If you go: Summer in northern Colorado

(CNN) -- Steamboat Springs is about three and a half hours northwest of Denver. Watch for deer and elk on the beautiful drive over Rabbit Ears Pass on U.S. Highway 40.

Saddleback Ranch offers summer horseback rides Monday through Thursday.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

Activities:

Fish Creek Falls Recreation Area is about three miles from downtown Steamboat Springs. A paved nature trail offers a panoramic view of the 283-foot lower falls. For a more strenuous hike and a view over the valley, make the four-mile roundtrip journey to the upper falls, which are much smaller but less crowded than the main attraction.

Saddleback Ranch offers a number of summer rides starting at $55 for a two-hour trek. Snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, horseback riding and tubing are offered in the wintertime.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs, located seven miles from downtown, is open year-round. Restrooms, changing rooms and picnic areas are located on the property. Admission is $10 for adults.

One-day Mount Werner summer gondola passes are $18 for adults. The gondola will operate daily through August 24, Friday through Monday during Labor Day weekend, then Saturdays and Sundays through September 21. Mountain bike rentals are available at the gondola's base. (970) 871-5252

Don't Miss

Eat:

Winona's (617 Lincoln Avenue) is a popular downtown breakfast and lunch spot. Known for its huge cinnamon buns, the restaurant also serves pancakes, omelets and several renditions of eggs benedict for breakfast. (970) 879-2483

Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill (435 Lincoln Avenue) offers handcrafted beer, sandwiches, salads and a range of "dipping entrees" such as adobo rubbed lamb sirloin with rosemary mint mojo and red bell pepper cilantro sauces. (970) 879-3773

Cugino's (41 8th Street) serves affordable thin-crust pizzas, stromboli and pasta dishes. The patio is a great spot for summer dining. (970) 879-5805

Shop:

For Western wear check out family-owned F.M. Light & Sons (830 Lincoln Avenue), in business since 1905.

Stay:

Sheraton Steamboat Resort has several promotional summer offers including a free fourth night with a three-night paid stay (rates from $199). The offer is valid through September 28.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

The park's western entrance in Grand Lake is about two hours from Steamboat Springs. Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) covers the 48 spectacular miles between Grand Lake and Estes Park, the eastern gateway.

BOULDER

Activities:

Family owned and operated Avery Brewing Co. (5763 Arapahoe Avenue) offers free tours and tastings four days a week. The tasting room is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Tours are at 3 p.m. On Saturday the tour is at noon and the tasting room is open from 12:30 to 5 p.m. The first five tasters are free.

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival takes place in Boulder every summer. Next year's festival -- the 51st annual -- will run from mid-June to mid-August. Check the Web site for updates.

Eat:

The ornate Dushanbe Tea House (1770 13th Street), a gift from Boulder's sister city in Tajikistan, provides a lovely setting for meals all day. A wide selection of teas is served alongside eclectic ethnic fare.

Bimbamboo (1710 Pearl Street), a Boulder newcomer, serves modern Asian dishes from Korean beef to Bengali grilled salmon. Most entrees are $10 or less.

Mateo (1837 Pearl Street), a casually elegant Provencal-inspired restaurant, takes advantage of local seasonal ingredients with dishes such as grilled leg of Colorado lamb with flageolet legumes, slow-roasted roma tomatoes and thyme jus.

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