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International travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic made road trips the vacation of choice this summer. Travel experts previously told BI that they expect to see vacation trends shift from traveling by plane to that by car and RV.
Sources: Business Insider, Business Insider
As fall rolls around and the pandemic continues, we compiled a list of road trip stops to fill the season safely. These are the top-rated attractions through Colorado that are worth a socially distanced visit.
Source: Business Insider
Follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs through a hiking trail at a park and preserve in Morrison, Colorado, west of Denver.
Sources: Trip Advisor Dinosaur Ridge
At Dinosaur Ridge, visitors can hike a trail full of 250 preserved dinosaur tracks from three dinosaurs and one crocodilian, per the company’s website.
Sources:Dinosaur Ridge
The site reopened on May 9 with coronavirus-era procedures in place, like having all workers wear masks and enforcing social distancing. Patrons are only required to wear masks inside facilities like the gift shop.
Sources: Trip Advisor Dinosaur Ridge
North of Denver, catch a movie at Holiday Twin Drive-in.
Sources: Trip Advisor, Holiday Twin Drive-In
For up to $9 a person, depending on your age, watch two films on the big screen from the comfort of your car. Tune in to the movie’s audio on the radio.
Sources: Trip Advisor, Holiday Twin Drive-In
The drive-in is operating with restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. All tickets and food must be bought online, and cars have to park at least 10 feet apart. Additionally, restrooms are being cleaned every 15 minutes.
Sources: Trip Advisor, Holiday Twin Drive-In
West of Denver, explore an outdoor concert venue among red rocks without the usual crowd.
Source: Trip Advisor, Red Rocks
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is an outdoor theater that hosts live music. But during the day, people use its 193 steps for exercising and enjoying the view.
Source: Trip Advisor, Red Rocks
During the coronavirus pandemic, dozens of concerts have been canceled or postponed, but the space is open. The venue’s fitness classes are limited to 175 people, and people outside the class can’t access the steps during class times.
Source: Trip Advisor, Red Rocks
In Southern Colorado, get lost at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Source: National Parks Service, Trip Advisor
This park holds the tallest sand dunes in North America, per the National Parks Service. It’s not like beach sand — Trip Advisor reviews say it’s much softer.
Source: National Parks Service, Trip Advisor
The park began a phased reopening in June. The inside of the Visitor’s Center remains closed to adhere to CDC guidelines, but park rangers will be available outside the center to answer questions. The park encourages patrons to avoid crowds and wear a face covering when social distancing isn’t possible.
Source: National Parks Service, Trip Advisor
Take a stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens. The garden’s York Street and Chatfield Farms locations have reopened.
Sources: Botanic Gardens, Trip Advisor
At the York Street location, explore 24 acres of gardens filled with plants from around the world. Conversely, the Chatfield Farms location is a 700-acre refuge for native plants.
Sources: Botanic Gardens, Trip Advisor
Both locations have limited the number of people allowed in the gardens at a time, using a timed ticket system. Tickets must be bought online and patrons have to wear face-covering throughout their visit, aside from when they’re eating or drinking.
Sources: Botanic Gardens, Trip Advisor
Wander through trails amid rocks that are 300 feet tall at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
Source: Trip Advisor
Garden of the Gods is a national landmark and free attraction with 21 miles of hiking trails at the base of Pikes Peak, a Rocky Mountain summit.
Source: Garden of the Gods
To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, parks in Colorado Springs require visitors on trails to maintain six feet of space from others and wear masks when social distancing is impossible.
Source: Colorado Springs
Take a scenic drive through the portion of Colorado’s Route 550 known as the Million Dollar Highway.
Source: Trip Advisor
The Million Dollar Highway is a six-mile section of San Juan Skyway, a road that traverses the San Juan Mountains.
Source: Trip Advisor
This attraction is inherently socially distanced since it doesn’t require you to leave your vehicle.
This content was originally published here.
