Credit: Dawn Wilson Photography / Alamy Stock Photo
There are few places on earth as magical as the Colorado landscape during the Fall Months. From fiery foliage in the Rockies, to some of the world’s largest Haunted attractions, Colorado has something for everyone. If you’re new to the area and don’t know where to begin your Fall exploration, allow us to share some of our personal favorites:
Imbibe
Oktoberfest– September 16th-18th, 23rd-25th– The Denver Oktoberfest has been a staple two-weekend festival in Downtown Denver beginning in 1969. From keg bowling, to stein hoisting, live music and so much more, there’s something here for Oktoberfest pros and first timers. So grab your stein, throw on your lederhosen and join in the fun!
Great American Beer Festival- October 6th-8th- The Great American Beer Festival® was founded in 1982, and has been growing and evolving along with the American craft brewing industry ever since. Great American Beer Festival was voted the No.1 beer festival in the country by 10Best and is listed as one of the top 1,000 places in the U.S. to visit before you die.
Spooky
Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens- Weekends in October– In October, the famous Colorado amusement park Elitch Gardens transforms into Family Park By Day and Fright By Night, including access all your favorite Theme Park rides. Don’t miss out on five weekends of scary fun at Colorado’s largest Halloween event!
13th Floor- Weekends from Sept 16th to November 5th- The 13th Floor Haunted House is Denver’s legendary and most horrifying Halloween event. If a night of fright is on your agenda, this is the place for you. Themed attractions inside of this most hideous and creepy, 13th floor haunted house bring to life (or death) some of your most fearful nightmares.
Photo Credit: Fritzler Farm
Pumpkins
Fritzler Farm- Open select dates Sept 18 – Oct 30– Fritzler Farm is an experience focused on bringing everyone together to enjoy each other’s company. The park is filled with fun family activities from our seasonal music and beer festivals to our 20+ attractions such as our pumpkin patch, corn maze, slide mountain, pig races, the pillow jump, go-carts, the human-sized foosball and much more. Our activities are changing every year, so don’t miss a thing! Time spent at Fritzler Farm Park is time spent creating lasting memories!
Pumpkin Fest at Denver Botanic Gardens- Friday – Sunday, Oct. 7-9- Celebrate fall at Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms, a treasured October tradition for the entire family. Festival includes, family and children’s activities, local craft and artisan booths, entertainment and live music, food trucks and food vendors, beer and hard cider vendors, 10-acre pumpkin patch and Corn Maze
Photo Credit: Steve Krull (iStock)
Foliage
The Colorado Rockies put on a beautiful display of fall colors each year towards the end of September and into early October. The region’s ample aspens are the star of the show, displaying bright pops of yellow against the dark green pines.
Aspens grow in clusters, not by chance, but thanks to their ability to clone themselves. Yep, that’s right, many or all trees in an aspen grove share a root system and are, genetically speaking, identical. Because of this all (genetically identical) trees will turn at the same time.
Gold Belt Scenic Drive- The Gold Belt Tour is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway as well as a National Scenic Byway. Drive the Gold Belt Tour and retrace the historic travel routes connecting Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District, site of the world’s largest gold rush, to the communities of Florence, Cañon City and Florissant.
Glenwood Canyon- Fall is leaf-peeping season in Colorado. For the best color viewing in the state, get off the beaten path in Glenwood Springs for autumn colors without the crowds. It’s one of the state’s most breathtaking seasons for appreciating the natural beauty of the mountains, but it doesn’t last long. Taking a drive is a good way to catch a glimpse of the fall foliage; but what’s even better is getting out of the car for the full sensory experience in Glenwood Springs: crisp autumn air, saturated blue skies, snow-capped peaks and mountainsides ablaze in golden hues.
BONUS ACTIVIES!
Credit: Louis Charles McClure (1885)- Public Domain
Georgetown Loop Train- The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a historic narrow gauge railroad originally used during the silver boom of the late 1800s. The train, now used for tours, takes you through aspen groves which turn bright yellow for a short period each fall. The one-hour train ride offers fantastic fall colors from the comfort of your open air gondola.
Located just off I-70 and only 45 miles west of Denver, the Georgetown Loop Railroad and Mining Park is one of Colorado’s most authentic living museums and historically immersive experiences. Bring your family and friends for a narrow gauge train ride, or book a real silver mine tour, or learn how to pan for gold. Discover the rugged romance of the Colorado Rockies in the 1880s. Climb aboard and travel back in time. We may just become part of the colorful history and traditions of your family too!
Peak leaf season is late-September into early-October, the train typically runs daily during this time and averages about $30/ person. We recommend booking the first tour of the day for fewest crowds, but no matter the time of day this is a great way to see the Rocky Mountain’s fall foliage!
Tip: Be sure to bring a jacket or blanket! It gets chilly.
Glow at the Gardens- October 18th to 23rd from 6-9pm Wander through a spooky, illuminated landscape as the Gardens dresses up for Halloween. Using all real pumpkins harvested from local farms, our pumpkin artists push the boundaries of traditional pumpkin carving to create larger-than-life sculptures and dense displays of jack-o’-lanterns, with grins and grimaces fit for the season.
Performing artists bring spirits and specters to life at this enchanted autumnal experience.
Coloween- October 29th, 2022- This one is for the adults-only! Celebrated as the Premiere Halloween Party in Denver and selling out every year, Coloweeen is Colorado’s longest-running adult Halloween party! Coloween features state-of-the-art immersive experiences, two massive stages with festival-worth production, 40 bars, mind-bending immersive installations, dozens of interactive performers, nationally touring club-style DJs, and five thousand costumed attendees vetting to win $1000 Best Costume Contest, and the $1000 Celebrity Dressed Fashion Show Contest.