is known for many things. Beautiful landscapes and national parks may be the first features that come to mind—but it’s also the birthplace of the cheeseburger and one of the most cannabis-friendly states in the country.

With the highest average altitude of all fifty states, Colorado has set a lot of records. It’s home to the country’s highest paved road, highest city, highest ski lift, highest suspension bridge—and more than fifty mountain peaks that exceed 14,000 feet. You’ll also find delicious food you can’t get anywhere else, the largest beer festival in the country, and the world’s largest

hot springs swimming pool

Thinking about taking a trip to colorful Colorado?

Super app

and

car insurance

expert

Jerry

is here with a guide to all the wonderful—and some weird—things that the Centennial State is famous for.

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What is Colorado famous for?

Gorgeous national parks

Colorado might be best-known for its exquisite landscapes, and there’s no better way to see them than at the state’s four national parks. From walking tours and scenic overlooks to expert-level hiking and climbing, outdoor enthusiasts with all levels of experience can enjoy the Centennial State’s best parks.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

is home to Colorado’s deepest, oldest canyon, as well as the Painted Wall—the state’s deepest cliff where visitors can see rock formations that are over two billion years old.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

preserves 150,000 acres of sand dunes, with the tallest dune reaching a massive 755 feet.

Mesa Verde National Park

allows visitors to walk amongst ancient pueblo dwellings built into a cliffside.

Rocky Mountain National Park

offers the opportunity to explore forest, mountain, and alpine landscapes with over 250 hiking trails.

Skiing and snowboarding

With huge mountains, reliable snow, and places like

Aspen

and Vail ranking among the top ski destinations in the world, thousands of people travel to Colorado’s slopes every winter. Not only is the Centennial State home to huge ski resorts like

Snowmass

Keystone

, and

Winter Park

, most of the state’s skiing destinations open earlier and remain open longer—with stable snow conditions lasting well into May or June.

Beautiful weather

While the popular belief that Colorado gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year is technically a myth that dates back to the 1870s, it sure doesn’t feel like it. With an above-average amount of sunny days compared to the rest of the United States, the state offers a pleasant, mild climate with low humidity—perfect conditions for the outdoor adventures that Coloradans are so fond of.

Cannabis

The first state in the country to legalize recreational marijuana back in 2012, today Colorado has more dispensaries per capita than any other state. Weed enthusiasts from across the country travel to Colorado to experience its tolerant culture or attend any one of its marijuana-driven events—from large conventions to smaller gatherings like yoga classes, painting lessons, guided meditation sessions, and more.

The industry generates millions in tax revenue every year and has created approximately 40,000 jobs, accounting for more than 5% of Colorado’s job growth.

MORE:

Car Loan in Colorado 2022

What is Denver famous for?

Home of the: Cheeseburger! It was invented by Denver’s Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in 1935.

Best city for: Work/life balance.

First city to: Vote against hosting the Olympic games.

The Great American Beer Festival

The country’s largest beer festival takes place every year at the Colorado Convention Center in

Denver

. The three-day event attracts around 60,000 people and features over2,000 types of beer from more than 400 breweries. You can also sample food prepared by expert chefs as you meet and chat with professional brewers. Expert beer judges taste ales, lagers, and stouts, awarding the best beers a ranking of gold, silver, or bronze in 98 different categories.

The Denver Omelet

Visit any restaurant or diner in the Mile High City and you can order a delicious Denver Omelet. The dish is rumored to have been invented by 19th-century cattle drivers, and has since become a breakfast staple consisting of eggs stacked with ham, onion, bell pepper, and cheese—and is usually paired with a side of hash browns or toast.

Larimer Square

Located in the heart of downtown Denver, Larimer Square features gorgeous brick buildings full of boutique shops, restaurants, wine bars, breweries, and some of the best nightlife and social spots in the city. The city’s historic district is always alive with both locals and tourists, and it’s the site of creative community events like the Chalk Art Festival.

Here are a few of Larimer Square’s hot spots:

Osteria Marco

: Casual—and cheap—Italian eats including gourmet pizzas with unique toppings.

Green Russell

: A speakeasy-style bar that serves custom cocktails, seasonal drinks, and other spirits.

Tamayo

: Traditional and contemporary Mexican food with rooftop seating.

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What is Boulder famous for?

Home of the: Croc! For better or worse, the unique shoe company has roots in Boulder.

Best city for: Dating.

First city to: Ban smoking in private establishments.

The Flatirons

Located on the west side of the city, five dramatic, towering, slanted sandstone formations are a popular destination for rock climbers and hikers. With rock grades that range from easy to world-class, climbers of all experience levels visit the site to test their limits. Hiking trails can be steep and difficult, but the Lion’s Lair Spur Trail is suitable for most beginners.

Pearl Street

Pearl Street is a four-block pedestrian mall that’s considered

Boulder’s

best spot for shopping, dining, and the arts. The red-brick streets run from the west end of 9th Street to the east end of 21st Street and are usually filled with street performers like musicians, magicians, artists, and living statues. Here are a few of Pearl Street’s most popular attractions:

Dushanbe Tea House

: This tea house is famous for its Persian decor and delicious chai.

Art Mart: Shop a selection of fine art, crafts, and handmade odds and ends created by local artists.

Into the Wind

: This specialty shop sells kites, kite-related accessories, vintage games, and gourmet candy.

Boulder Creek Path

This winding, paved trail works its way through several city parks, the Colorado University Campus, and downtown Boulder. Perfect for walking, jogging, or cycling, the Boulder Creek Path is also host to some quirky community events like the Boulder Creek Festival’s Rubber Duck Race or

Tube to Work Day

MORE:

The coolest abandoned places in Colorado

What is Colorado Springs famous for?

Home of the: United States Olympic Committee.

Best city for: Living! Colorado Springs took second place in the 2022

U.S. News & World Report rankings

First city to: Log on to the internet.

Pikes Peak

The highest peak of Colorado’s front range, Pikes Peak has an elevation of 14,115 feet and is one of Colorado’s only “fourteeners”—mountains over 14,000 feet in elevation—that’s accessible to everyone.

A 19-mile highway allows visitors to drive to the summit for photographic opportunities and breathtaking views, while hikers can get to the top by climbing the 13-mile Barr Trail—but this trail isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s considered very difficult and shouldn’t be attempted by inexperienced hikers.

The Military

The U.S. Armed Forces is Colorado Springs’ largest employer, with more than 60,000 people working at these five military installations in the city: Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain, Schriever Air Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy.

The

Air Force Academy

, which trains United States Air Force and Space Force cadets, is also one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions, hosting more than a million visitors every year.

Old Colorado City

This small Colorado Springs neighborhood used to be a Wild West town, complete with saloons, brothels, and gambling halls—but today it’s a charming commercial center full of restaurants and art galleries.

But visitors can still experience the Wild West as it used to be during Old Colorado City’s Territory Days, a yearly event that features patriotic tributes and historical reenactments of everything from Native American dancing and blacksmith demonstrations to gunfights.

MORE: The 5 best Colorado road trips

How to save money on car insurance in Colorado

Colorado might be famous for its spectacular landscapes and beautiful weather, but Jerry’s famous for

car insurance

savings. Whether you’re a long-time Colorado resident or just passing through on a road trip,

Jerry

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