Colorado: Clean Air, Craft Beer & Calm Minds

Having been to Colorado a few years ago (and once before in the previous century 😬), I was eager to relive what I had loved so much from before. June 2026 felt like the perfect time for a short break in the USA.

Dublin to Denver: The Easy Way Across the Atlantic

Flights were with Aer Lingus on their Dublin–Denver direct service, which takes convenience to a whole other level. With US immigration pre-clearance completed in Dublin, you effectively arrive in Denver as a domestic passenger. In my case I was not even required to show any ID on arrival: I simply walked off the aircraft and straight into Colorado.

From Denver International a direct rail link runs into the city, with a simple four-stop service terminating at the central Union Station, first constructed in 1868 to support the original pioneers heading west into the Old West.

The Oxford Hotel: History at the Heart of the City

More convenient again was the location of my hotel, The Oxford, less than five minutes’ walk from the train tracks. With its own origins reaching back to 1891, you immediately see how Denver differentiates itself from so many other US cities, proudly celebrating its heritage rather than bulldozing it.

Two nights adjusting to the seven-hour time difference of Mountain Daylight Time meant early-morning city walks. In Denver these feel very different to most other US cities I have experienced to date: people are eager to say hello and, judging by the pavements, owning a dog seems almost compulsory.

Fort Collins: Calm Streets & Craft Beer

My next stop was the surprise of the trip: Fort Collins. Only an hour north of Denver, this is the home of Colorado State University and, perhaps fittingly, has a flourishing craft beer scene, with 26 breweries at the current count.

What impressed me even more was the absolute lack of chain stores along the main thoroughfare. Local shops run by local people give a huge sense of community pride. Once again, the standout feature was the calmness 🧘🏻‍♂️. I challenge anyone to spend a week here and come back more stressed than when they left. Absolutely impossible.

Red Rocks: Music, Stone & Millions of Years of History

En route to my next stop I called into the iconic Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. With sandstone formations millions of years old, it is a mesmerising and truly spectacular setting. The unique acoustics of the natural bowl have hosted artists as diverse as The Beatles, U2 and Pearl Jam, and it remains a huge draw for major tours today. Even without a concert, simply standing in the amphitheatre and looking across the plains is worth the detour.

Estes Park & Rocky Mountain Highs

The highlight of the trip was a finale in Estes Park. Perched on the fringes of Rocky Mountain National Park, its main street sits at an altitude of around 7,520 feet, well over twice the elevation of Ireland’s highest point, Carrauntoohil at 3,407 feet.

Hiking into the park itself was unforgettable. A particular taster was the trek up to Dream Lake at over 9,900 feet, where the reflections of the surrounding peaks dance on crystal-clear water. Altitude is not just a number here: you feel it in your lungs, your legs and your sense of achievement when you reach the viewpoints.

As if that was not enough, a last-minute acquisition of concert tickets for 80s group Starship made for a brilliant final night, ably hosted by the historic Stanley Hotel. After clean mountain air, live music and that setting, it was hard to imagine a better send-off.

Back to the “Mile High City”

The journey back to Denver International was an easy 90-minute transfer, a reminder that even the airport sits at around 5,400 feet, giving Denver its “Mile High City” nickname.

Huge thanks to Visit Colorado, Visit Denver, Visit Fort Collins and Visit Estes Park for their assistance throughout.

In a world where a beach break is the default de-stress for most people, this trip reminded me that the outdoors, clean air and genuinely friendly people have it beaten, hands down, every single time.

If you would like to swap sea views for mountain peaks on your next escape, I would be delighted to help you start planning your own Colorado adventure.