Hashtag Colorado Life

#38. Fall in Colorado is a magical time of year when the leaves start changing and the weather cools down!

Ryan and Carrie share their favorite fall festivals and autumn adventures from across the state. Whether it’s pumpkin picking or taking a stunning mountain drive, there’s so much to explore during Colorado in the fall.

Learn about the best fall activities along the Front Range, including where to find the largest pumpkin patch in the state, what festivals are happening at the local zoos and botanic gardens, and where to watch people shoot pumpkins out of canons. (Yes, really!)

They also share their favorite fall drives (Glenwood Canyon is stunning this time of year!), great fall-feeling small mountain towns, like the Estes Park, and some small mountain town festivals you may not be familiar with, like the Telluride Festival of Cars and Color. There’s also plenty of food-based autumn activities, like fall farmers markets (pumpkin pie, anyone?) and the famous chile festival in Pueblo.

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#37: Food trucks are a great way to try unique and flavorful food from local vendors. And Colorado Springs has a wide variety of delicious food trucks to choose from. Listen in as Ryan and Carrie share their favorite food trucks from local chefs, their menu recommendations, and how to find one near you.

If you are looking for new food to try, or are entertaining friends or family from out of town, food trucks are a fun experience. And there are a surprising amount of chef-owned and operated food trucks in Colorado Springs.

Learn more about where these food trucks hang out in Colorado Springs, some of the most popular events and festivals, as well as what to order from their menus. Eat some authentic local produce and support Colorado’s food truck scene!

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#36: Ever wanted to be immersed in the history of Colorado’s gold rush? Cripple Creek, Colorado has a past that’s steeped in gold and gambling, which makes it a perfect day trip getaway.

Whether you are visiting from out of town, or out of state, Cripple Creek is a small town that locals love visiting. And there are a surprisingly amount of kid-friendly things to do here. Listen in as Ryan and Carrie share their top recommendations for activities, things to see, and places to eat.

Learn about the history of Cripple Creek, how the town got its name, and how to drive there from Denver or Colorado Springs. You can even visit and explore a working gold mine in the area.

There is so much to do and to see from outdoor activities, local festivals, museums, hiking trails, local restaurants, small shops, and even a vintage candy store!

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#35: The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is a unique and colorful experience like nothing else in Colorado! It is one of the few hiking spots that is not located in the mountains and is instead out east on the plains.

If you are looking for a short, day trip adventure outdoors, that doesn’t cost any money, you will enjoy exploring the Paint Mines Park.

In this episode, Ryan and Carrie dive into the history of the Paint Mines, how they received their name, how the formations were formed, and the unique geological features you don’t want to miss.

You will learn exactly what to expect when visiting the Park, where it is located, and how to get there if you live in Denver or Colorado Springs. Ryan and Carrie also share tips for what to bring on your day trip, and a trail guide for hiking the most popular trail to see the Paint Mines Interpretive Park to the fullest. 

There is so much nature to explore and wildlife to see in the area, they hope this episode inspires you to get outside and explore a fun attraction by going out east for a day!

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#34: Colorado is known for having many famous peaks and popular mountain ranges. But what makes each one special? Some mountains are ski resorts while others make up the second largest mountain range in the United States.

In this episode, Ryan and Carrie share some fun facts about the Colorado mountains that are popular as well as how to visit and explore the massive grandeur of each one.

You will learn exactly what constitutes a mountain, which peaks are most famous and why, how many fourteeners there are, and the total number of mountains in Colorado (this may surprise you!).

Ryan and Carrie also talk about the location of each mountain and how you can climb, hike or drive to enjoy each one. There is so much nature to explore and gorgeous scenery to see, they hope this episode inspires you to take in the “purple mountain majesties” that Colorado offers.

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#33: Enjoying Colorado is not complete without exploring a mountain town. Each town has a unique vibe, and offers a wide range of fun things to do all year long. Listen in as Ryan and Carrie share their list of the 7 best mountain towns, including ones they have visited and ones that are on their Colorado bucket list.

These Colorado mountain towns allow you to do more than just skiing and snowboarding. So, if you are planning a ski trip, check out the episode all about the Best Ski Towns in Colorado.

These mountain towns offer a wide array of things to do no matter what time of year. There is boating, fishing, snow tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, shopping, and even outdoor Ice Castles to explore. Everyone in your family is sure to find something they enjoy, and you will never get bored of this list.

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#32: Whether you are visiting from out of town, or out of state, Woodland Park, Colorado is a best-kept secret that locals love! Ryan and Carrie share their top recommendations for activities, things to do, places to eat, and where to stay in this mountain town.

As both a native and newcomer to the state, they have visited Woodland Park dozens of times. You will be surprised that this town hosts some of the country's top museums and outdoor activities.

You will learn about the history of Woodland Park, how the town got its name, and how to get there from Denver or Colorado Springs. And it is listed as a top 40 best places to retire in Colorado!

There is so much to do and to see from outdoor activities, local festivals, museums, hiking trails, lakes, camping spots and much more.

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#31: If you want to enjoy adventures as a family, you have to find smart ways to explore Colorado together. In this episode, Carrie is joined by Esther Davy of ColoradoWithKids.co to talk about fun things to do in Colorado when you have little ones. They discuss little-known tips and some recommendations for inexpensive entertainment as well as equipment for enjoying Colorado with kids.

Esther shares the importance of having an adventure mindset not only as a parent but also as a kid. And that means always being ready for new opportunities but being prepared with the essentials. She also shares some of her favorite items for family-friendly hikes and places to eat, plus, what to include in your “Bug Out Bag” for adventures on the go.

If you are looking for ways to enjoy the state of Colorado but aren’t sure how to do that effectively with kids, then this episode is a must-listen. We hope this inspires you to get outside and explore all of what Colorado has to offer for both kids and adults!

You can find out more about Esther Davy at ColoradoWithKids.co. For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#30: Now more than ever local businesses need our support, and a little can go a long way. In this episode Ryan and Carrie share some creative ways to support local businesses without spending a ton of money!

As a small business in Colorado, they have first-hand experience with many of these tips. If you are looking for easy ways to shop small without spending a lot of money, you will love these ideas!

Ryan and Carrie share 14 ways you can shop small and how doing this can positively affect your local community. Some of these tips are specific to supporting Colorado businesses, but many of them will work for supporting a local community no matter where you live. If you are interested in a holiday like Small Business Saturday, then this episode is a must-listen!

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#29: Looking for a budget-friendly way to explore Colorado? Why not start by planning the perfect Colorado day trip? Day trips are fun to plan and typically do not cost a lot to enjoy. Taking time to plan a short trip will give you something to look forward to and give you ideas for your next adventure. 

It doesn’t matter what is happening right now, planning a Colorado day trip is a great way to spice up your life. In this episode Ryan and Carrie share 12 tips to help you plan an epic day trip, no matter what time of year. They share their personal tips and favorite experiences for traveling all over the state. 

Listen in as they discuss tips for finding the perfect destination, planning an epic trip, and finding deals and savings to stick to your budget. Plus, they share some of their favorite day trip getaways and recommendations for places that you can add to your bucket list this year. 

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.