Colorado Insider Tips

Colorado, Aspen | The annual Food & Wine Classic takes place in Aspen typically in June, bringing together the world's foremost authorities on wine and food with more than 80 cooking demonstrations and wine seminars led by culinary experts such as Dana Cowin (editor Food & Wine magazine), chefs Giada de Laurentis, Danny Meyer and Marcus Samuelsson, as well as Bravo's Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons to name a few.

Colorado, Beaver Creek | You can order the best Southern-style grits this side of the Rockies at 8100 Mountain Side Bar & Grill in Beaver Creek at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa. Or Blue Moose Pizzeria, located in the heart of town and steps from the ice rink, makes the best pizza around.

Colorado | Ski resorts in Colorado ski country are dedicated to continuing to improve the guest experience, continuing to add amenities for the winter season. Snowmass showcases the Breathtaker mountain coaster, a thrilling ride that will drop guests more than 400 vertical feet on a mile of turning track and be open year-round. In Steamboat enjoy the Outlaw Mountain Coaster, with a riding length of more than 6,000 linear feet and a 400-foot vertical drop - the longest in the U.S.

Colorado, Aspen | Aspen Saturday Market is usually open from mid-June to October. This open-air farmer's market offers the finest Colorado grown produce and specialty foods. Live music and a food court is available for tasting. In early April, celebrate spring with the Taste of Vail. Enjoy three days of magnificent cuisine and wines, served by renowned chefs for a fraction of the normal cost.

Colorado | Conquer Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. While Louis and Clark were pushing Westward, Zebulon Montgomery Pike had been exploring and mapping the, now Midwestern, regions of the United States. His expedition culminated with his attempt to climb to the summit of what later became known as Pikes Peak. Unfortunately, never making it to the summit, Pike and his crew were captured by Native Americans on their descent. Get an early start and pack lots of food as this 26 mile round-trip hike will be highlight of your day. With a vertical gain of over 7,500 feet, do what Pike couldn't and conquer his peak.

Colorado | Outside of Denver, visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. As the only mountainside zoo in the United States, you'll learn about more than 150 species including 30 endangered species. The zoo offers multiple feeding experiences including giraffes, elephants, budgies, chickens, goats and even rhinos. Plus, enjoy custom animal experiences with everything from up-close meetings of opossums, beavers, prairie dogs, river otter, owls, sloths, meerkat, marsupials, tigers and grizzly bears to interviews with zoo keepers, shadow a keeper and Bring the Zoo to you options.