By Lisa T. Bergren

Is your family going on vacation to Glenwood Springs? Or just looking for a weekend break? We loved our Glenwood Springs getaway so much, despite a ho-hum hot springs pool experience, we’re eager to return. Here are a few ideas on how we’d spend our time, or what we’d recommend to our friends:

ITINERARY #1: Caverns, Biking and Pool

Day 1: Glenwood Caverns & Adventure Park; yeah, we’d go again. It was that cool. Since we’d gone before we would probably spend the first half of the day having fun with the kids, then let them go and repeat rides to their hearts’ content while Tim and I kicked back on the deck with a glass of wine, to enjoy the spectacular mountain views. Our Teen Traveler would definitely want to try the Wild or Adventure tour in the caverns.

Day 2: We’d rise early, rent bikes, pick up picnic packs from Good Health deli (722 Cooper Ave. #970-945-0235) and enjoy the Rio Grande Trail for as many miles as the kids could handle it, stopping somewhere fun for our picnic. After that, we’d return and soak away sore muscles in the hot springs pool on the way out of town.

Note: The AmericInn right by the caverns looks like a great place to stay, includes a big breakfast and has an indoor water park! Lots of hotels to choose from in this town…

ITINERARY #2:  Canyon Biking & Hiking and River Running

Day 1: We’d rent bikes and take the shuttle up to Dotsero, where they drop you and a family can easily cruise along the Colorado River, all the way back to Glenwood Springs (16 miles). The canyon is gorgeous, inviting multiple stops—tough in a car, easy on bikes. As an added bonus, and since we’re coasting more than riding our bikes, we’d lock ‘em up at the Hanging Lake exit, and climb the 1000’ on the mile-long trail to see the beautiful waterfalls and a pristine mountain lake.

Day 2: Since we have kids who’ve never been white water rafting, we’d try the more sedate South Canyon Rapids, to literally get their feet wet. But there’s plenty of opportunity for thrills for the more adventurous, more experienced family heading in Glenwood’s direction. (If we couldn’t get the kids to try a river rafting trip, we might opt for a half-day tubing trip, giving us time to break for a picnic and rock hunt. There’s also inflatable kayaks and stand up paddleboards you can rent!)

ITINERARY #3:  Catchin’ Air and Terre Firma

Day 1: If money was no object (hey, it could happen!), we’d let our teen go paragliding ($149pp) or take the whole family on a balloon ride over Aspen and Snowmass, capped off with a champagne brunch.  With that kind of wild morning, we’d spend the afternoon on a walking tour of historic Glenwood Springs and finding someplace great for dinner.

Day 2: The next day, we’d cover some serious ground on either an ATV tour or horseback riding tour, going deep into the mountains and local ranches. Nah, it’s not my kind of thing. But the kids would adore me forever for letting them try ATVing. And horses? Please. It’s Colorado. It’s practically required.

BONUS: Day trips out of Glenwood Springs

Inspired by the Official Insider’s Guide to Glenwood Springs…

These ideas make me want to rent a house for a WEEK in Glenwood!

–Rifle Falls State Park (40 miles); amazing waterfalls

–Sweetwater Indian Cave; complete with Ute petroglyphs

–Do you have a 4WD? Carbondale for breakfast, Redstone for a quick visit, Marble Park for a self-guided tour, Crystal Mill for quintessential view of mine ruins and mountains; Crystal for the ghost town

–Aspen in 40 miles away and worthy of a day away; check out the river walk with John Denver lyrics etched in boulders