantic and luxurious couples trip. It has more of a European resort feel, but so quaint and charming. Winters are the busier times as most people come to these areas to ski. It’s also a perfect spot for relaxing in the mountains if you want to take advantage of the spas to unwind. It’s the perfect hub for taking trips to other Colorado destinations.

Where to stay in Vail:

You’ll find many gorgeous and luxurious hotels downtown, but if you’re looking for something a little more outdoorsy, check out Piney River Ranch! It’s a long trek to get to and a bumpy dirt road drive outside of Vail, but well worth the glamping mountain experience!

If you’re looking to stay in Vail Village, there are many luxury hotels (with incredible spas) like The Sonnenalp, The Sebastian, or treat yourself to a Four Seasons stay.

• Piney River Ranch – for a remote, ‘glamping’ experience tucked away outside of Vail without cell service.
• Four Seasons – is the ultimate luxury hotel in Vail Village. They have an amazing spa if you want a weekend away to feel pampered.
• Grand Hyatt Vail – another gorgeous resort tucked away in a quieter spot in Lionshead right on the river and close to ski access.

Steamboat

Another cute Colorado ski town to add to the list! Steamboat has more of a western flare and is not too far of a drive from Denver. Be sure to add in a trip to one of my favorites, Strawberry Park Hot Springs.

Where to stay in Steamboat:

Steamboat has lots of options like cabin rentals or hotels close to town like the Steamboat Grande. If you to get out somewhere a bit more remote in nature, check out the dude ranch, Vista Verde Ranch.

• Vista Verde Ranch – for a remote, Colorado western experience
• Steamboat Grande – close to the ski resorts and the downtown area

Telluride

One of the most magical places in Colorado! Telluride is such a unique small, more laid-back mountain town. It’s a bit of a trek to get to, but so worth it! You can stay in Mountain Village if you want a quieter, ski-in, ski-out trip, or downtown Telluride is close to the bars, restaurants and, shops.

Where to stay in Telluride:

If you’re on a ski trip, The Madeline Hotel is an incredible ski-in ski-out luxury hotel with all the high-end amenities for a fun getaway. If you’re skipping the slopes, Hotel Telluride is a perfect downtown option.

• The Madeline Hotel – A luxury and modern ski-in, ski-out hotel.
• Hotel Telluride – The perfect downtown hotel

A romantic getaway in Denver

If you’re looking for a fun, weekend vacation in Denver, there are so many fun things to do and explore! First start with a good hotel with a good location.

I love renting bikes and cruising around the city, exploring Union Station, visiting the mega REI, and going to one of the many cool and unique spots for a drink or a bite to eat! A little further outside Denver is the home of Coor’s Brewery where you can do a brewery tour and check out the cute little town of Golden. After that, explore around Red Rocks Amphitheater!

Where to stay in Denver?

My favorite hotels in Downtown Denver for couples are The Ramble Hotel and The Crawford Hotel in Union Station.

• The Crawford Hotel – a 5-star hotel in Union Station in downtown Denver
• The Ramble Hotel – trendy hotel in Denver’s popular RiNo district, close to bars, restaurants, live music

Estes Park

Estes Park is another popular spot to check out! If you love visiting National Parks, Rocky Mountain National Park is a gorgeous place to explore with accessibility for everyone!

Where to stay in Estes Park:

We stayed in The Historic Stanley Hotel and loved our stay! Be sure to do a ghost tour of the haunted property. While we didn’t have any ghost experiences, it felt spooky and was so fun! There were a few places to eat that were on site. We loved the Cascades Restaurant and stopped there for dinner, dessert, and a few nightcaps!

Devils Thumb Resort

Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a gorgeous remote resort and working ranch that’s secluded outside of Winter Park. If you’re looking for a peaceful log cabin, these are so cute! They offer all the amenities plus adventures like horseback riding, cross-country skiing and lots of trails to explore.

Dunton Hot Springs

Dunton Hot Springs has been on my Colorado bucket list since I moved here! I still have yet to make it there, but I can’t wait for the day I do. The resort is in a super remote location so you’re in nothing but nature, but with rustic luxury cabins, massages, hot springs, and chef-prepared gourmet meals!

Things to do in Colorado for couples:

• A Red Rocks concert
• Ride in a gondola at one of the ski resorts
• Horseback or carriage ride through the mountains
• A guided fly-fishing trip
• Soak in a hot-springs
• Train ride through the mountains

Best time to visit

Note that because of the higher elevation in Colorado, it can bring all sorts of weather like snow storms to beautiful sunny days. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather for your trip so you know what to expect as the weather can change rapidly.

Winter
Perfect for ski trips, cozy cabin vibes, and snowy scenery in the mountains.

Spring
Quieter season with fewer crowds, good hotel deals — you can expect a wild mix of ‘Colorado weather’

Summer
Warm days (cool nights), wildflowers, hiking, paddleboarding, and mountain adventures.

Fall
Gorgeous yellow aspens, cool air, and cozy weekends. The mountain towns are gorgeous places to experience fall.