Hashtag Colorado Life

#7: Arcades, mineral water, cliff dwellings and coffin races -- all in one little historic town!

Ryan and Carrie take us on a tour of this quirky Colorado town, Manitou Springs. Just outside of Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs is full of surprising local history and plenty of quirky spots to eat and explore.

Whether you’re there for a casual stroll or up for some serious physical activity, Manitou Springs packs a lot into such a little town. They play virtual tour guide as they walk through town, point out their favorite mom-and-pop shops, fascinating cliffside architecture and spooky local legends. And if you’re feeling really ambitious, learn about the famous Manitou Incline, a physical feat worth bragging about on your Colorado bucket list.

They hope this inspires you to check out Manitou Springs -- the unique little town that packs a big punch!

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

#6: Hungry? You might want to grab a snack as Ryan and Carrie explore their favorite Colorado foods and restaurants. Plus, you’ll get a first hand perspective from a professional chef -- that’s Ryan!

Ryan and Carrie discuss the great produce and game that’s unique to Colorado. From western slope peaches to free range bison (and yes, let’s not forget Rocky Mountain Oysters). Colorado residents have access to some incredibly unique food!

The restaurant scene has its own delightful food surprises. Whether you want a fancy dinner from an award-winning chef or a casual meal, Ryan and Carrie talk about their favorite places to dine out around the state.

Sit back with a Denver omelette or a green chili smothered burrito and enjoy this deep dive into the Colorado food scene!

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

#5: With stunning mountains right at your doorstep, it’s no wonder Colorado is known for its spectacular hiking!

Ryan and Carrie are joined by friend and Colorado native Michelle Jackson to talk about their favorite hikes across Colorado. They discuss how to find great new trails and hiking meetup groups, as well as safety tips to explore the great outdoors.

Michelle talks about the areas she loves exploring around the state, including Rocky Mountain National Park, while Ryan and Carrie weigh in with some of their favorite trails around Colorado Springs. Michelle also shares the scoop on her favorite hiking groups on the Front Range, including meetups for people of color, and safety tips that every hiker should keep in mind when exploring trails up in the mountains.

We hope this inspires you to grab your gear and go take a hike. And remember what Ryan said in this episode: don’t throw your car keys at an attacking bear!

You can find out more about Michelle Jackson and her podcast at SquareStateCo.com.

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

#4: Home to world’s largest mineral hot springs, Glenwood Springs also happens to be one of Ryan and Carrie’s favorite places to visit in the state of Colorado!

Ryan and Carrie discuss their favorite places to stay in the area and tips for saving money when planning your visit to the hot springs, like finding hotel packages that offer complimentary access to the pools. They also talk about their favorite activities to do in the area (when they’re not soaking in the mineral springs) and the small towns they like to visit just outside of Glenwood Springs, like Redstone and Marble, Colorado.

If you haven’t been to Glenwood Springs and its famous healing waters, it’s definitely worth putting on your Colorado bucket list. And if you’re craving a return visit, they hope you check out some new spots around town that they mentioned in this episode!

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

#3: It’s road trip time! Ryan and Carrie dive into their favorite day trips to take in the Rocky Mountain area, including a terrifying but extremely memorable excursion to the Royal Gorge in Cañon City. They discuss what they love about little trips to Estes Park and the stunning landscape of Rocky Mountain National Park that surrounds the town. And they round out their list of road trip favorites with Cripple Creek, a tiny historic silver mining town, as well as Breckenridge, their favorite ski town to visit in both winter and summer.

They also discuss Colorado driving tips, including getting the right kind of wiper fluid, how to navigate wintery roads and looking out for “the Colorado Creep” at traffic lights. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a spontaneous day trip, these tips can help you hit the road!

They also give a big shout out to Native Campervans, based in Denver, for supplying their incredibly comfortable and fully equipped Campervan for their latest road trip.

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

#2: Living in Colorado’s high altitude presents a unique challenge. The air is drier, it’s harder to take in oxygen -- even food cooks differently here! Ryan and Carrie discuss their secrets for surviving and thriving at high altitude in Colorado.

They discuss the effects of altitude sickness and how to prevent it from happening or at least decrease the symptoms. They also chat about their favorite high-altitude mountain towns and talk about tips for cooking and baking at high altitude -- because even the water boils differently when you’re up so high! 

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

#1: Are you thinking of moving to Colorado? Maybe you want to move to a different city in this beautiful Square State but aren't sure which one to choose. Ryan and Carrie explore the pros and cons of living in all of the major cities on the Front Range: Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs.

They answer questions like, the cost of living in each city, and what to keep in mind when making a cross-country move -- or even an in-state move. They also discuss how each major city has changed since Ryan was a kid, and the explosion of growth Colorado has experienced in recent years. Whether you're a newcomer to the state or looking to change things up, we hope this helps you make the move!

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